After reading all the post for the little"magic" machines, i was wondering what is a good price for one and which one is the best to purchase?

Altough you can find them cheaper if you shop around, $300-$450 is not uncommon. Try ebay, sometimes you can get a good deal on them there.

And sometimes you can get a good deal at yard sales, less so in flea markets, estate sales are good. Depends on the place, time of day and who wants to get rid of it and why, and if they, themselves are quilters.
I saw a lovely old treadle for 29 dollars at a yard sale, but when I was searching through my bill fold for a 20, I noticed a young couple looking it over and she was gazing at him as if he had promised her the world. He dug out the 20 and marched over to pay for it while she held on to it with one hand. I laughed with the seller and moved away, more power to that young woman and long may she sew. I didn't really need it anyway.

If I saw one for $25.00 I'd jump all over it!!! I hear stories but haven't seen one for myself. $250.00 seemed to be a decent price. some more, some less.

I paid 120 for my treadle. My grandmother still has her FW that someone offered her 400 for. She turned it down.

Locally I've seen a few FW's for 50-400

I got mine from ebay. If you can find one that the biding ends a 3 am it increases the odds of getting a good deal. Got to love us night owls.

seems the price on all the machines has gone up just since ive been watching. mostly the FWs ive seen lately have gone for over $300. just be patient. ive bought several machines off ebay. just make up your mind what you can/will pay and watch daily. i got one of my FWs for $179. been watching for a 301, ones i saw going for upwards of $200. got lucky last week, got one for $66. my family thinks i need intervention!

1 I paid $225.00 for
the other I paid $2oo.oo for, but am thinking to maybe sell it and keep the first one for special meaning. I have to many machines and buy because they are cute.

I will also be watching this topic with interest. I am very interested in purchasing 1 of these beloved little jewels. I want to purchase 1 but don't want to overpay. In addition to taking 1 to quilt class... my husband and I are RVers and I thought this would be the perfect little machine to take with.

Seems like they are getting more expensive too!

I paid $300-$500 for mine, two all cleaned up, serviced and ready to sew, one was a Centennial in excellent condition. I rarely catch a bargain and I just wanted them. I did pay $40K less for my house than my neighbors' identical house bought a few months later, so no complaints. I'd say if you see a working, ok looking FW for $200, grab it.

I thought the prices were getting a bit expensive also. That's another reason why I'd like to get 1 now instead of waiting. I would like mine to be nice n clean and in really good working order also so I don't mind paying a little extra for that.

I paid $200, including shipping for my featherweight a few weeks ago. It was in working order, but the "guts" needed cleaning. Decent cosmetic shape, with a case and attachments all in good condition. I love it! I'm about to start piecing my first quilt top with it, probably tomorrow, now that I've finally got a start on cutting for my customer quilt. Oh yeah, and I found it on a craigslist type of website here in Canada.

I was on shopgoodwill.com the other day and they had some there that were $100-300. Not sure of the condition but worth looking at.

those usually end up selling for more than they are worth !!
shipping & handling they charge is outrageous !!
I stopped buying the last time they raised their shipping rates; just don't need anything that much.

One in good condition, with few scratches and dings, is nearly always going to fetch a good price. It is possible to get one with a little more wear for around $200.

Unfortunately, there are rarely any great bargains locally - most people know the worth of their machines and price accordingly. Still, a few people do manage to get lucky on occasion.

I got a nice one on Ebay for 212.00 with the case and lots of extras. I think I lucked out on that one.
The original case makes the price go up but I love mine.
I would like a white one but they are too high for me.
I got a 301 which I love with the case on Ebay also for about 80.00
I've noticed those are going higher now than just a few months ago.
Wish people would stop hiking up the prices! lol
Right now I'm looking for a 15 :D
I need an intervention!!!!!!!!

I bought a featherweight for $50, the case and attachments are all in good shape, just needed a good cleaning. Also bought a treadle machine for $50, bought a belt and a small part for it, sews great.

Keep an eye on Craig's List, the For Sale list in your local newspaper, garage sales, and estate sales. My daughter bought one at a garage sale for $5.00. They can be priced anywhere from that to $1500.00 if you want a reconditioned and repainted one in specialty colors.

I still regret passing up on a true white machine in absolutely mint condition, Alas, it went for just under $1,000!!!

good to know. I have never bought from that site.

I have a treadle machine for sale at $100.00

I paid 50.00 for my 1st and 50.00 for one on craigs list both are in great shape.

The prices for Featherweights on Ebay have dropped dramatically. I have four; three I've bought through Ebay. One I bought through the online Goodwill site. On Goodwill, go to search and enter "sewing machine."
You can get a really nice Featherweight in the $200-$300 price range these days on Ebay. When the economy dropped, so did the prices on the FWs. It also depends on how picky you are about the body condition. Would you accept one with the decals slightly worn down? That seems to affect the price more than anything. Some go for a lot higher, but you really don't have to go that high these days. The Featherweight Freearm 222 used to sell for close to $2000, but you can get a really nice one for less than $1000 now.
Everyone that's told you about estate sales is absolutely correct. Every now and then you can find one at an estate sale for less than $100. Consider that a treasure find!!

I've been waiting and watching myself...is one yr more desirable than others?
Mikki

I've been thinking of a light weight machine for quilting classes but have to ask are these really light weight?

weigh in around 10 pounds and are great for class !!

Featherweights bring $400 here unless you can find one at a garage sale and then the dealers scoop them up in a blink of an eye so you have to be quick and know a good deal when you find one.

I paid $500 for mine and it is worth every penny. I love this little machine. I got a padded cloth case online that the machine exactly fits inside of. So nice to travel with and especailly nice for classes. The original cases are big and heavier. I keep it downstairs for quick repairs and when I want to be with hubby and sew.

I paid $175.00 about 2 weeks ago, and that included shipping, manual, bobbins. I sews good, but the light doesn't work. We have a machine repair shop close by that loves to work on FW, so I thought I would take it to him and see if he could fix the light. Mine was born the same year as me, 1941. In the meantime, I will use my Ott-light, love my featherweight!!!!

I bought mine on ebay last fall. There were very few bids on it, I guess because the case wasn't in such great shape. I paid $190 including shipping and then bought a new case for it. It sews like a dream, just purrs actually. It was "born" the same year as I and like me, it has some surface scratches but is wonderful. I didn't need another machine but I grew tired of my husband complaining about the weight of my Jenome when we travel with our 5th wheel trailer. So this little gem makes us both happy. There are some sellers who think their sitting on a gold mine. Keep looking, eventually there will be one that fits your needs at a price you want to pay.

Hmm...maybe I'll seriously start looking around for one of these goodies!

I wouldn't pay more then $250 for one in very good condition. The mint condition, not refurbished ones I'd pay up to $400. That's what they are selling for in my area at estate sales and auctions. Every member of my guild that wants a FW has one or two and only one paid over $300 for hers.

I currently have 2 FWs and am always on the lookout for another one for a good price. I'd like to get one for my birth year 1952. I just love them both and they are so cute!

I got Libby (1956) from Ebay many years ago (1999) and paid $250 back then. She came with her case and quite a few attachments. I did have to buy a foot pedal but was able to get an original on ebay as well.

Ruby Jewel (1947) was custom painted for me so I did pay more for her.

If you can find one in good condition and a good price don't hesitate to get one. You will love sewing with it and they are so cute!

I sell Featherweights and I usually get between 250 and 400 for them...

Did anyone see the FEATHERWEIGHT 221 BERRY PINK
on Ebay right now for buy it now price of $585.00? I never knew they made them in colors but then I'm sure there's a lot I don't know.

Oh, my! I just got my 301, said it would be the last, but found myself surfing for a 15-91. Intervention? Not a chance!!

That's way too high....eBay prices are generally around $275 or so. There are dozens (literally!!) of places to buy Featherweights. Don't buy the first one you find unless it's fully working and price is less than $200.

You have to shop around. Google Singer 221 or Singer Featherweight and you will see what I mean...DOZENS of places to buy them!!!

Any colors other than black or white are custom painted recently. They did NOT come in those colors originally!!

I gave $280 at an auction for mine. Original case in fantastic condition with attachments, bobbins and manuals. I thought I was going to get it for $200 as the auctioneer almost dropped the hammer, but someone else jumped in and we went $5 at a time till I got it at $280...which was good, I was done at $300.

I paid $300 several years ago for one for my Mom.