redpurselady

Keep looking - I think your price range is reasonable for a machine in good shape. I waited quite a while to find my birth year FW and paid $250 for her on Ebay. She is in excellent, excellent condition.

romanojg

I'd keep looking. I got one from ebay and it is in excellent shape; it and it's case. I spent more for shipping than the machine since it was coming from the UK. Keep an eye out at the thrift stores, etc. If you are going to spend alot make sure it's in good condition and working. FYI; my total cost was under 300

romanojg

I agree with you. Since I've been following this board and watching ebay I've learned that they aren't as rare as the ones selling them make them out to be. It used to be on eBay they all sold now I see the sellers asking to high of starting price and they aren't getting any bids. Patience will win in the end

cmagee84

I am a little scared of buying off of ebay! I like to see and touch things before I buy. I am not a risk taker!

I looked at the one locally again today...it is calling my name. I keep telling myself that it is a church donation. He will take $40, which is his fee for cleaning, oiling and checking the machine. He came down to $375. So take away the 40 and it gets it down to 335!

Can you tell I am really wanting this machine??? Decisions, decisions, decisions!

romanojg

I totally understand your thoughts. If you feel comfortable w/this one then you should get it. He has come down in price so that helps. For the most part I've had really good experiences w/buying on eBay. I make sure the seller has a high percentage like 99 to 100% for satisfaction and I also don't buy anything where they say no returns no matter what. I feel that even if they do a 7 day return then they are backing what you get. The couple of issues that I've had have been resolved really fast so I can't complain. I bought a Viking #1 on eBay and the seller was really great to work with. He sent me additional things that were missing and he also gave me a 2 yr warranty on it. Good luck on your decision and I really hope you get your featherweight.

brushandthimble

If she is calling your name and you have the funds GO got it! It was meant to be.
If I was thinking about that one while home, or trying to sleep then that would be the one that was waiting for me to find Her.

cmagee84

Thank you!! I put in "featherlite" on craigs list and one came up that has been there since July 17th! I have talked to the seller, she is about 75 miles away, but has agreed to meet me halfway on Saturday. So...I will see if this is the one.

She said it was in great condition, but had a musty smell to the case. I talked to a featherweight dealer and he said that was from the animal glue that was used and it would not affect the performance of the machine. Of course the last person I talked to said hers was in "mint" condition and it was in worse shape of any I have seen. She came down to $175 and I still did not want it!

So...wish me luck on Saturday!!

redpurselady

I think the musty smell is just natural for a FW. Two of mine still have a faint smell even though I changed the drip pan. It doesn't bother me at all. I don't keep mine in the cases though. They are all displayed on a shelf.

cmagee84

I went online and found several suggestions to get the musty smell out of the case. So now I am not concerned with that issue. I am not sure she has the manual and I know she does not have extra bobbins. I can get those online, but the fact they are missing will give me some room to negotiate the price! :)

bebe

keep saving until u have more $$ and shop for the best