Why can't I find any?? Where are they?
 

In all my travels to thrift stores and secondhand shops, I have yet to find a vintage machine, any machine! Seems like most of you find them on a regular basis.

I frequent shops on a regular basis, but score a big ZERO. What can I do to improve my chances? I don't really want to go every day!

Renate

Thrift shops aren't very reliable for me, though I have found 2 or 3 bargains. Craigslist is where I find most of my machines, and occasionally at garage sales.

Don't give up. I had the same problem until my last excursion. Found a Dressmaker, 403a, a Morse, 2 15 clones, a White treadle and a Red Eye at three different thrift shops. Got the Morse, Dressmaker, 2 clones and the 403 in a descent cabinet all for under a $150. SUV was full.

Don't get discouraged, they are out there. It took me a long time to get my first one. Craig's List is a great place to look, along with your local thrift stores and garage sales.

Shopgoodwill.com is loaded with vintage machines of every brand and description.
{ http://www.shopgoodwill.com/search/s...umbs=on&page=1 }
That's where I've gotten many of mine as the Springfield area is devoid of vintage machines too.

Joe

My area also has almost nothing in the thrift stores sewing related. I find more in antique malls - often hidden as they use the cabinets for display tables, and you can't tell if a machine is in there unless you look/feel underneath. I've also gotten some great deals on attachments at antique malls.

I have checked out the Goodwill site, but it's hard to figure out exactly what machine is really a FW, esp. if they don't know. A lot of them are in sad shape :( I almost feel sorry for them, is that crazy?

There is a new antique mall that opened nearby, a good reason to check it out!

I have had the best luck with the unexpected surprises at garage sales. I ask do you have any old machines. My last score was a FW for $75 doing this. People often do not think to put them out or with the elderly they do not think anyone wants them. I also leave my little biz card at the flea markets with the owner or manager. They pass the word along that I collect old machines. And I placed an ad earlier this summer on CL that I would pick up old machines. Got several that were junk, but was able to salvage the drawers out of a treadle that was falling apart, repair a 60's singer and gave it to the teenage neighbor girl who wants to learn to sew AND scored a 185K, my fav color green.

Just put the word out and you will find them

My area goodwill stores never have any machines, they all go to shopgoodwill.com, :(

i have better luck on Craig's list, I check it all the time, sometimes I get lucky.

Joe, glad that you use shopgoodwill and have had success. Do you have any helpful hints about using this site? Thanks!