CanadianGirl

This is on craigslist near me...asking $55. The person found it in Grandma's house when cleaning it out. They can't tell me whether it works or not...there is no footpedal...perhaps its a model with the knee control?. Apparently there are no legs on the box, "it just transforms out of the box". I'm thinking $55 is a bit steep for a machine that can't be tested to see if it works...opinions?

frudemoo

I don't know about Kenmores specifically. I think around $50 is the kind of price (for any machine) where you can decide how much you want it 'just because' and not worry too much. I'd be fussy about condition of paint and metal and whether it has all the parts, but other than that, it doesn't fuss me too much whether it's working because most of these machines are unlikely to be working the way you'd like them to be... and will probably need the wiring checked etc.

If you love it in this state, then you are only going to love it even more once you've got it cleaned up and sewing IMO

Prim Quilts

I've noticed that Kenmore's don't bring the price that other machines do. If you really want it, I would offer them less since you can't test it, if you buy it you have the added expense of buying a foot control, and there aren't any legs on the cabinet.

frudemoo

Totally agree that it can't hurt to offer less for these reasons!

manicmike

I was given a Kenmore a few weeks ago (deceased estate garage sale). It only came with the straight stitch plate and was missing the light (and switch). I cleaned and oiled it, and it (straight) sewed amazingly efficiently, not to mention quietly. Was forced to sell it due to an stupid excess of machines in very small house (you know what I mean, frudemoo), but my GF instantly recognised it as a good machine too.
I got a very large number of replies to the ad, so they must have some status.
The machine and cabinet both look good, so I would take a chance. Bear in mind that I love taking non-working machines apart and fixing what ails them.
Mike

CanadianGirl

I explained (politely) that $55 was a bit steep for a machine that had no foot pedal and therefore no way to test if it worked. And that the cabinet was pretty much a throw away. I said I would offer her $30 but understood if that was too low and she wanted to wait it out for a better offer. She responded that she would take that much so I'm going to pick 'er up on Friday.
Thanks, as always, for the input (everyone)

J Miller

Judy,

You can get a cord set with connector and foot controller from Sew-Classic if your LSMG doesn't have one.

"Most" Kenmore cabinets I've seen, and those I have, have bolt on legs. There is a threaded screw that the leg mounts to at the top corners of the cabinet, then you use wing nuts to secure them. Finding a set of legs shouldn't be too difficult. Or, you can make a set.

Good buy on that Kenmore. They are very nice machines.

Joe

sewbizgirl

I love the look of it... I call those 'dashboard' machines, because they remind me of the dashes in old Chevys, etc.... You can always offer them less money on the grounds that it may not work and just be a decor piece.

Oops, just read further that you got it for $30. Good deal! You will still have to invest in legs, so it's good you didn't pay too much.

oldtnquiltinglady

Just a thought here, when you go to look at it, tilt the cabinet to see if there are screw holes of some type in each corner--if so, ask her (or him) if the legs might be available in some of their stored stuff. And yes, $30 is a good price; even if you have to pitch the cabinet and put the machine into a carrying case. I bought one of those last year at our "mile long yard sale" for $10 and it was brand new. Congratulations.

Rose_P

Congrats! I think the pink made it worth getting, and I'll bet you'll have it in working order soon. I wouldn't be surprised if the legs and foot pedal turn up at that house before they're all cleared out. You might offer to sweeten the deal if she'll notify you if/when they do. A likely scenario was that there was a move and the movers took the legs off to prevent them from getting broken. If that's the case, the chances are good that the machine is in working order because who would have moved it otherwise? The rest of the stuff was probably packed in a box, and it could all show up or maybe not.

I have seen a similar machine on our local CL not too long ago, and they probably turn up pretty regularly, so maybe the solution is to try to find a second one that has the foot pedal. It might be cheaper than buying a pedal separately!