Best place to sell sewing machine/s

[colourdilemma]

I've had both my mum's sturdy but unsophisticated bernina machines for a couple of years now and I've finally come to the decision that, for the sewing I do, I'd be better to sell one or both of them and buy a modern machine. I've gone all round the houses, and I know good solid machines are amazing but I really do want one that is lighter, and with more features. So I'm at least going to sell the 830 record, which should make at least £200, but I wondered if anyone had any good experiences selling machines? Got my eye on a janome for £300 so I might get away with keeping the newer bernina, which is still 30 years old!

[lavendersun]

No idea other than eBay.

I bought a new mechanical Bernina about 18 months ago, I did look on eBay for similar models (1008 and I think that the other one was 1010 from memory.

In the end I bought new because I didn't want to risk £500 on an older one which was what the models I was looking at were going for. I didn't need to economise particularly, just presumed that the old ones were better made.

Make sure that the stitch change thing works properly. Sometimes they have been in the same position for so long that the cogs become brittle and when you select something new the cogs break (from a service guy who now refuses to service anything bought from eBay because he couldn't do it in his service agreed price deal and make money).

You could have it serviced and PAT tested and set a buy it now price that reflects the work you have had done.

Other than that try trading it in? I know my local dealer takes quite a few in on trade ins - he then sells the old feet at half the new foot cost (a lot of them are £30 plus).

[JoffreyBaratheon]

Or try Gumtree - or a small postcard ad in local shops..?

[colourdilemma]

I think I'll have to bite the bullet and get it serviced-I think it'll help it sell and also I'll feel better about getting rid if I know I'm selling something reliable. If I trade in, it would be easier but the dealer I will buy new machine from was very honest and said he'd give me £100 and that if I sold it myself it would be worth at least £250. I could try gumtree-free ads and much easier.

[lavendersun]

That sounds like a good plan colour, just be very sure that you like you new machine enough.

The stitches on my 1008 are so precise, I love it (Mum always had one so I knew what I was getting).

I knew that I would never use anything too swish/fancy so spent my £ on a basic mechanical that would last forever (well hopefully).

[colourdilemma]

Thing is, part of the thing that's triggered the urge to sell is the zig zag going dodgy and a service might sort it and get me loving it again. I've kind of got one in the bag too-mum had an 830 for her wedding present then upgraded to the "new" machine in 1985 or so. It's a bernina, with a bit of computerisation but I imagine still a heavy, sturdy workhorse. I guess I could sell that and keep the mechanical? I just really want something modern with a few features that do a bit of the thinking. I guess I'm lazy! And I could live to regret it. Dither dither.

[lavendersun]

colour, I would hate you to regret it . Depends on what you sew really, I sew everything from silk to really really heavy stuff for camping and whatever else life throws at me.

I am currently making a bag for my bike and am sewing through up to 7 layers of 420gsm heavy canvas - nice to have the choice - before I bought mine I would use Mum's or my Singer 99 that is now 86 years old for heavy stuff.

There aren't many domestic machines on the market that can cope with everything imo.

[colourdilemma]

Perhaps I should sell the newer, slightly computerised one that would sell for enough to buy the shiny lightweight janome one outright, and keep the old faithful?

[lavendersun]

Hard to say isn't it as we are all so different. I ended up spending about £1100 with a selection of feet and have friends who have amazingly capable and complicated electronic machines for the same amount of cash - they think I am bonkers, I sort of think the same .

Do you think that you really want a shiny new machine because it is shiny and new, or a lighter to move around one, or one with more stitches? etc., etc., lots of reasons for swapping machines - and why not - you could buy a new one and absolutely love it.

I looked at all sorts of machines before I bought and stuck with Bernina just because of the solidity of the 1008 - I did wonder if I might regret not choosing something with more options, but I don't, not for a second.

Tricky decision!

[crockydoodle]

I would keep the 830 and get it serviced. They are very well regarded on the sewing forum I use. Keep it set up for heavy duty stitching. Sell the newer Bernina one. Buy the janome. I have a computerised janome and love it but also love my vintage singers.

[evilharpy]

Don't sell the 830! They are wonderful machines. I live in hope of finding one in a charity shopnor at a boot sale for £50.

[colourdilemma]

That's it then. Sell newer one, enough money then to buy janome. Win win.

[colourdilemma]

Anyone want to buy a bernina? ;-)

[JoffreyBaratheon]

I just bought a 1956 Featherweight on eBay, largely because it was very recently serviced, re-wired, and came with the receipt for that photographed. So it definitely helps sell a machine, to have it serviced. The service cost about £60. Although I can service and fix an older, vintage non electric machine myself, when it comes to electrics, it's reassuring for it to be checked over and have anything glitchy fixed, too... I saw many of the same machine I wanted on eBay for around the same price, dearer and slightly cheaper - but chose that one due to the service!

[colourdilemma]

I would be just the same. I reckon service will cost £40 but either make the price that much higher or get it sold in the first place.

[salehmustafa786]

hi, i want to sell my solid pfaff industrial zigzag machine 138-6 which does freehand embroidery, is anyone interested. please. i want to sell to buy another one, (£270) i am looking to buy singer 20 u . thanks