Hypothetically, if you needed to downsize your collection ...
#52
From my experience, you can't get rid of anything fast unless you sell if for CHEAP. Around here if you put a nice machine on Kijiji for $60 you'll probably sell it pretty quick. Of course it depends on the machine and cabinet or case, but for the most part around Calgary, you won't get anything for your machines.
It is still unresolved, too. Here is my latest CL ad - enjoy: http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/art/4131884795.html - I have had a couple reply emails.
I love your ad. I've seen a few of the iterations that you've made. You get about the same number of replies that I do to a legitimate ad, maybe more.
My GF and I went to one last June, with her warning me all the way there not to make any impulse bids, especially sewing machines. A really dirty '30s Jones came up and some idiot bought it. Asked GF who'd buy that? She was still holding the paddle up!
She needs constant supervision, but you need a hundred folks like her at the auction, then everyone will walk away happy.
She needs constant supervision, but you need a hundred folks like her at the auction, then everyone will walk away happy.
Yes, I think I will sign up for this too. And do as Mike suggested, post them on my site. It's just going to take time, because I'm currently trying to clear space in the basement, and that's possibly literally killing me. Holy Cow am I ever sore! I don't know I'd want to lift a camera... or a phone to take pics!
#53
I don't do well with typos and spelling errors. Most people who buy machines are smarter than that. A lot of guys buy machines. I think their wives don't want them touching theirs.
<snip>
I think one REAL problem is kids. They are scared to DO anything - they aren't taught anything. Most of them don't even have library cards. When I had machines around kids in September most were afraid of the needle.
I wonder at what age they get past the fear - or do they never?
<snip>
I think one REAL problem is kids. They are scared to DO anything - they aren't taught anything. Most of them don't even have library cards. When I had machines around kids in September most were afraid of the needle.
I wonder at what age they get past the fear - or do they never?
I think a lot of kids learn fear from their parents for the most part. "DON'T DO that!!" or yanking things away from them, or various other things. Even subconcious things. At 2 or so, they're fearless, so that tells me that they're not "born that way". Some of them never get over it. I know several adults who are afraid of tons of things, and can't figure out why I would think to take a sewing machine apart / drive on the highway / ride a motorcycle, etc.
Yes, shipping is born by the buyer, but many buyers won't even bid on something that has shipping of $50 or something, even if it's "real" shipping, not inflated for handling and packing.
That's really good for packing. I went to HD, and a shipping place and estimated that to properly package it, it was going to cost about $20.
#54
Here's an idea for you. Connect with a sewing group or guild. Offer to do a free lecture on vintage sewing machines with the understanding that these machines are for sale. Explain the various features and tell why vintage machines are better. Show the differences between the various machines. Allow people to try them. Explain what you to to recondition them. See what happens! At worst, you have lugged some machines. At best, you have a bunch of customers. Christmas is coming, and this is a good time for gift buying.
I'd be interested to know what you have for sale.
Cricket
I'd be interested to know what you have for sale.
Cricket
I -love- this idea!! I was supposed to do a talk on featherweights and maintenance at one of the guilds, but I haven't heard back. I should follow up and see if I can expand it to vintage machines in general.
Basically, I'm keeping the 15-90, a 411G (I picked another one up last week though), one of the 301s, all of the featherweights, 27, VS2, 201-2 and the serger. There are a few machines in time out too that I'd love to see someone fix up - Pfaff 362, Elna something or other - I think it's a Supermatic, but it's not labelled and it's a candidate for re-painting, a 127 that I was supposed to part out, but didn't have the heart to do it - needs slide plates and a tension spring, but otherwise works, etc. There are a few that I don't know that anyone will want though - A Singer 247, a newer Kenmore - Janome made, etc.
I know where you're coming from. I have bought from Goodwill online and been pleased and I've sold quite a few FW's on our local Craigslist - but - most people just want to see the photos and try to talk you down. Billy who used to be on the QB told me he had shipped many of them with few problems - and told me how to pack them - but warned me that you have to be prepared to have them fall off of a 36" counter at the post office as well as the other delivery companies. So, I only sell in my local middle TN. area and do not ship. I wish I could, though.
The reason for the 36" fall criteria is that most of the carriers use conveyor belts. Sometimes a package gets "bumped" the wrong way and things fall. (Think corners at the airport luggage claim) The conveyor belts near the floor are fine. The ones that go up over the garage doors are scary to have things fall off of. DH used to work for DHL / Loomis. He told me about one driver who was going into the shop and had a box smash his windshield. I'd have needed the day off to go home and change my shorts, and you probably wouldn't get me in that door again.
I was wondering what "kinder eggs" were! It looks like our ban may have been lifted.
http://www.independent.co.uk/life-st...t-8539723.html
http://www.independent.co.uk/life-st...t-8539723.html
I've been thinking about this. Quilt guilds rent spaces to vendors at their annual shows. Why not be a vendor at a small quilt show? I would not be able to resist you,
Often all that I see at quilt shows are featherweights, lol, even I a featherweight lover, get tired of seeing just featherweights for sale!!
Have your machines set up, demonstrate, explain their history --SOLD$$$$$
Often all that I see at quilt shows are featherweights, lol, even I a featherweight lover, get tired of seeing just featherweights for sale!!
Have your machines set up, demonstrate, explain their history --SOLD$$$$$
The same people that think vitamins are dangerous think everything else is dangerous. Don't breathe - you might die... yup sooner or later you will if you don't.......... don't teach kids to sew - they might sew their finger. Don't ride a bike you might fall off. Govt is just looking out for all of us......
I could find out what our guild charges, but you would not need a whole booth you could do a half booth, or a quarter. And yes they carry cash, lots sometimes and credit cards.
I would put color front and center draw them in like bees to honey. A sweet little green 185, class 15 clones in various colors! 301's in all colors, that would be a big seller. .
I would put color front and center draw them in like bees to honey. A sweet little green 185, class 15 clones in various colors! 301's in all colors, that would be a big seller. .
Last edited by ArchaicArcane; 10-21-2013 at 10:36 PM. Reason: Duh... 247.
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