It's not just a shortage for machines, what is available have some insane markup prices. I've been keeping an eye on a Brother (CS6000i) on Amazon for a while, when I checked it at the beginning of December, it was only $160, when I checked just last week, it is now listed for $430 with the newer CS7000i listed at $425 and they're not the only ones that did a huge increase. I'm actually afraid to look at the Singer I've been keeping an eye on.
The last time I was physically out in public was December 10th, that was to pick up some groceries and finally pick up my Dressmaker from my service guy. I've got it and a mini-machine that I switch back and forth on, depending on my mood, but when I saw the pandemic coming down the pipe, I picked up some extra brushes for cleaning my machines and I'm waiting for new needles, bobbins, a snap-on foot adapter and an open toe embroidery foot for the Dressmaker, they'll be here Monday. I also finally found a manual for my Dressmaker, I'll get that in the middle of the month, but the only thing I forgot to pick up was an extra bottle of oil. At least now that I'll have a manual for my main machine, I can finally start correctly cleaning and oiling it when it comes time.
I'm glad I've got the machines that I do and I'm doubly glad I picked up some extra supplies. A few months from now when people need needles, bobbins, thread, etc. to maintain their machines, my gut says the prices will go up on those items, too. I'm not going to hoard sewing machine supplies, but I do intend on picking up what I can and will continue to do so until the prices go up. New silk pins, more needles and thread for general supplies, then a couple of rulers, a new cutting mat and maybe the templates for the mini double wedding ring for quilting are already on my shopping list for next month.
Have to look at it this way, ladies, we may be in a sewing machine shortage now, but when this pandemic is over (and they always end), there are going to be garage sales again and you can bet, some will have sewing machines, especially when they find out just what it is going to entail to get them serviced. Until then, make extra efforts to clean, oil and love on our machines, troubleshoot our own problems, continue to quilt and just hold on.