Feather Weight prices
 

What is a fair price for a featherweight machine ? I am assuming it is in good condition ?

I have seen them for 400$ really depends on the machine and condition. I have also seen them on craigs list for 300 to 350$.

I won auctions for two Featherweights on Ebay. I paid $205 and $220 for them plus each had a shipping charge but I still paid less than $250 total for each of them. A lot depends on condition and who is bidding. hose in immaculate condition usually go for $300+, and the white ones go higher. I have found that it is best to buy from a seller with lots of sales and very positive feedback. That way you can be more sure that the machine will be packed well enough to arrive in great shape.

They are going on eBay for $200-$275 or thereabouts. Don't pay more than that. They are VERY common!!

Prices for Featherweights have been coming down. Unfortunately, a lot of sellers still think Grandma's fresh-from-the-attic 221 is a gold mine. There are so many I think the market is saturated. I paid $150 for a craigslist find that was very complete, decals about 7, but had been in the attic for 8 years since the Aunt had died. It just needed the basic COA (clean, oil, adjust). A friend at quilt guild told me she has been advertising hers for $250 and gets no takers.

Also where in the country you are looking for them - What will the market bear ? I am glad to see the prices coming down, I still want one but not paying the prices that some think they are worth - there is NOT gold in/on them :)

It really does depend on where you are and what people are willing to pay. Check out Shopgoodwill.com under sewing or antiques. I got 2 for under $200.00. One I was able to to pick up locally so it saved the cost of shipping, the other one I did have to buy an electrical cord and foot pedal which thru it over $200.00. And one had a case that had a broken latch but I was able to get it replaced for $6.00 by my local repairman. Check local estate sales for them, then they are trying to get them sold quickly and do not have the time to put them up for bid. Once you decide to really look for them it won't take you too long to get one at a reasonable price.

Folks here will probably shoot me but I only paid $40 for mine in excellent condition! A friend was doing house cleanouts for people and found it for me after telling him what I was looking for. I'm too cheap to pay alot for older machines. I also just found a 66 Redeye (electric) for $50 in a cabinet. I have another cabinet that I plan to put it into after cleaning her up. That I found on craigslist. Deals are out there if you are willing to be patient. And FWIW, a good price, in my opinion, is only what you're willing to pay for it.

one on CL http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/art/3012263580.html

I just bought one today on craigslist.... It had some attachments (including a quilting foot and blind stitch attachment), lots of needles, bobbins, original oil can and grease tubes. The seller also threw in a book on featherweights.... also had the original manual and key with the case. It's in such perfect condition.... and I paid $225. Some may think this is high but no shipping cost because I picked it up and I got to sew on it and look it over good before I purchased. I'm happy.

Just saw one at an estate sale for 375.00 it was the rare jade green color, but was quite scratched up. I passed it up. I have a black one that I paid 5.00 for back in the 1980's.

the prices are down considerably....with the NEWEST craze being for the 301's!
I have seen the FW in good condition fully loaded with case go for $200 and less on ebay lately!

Good Luck on your search!

My prices have ranged from free to $275 for the white (celery) UK one that was never used.

I also got 2 from Shopgoodwill.com in the range of $200 - $250. Just needing cleaning and oiling and a lube. The shipping prices are around $30 to the Nashville area.

I happily paid $225 for mine on Craigslist. It's in great condition, near perfect case with no smell and all attachments and manual. I figure if I am lucky enough to stumble across a steal I can always sell my first one.

The decrease in price for the FW is very interesting to me. I think it is a good thing, but I was hoping that the 301's value would be a secret only for the truly obsessed. 301's are my favorite machine, and I would hate to see them reach 300-400 dollar levels. If I remember correctly, less were produced of the 301 than the FW's. So while not actually rare, they can be harder to find.

I just bought mine for $175.00 with a case in good condition with some feet at a yard sale. Needs to have the cord replaced but other than, it is a little dusty and the paint is crackled but I'm a happy Camper.

Was at a garage sale this morning in Pittsburgh and the person behind me bought the FW with case (handle in bag shape but some accesories) at its asking price of $225 after placing a quick call to see if her mom still wanted one. I have seen some folks asking $350 on CL but an auctioneer recently told me that if he has one to auction they go somewhere around $200-not the $450-500 they were bringing about 5-6 years ago.

I had one on CL and the only offer I got was for $100 - more than half what I was asking.

I bought a 1952 black FW off e-bay last year for about $225 + $25 shipping in pretty nice shape, nice case but only a few random attachments & no manual. I just got a 1964 white FW off of CL a few days ago for only $80. It's almost like stealing it. It's in really nice condition with original manual and some attachments. Good luck

slk350, that is awesome that you got a white one for that price. Amazing!

Mine was $225 in a clean case, but I had to replace the electrical components so that added to the cost. I don't use it much - mostly decoration - but it came with a full kit of attachments and bobbins.

I'd rather sew on almost any other machine I have, but the FW is so darn cute, especially when it's posed next to the 31-15. :)