Hadn't thought of it that way Steve! May even stop anyone purchasing it too! Pity the store manager is so immovable about the price.

consider offering $125 or _______ and leave em your #. Is it a real thrift store ("charitable")? If its a2nd hand or resale store I might see the stubborness.

Yes, they are a registered charity store but are pretty high with their prices I reckon for donated goods. I have already offered them less (err, considerably) and also to leave my number with them but they declined both! Haven't seen many on ebay here in Australia so not sure what I should realistically (spelling?) offer. Might pm manicmike.

I picked up an identical Gritzner, only it's in a treadle... I paid $100 US for it, and it was worth it. Once you get it sorted out you'll find that it's a very smooth sewing machine. The threading is "interesting" (mostly because of how the spring is designed) but everything else is easy to use. I always do a thorough cleaning, and mine needed it after sitting for 30+ years. I was really impressed with how easy it was to clean up the bobbin race, and how the whole machine is typically German over-engineered! I have pictures of mine on my site, in case you're interested: http://www.flyingmonkeystudio.com/se...readle-nicole/

Thanks John...yours is in much better condition than the old girl I'm looking at; they still won't budge on price but I'll keep popping in as it is on my way to work. Still haven't found any others on ebay here in Australia so even though they seem pretty common elsewhere they may be not "over here". Still keen but not for $250.00 Aus.

Any chance you can donate some home items for credit towards the machine?