Belfrybat

Thank you for all replies, serious, humorous, and in between! I'm still on the fence. The prices of the 301s seem to be rising over the past year. The way I look at it, the current average price for a 301 long bed that has been checked out and serviced is about $275-300.00 on E-Bay. I'd be paying $150.00 for the paint job, which considering the time involved doesn't seem out of line. The husband of someone I met on the quilting retreat does this to featherweights and he gets $750.00 for his machines.

I contacted the seller to ask if this is a 301 or 301a and what the original colour was. I'll wait for her response and make my decision. Are the two tone the 301a? Just wondered why they seem to be better.

Blackberry

I am in the 40's range and I also have a hard time parting with any of them.

sjdal

I bought a retro red 301 from this seller. The paint job is very well done. She is a very nice seller and offered to give me a bottle of touch up paint for a minor scratch incurred in shipping. Mine came with felt stick on feet, rather than rubber cushions. I changed them out to stock items. I have 4 other 301's so don't sew much on this. I waited a few months for the paint to fully cure and I never use pins on this machine or any of my very nice FW's. Buy an old beat up one if you are a user of pins.

dc989

Since several of you mentioned repainting machines, I have a featherweight that I would love to have repainted. It is really rough, but not rusted. It was free to me. I would not feel comfortable doing it myself, but wonder if anyone can recommend a place to take it or send it. I have my mom's 301 and love sewing on it. Her machine is boring beige but in fabulous condition.

Prim Quilts

I have two mocha colored 301A s and they both sew beautifully and quietly. I love them and use them all the time. That is a really pretty blue machine. Be sure to let us know if you get it.

Belfrybat

<sigh> I may live to regret it, but the deed is done. Paypal offered me a great deal under "Bill it Later". No payments or interest for 6 months. I can afford the machine right now, but with that deal, I figure it will soften the blow.
I can't believe I just paid over $450.00 for a 55 year old machine! But she is so beautiful -- I love royal blue, and she was "born" the same year as my sister, who I just reunited with after 30 years of being out of touch.... so the machine is name d"Michelle". Crazy the excuses we come up with to support our habit, isn't it?

I'll post pics once I receive her. Thanks, everyone for your comments.

Belfrybat

I know someone who does a great job in the San Antonio, TX area. PM me if you want his information.

Cogito

I love my 301's and have 6 of them but I have never paid more than $125 and that was back in the '90's when prices were crazy. The most recent ones I bought were only $75. Sorry I am going to disagree with the majority here. I think it is down right crazy to spend that kind of money for a painted one. I am a purist and am really bothered by these repainted machines. And when folks are willing to pay the ridiculous prices it just encourages more sellers to do this. These are wonderful machines and don't need a cutesy color to make them desirable. Yes there are some that are probably trashed but what happens is when there becomes a market for these repaints then sellers will paint any of them so they can hike the price.

It reminds me of back in the 80's when I spent literally years stripping paint off of beautiful Victorian woodwork......I was restoring a 130 yr old Victorian mansion in a historic neighborhood......and a couple came and bought the house three doors down from me, already on the register...AND promptly painted all of the natural wood woodwork! And it was in pristine condition. What??? I was so furious. I thought "why didn't you go buy a new home if you wanted painted woodwork!"

Candace

Enjoy and you only live once.

tropit

Oh...she's a purty one! Personally, I love the blue. Maybe she was a tad on the expensive side, but you'll love sewing on her every day, so it's money well spent, I say. Besides, with prices going up and up, it will seem like nothing in a year, or two. Be sure to tell her to pack it right and let her know about the EBay guide about packing a sewing machine for shipment.
~ Cindy