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Bernina 831 I inherited this!
aquamarineerica Advanced Beginner OR USA Member since 10/23/08 Posts: 265	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 8/31/10 3:51 PM A week ago I inherited my great-grandmother's Bernina. My aunt paid for the servicing, and when I went to pick it up, the repairman said I had a great machine. I see nothing in the reviews about an 831, yet that is what it is. I'm curious to know what the price of it was at the time of purchase. My aunt says that $1200 was paid for it, new. My mom says $3000. Which is correct, and how much would it be worth now? I believe it was bought in the mid to late 70's. Thanks... Erica ------ Every day is a clean slate. aquamarineerica.blogspot.com
Soolip Advanced CA USA Member since 6/18/08 Posts: 2000	Login to reply to this post In reply to aquamarineerica Like this post Date: 8/31/10 4:00 PM Closer to $1,200, but I don't think these sold for that much. The 930, which was a more capable machine that came out in 1984(?) retailed initially at $1,200, so I'm thinking the 831/831 might have gone for around $800-1,000. There's one currently up for auction on ebay. Ends in about an hour and currently at $203.50. See what it eventually sells for, and this may give you some idea of what it's worth. Keep in mind that this machine was used very little and is in mint condition, but lacks accessories. Bernina 831 on ebay -- Edited on 8/31/10 4:01 PM --
Bert62   Beginner IN USA Member since 12/3/09 Posts: 899	Login to reply to this post In reply to Soolip Like this post Date: 8/31/10 4:18 PM I worked on a 731 which was the pared down version of the 730 Record. I'm assuming the 831 is much the same with the fewer stitches. Nevertheless, I still love those old Berninas. They are something to behold.
Soolip Advanced CA USA Member since 6/18/08 Posts: 2000	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 8/31/10 5:22 PM Closed at $430.99. Not bad.
glenj AUSTRALIA Member since 1/6/08 Posts: 802	Login to reply to this post In reply to Soolip Like this post Date: 8/31/10 5:25 PM auction just finished. $430.99us. I bought an 807 serviced from a bernina dealer for 240 au.I sewed drapes on it yesterday,it purred through the process fabulous little machine
Doris W. in TN   Intermediate TN USA Member since 2/9/04 Posts: 6748	Login to reply to this post In reply to aquamarineerica Like this post Date: 8/31/10 5:34 PM Oooooohhhhhh, you are sooooo lucky! I'm with the $1,200 price guess, possibly a little lower. These machines are wonderful. You might enjoy the Bernina ThirtySomethings yahoo group if you have questions about the machine. This group is for that generation of machine.
RadarRadiance Intermediate NV USA Member since 10/24/07 Posts: 1260	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 8/31/10 10:56 PM I feel you're all high on the price. I just pulled out my original receipt for when I bought my 930 Bernina new in 1987 and the price was $979. Back then that was a lot of money, this was new, not a floor model. I still have that baby!!! ... Lots of money back then. Prior to that machine I had my mom’s 830 I bought from her and she got it new, I know it wasn't over a $1000. I'm thinking around $700 or $800. Both machine's purchased new in MN but the price should be similar. The 831 should be a great machine, the 830 was a lot of fun to use and stitched perfect, the best button holes and the straight stitch and satin where precise as good be. I learned how to do thread painting and tons of free motion with that machine. It went through everything and would still handle the chiffons perfect. You got a great machine, enjoy!!! Just remember the 8XX series do require oiling, shuttle and about 5 locations on the needle shaft. It will purr for you
aquamarineerica Advanced Beginner OR USA Member since 10/23/08 Posts: 265	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 9/1/10 12:01 PM Thank you all for responding so quickly! No matter what, it's a treasure to me and I feel fortunate to have it. Haven't sewn on it yet. This may sound weird but I actually named the machine Freda, after my great-grandmother! Thanks again! Erica ------ Every day is a clean slate. aquamarineerica.blogspot.com
RadarRadiance Intermediate NV USA Member since 10/24/07 Posts: 1260	Login to reply to this post In reply to aquamarineerica Like this post Date: 9/1/10 12:28 PM You will love the machine, great name!! Here is a link to an older Bernia comparison chart. It doesn't list the 831 but I would think it to be very similar to the 830. I loved that machine but couldn't justify having the 830 and 930. Was a tough decision on which one to sell....
aquamarineerica Advanced Beginner OR USA Member since 10/23/08 Posts: 265	Login to reply to this post In reply to RadarRadiance Like this post Date: 9/1/10 12:50 PM THAT is wonderful!!! Very useful to have! Erica ------ Every day is a clean slate. aquamarineerica.blogspot.com

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