Should I buy this Bernina 831?
 

Hi,
After looking on my local CL (called Kijiji) for a year, I can say Bernina are very rare in my area; may be one showing every month or two, and usually in the 300$ or more range. For exemple, a 730 goes for 350$; a 830, 600$. Never saw any 930.
Last month I finally had some luck; I found a cute 707 minimatic for 100$ and I was quick enough to be the first to get it. One owner, mint condition, but very few accessories (only three feets). It just needed some oiling and it was ready to sew beautifully.
Then, last week, another Bernina showed up: a 807 for 200$. Not bad, but it didn't caught my attention. Then the machine was relisted for 175$; I checked again the picture and saw the machine was not red as the 807 is supposed to be, but black; I looked furthermore and found the number on the side: it's a 831.
The seller is located about 30 minutes drive from the city center, and to go there by public transportation would be a real pain. Also, I think the seller put her ad in the wrong category. This may explain why it was not snatched after a week.
I sent an email to the seller; it's the daugher of the owner. Her mother is moving and need to part with her beloved sewing machine. It is one of those full of memories (seller told me she and her sister made all their clothes on it) and it seems in mint condition.
The seller is open to negociation. I told her I couldn't know how much I could offer before trying the machine, see if it need any repair/servicing, and the exact number and type of accessories coming with it.
Sooooo... what do you think? Should I get this one? How much should I offer (a fair price for us both)? Or should I just be happy with my 707 and stop before becoming an addict :p?

Here's the listing:
http://qc.kijiji.ca/c-acheter-et-ven...AdIdZ510143268

Looks awesome to me! Ah, don't stop, it is too much fun. You could try $150. and if she accepted then maybe you wouldn't mind the trek so much!

If the machine is actually an 831, everything is there, and it works, $175 is a good price. You can offer less, but if the owner balks, I wouldn't let a few dollars get in the way of picking up an excellent machine.

Do you want it or need it? If you're looking for someone to talk you out of it, I think you came to the wrong group. LOL.

LOL Candace, of course nobody here will tell me I shouldn't buy a machine just because I like it!
I don't think I would be able to keep the 707 AND the 831. For now my excuse to have a Bernina is because it's the only one who have the two holes that allow me to put the binder foot (a good Susei brand; works really great!) I bind a lot when I'm sewing children clothing; still experimenting for quilt.
I think the 707 and the 831 have the same number of stitches; but I prefer the look of the 831. I was thinking to try the two for a few months, than keep the one I prefer and sell the other one (preferably to a friend... so I will see it from time to time) :o

The only problem with older Berninas is that apparently, their factory at one point suffered some sort of catastrophe, so parts availability for the older machines is not very good, though if you take it to an Bernina service center, they might have what parts you need from donor machines.

Mark, what a good excuse to keep the two:thumbup:
Seriously, thanks for your comments.

My friend has an 831, it is the same as an 830 without the decorative stitches, a real workhorse. The price is not bad but as you say the accessories would make a difference. Mark is correct, the Bernina factory in Switzerland had a flood and most parts for older machines were lost. But is all mechanical and should go for a long time yet. You can get a lot of information from the Yahoo group for older Berninas "Berninathirtysomethings".

Nice machine but with no decorative stitches it may not always meet your needs. I would think twice about it. If you plan to use for quilting only, then it is fabulous. I own several bernina's and they are great, however as mentioned to get parts is nothing short of a nightmare...it took me two months begging dealers to get the parts I needed.