How do I convince "them" to buy retro?
 

We have several "retro" machines, mostly late 70's-early 80's store brand machines (JC Penney, Sears, etc.) in the store where I work to sell. They're usually metal machines with nylon gears, ZZ machines who are whisper quiet but they won't embroider your name into your underwear for summer camp via telepathy. (sarcasm abounds) A lot of the sewers/quilters in my area believe the more you spend, the better it is and more features are also better, even if you'll never use them or learn to use them. This means I need to convince customers that they don't need the embroidery package to learn to sew and that a $40-80 machine with dials and not buttons/needle-down features are still viable options for adults, not just 9 y/o's as first sewing machines. What do you say to convince folks to give these machines a chance?

Are they allowed to test the machines? Are there any scraps of fabric with examples of the stitches?

I would very nicely say if you are a beginner at sewing and/or quilting you might want to start out with a less pricey machine until you are sure that this is a hobby you want to pursue. I would also add that if and when you decide sewing and quilting is for them, you will take the older machine back as as trade in on the price of a newer model.

Demonstrations that make you wince! LOL need to sew a can together? Run it through and old Kenmore. haha or maybe something like lots of denim layers and produce one raggy denim scrap quilt that would kill lesser machines. You know one where it's like 4 layers together then at the seams it can be up to 8 layers plus batting if they're stuffing it.

I sew retro/vintage all the time - mostly to men. Men get it. There are one or two younger women that do get it. Men see old cars, old motorcycles, etc and they KNOW the vintage and retro machinery is much better. Men want to make their own stuff. Men just don't know how to work the machine. If you show them how it works they will buy it. Maybe you can make a little note about showing them how it works.

To answer your question, You really can't change some people's minds. Some people are just trained to believe that the more you spend, the more you get..... remember, you can't fix stupid! And I'm not proud to say that at one point in my life, I was one of those. Not anymore..... age and experience has educated me. Now that I'm wiser, and actually have more money, I try to pass along some of this knowledge much harder than anyone tried to pass it along to me. So, I hope the suggestions that others have mentioned helps..... you can also tell them my story. Go ahead, spend tons of money and you'll probably love the machine for awhile, until you have to pay tons more money for a tune up, or , heaven forbid, a replacement plastic part.

A lot of times a vintage machine is cheaper than one service call on a newer machine - once someone has thrown away a newer machine they will buy vintage/retro.

what do you have them priced at?
Vintage machines are a dime a dozen if specific model doesn't matter.

Where do you work? Are you selling to beginners or seasoned quilters/embroiderers?

Some folks pay thousands of dollars for machines that do all that you think they don't need.

Same here.

CD in Oklahoma

Well, the first thing you should do is lose the attitude. Telling folks what they DON'T need is no way to get them to buy an old, used, albeit vintage machine. If they are just learning to sew, they are just learning about machines too, and telling them what is GOOD about a vintage machine is a better way to go about it. Think about negative campaign ads and how we all hate them. Then YOU use it. Have it set up not just to demonstrate, although that is good, but so you can use a vintage machine on a regular basis - a project always going. Seeing you make really cool things with a vintage machine is a great way to sell it. Perhaps pick one, and focus on it till it's sold and then go to the next one. And make sure you convey that you LOVE sewing with a vintage machine. If beginning quilters see they can do all they want with a cool, vintage machine, and that there is a reason to have one ( other than " you are just learning and don't deserve all the bells and whistles yet") they will feel more like owning one and less like you are trying to unload an old machine on them.

I never thought of it that way; but then I am a pusher when it comes to the older machines--even though I own two brand new machines. I just prefer the older machines for the straight stitch work that they do without eating half of your strip when you are piecing for a scrappy quilt. The main thing you have to teach a beginner is to always make sure you end your seam with your "needle up" or you are going to have a crow's nest under your seam, and a mess trying to untangle and get the thread out of the bobbin, etc. Ughhhhhhh. Teaching new folks how to sew has shown me that that is the first thing you stress and stress and stress when you are working with them. That and closing your rotary cutter after you finish cutting each strip. And holding your left hand just right on your ruler as you cut. Can you tell I was recently teaching a beginning bunch of quilters......

there are easy answers to all the problems in the prior post. There are things to be learned regardless of machine age. a closed mind, well that can't be helped.

Tell them vintage machines have lasted this long and new machines will last for about 5-10 years and vintage will cost 1/5 of newer ones.

Basically just share what you love about vintage machines. Sincere enthusiasm is contagious. I agree there's no need to slam modern machines but you can stress that they're getting at least the same level of quality as a high end new machine for a small fraction of the cost.
There's other things you can do too like maybe putting a tag on the machine with needle and bobbin info so people will know what they need and that they're easy to get.
Many people are afraid of older machines (not just sewing machines) because there's no guarantee. Those people you probably won't be able to convince no matter what you do but there are plenty out there that do recognize good value.
Rodney

OK, I've been thinking on how to answer the OP. I can't. I've never been a salesman. I just can't sway people. I'm like Joe Friday, "Just the facts". So once I've laid out the facts, it's up to the buyer to use their brains and realize what good machines the vintage ones are. But they don't. Too many years of brain washing television and now the internet.


Besides .... If these folks don't buy the vintage / antique machines ..... there's more for us. :D

Joe

Singerguy, that's the story right there plain and simple.

I'm also at a loss to "sell" people on a vintage machine. I just sold a machine (my first!), but it was easy. The buyer already knew they wanted a vintage machine because they can better handle what she wanted to do that her newer Viking. Easy-peasy!

Today, I have someone else looking for a machine, doesn't have much money to spend and I just don't know that she's interested. She thought she would buy a featherweight from another person until she learned the price! :eek:

Let me clarify. I don't hate new machines for the neato things they do, I do love a good solid "retro" sewing machine and get cranky when folks snub them out of hand. I always offer to let folks test a machine if they even look that direction, lol, but maybe a day of machine testing isn't a bad idea either. I don't have the space to keep them all set up all the time but could rotate them more to get working exposure. I hadn't thought about the gender differences but it does make sense too. Good ideas. I'll be using these in the near future.

Exactly, just the facts. LOL and definitely more for us! :D

Here are a couple of things that come to mind:

1. Have one set up somewhere with the lid just loose, so you can take it off and show people the metal.
2. Definitely show them the machine doing something. A project in progress is a great idea - just don't be too attached to the project because when you sell the machine with the project half done your 1/4" WILL change on the next machine you move the project to. ;)
3. Adjusted for today's dollars, many of the machines that we're talking about would have been valued in the several thousands of dollars. The first Singers in today's money would be worth over $40K new - or roughly a year's wages for a lot of the population. Even the postWW2 machines often cost into what today would be the 5 figure mark for straight stitch only machines. You simply can't compare that quality with a sub$1k machine these days.

That often helps put it in perspective.

That said, some people just won't change their minds and it's really not for you to change it for them if they don't want to. It's easier to "change" the minds of someone who wants your expertise.

You can't convince me to buy vintage either. I love my computerized combos!! It I wanted to sew on a vintage machine I would dust of my 1972 issue! Sorry...i don't share the "love" . Fun to look at tho!

sandy

You must harbor some interest or you wouldn't bother to read this stuff.

Huh? Not allowed to read?
sandy

I love vintage, the straight stitch is perfect. I use vintage for piecing and quilting, my newer bernina is used for fancy stitching on art quilts.

Set up your machine(s) with a comfortable chair, good lighting, and fabrics to sew on. Offer to let the kids sew too. Offer to demonstrate if they are too shy to try it themselves. Show them the quality of the stitch. Explain about metal gears that never wear out if oiled properly. Smile! If you enjoy so will the people who come to see.

I think there is room for both modern and vintage, and it doesn't need to be so firmly one camp or another.

Personally, I only own vintage; I am still a fairly novice sewist, and I became so keen on admiring and cleaning up these old beauties. It is an inexpensive hobby. To me, the machines are as much to hobby as the sewing.

The sewing I do, I adore doing on these old stitchers. I love the sound and the smell of a real "machine". But, again, I am not an advanced sewist, and I cannot criticize someone for wanting other features.

(Though I often quip, "Coco Chanel did it all on a straight stitcher!" :-)

I think it is common, and would be great if it were even more common, for people who own a modern machine to also own a vintage workhorse, so as not to "wear out" their expensive machines on straight stitch or heavy work.

So, rather than feel you have to "convert" someone to vintage, I would think a more "inclusive" approach would be more well-received. Mocking the plastic fantastics will only serve to alienate the very person that you are trying to make feel welcome.

She didn't say anything like "Not allowed to read". Sometimes you just need to read what's written before replying to it :p

I may have "read something" into the OP's first post...did you say that you worked at a sewing machine store?
I am probably all wet but I wondered how your employer would let you suggest a "vintage" over new machine?

Anyway I agree there doesn't have to be either, or! I firmly stand in both camps as far as machines go. My workhorse home machine is a Viking #1...OK since it is almost 20 years old it probably qualifies as vintage...and it has so many wonderful features that my vintage machines don't have. It makes the most even and beautiful "button hole" type stitch you could ever wish for and my projects are often thought to have been hand done. It also allows me almost infinite adjustments with the stitches....width, length etc. not to mention the needle down feature!
But on the other-hand my newer to me Morse Lightweight is whisper quiet and has a great stitch and feel when I am sewing along with my Singer 221 and 301. And then don't get me started on the satisfaction I get from my treadle(s) when I am treading away while listening to music or sometimes a familiar TV show.
In the end there is good in both and maybe one day those people will jump on the vintage bandwagon too. Just don't disparage their choice of a shiny new $$$$$ machine and encourage them to just try a vintage once in a while.

For another spot of clarity, I work in a store that sometimes gets "retro/vinatge" sewing machines to sell, not a SM dealership or LSMS specifically. I have seen these perfectly nice older machines snubbed repeatedly because they're not the latest/greatest and need a way to help people give them a chance.

Do they sit there because they are over priced? If I am buying a machine from a thrift store I sure don't want to pay an arm and a leg. Last week I bought a machine for $20 at one thrift store. The next one I went to wanted $45 for one and $20 for one not all there. I passed.

Questions customers may have.....what is the working history and ownership ? Have the machines be fully cleaned and serviced? Are the electrical cords up to code? Lots of questions about the reliability and safety of the "vintage" machines. And the availability of replacement parts may also be a consideration. My 2 cents.

As is said earlier, i love to look at "vintage" machines . I do appreciate the interest in them. I also have my late Aunts' 1953 Centennial Singer in the desk. no, I never use it. I know that the cord is safe tho. My late. Uncle was an electrician and the cord is newer, not original.

My DH. Love "vintage" cars but would we seriously drive one for everyday? No. No safety equipment, etc. Might not be a great analogy but .....the original question had to do with why machines are snipubbed. We buy what we want.

sandy

Sandy, what Singer model do you have with the centennial badge? To bring in the car analogy, saying you have a Singer centennial is like saying you have a Chevy from 1953. Enthusiasts want to know what model of Chev you have LOL!!

Find out what the machine originally cost, adjust it for today's dollars, then put out a bold card with the adjusted price with the original price in small type. AND YOU CAN HAVE THIS QUALITY MACHINE FOR $ *****. Have some fun.

I drive my vintage sewing machine every day.

Anastasia! LOL!!!!!

Ha - I sold the car that runs like a sewing machine this morning...

Things that make the vintage models the only option for me are the stitch quality, the price of the machines, I can service it myself and there are far more spare parts available. The new ones are sealed forever, they don't even make spare parts for them, they are designed to fail and be superceded when they do fail ("planned obsolescence") and the only ones that make a stitch that comes close to that of an older machine will cost thousands of dollars (e.g. Bernina).

The whole self reliance thing is very big with me: It's probably because I work with computers that I don't want them controlling my car or my sewing machine. They break, they glitch and with sewing machines they usually cost more to repair than a new one.

I had a person come by a couple weeks ago to look at one of my "extras" and while there and talking about all of the old machines I have, the lady saw a modern machine that a friend left for me to look at. She said OH, how much for that one" I ended up having to explain why I was laughing so hard.

The thing that seemed to sway her to the "Iron side" was when I showed her the new one with the top opened and the back inspection plate/underside of the vintage. Even though she was not exactly "mechanically inclined" she could see the difference in quality, ruggedness, and "surviveability" (her word)

She bought the vintage (was a good thing, since the modern one was not for sale anyways....hehe)

I'm 85yrs old and a loooooong time ago for more money, you got more of what you were buying and good quality. Then along came plastic. And down went quality, but more money and less longevity. Isn't that so with Autos and everything? I've got several vintage machines and can't part with any of them. I love them.

Macybaby, I understand! I am starting to feel "guilty"!! So.....i will post photos of my Vintage Singer 15-91 year 1951! ( seal says 1951...). Under a separate thread.


http://www.quiltingboard.com/vintage...ml#post6745132



Sandy