OK. So.
Something cool in Indianapolis for once.
http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/art/3012263580.html
http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/app/3032211326.html

Now you do realize that we collect old vintage machines and that people on the net are looking for and easy buck and the lukers or prof business people looking to make the $. These people will collect vintage machines and sell them at top $. They know what we are looking for. It is our own fault we have driven the price up on these machines. The demands is great now for these machines and they will get for and few between as the dealers figure this out. We are a larger group than you think. I have been in business a long time and very well understand the law of demand and what it will do to prices.

I'm thinking there are sellers asking a lot of $$$ and the buyers are few and far between and trying to pay $20 for a machine that has been worked over and in top condition. Maybe they think the machines are worth more all rusted up and covered in lint and dried on 3 in 1 oil and have broken wires and don't turn and have a case or cabinet that has been through a war. I'm seeing those on CL for big bucks. go figure.

Lisa, thank you for posting this! Now I see for sure what Candace had noticed! The red machine we are looking at in the Sacramento Craigslist is missing part of the bobbin winder!

Nancy

Glenn, I don't doubt that you know what you are talking about, but I think E-bay is what has pushed the price up. But if you watch e-bay those machines don't sell for what they are asking. The same thing with Craigslist. I have seen the same machines on Craigslist for months and months. They just get re-listed, because they don't sell. I still think it is a buyers market. I find machines all the time like the Red one (but not red or I'd own it!) on our craigslist, at flea markets, yard sales, barn sales, for $25 to 35 bucks. There still are not a lot of folks wanting the old vintage machines. They are too heavy for the younger generation. The new to sewing people want a modern plastic wonder. They don't want to lug around an all metal 40 lb machine! I really don't see a real market for these machines - not many young people even want to sew! I think the real market is with us - the people who appreciate the value of an all metal machine. So maybe you are right after all - we are the ones who are pushing up the prices! I know here where I live, the antique stores won't even take a treadle or a vintage/antique sewing machine. They tell me they can't sell them so don't want them in their stores! When we drove to Oakland to pick up my Pfaff treadle the store owner threw in a Japanese 15 in really nice shape that had been in his store forever - he couldn't get rid of it - he made us take it as part of the deal when we took the Pfaff! So where are the buyers for these antique and vintage machines?

Nancy

I'm glad to see they post a pic of the bobbin. I bought mine and didn't know it wouldn't be included, but now I know what to watch for.

Did you notice how much lint there is in the bobbin area/throat plate?

Nancy, Yes, there are lots of lazy lurkers not willing to do their own work or just take advantage of us. And some even like to play games. I'm not naive about that. I just look at it as if the machine was meant to be yours then you will become the next steward.

There are those that will never make a posting here on this thread, but will post a "hey look at my new machine" or "help my X machine doesn't work" or 'blah x machine blahblah" on a thread that they have started on the QB. I have almost stopped reading those threads. Some may be lurkers from other vintage machine sites testing the QB site, and some may be quilters on the QB site just lurking on this thread...possibly too afraid to speak up.



Life is about sharing(a giving)...but sadly...

in life there will always be takers...even on a Quilting Board.


And some things can only be appreciated from afar.

Looks like a good cleaning is in order. On another note, will I have to use a special walking foot on my 301, or can I use the one I use on the FW?

Yes Ebay is asking high prices but they are following the antigue stores and prices. And yes some don't sell and have to be re listed but all do sell. Some go to the local antigues stores and will sel at the asking price. The condition is not an issue it is the demand. Ebay is only the reflection of what people will pay. The Q B is not the only members looking for the vintage machines. For every QB wanting a machine there are three business people who want to seel them a Vintage machine at top $. There are many sites on the hunt for Vintage Sewing Machines and sites that sell these vintage machine at high dollar prices. Ebay is a reflection of what people will pay, just look at what we quilters did to the FW!!!!!!