Sideways

How far will you drive for a machine you want from Craig's list or a pick up from eBay or other sources?

My limit seems to be about 1 1/2 hours right now, although recently I was thinking 2 hours was not that far for a machine I really wanted. I actually enjoy these trips, usually go on Sunday mornings, get coffee, something sweet, life is good!

Monroe

I drove 2 hrs one way for a pheasant Singer like your avatar, a little further for a Howe. Tempted to go further, but my old minivan is too thirsty.

NJ Quilter

Depends on machine, price. If I know I have things to do elsewhere I scour CL for several days prior in that location so I don't miss out on something. Otherwise I stay within an hour or so of home.

frudemoo

At the moment it would hurt me to drive for more than an hour one-way, but I have very little time and two little kids... so I think it depends on your circumstances. If I was on my own with nobody else to worry about, I think an excuse for a day trip with coffee and thrift/antique shop stops along the way sounds like absolute heaven!!

Shelbie

It depends on the machine and the price. I drove two hours to pick up two Featherweights that she sold me for $60 total. I thought they were $60 each which would still have been a bargain after a two hour drive. It was a good day as my sister lived nearby and I got a visit and lunch out of the day as well.

Sideways

Thanks for all your responses! Combining the pick up with other activities, visits, treasure hunting are great ideas.

mlmack

The longest I have driven was about an hour and a half, one way, to pick up a Bernina 930, Singer 503A, and a Singer 328K.

J Miller

I've made several trips to Indianapolis, gone to Peoria, IL, gone to southern IL a couple times, and picked up a treadle in FT Wayne, IN while there for a memorial service. And we went to Terre Haute, IN to pick up a machine and ended up bringing home a really nice treadle in a parlor cabinet.

It depends really.

Joe

Vridar

Time permitting and for the right machine, probably 2 1/2 hours. So far, I've driven only once for 45 minutes for a 15-91 centennial in a blonde (yikes) cabinet. And I love it. My spouse is not into the machines so I have to pick my days, if you understand my meaning.

Macybaby

How about 2 days? though it does not really count as I'm visiting relatives down there too.

And I have my son go pick up the machines as I find them - so not the same. But he does have three of them waiting for me already.

As to how far I'll go without another reason? So far it's been about 3 hours one way. And for the right machine/cabinet at the right price, if I can make it there and back in a day, I'd go for it.

The least amount I've driven is 15 miles - when I found a parlor cabinet in the local quilt shop. It was being used as a display prop, but they were happy to sell it for what I offered.

I live near the middle of nowhere, and most I find are at least an hour away. But then my job is 84 miles away (almost all interstate though) too.

My spouse is worse than I am about this - he loves the machines too and likes road trips more than I do. He's even offered to go by himself for a day to pick up a machine while I'm at work.