Is there a book somewhere that's available for prices on used sewing machines? I know I've googled for such a thing in the past and couldn't find much. I just saw a local ad selling a used long arm machine and it states, "Book value ______" Huh? What book?

I don't know where you can get one, but I do know that my local Baby Lock dealer has a copy because they got it out to price a used machine I was interested in buying. Of course, they aren't willing to pay the trade-in book price when you are selling to them.

If you are on good terms with one of your local dealers, maybe they would be willing to look up the price for you.

It is the same as a 'blue book' with autos. Someone has gathered information on items and put a value on older models. Usually for sewing machines the sewing machine dealers have them. That is their guide on trade in and resell prices on machines. These books had blue covers, hence the name 'blue book'.

Saying that, I have no idea where one could purchase one.

I don't care about finding a value for my machine at this moment, but I'd be interested in where you can buy this book!

I suspect that they only sell it to the trade, so to speak.

All sewing machine dealers have a copy of this book, that is how they judge the value of their trade-ins. You should be able to call a dealer and ask them to look up a machine's value for you. I used to do it all the time for customers when I worked at the Janome dealership.

I suspect you're right. And that's dumb IMHO. Whoever prints this book would sell a lot of copies if they give the public access! I'd probably buy one just to have in case I were interested in buying a used machine! It doesn't make sense to keep it secret. grumble, grumble, grumble...

what is anoying is for vehicals of all sorts you can get the blue book. why not for other "bluebook" worthy items?

My dealer has done it for me several times...and they even went so far as to tell me what questions I should ask about the various machines, and things I should look for when "test driving".

Yeah, but we shouldn't have to go to a dealer to look at a stupid page in a book. I'll start muttering now, since I've already grumbled. mutter, mutter, mutter.

Yes there is, here is the best place to try.

You can buy the Blue Book of Sewing Machine Values. It is available from Allbrands, at www.allbrands.com. Also, search ebay auction listings to see if any have be sold recently to see what they sold for. But the best source would be the Blue Book for Sewing machine values. It is published yearly.

Hope this helps :-D
:XD:

My sister worked for a car lot for a short time,and in their training they taught them that "blue book" values were a joke.

They loved when people come in talking about "blue book" values, those people usually paid a lot more than they should have.

You don't even want to hear some of the other stuff they taught them! It was bad, really bad. She only lasted a few months there!

Really, any item car or sewing machine is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it. Finding places where they are sold, and what people have paid for them is more accurate that something someone put in a book.

Hmm. Thanks, but I tried searching AllBrands and no luck:< Do you have a link? That would be great.

Dang, just tried and nothing. Let me BING it...

O.K. I'll ask:> What's "binging" it? :P

Oh sorry about that. Bing.com is a search engine. lol sorry!!

Try this http://sewingonline.info/books/
scroll down to about the bottom of the page and you will see the Blue book of sewing machines. This one says 2002 to 2004 but it may have an update.
Oh Man just clicked on the buy button and it says product not found. :hunf:
Well I tried....
:XD:

OK, I give up. When I go to my dentist appointment later I'll stop by a sewing machine shop and ask where I can or if I can even get one. LOL
Now I have a tangent to go on, and I thought this day was gonna be boring...
;)
Faith
:XD:

If the sewing machine value book works like auto blue books, it would be republished every year or so with updated values. That would mean you'd have to buy a new one every time they republish. For my money, I think I'd try connecting with a dealer willing to talk about used values.

Wow, if it's this hard to find, maybe you have to know a secret handshake or belong to a spy organization? :>

I'm guessing so... rofl!!
:XD:
here it is, the handshake: :thumbup: :thumbdown: :thumbdown: :thumbup: :thumbdown: :thumbup:
did ya get all that?
LMAO!!!

There are several places online that will give you the value of any sewing machine "according to the blue book", or, as mentioned earlier, you can ask at most dealers. Neither option costs anything. Why would you need to get a copy of the book for yourself and have to update it from year to year?

Cuz we can??? LOL
That's like asking why do you cut the fabric up when you turn around and sew it back together again?
Cuz we can?
I would think that you would consider from year to year that modern machines depriciate(sp), but that if you were on the look out for a decent machine it could come in handy. :-D
:XD:

You wouldn't need to update it every year just to have a general figure. I'm just curious what the different prices on many brands are currently. You could say the same about automobile blue books too and many people own them and find them useful.

Agree!

if you're trying to price out used machines, try this site:


http://www.longarmuniversity.com/machines_for_sale.htm


scroll down. hope this helps.

THanks. I think this book would be handy to have when you go to garage sales etc. And it would also be handy to show people (sometimes) that what they're asking for the machine is WAY, WAY too high.

have you actually seen this? does it also cover tables?

Do you mean cabinets? Not sure..
Butterflywings site was pretty cool though. It covers longarms, but still alot of info.
You may be able to go to different manufacturers websites to get ideas for used machines.
But one problem, they (the manufacturers)are going to inflate their prices even for used and the abilities of their machines as well.
I agree that a "Blue Book" would come in handy.
Have you tried consumer reports? They are unbiased.

Yes, Consumer Reports does do sewing machines, but just a handful of models and manufacturers on a given year. Not super helpful.

i actually meant quilting frames - 10' or 12' long. LOL!

Candace....you're a riot !

Oh sorry Butterflywing. LOL
Had root canal done today so must have spaced that part.
I thought it was still a very informative site. It didn't just stick with the longarm. Also covered piecing etc...
Faith :-D