Help with information on machine
 

An employee that knows I like vintage sewing machines brought this machine in to me the other day. He gave $5 for it. I offered to pay him for it, but he said "no" it was an early Christmas present. DH cleaned it and oiled it and I showed it to him today. I think he is having second thoughts. I told him it was not worth a lot, he was thinking thousands $$. Do not want it to appear that I was taking advantage of him. I am thinking $20-$30. Am I way off base? What I want to do is pay him it's value, my intention is to make sure it works good and give it to one of my 4H kids. My DGS might be a candidate cause it is blue. Advice please.

I have a Universal that is like your Remington and it is turquoise. I paid $15.00 for it and it is in a cabinet. So $15-$20 would be ok to give him.

Very pretty ... $15-$20 is a good range and perhaps if he knows it's going to a 4H kid he might want to donate it.

Would this be what they call a 15 clone?

Yes. Millions upon millions of them made. It isn't worth more than 20.00 and only if it is in tip top working condition.

If he balks, tell him all you did was have it cleaned and oiled. And no it's not worth $$000,00. It may be old and vintage but that doesn't mean antique. If you're not sure how good it works then it can't be more than $20-30. If he wanted more for it he should have asked and not said what he paid for it.

Perhaps I misunderstood. You DID say that he told you it was a gift, yes? So why are you worried about paying him for it?

You might want to find out where he got this crazy idea that it was worth a lot of money. It was not even worth a lot of money when it was new. That was the whole point of the Japanese Clones, they were cheap and available by the millions (literally)

Steve,

They weren't as cheap back then as you think they were. Most of them sold for well over a hundred dollars back in the late 40s and 50s. To us that is nothing, but back then it was a small fortune. The machines were .... let us say .... less expensive. They were definitely not cheep.

That is a very nice machine. I wouldn't mind having it myself.
For today's market I'd agree that $30.00 for that machine in it's condition would be a good price.

Joe

Joe,

100% agreement. I was referring to the price of the Japan imports vs the US produced machines. the main benefit of the Japan imports being cost and availability.

Steve

P.S. Those 15 clones are some of the most rugged machines even made. I have personally sewn 6 layers of 3oz leather on my blue SewMor just to prove a point to my students

Thank you guys!! I appreciate it. I haven't spent much time on the vintage threads of late, but still have an interest in them and appreciate the assistance when I need it. That is what I like about the board, people are so knowledgeable and aren't afraid to share it.

Steve,

What model number is your blue Sewmor? I have two 404s and a 606.

buslady,

I don't have much I can share, but I'm more than happy to share any knowledge I have. I've learned so much from people sharing with me that it's really the only way I can pay them back.

Joe

Here she is. Sorry for the delay, it is in my "tradable" storage...

[ATTACH=CONFIG]414090[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH=CONFIG]414096[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH=CONFIG]414093[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH=CONFIG]414095[/ATTACH]

Cleaned up and in sewing condition, I get about $50 on CL. I would not pay that for one that needs work. If you worked on it I think you have a fair price.