A friend asked me to find out what a 1934 Singer Featherweight with the case and attachments is worth. It had been her mother's and she would like to sell it. I believe someone offered her $200. Is this a reasonable price if it is in good condition? Another friend who deals a little in antiques told me it wasn't worth more than $50 because prices of antiques were down. Any advice would be much appreciated.

She could get up to 400.00 for it. Featherweights are never "down" in price.

If it is in good working order, I think it is a good buy. The antique dealer obviously does not know about Featherweights & how the quilters are so hungry for them.

I have seen them sold for $150 to $400 online depending on condition. If it's in very good condition I think $200 is low.

Like everytiing, condition, condition. And market. If she wants to get rid of it , thats not a bad price, but on the other hand I wouldn't sell either of mine for that price ofcourse i use mind every day. good luck

If in mint condition with all original attachments, over $500 wouldn't be out of order. Check ebay to see prices for machines with comparable accessories. The condition of the case will also play a significant role.

People will still easily pay $300 for a featherweight where I am, economy or no. Other antiques may be down in price, but featherweights are not going to be down much (if any) because they are useful -- not just something to look at.

They are worth a lot. Depending on the condition on the machine, the carrying case and the attachments, if the original manual is present and if it doesn't smell musty. Don't ever take the advice of a dealer. If you want to check ebay, is not a good indicator either, because people sometimes get carried away bidding and some times not bid at all for the same item.

A dealer may be basing the price on what they'd pay in order to make a profit on the re-sale. $200 sounds like a good price to me. I paid more than that for mine and was happy to get it.

This has been my experiance also.

She should try for as much as her area can take.

Watching several on ebay and they range 100+ depending on condition and assessories...Some go well over 200....Have a dealer that restores them and sells them 275+.

Two hundred dollars is a great price for the buyer but not as good for the seller. A complete featherweight in good condition would sell in the $300 range in Southern Ontario and perhaps more. Currently our local gently used furniture store has one priced at $325. Her model is also one of the very oldest and may be considered "more collectible" by some.

Certain things the economy may bother, but this is not one of those items. Of course as they say condition is the key factor. I've seen them sell for as much as $575. I have several and may be selling them at one time or another. I even have the "free arm" one. Not selling that one!! I love these. They sew well and are easy to maintain. No one in her family wants it? Pam

I paid 375.00 for my first FW. It was in good condition,lots of ware on the decals. But works great. My second, I got for 155.00 on e-bay.No-one wanted to bid on it as the seller said that the light worked but he couldn't get it to sew. I replaced the foot pedal and it works fine. I do need to rewire the light as the old wiring inside on the light is crisp and flaking off.

Thanks for all the advice. I may just buy it myself. Sounds like it might be a good investment. Plus it would look nice in the sewing room.

Antique dealer sounds like a crook! Sounds like he is trying to get a machine for free.

Billy

Antique dealer sounds like a crook! Sounds like he is trying to get a machine for free.

Billy[/quote]

I agree!!!

I have purchased two ... the price depends on the condition of course, also what is included and if it is in good running order. Sounds like hers is in good condition so I would say anywhere from 250.00 plus shipping to 350.00 plus shipping. It could be put on ebay for bidding... but you have to pay a fee to ebay for selling there.

Dealer will by cheap and sell high belive they no there business.

Use it once for your piecing and you'll love it forever. Plus they're terrific to take on quilting getaways.

Check the wiring, those are old machines and sometimes the wiring should be fixed. Make sure you have it tuned up before you use it or read the directions and clean & oil it yourself before you start. that's about the only maintenance you have to do on them.

One of the gentlemen on here has a topic on maintaining the Featherweight. You might want to read that.

I'll buy it for $200.00!

I sent you a PM, did you get it?

Plain Jane, your avatar is adorable.

I have DH Aunt Winn's 1953 Featherweight and couldn't trade it in on a long arm machine 3 weeks ago. So I'll just keep it. I really wasn't trying to trade it in, but the gal at the Sewing center, didn't seem interested, said her brother, father, husband or who ever only wanted collectibles. Needless, to say I didn't stick around there long because at least she didn't know what she was selling or buying. Unless, you really need to sell it, I'd hold out for more as I've seen them for anywhere from $300 to $500 online.

If the antique dealer said FW is only worth $50, maybe he/she would sell the machines on the board for that price. We'd all be glad to take them off his/her hands. The machines would be gone in a minute.
I paid @ $230 without the case or attachments. It runs like a charm.

WOW ! What a bargan! Lowest I have found, not all items was $350. The antique store would have a differant price I'd say.. the use is what is unseen by many.
I hope you get it !

Why thank you! I'm going to have to swap out pretty soon to give my other grandson equal time!

Featherweight do not go down in price, just look on E-Bay some time. I would say from $200.00 to $400.00 is the average price.

I think it would be a good idea for your friend to check Ebay. I think the average is above $200, I've seen them go for $200 to $500 + and for a 221 not a 222 (freearm). If you were to post it here for her, I bet you could get her $350 or more easily. If you want to make an offer and the machine is in good shape, I'm thinking a bit more then $200 is in order, unless the machine is in terrible shape. Personally, I think it might be taking a bit of advantage of her unless he is simply interested in dumping it quickly without doing any research. Not to call you unethical, but you know how much they are worth, you need to think about how you would feel in her shoes. JMHO.

I agree, check on E-Bay, bought one thru that web site, for a great price and it sews like a dream!

I just bought one from someone on this board who's husband repears and resells them, for $299, I will be getting it this weekend I can't wait. If it's in good working order, tell her not to sell it to an antique dealer, but to contact a local quilting guild Iam sure someone there would be willing to buy it for $200.

Be careful of antique dealers. I've had some bad experiences. They will give you a low price, like you said, and then you find out that they had a buyer looking for one and they sold it for 10 times or more what they paid you for it. Others are right - they're still highly valued around here.

I'm assuming the machine is in good shape, her mother may have been the original owner. I definitely wouldn't take advantage of her and offer her less than it's worth. From what I read, they were produced from 1934-65 so it would be one of the very first made. I'll let you all know what happens with the machine. Thanks again for all the advice.

I wouldn't sell it for $200, but I surely would buy it! froggyintexs

The antique deal was obviously trying to "steal" it for $50, so he could resell it for $300+

I will happily pay you $250.00 for it if it is in good working order. I have been looking for one but hubby has been unemployed for months now and that is about all I can scrape up.

I got my fw from Graham in England and paid $625 for it and it was in perfect condition, I love it and I wouldn't sell it. Sounds like that Antique dealer was trying to make money

I agree with everyone that the dealer is taking advantage of her. I think you should buy it. I use mine for classes and sewing retreats and other than that I just love looking at her....she's so darn cute!

If I could find a featherweight for $200, I'd jump at it!! That's a very good price, in my estimation. One at a flea market nearby had one last summer for $350.