For those who have bought used machines...
07-21-2012, 04:46 AM
#21
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Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Campton,Kentucky
Posts: 1,397
There is a rummage sale in a nearly town that they do twice a year. Apparently its one of the biggest in the state, and I hope to find a new(old)/second machine for a great price. I was wondering for those of you who have bought second-hand machines without any sort of dealer involved what I should be on the look out for before buying. Also, if there are brands that seem to hold up better or brands to stay away from. Anything is helpful. Thanks!
07-21-2012, 07:00 AM
#22
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Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Charleston SC
Posts: 10,742
There is a rummage sale in a nearly town that they do twice a year. Apparently its one of the biggest in the state, and I hope to find a new(old)/second machine for a great price. I was wondering for those of you who have bought second-hand machines without any sort of dealer involved what I should be on the look out for before buying. Also, if there are brands that seem to hold up better or brands to stay away from. Anything is helpful. Thanks!
07-21-2012, 08:31 AM
#23
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Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Lafayette, TN
Posts: 1,204
Good advice from one and all--if you can keep all these things in the back of your mind as you trek through the crowds and heat, you'll find the one you are hoping for. I've left out a step or two in the past and came home with the machine anyhow, only to find out it wasn't such a bargain after all; but at the price of today's new machines for what you are getting, some diligence on your part will pay off big.
07-21-2012, 08:32 AM
#24
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Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Martinsville, Indiana
Posts: 1,430
Don't forget to take a machine needle in your sewing machine testing kit. In my purse, I carry a small spool of thread, sewing machine needles, a scrap of fabric and also s small pair of scissors. This is my 'just in case' kit, just in case I come across a vintage or used machine where ever I go, yard sales, flea markets, Goodwill, etc. This way I'm ready to try any machine I come across. I also have my little camera in my purse too. I don't use the cell phone camera as I prefer the other one instead. Good luck at the sale and let us know what you find there!
07-21-2012, 08:40 AM
#25
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 862
Just don't pay a lot unless you can talk to the owner or someone who knows what is wrong with the machine or the conditions it has been kept it. If kept in a damp area, there is a chance that it has internal rust which may require more than general servicing.
Huskvarna, Bernina and Janome - all good machines. If they are a cheap price, chances are, the original owner passed away or is in a nursing home and it's being sold by relatives who don't know the value. I personally have not been happy with my Brother, so you'll have to ask others about them. Most machines lack features you might want, missing pedal or need a complete cleaning (we're talking replacing the oil). I had a local place completely service a serger that had been in a garage for 15 years for about $80. My sister, who is more mechanically minded, did it herself on the Bernina she found for $10.
edited to add: Bread machines are a GREAT buy at garage sales. Most have rarely been used more than 5 times, so you are pretty much getting a new machine that sat around 3 or 4 years (or more). My Mom uses it for all her kneading and just bakes the bread/pizza in the oven in regular pans. I get her a new garage sale one every 6 years or so since she really only needs it for the kneading and proofing. So unless you have special needs - you can save yourself a lot!
Huskvarna, Bernina and Janome - all good machines. If they are a cheap price, chances are, the original owner passed away or is in a nursing home and it's being sold by relatives who don't know the value. I personally have not been happy with my Brother, so you'll have to ask others about them. Most machines lack features you might want, missing pedal or need a complete cleaning (we're talking replacing the oil). I had a local place completely service a serger that had been in a garage for 15 years for about $80. My sister, who is more mechanically minded, did it herself on the Bernina she found for $10.
edited to add: Bread machines are a GREAT buy at garage sales. Most have rarely been used more than 5 times, so you are pretty much getting a new machine that sat around 3 or 4 years (or more). My Mom uses it for all her kneading and just bakes the bread/pizza in the oven in regular pans. I get her a new garage sale one every 6 years or so since she really only needs it for the kneading and proofing. So unless you have special needs - you can save yourself a lot!
Last edited by IAmCatOwned; 07-21-2012 at 08:51 AM.
07-21-2012, 09:08 AM
#26
Super Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Benicia, Ca
Posts: 2,388
I have 2 Singer 2 Janome and a Necchi, all bought at thrift shore except the Necchi that my mom bought for me 40 years ago, I look for all the basic, levers, bobbin case, etc. you can get manuals on line for free and lots of accessories here and there, good luck!
07-21-2012, 09:12 AM
#27
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Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Keller, TX
Posts: 1,927
Make sure you have all the accessories/feet that come with the machine. I purchased a Janome 4900....met the lady at Joann's, plugged in the machine, it worked OK. When I got home, found that several of the key feet were missing.
I did get her phone number, address and I also wrote down her license plate just in case,,,When I contacted her, she apologized and brought the three feet to me. Just try out the machine. Ask when the last service was done. I went to the dealer to check on her service record on this machine...it was perfect. Make sure that the foot fits that machine and that the plug is there in the event you cannot plug it in. Good luck on your quest. D in TX
I did get her phone number, address and I also wrote down her license plate just in case,,,When I contacted her, she apologized and brought the three feet to me. Just try out the machine. Ask when the last service was done. I went to the dealer to check on her service record on this machine...it was perfect. Make sure that the foot fits that machine and that the plug is there in the event you cannot plug it in. Good luck on your quest. D in TX
07-21-2012, 10:30 AM
#28
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Missouri
Posts: 1,250
I would only buy name brand machines. You know you are buying quality. Little chance you will find a quality machine at a rummage sale. People hang on to them, or pass them to family members. I would only buy a used machine from a dealer. They have to sell good quality working machines.
As for the cheap $200 Wal-mart machines, they probably don't work anymore, they are dispoable machines.
As for the cheap $200 Wal-mart machines, they probably don't work anymore, they are dispoable machines.
07-22-2012, 04:42 AM
#30
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 79
I know of the sale you speak of... the Visiting Nurses Rummage sale...
I can add some first hand experience for you on this one.
My parents have volunteered there for years and my mother is in the electronics department. All of their machines are tested before they are sold. They have a woman that fixes anything that is wrong with them. When you buy a machine from them, you know it's working when you purchase it
As a fyi they sell a lot of irons. She says the Rowentas are always junk when they come in. They rarely work. Go figure. I usually get a lot of behind the scenes info about what is being donated so if you ever are looking for something in particular, you can drop me a line.
Oh and the bread machines in that department? My mother takes home every single one of them, cleans them and makes a loaf of bread in it - which she usually brings in for everyone to eat while they work
I can add some first hand experience for you on this one.
My parents have volunteered there for years and my mother is in the electronics department. All of their machines are tested before they are sold. They have a woman that fixes anything that is wrong with them. When you buy a machine from them, you know it's working when you purchase it
As a fyi they sell a lot of irons. She says the Rowentas are always junk when they come in. They rarely work. Go figure. I usually get a lot of behind the scenes info about what is being donated so if you ever are looking for something in particular, you can drop me a line.
Oh and the bread machines in that department? My mother takes home every single one of them, cleans them and makes a loaf of bread in it - which she usually brings in for everyone to eat while they work
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