Advice for beginner please: is this a good deal?
 

So I'm finding that my new hobby taken up while I can't ride my horses is *almost* as expensive as my horses. I cannot believe how much material costs! Yikes! Anyway, I found someone who is selling their "quilting workshop" as they describe it. I was mainly looking for material but this lot includes a Pfaff 7550. I've been sewing on a 20+ year old Babylock which I like (I think I like it, LOL, as I don't know anything different).

I was curious if anyone could give me any advice on this machine? The woman told me she had a local shop "rebuild and service" the machine last month and gave her a year (transferrable) warranty. Within the package, she's basically asking $500 for the machine. She said the machine was used for quilting. Other than the built in walking foot, would this machine suffice for beginner to intermediate-type projects? Does this seem like a fair price? I've Googled reviews on this machine and have only found a couple. I realize it's older....$500 still seemed a bit high?

Thank you for a newbie!!

Sorry, I can't help you with that, but there are great people on this board who can. Welcome!

Welcome to the board from Michigan!


I'm no help other than I did a search here on the board and came up with lots of threads. Try looking thru them for more information

Welcome to the board from Florida from another horse owner. All I can say about the machine is that I know that this particular brand is a good one and new ones are expensive. What else is she throwing in the package for 500.00? Or is that just for the machine? As for the question concerning projects, I would say yes it would be good for most quilting/sewing projects. I wish mine had a built in walking foot.
Sorry I'm not much help.

I really don't know whether that is a good price for that machine or not. However, I do think that if you're looking for a new machine you should try out several different models of several different brands and pick one that you really like, rather than jumping at a possible bargain that just happened to come your way. After you've looked at different machines you can come up with a list of the features you really want in a machine - automatic needle down? built in walking foot? automatic needle threader? stitch regulator? knee control to lift presser foot? The list goes on. At least spend some time with this Pfaff to determine whether you like it or not.

I had a Pfaff 7570 which I have sold. The German made Pfaffs were great machines. Parts, including the mother board, may be difficult to obtain if you need a repair. That would be my main concern.

I looked at this thread earlier, and didn't respond because I was assuming that you would get more answers...but, as you haven't had too many,...here is what I know. I know nothing about the machine you have asked about, but I have a Pfaff and love it. Mine is a different model, of course. I have had it four years, and the built in walking foot is the best thing!!

I think if you are interested in the machine, you should test drive it and see if you like it. To be honest, when I was looking for a machine, I tried all kinds of different machines, and I just got confused with so many choices. I ended up with a Pfaff because my sister has one and loves it. I had a sewing machine I liked, but my husband wanted to get me a new one for Christmas. I have no regrets about my machine.

So, that is what I know. I haven't googled it, but I assume you are doing that.

Good luck with your decision.

Dina

I don't have any advice on the machine but just wanted to say I know what you mean about the expenses with horses and quilts! I have 2 horses and quilt too. Both can suck your bank account dry but they are both so wonderful!!! Definitely worth it!!

It may be a little early to get answers. Just wait a while and you will.

My husband bought this machine at least 20 years ago and I loved it, especially the built in walking foot. When I started quilting I found that I really wanted a larger bed for more quilting room. I ended up giving it to a friend who's life was heartbreaking. I do remember being warned about the motherboard problems. It didn't have a drop in bobbin which was a very minor inconvenience. I don't recall a knee lift or needle down. I think it cost $2200 at that time as husband was unaware that sewing machine salesmen will dicker just like a car dealer. Based on my history I think the your asking price is a bit high.

I did a search on this machine on eBay, for completed listings:
http://www.ebay.com/sch/Sewing-Fabri...mplete=1&rt=nc

One sold for $495 (gone over by a technician), and one for $395. I would think that $500 is the top used price she could ask. I would offer less, citing the potential problem with getting replacement parts in the future. In my opinion, $500 is a fair price but so is $400. The machine is quite old, but absolutely fabulous when it first came out. I took a class from Susan Cleveland years ago -- http://www.piecesbewithyou.com/ -- and this was the machine she had. She raved about it at the time, said it did everything she wanted it to do, and said she never planned to buy another machine. Don't know if this is the machine she still uses for her work now, though. Somehow, I doubt it. Bet she still has it for a backup machine, though.

If this machine is made in Germany, and I suspect it is, it should be as good as all the other Pfaffs. The IDT is their claim to fame, and it is fantastic. As for the price, I would go to eBay and see what they are selling for. Then decide if you'd rather have the older Pfaff or something new for your $. Completed eBay auctions may also be a bargaining chip if you want to try to talk her down.

Just wanted to welcome you to the board. I can't help you with your inquiry but there are many on the board who will atleast direct you to some one who can. Happy quilting!

You didn't say what else is included in the lot. What would be the price of the lot without the machine? Then you can determine the price of the machine. Pfaffs are outstanding machines and -at least in my experience - don't require much in repairs.

Thanks guys! And sorry I didn't clarity what else was in there. Here's the ad. It seemed a little high to me, but I don't really know how many yards of fabric there are either....

http://tucson.craigslist.org/art/4587161055.html

The poster responded that the machine was "rebuilt". I don't know if that means the motherboard was actually rebuilt. I could call the store where she took it I suppose but don't want to invest too much time into this if it's not a decent deal to begin with.

We have 2 of the older Pfaffs 7550 and 7575 (both basically) the same. I think that about 2 years ago $500 is about what we paid (each). I have to say that I love them. I know at the time a lot of them were going for up to $1,000. It is true about the Motherboard though we haven't had any issues with ours. You might bring up the fact that parts are longer made for these machines and see if that will get her to come down some.

I have a 7550 that I bought about a year or so ago from a friend who was buying an even newer, better Pfaff. She has both a Pfaff and a Bernina as do I and I would have a hard time choosing between the two if I had to get rid of one. She had taken very good care of it. I love it especially for the built in IDT. I have always struggled to get a walking foot on a machine but maybe that is just me. Anyway, I don't know about the motherboard problem so maybe you should call the shop to inquire what was done to the machine. I don't think you can go wrong with the machine otherwise. I find that it really pieces nicely. I only paid $300 for mine and she threw in a nice table to go with it. I think she just wanted it gone so offered it to friends. Good luck with your decision.

Is she willing to sell the machihne by itself? $1200 seems high even for all the stuff she has listed. Go and check the fabric etc and see if it is all fabric that you actually like. If she is wiling to sell only the machine then make an offer after you have check it out/test driven it. $1200-$500=$700 which still seems linke a to for the fabric. you can always make her an offer on the lot.

Welcome from NE Ohio.

I have the 7550 and two 7570. They are identical except the 7570 has embroidery capabilities. I bought my first 7570 about 20 years ago and love it so much I bought another. Then I bought the 7550. I get them serviced about once a year and have never had any problems with any of them. I have heard of the motherboard problems but have never had any such problems myself. I LOVE my Pfaff and highly recommend it. I think $500 is the top I would pay for a 7550. Hope that helps.

I can't speak to the price on the machine, but based on the other stuff she lists, apparently costing $700, I wouldn't do it. What am I going to do with 2 ironing boards & 3 irons? I'm a quilter, not a knitter. I made my own large design board for about $25 with a piece of particle board from Home Depot & clearance fabrics from Joann. You can buy rolls of batting from Joann.com with a 50% off coupon most weeks of the year for about $200 per 40 yards x 90"W (less for smaller sizes). The other notions are not terribly expensive, so that leaves the fabric. I agree that buying new fabric at a quilt shop adds up. The only thing I would caution is to spend time going through the fabrics. I've never bought used fabric, but I've seen what other people bring home in those mystery boxes. Sometimes it is the most beautiful, pristine, 100% quilter's cotton made by some fancy designer that the person bought at a quilt shop and who knows why they gave up quilting. Much more often, though, it is a box of mostly duds with a few gems hidden in their midst. They might have poly-cotton blends, fabrics the seller herself bought at Goodwill, smoky fabrics, mildewed fabrics, fabrics covered in pet-hair, cheapy fabrics from Joann/HL... or most often, just fabrics that are old & ugly. There are estate sales pretty regularly where I live & often enough they will have 2-3 boxes of quilting fabrics/supplies so if you're mainly looking for that, I'd encourage you to do a google search for estate sales in your area (& check out the classifieds). Every once in a while you can strike gold with those sales & come home with a $15 box of the most beautiful designer fabrics plus a few other miscellaneous notions. One of my guild members makes a point take time every month to hit up some estate sales that advertise sewing items. It took her 7 months, but 6 weeks ago she brought back a extra large box of fabric that would make any quilter green with envy. She paid $35 for the whole thing.

I agree with dunster. Check out a couple of dealers in your area and come up with a list of the features that YOU like or think will help you succeed as a quilter. If you are willing to spend $500 on a used machine, perhaps there is a new machine that fit your desired specs and budget where replacement parts would not be an immediate concern. It's worth checking out. Don't jump on the first "deal" to come along.....research is the key to any good purchase. Good luck.

Welcome from NE Ohio.

Click on the Advance Search that is located in the upper right corner of the header page and by entering the model number of the sewing machine to see what results you get. Welcome to the board!!

As a beginning quilter, all you really need is a machine that does a good straight stitch---------------as in a $25 thrift store find. A higher end machine will not make you better. Only time and effort will.

I read the ad. She does not specify the amount of fabric. She might have 10 yards priced at $15 per yard or 200 yards priced at $1 per yard. If you are at all interested,I'd make an appointment to see what she has. Then decide

I have two Pfaff machines and they are the best in my opinion for quilting, the build in walking foot that is the best as it moves the fabric as you go perfect 1/4 "seam. Love my Pfaffs

For my $500, I would ask her to throw in a hour of instruction if you need it to get familiar with the machine.

[QUOTE=Prism99;6871246]I did a search on this machine on eBay, for completed listings:
http://www.ebay.com/sch/Sewing-Fabri...mplete=1&rt=nc

This looks like the machine that Nancy Zieman used for so many years on her Sewing with Nancy program until she went to Babylock.

I have a 7550 and I love it. It can do more than I can. As a retirement gift to myself I bought a Janome 11000SE wanted the embroidery option. I went back to piecing on my Pfaff - you just can't beat that integrated walking foot as far as I'm concerned.

this lot includes a Pfaff 7550. I've been sewing on a 20+ year old Babylock which I like (I think I like it, LOL, as I don't know anything different).

I bought my 7570 brand new and mine cost about $3,300. The 7550 is just below mine and I LOVE my machine and got it because of the on-board walking foot. It is all metal inside and that is a very good thing, mine stays at home due to the hefty weight. That sounds like a good price, look at and 'lift' other machines in that price range. Mine has never given me a minute of problems and if it has been gone through, you should be fine to buy it. The service charge could be $100.
Let us know what you decide and if you got some fabric.

I have a Pfaff 7570, which is just like the 7550 except for a few upgrades. I have had it for about 7 or 8 years, and love it. We bought it used for $1,000, and INHO $500 is a fair price for it, as it is a great machine. It is my go to machine. I do have 2 newer machines, but my Pfaff is my specialty. Go for it, you won't be disappointed. I love mine.

Sounds fair to me. I would be drooling over the fabric. Welcome to the board!

The 7570 was the last machine made in Germany I've been told, and I just love mine. I plan to keep it until I die.

I inherited a 7570, but I did not love it as I thought I would. I prefer my even older Bernina, although I do most of my sewing on a TOL Babylock now. The few things that I did not like about it - had trouble with the bobbin winder, just couldn't quite get it figured out but that is likely operator error. But mostly, it seems as if the bobbins just didn't hold much thread - always changing them out. As a new quilter, I became drawn to a machine with a larger harp space very quickly. I also had a lot of trouble with the leading edge of the fabric getting chewed up in the feed dogs. I know how to prevent it, but had never had the issue with my Bernina of a similar vintage.

back to expensive fabric...you are right. Just be selective that what you do buy, you purchase it because you love it and NOT because it was too cheap to pass up. That second kind of fabric will go into your fabric crypt and you'll hate it every time you see it.
I inherited two stashes, and both women had wonderful taste...but it wasn't my taste and about 80% went to new homes.
The other stuff in the ad? As your interest and skill grows (as with any interest) you will know when you need certain tools. Wait.

Welcome to the board, and good luck with your question. I will watch with you to see the replies

Wow, I almost bought one years ago. Pfaffs are great machines. -- but I don't think 500$ is a bad price. I would try to bargain of course -- You won't be disappointed.....shame it isn't closer!

OMG!!!!! YES - I have a Pfaff and the 7550 is a GREAT machine (it's older, but still a work horse). Most of the time that machine starts off in this area at $800.00 and goes up. I would do it it a heart beat, but you've been using another machine. So I would say, take something small over and sew with the machine. It should be quiet and smooth. It should also have a walking foot (you will love that). This Pfaff was made in Germany, when the Pfaff family still owned the company. Now hey are made in Japan (not the same). Good luck