good deal?
 

Hi,
I found what allegedly is a 1919 Singer machine in the cabinet at a thrift store. It allegedly works. The price is $250. I have wanted to try one of these out for a while now. I know there are several things to consider with the question I'm proposing, but does anyone have any first thoughts if this is a "good deal"?
Thanks!

In thrift store shopping you often have to go on your gut feeling, and if it feels right I go ahead without any research.

Condition is key, you can find machines that have been sitting unused in the corner of the parlor for 100 years, or out in the barn for 100 years, or used for 100 years too. I'd say that for me, I'd be looking for perfection in the decals and the surface, that the cabinet is also in good shape, etc.

I'm cheap and I live in an area with a lot of high income people and my thrift stores are awesome and I often see some lovely machines in cabinets and regrettably can't take them all home. For me the price would be a bit high unless it made me all giddy with excitement and jump up and down!

Sounds high to me for a thrift store. Depends upon the model number of the machine and condition.

When you say you are wanting to try one out, do you mean any vintage machine? Or a treadle? This really turns on the condition and the model of the machine. Also, are all the parts there. If it's a common Singer treadle then unless it is in near perfect condition I would say $250 is really high.

Can you post a picture?

Depends on your use for it. I'm in Texas, and it wouldn't be a "good deal" unless it was a treadle red-eye or sphinx (google it as singer red eye or singer sphinx) with the decals in good condition. If the paint is really chipped or you see lots of rust, it's not worth that. The only other Singer machine that would be a "good deal" at that price is one made much later (featherweight).
A photo would help a lot.
I saw a great red eye go for 300.00 at an estate sale a while back. It was in really good condition and so was the cabinet.
bkay

That is excessive especially for that machine. Maybe if it was a feather weight in mint shape with all the parts.

A black 221 featherweight in nice shape in a decent case with it's bobbin case and a couple of feet will go for $350.00 around here. So, at $250.00, it would be a "good deal".
bkay

I've bought most of my old Singers for about $50 or $75... so I would never pay $250 from a thrift store. Estate sales are a better place to find one that's been cared for well in a family, IMO.

You say it allegedly works. Is there any way you can try before you buy? Also, you can check the date if you look up the serial number.

I would definitely try it out. If someone doesn't know anything about sewing machines, they will turn it on and it the motor runs, they say it works. The motor running does not always mean that it makes a stitch. For that price I would expect it to be in good condition and working well. Get them to show you that it actually sews. Then negotiate from there.

I also agree that estate sales are an awesome place to find old machines. I got my white FW at an estate sale for $50. It didn't run but only needed some oil.