Singer 301A Purchase Dilemma

Old 01-06-2012, 08:04 AM
  #21  
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I don't think the price is unreasonable if it comes with a warrantee and has been completely restored. I own 4 of them and I have to tell you, out of the 4 I've bought at a good price ALL of them have needed several hours of work and sometimes $ for parts. It's great to get a "deal", but 50 year old machines tend to need some attention. Usually they are up for sale because they either don't work or have something wrong with them. Out of the 15 vintage machines I own, I believe there have only been like 3 or 4 that didn't need some kind of work on them. So....if you trust the person and the machine is in very good condition, buy it and you will love it.
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Old 01-06-2012, 12:44 PM
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Thank you Candace for validating my purchase price, I think you are right! I went to see her this afternoon and she came home with me. The man selling her, Gus, led me down to his basement where he had it set up on a small sewing table in his laundry room. The room was immaculate, the walls and floor entirely tiled in white ceramic. It reminded me of a hospital! Mr. Clean would have been right at home. I asked him how he came to be in this business and he said that he used to work for Singer, and then when they were bought out, he worked for the new parent company, and then he retired. He showed me his work room, equally as neat as the "delivery" area, and he has a ton of machines to work on or ready to sell. He had a couple of FWs with the long beds. I think I might ask him to keep an eye out for a white FW and let me know if he ever gets one.

This 301A is in *mint* condition - not a mark or a scratch on her. It's the darker beige one, but the flash makes it look off-while in the photos below. It looks brand new and he's guaranteed it for a year, but he said he didn't think there would be any issues as these machines are so well made. Much better than the new plastic ones. I'm going to call her Jean, after my maternal grandmother.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]300912[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]300913[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]300914[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH=CONFIG]300911[/ATTACH]
Attached Thumbnails p1060015.jpg   p1060016.jpg   p1060017.jpg   p1060018.jpg  
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Old 01-06-2012, 12:58 PM
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Wow, that machine looks showroom new. You are really lucky to find one so mint. I would almost be afraid to sew on it!

Pat
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Old 01-06-2012, 01:08 PM
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I wish I had known that this summer. At a yard sale they had one for sale for $50 and it even had a cabinet.
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Old 01-06-2012, 01:35 PM
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Kate - nice to hear you had a good experience with Gus! We have been looking for a nice machine for our daughter, who lives in Ottawa, and since daddy is a 6 hr drive away we think it would be best if she trys to find a machine that is already refurbished that she can bring home and start sewing on, rather than having to wait for fix-ups.
I will tell her to give him a call and see if he has anything she might like.
Congrats on your 301, it looks brand new...but everything he has advertized on Kijiji looks brand new!

Joann
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Old 01-06-2012, 01:42 PM
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Originally Posted by JMCDA View Post
Kate - nice to hear you had a good experience with Gus! We have been looking for a nice machine for our daughter, who lives in Ottawa, and since daddy is a 6 hr drive away we think it would be best if she trys to find a machine that is already refurbished that she can bring home and start sewing on, rather than having to wait for fix-ups.
I will tell her to give him a call and see if he has anything she might like.
Congrats on your 301, it looks brand new...but everything he has advertized on Kijiji looks brand new!

Joann
Joann, I assume from your post that you already have his contact info, but if not, PM me and I'll give it to you.
I was most impressed with his work area and it's clear to me that he takes a lot of pride and care in his work. I hope your daughter finds something suitable - I don't see how she could not!
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Old 01-06-2012, 02:00 PM
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Congratulations!!! My first 301 was a mocha colored one, also. Yours is so pretty!!!!

Here is a link for the Singer Slant Sewing Machine Yahoo group, in case you are interested: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/singer...guid=236813242
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Old 01-06-2012, 02:30 PM
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Congrats, it's a beauty. None of my 4 are as pristine as this one. Also, you didn't mention it was a long bed. They tend to fetch more than the short beds. So, good for you.
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Old 01-06-2012, 02:32 PM
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Originally Posted by cabbagepatchkid View Post
Congratulations!!! My first 301 was a mocha colored one, also. Yours is so pretty!!!!

Here is a link for the Singer Slant Sewing Machine Yahoo group, in case you are interested: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/singer...guid=236813242
Thanks for the link. I didn't know about this group.
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Old 01-06-2012, 07:24 PM
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Congratulations on getting "Jean"! She is beautiful!

I have both a FW and a 301 and much prefer the 301. The visibility due to the slant needle surprised me, and I definitely use the quarter inch marking on the needle plate for piecing. The architectural style of the 301 is so pleasing also.

Dayle
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