miriam

I try not to get too critical about somewhat high prices like those - maybe somebody put in a lot of work or it is especially nice or comes with a lot of cool features. It is the ones that want to make their first million that worry me. Chances are the machines will still be there for next Christmas.

Rodney

I've seen a bunch of those ads. If the sellers put any work in at least most of those machines it doesn't show.
Sews: There's one "15" that shows up for $289 on a regular basis that's actually one of those Singer authorized Asian machines. Does it have a feed dog knob and Sphinx decals? We've flagged the ad several times for being misleading about the "antique" part. It doesn't even qualify as vintage in my opinion if it's the same one.
Rodney

sews

https://seattle.craigslist.org/see/atq/4824075204.html

I think you're right, Rodney, that doesn't look like a Singer decal. Why the missing drawer if it's new... maybe for "authenticity" ;-)

Cari-in-Oly

yep Rodney that's the one. I flag it every time he puts it up.

That 201-2 is gorgeous, but at that price she doesn't really want to sell it. Sentimental, you know.

Cari

Cari-in-Oly

It probably fell out of the cabinet and fell apart, it's pressboard.

Cari

sews

True, I didn't inspect these ads too closely, but from what I can tell, they are pretty ordinary machines. There's suddenly a deluge of vintage $200+ machines here. I only posted the ones I know are nothing special, other than maybe in good condition. You never know if they even work properly until you try them out....

Asking for close to $500 for a 201 and providing no picture of the cabinet .... that doesn't look professional to me.

Oh, I read to the end and now I know why there's no picture: the cabinet is a"little rough" LOL.

https://seattle.craigslist.org/see/for/4809384303.html

ETA: oops -- no spool pin on top...

Cari-in-Oly

I've noticed prices going up too. That $500 201 has been around for some time, and Miriam is right, it'll be there next Christmas. I think they look at the highest listing prices on Ebay and go from there instead of looking at actual sold listings and taking the things things they should into account like condition, accessories, etc.

I've had a few Singers come to me without a spool pin, what's up with that? No big deal, they're cheap, but still.

Cari

xxxxxxxxxx

here's one reason I no longer bother with this type store.

http://eugene.craigslist.org/atq/4821810190.html

monopas

When I'm having a bad day I go look at the sewing machine listings on the Seattle area Craigslist. Because I feel so much better about myself and my life after jeering at those lunatics for a while.

It is a trend here though. Any sewing machine in any condition must be worth at least $50. The minimum price at the local thrift store is $24.99, $29.99 if it is a Singer. And they never seem stay in the store long enough to be half off. This has generally saved me from myself. Though I did pick up an Elna Plana Automatic just before Christmas, because I obviously am totally insane.

Jeanette Frantz

http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/atq/4785590010.html
How many reasons do you think this ad has been up for 6 months???

Miriam, I noticed several "missing parts", for one, there's no spool pin, there's no bobbin case, just to name a couple, besides the missing cover plate.

Jeanette