used longarm ????
 

I need the boards help! I am looking for a used longarm and found one on Craigslist but.........
a 24" Nolting longarm on a 12 foot table about 10 years old. I have conversed with the seller through e-mail sending and receiving several bits of information. My concern is this--several times I have asked for the serial number--the seller will not give it to me.??? Would you be concerned? They are asking $4,000 in cash. What do you think?

thanks

I honestly don't use a long arm so no info on that, but if I would be very suspicious of a seller who won't give you the serial number. I can't think of any legitimate reason for that. I would leave that one alone.

It might be that the serial number is under the machine head, or in an otherwise inaccessible location which would require the machine removed from the table to find. That's a 2 person job.
I'm not sure why you need the serial number at this point. I recently bought a used APQS millennium, and spoke with the company directly prior to purchase-all I needed was the sellers name and they looked her up in their records and gave me all the information on the machine they had.

The serial# is right on the side of the machine. Weird not to give it to you. The Nolting Company is great and make wonderful hardworking machines. I own a pro 24 w/ 12' table. I would contact Noting and see what used machines they have right now. It is a big investment and the company will back the machine up and take good care of you.

I would suggest the old adage If it sounds to good to be true and if in doubt. If the seller seems reluctant to answer questions.......

I don't like the idea of cash either.

Hope you find a machine to love.
peace

I don't know about this seller, but I sometimes have difficulty seeing serial numbers well enough to write them down. Either I have to bend at an awkward angle or the light isn't good enough for my aging eyes. I am thinking there might be a legitimate reason why they are not sending you the serial # and they may not want to admit why.

Is there a specific reason why you need the serial #? I cannot imagine anyone stealing a longarm setup! I would perhaps call Nolting, explain the situation, and see if they can verify the information you have received so far.

What does the seller say when you ask for the serial number? Are they not replying? Flat out refusing? Claiming they don't know where it's located?

You could tell them straight up that without a serial number, you're not interested.

Just curious - what does the serial number tell you, anyway? It would be pretty difficult to steal a longarm, they're quite heavy and awkward.

Another thing - if you're nervous about the cash, insist on using an escrow company.

I forgot to add that it seems more important to me to try out the machine and make sure it is working properly. Can you do that? This seems more important to me than getting the serial # in advance, especially since when trying it out you could copy down the serial # yourself.

So I guess my short answer is that, in the absence of additional information, no, it wouldn't bother me.

I would not go to try out the machine alone and I wouldn't take cash with me. I see a red flag. If you are still interested, take someone with you to look at the machine and try it out. You can evaluate the situation with the safety of someone with you. Often sellers request cash because they don't trust a check and that is understandable.
i may be unnecessarily suspicious, but if they don't actually have a machine but are only interested in taking your cash when you get there, that may be the reason they don't give you a serial number. It pays to be cautious when answering Craig's List ads.

BEWARE, if it not local forget it, If it is get someone to go with you to look at it. Also check at local dealers, I paid 7200 for my long arm and it was a demo model. Great machine and 12 foot table. The used ones were even less

By cash, I am assuming they would take a cashier's check (bank check)? These are made out to the specific seller, but you typically would not go to the bank to get a cashier's check until after you had tried out the machine and made a verbal agreement with the seller. I personally would never bring $4,000 in cash anywhere. My assumption was that "$4,000 in cash" simply means they do not want to take a personal check.

I would talk to one of the Dan's at Nolting and see what used ones they have. I have had my fun quilter about 6 years and bought it used from another dealer and they still worked with me to get everything right for me. I would buy from them before I would chance craigslist buy.

If it is a scam, and there is no machine, then the "sellers" would be unwilling to provide a serial number. Of course there could be other reasons, including that they don't feel you need it, or that the machine has passed through several hands and they don't want you to know that. Tell them you want to try out the machine before making a decision, and you will be bringing some people with you (preferably at least one man and one person who already has a longarm) but no money. Then get the serial number and check it out with Nolting. There are too many horror stories about craigslist, so you need to be careful. If you do decide to purchase the longarm, go there with the cash and enough people (and tools) to help you take it home right then. Be sure to get a receipt for your payment, with a full list of everything that is included in the purchase.

Some people are suspicious of Cashier's Checks. With all the technology around today, I would bet they could be forged. To me, Cash means Cash. I am like the rest of you, I would not take $4000 dollars to the first viewing of the machine. Maybe $100 to get them to hold it if you decide you want to buy it.

Cash does usually mean cash. With all the tracking now, your bank will link the cashier's check to your account when you cash it so they probably don't want that. And I agree with Barb, they probably could be forged.

A 10 year old Nolting is not too old for a long arm. i learned on a Nolting hobby quilter and like previously stated their customer service is excellent.

Is that including the whole set up..commercial metal table, poles, leaders and bobbin winder?? If it comes with all that then I personally would buy it.

I bought a used HandiQuilter 16 from Craigslist for $5,500 cash. DH and I drove over 150 miles one way with truck and trailer to pick it up. Met the seller and she was upgrading to a bigger machine. Later she called me to see how I was doing with the machine.

I have found that most quilters are honest.

I agree. But this is a craigslist ad - you don't know yet that the person is a quilter, or even that he or she has a longarm.

I don't think it's unusual to ask for cash - that's certainly what I would do if selling my longarm. And I have sold and purchased things on craigslist without much concern for my safety, but nothing in the $4000 range. Just be extra cautious.

You cannot get a better LA than a Nolting. But it is weird that she will not give you the serial number.

Could easily be a scam. I almost bought an embroidery machine until he said it was in Florida, and he was somewhere else. It was just after they had a big storm. It was one of those really good deals.....ha ha. I bet that poor puppy had been soaking in sea water for some time. I passed on it.

I agree with this. Such things do happen on Craigslist. If you've asked for the serial number -- and it doesn't matter why you want it! -- and the seller refuses or hasn't given it to you, I suggest you move on. Also, the request for cash is a red flag, imo.

I think we are given those feelings of unease to protect us. I believe they are God-given. If you are getting red flags, then don't go ahead. When you do try a machine I would bring my own thread, fabric etc. Some longarms are very temperamental and you need to know that. I know this because I have one! You might want to call longarm dealers in your area because they might be aware of a customer who is looking at upgrading but need to sell their longarm. The dealer could hook you up and also probably has info on that particular machine.

I would move on. For that amount and they won't give you all the information for the machine. If in doubt, don't. Not for that kind of money. [QUOTE=ebony;7657473]I need the boards help! I am looking for a used longarm and found one on Craigslist but.........
a 24" Nolting longarm on a 12 foot table about 10 years old. I have conversed with the seller through e

I have a Gammill PDQ, which is actually a Nolting, but circa 1986. I called Nolting one day with a question and they directed me to a super knowledgeable tech, who treated me as if I'd bought a new machine a week ago. I honestly don't know how they do it, but they are great. But mine is a basic machine, and my question was met with an answer that took me to Zoro Tools for a motor. If this machine has a stitch regulator or anything like that, it would be more complicated to fix. So a 10 year old machine itself will probably last longer than us. A computerized part on it would be it's weakness

I don't even know if my machine has a serial number. If it does, I can't find it. The Craigslist machine might not either.

Nolting's web site has used machines. See if you can find something similar and see what they're asking for it.

If you're leary of this Craigslist deal, then skip it. Another deal will come along eventually.

I've sold many things on Craigslist including high end items up to 6000.00 dollars. Always for cash. Money orders and bank checks can easily be duplicated. So can cash, but I doubt someone passing counterfeit money is fooling with buying and taking utility trailer, pickups, tractors etc. Cash is good, and all I'll take.

Asking for cash is normal. First go with some other people who know about long arms and check out the machine. Make a deal and come back to pay and pick up the machine. With a long arm you will know where they live. Noltings are very nice machines.

I would just go & check out the machine & if you want it then go back with the money. Don't ever go alone though. I have sold several things on Craigslist & they always bring someone with them. It just makes sense to do that. Also I always want cash & if I mail it then it has to be Paypal. It is a shame we have to do this but in todays world, we have to. Also I would have a receipt with everything that is included in the package so there are no problems later. Craigslist is a great place to buy & sell but you just need to be cautious especially when it involves so much money. Good luck with your decision.

I can't imagine anyone on Craigslist would take anything other than cash. I know I wouldn't. I recently bought my used APQS Millennium from Craigslist for $6500, and of course I paid cash. I can't imagine anyone would let you take home their item, and have to worry about a fraudulent check?

Exactly! We just had an instance at my work where someone managed to get a hold of one of our bank account numbers and bank. They made up fraudulent checks and were passing them off to buy high end items on Craigs List in another state! Luckily we have protocols in place that we saw these checks hit immediately and were able to stop payment on those checks, but the people who sold and got payment with those fraud checks were out. On Craigs List it is wise to deal only in cash when you are the seller.

How far away is this longarm quilter? I bought a 301A Singer on Craigslist but it was a local seller and I went and sewed on the machine and I feel I got a very good buy. He would only accept cash also. I don't blame him with all of the scams going on today. My grandson got ripped off when he accepted a cashier's check and found out when he took it to the bank that it was a counterfeit.

They can be forged, I had scammers contact me on puppies and send me both cashiers check and Postal money orders, all forged of course. I turned postal MO over to post office with e-mails and all info.
Heard no more. I am sure you are right, they said cash and that is what they want.

First, it is not difficult to steal a long arm. All furnishings have been cleaned out of homes in broad day light. A moving van, a few movers and an ability to break into a home are all that is required.

If you decide to go see it, bring a friend as others have said - preferably the strong, threatening type of friend! Meet the person in front of a police station, if possible. Get to the police station early, go in and introduce yourself and tell them who you are meeting and why.

If you try it and like it, tell the seller that you will go to the bank to get cash to pay for it - and he/she goes with you. If it is legit, all those things will be negotiable.

If it isn't legit, then the seller will probably tell you that it is already sold.

Having said that, I purchased my pcquilter and HQ16 + frame from Craigslist in 2010. Everything went well. My DH (6'5") was with me and did the heavy lifting. He's not really threatening, but it was reassuring to have him there.

Please let us know what you decide and the outcome.

First and foremost I want to thank each and everyone of you for your input!!!
The Nolting longarm was about 700 miles from our home one way!. I say was-----it now resides in MY home!! Taking everything you all said into consideration I contacted the seller one more time----then things fell into place. Turns out the seller was just as cautious about giving out too much info to someone he didn't know. The machine is in pristine condition as was the home it came from.
The owner could not have been more helpful nor could the folks at Nolting as I did give them a call. Would you believe Dan at Nolting actually pulled up the Craigslist ad (while we were talking on the phone) and was able to id the year and condition from the photos.
I think the Lord also had a hand in this so I want to thank Him!!!
Now I need to give the little lady a name and start working.

Congratulations!!! I am so glad it work out so well for you! :-) Enjoy!

I definitely CAN BELIEVE that Dan at Nolting helped you so much. They are amazing! I'm glad your machine deal worked out.

I am so glad that everything worked out well for you. 700 miles was a long drive but it proved to be worth the time and effort. I am not familiar with Nolting long arm but I searched them on line. That may go on my bucket list. Good luck with your new "lady".