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Posted on: 5/18/10 7:11 PM ET
this post is just me whinning about not being able to sell my bernina cover stitch machine.
i put it on craigslist, but ony got some questions and a couple of crooks.
i am going to try it again, however would like some input about the price. I paid $800 and listed it for $500. I noticed the store where i bought it has the floor model on sale for $500.
do you think i should try selling it this time for $400?
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i put it on craigslist, but ony got some questions and a couple of crooks.
i am going to try it again, however would like some input about the price. I paid $800 and listed it for $500. I noticed the store where i bought it has the floor model on sale for $500.
do you think i should try selling it this time for $400?
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Ada
Posted on: 5/18/10 7:16 PM ET
why do you try ebay?
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Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to god. And
The peace of god, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7
The peace of god, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7
Posted on: 5/18/10 7:17 PM ET
In reply to AdaH
Why don't you list it here? That would be my first move if i were you.
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"Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible." --Dalai Lama
https://eyeletsintheseams.blogspot.com
Pfaff 1222E, Elna eXcellence 720, Brother Innovis PS500, Brother SE400, Brother 1034D, Sunbeam irons ;)
https://eyeletsintheseams.blogspot.com
Pfaff 1222E, Elna eXcellence 720, Brother Innovis PS500, Brother SE400, Brother 1034D, Sunbeam irons ;)
Posted on: 5/19/10 0:16 AM ET
i don't want to have to ship the machine, so tried craigslist first. i also posted it here.
i do not like selling things, for this very reason.
but i think ebay will probably be next.
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i do not like selling things, for this very reason.
but i think ebay will probably be next.
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Ada
Posted on: 5/19/10 0:29 AM ET
If you're posting on craigslist, you should generally assume people are looking for a really good deal. Therefore, $400 is probably the highest that you'll hope to get. You should think about how much you really want to get rid of it vs. it not selling...in other words, maybe even drop it to $200 or less if you really want to get it off your hands.
Also, be sure to write your text in a very appealing way to the sewers out there, so they can't resist living without it.
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Also, be sure to write your text in a very appealing way to the sewers out there, so they can't resist living without it.
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http://asgchicago.wordpress.com
Posted on: 5/19/10 0:57 AM ET
In reply to AdaH
I didn't opt for eBay or the PR classifieds when I was trying to sell my combo serger/cs machine to avoid having to package the machine for safe arrival. I guess, I could have said "local pick-up only" but didn't realize it at the time.
Is your Bernina a cs-only machine? It sounds like it's the 009DCC model. This is actually the coverstitch-only machine that I'm interested in buying from Japan (or Korea). In Japan, it's labeled Juki.
I had a hard time too selling my serger/cs combo on CL last year. I think, my first asking price was a little under half the purchase price of $1800. It took months and down to $275 until I finally found a sure buyer.
One thing that does help a lot (because I got a lot of phone calls after I did it), was to include the maximum amount of pictures you are allowed which, I believe, is four (for those who do not own a CL user account?). You really need to make sure that each picture says a thousand words, nothing redundant. Links to more pictures would be helpful too, if you want to go that far.
I don't know if it's helpful to provide all the information that you can about the machine. It might deter some serious buyers from calling (although I know how annoying it can be to be led a merry chase for nothing). I think, it might be helpful to hold back some and get potential buyers to the test-drive stage.
As for price, you might want to ask yourself, if you are scouring CL for this machine or any cs-only or combo machine, what price would you be willing to pay, considering the time/travel spent, and that no warranty, no first-year free maintenance, and no classes are included. When I was trying to sell mine, I kept thinking to myself, "Well, I can think of plenty more things I can buy with that amount of money." And always, the fact that it was used and had no return policy really had me thinking why no one was interested in buying. They were probably thinking, "If there's something wrong with it, I'd have to fork out more cash in getting it repaired."
You can give it a rock-bottom price now that might make you cringe, or you can keep re-listing and lowering the price week after week, or month after month. It will be totally up to what you will be willing to put up with.
Is your Bernina a cs-only machine? It sounds like it's the 009DCC model. This is actually the coverstitch-only machine that I'm interested in buying from Japan (or Korea). In Japan, it's labeled Juki.
I had a hard time too selling my serger/cs combo on CL last year. I think, my first asking price was a little under half the purchase price of $1800. It took months and down to $275 until I finally found a sure buyer.
One thing that does help a lot (because I got a lot of phone calls after I did it), was to include the maximum amount of pictures you are allowed which, I believe, is four (for those who do not own a CL user account?). You really need to make sure that each picture says a thousand words, nothing redundant. Links to more pictures would be helpful too, if you want to go that far.
I don't know if it's helpful to provide all the information that you can about the machine. It might deter some serious buyers from calling (although I know how annoying it can be to be led a merry chase for nothing). I think, it might be helpful to hold back some and get potential buyers to the test-drive stage.
As for price, you might want to ask yourself, if you are scouring CL for this machine or any cs-only or combo machine, what price would you be willing to pay, considering the time/travel spent, and that no warranty, no first-year free maintenance, and no classes are included. When I was trying to sell mine, I kept thinking to myself, "Well, I can think of plenty more things I can buy with that amount of money." And always, the fact that it was used and had no return policy really had me thinking why no one was interested in buying. They were probably thinking, "If there's something wrong with it, I'd have to fork out more cash in getting it repaired."
You can give it a rock-bottom price now that might make you cringe, or you can keep re-listing and lowering the price week after week, or month after month. It will be totally up to what you will be willing to put up with.
Posted on: 5/19/10 7:08 AM ET
I've seen machines listed on the PR classsifieds that were significantly overpriced compared to what you could buy the machine for on ebay, or Craig's List.
Many people who buy used sewing machines are purely price-driven -- they do their pricing research carefully. The only things that count for these buyers are whether the machine works as described and whether can find it for less money somewhere else.
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Many people who buy used sewing machines are purely price-driven -- they do their pricing research carefully. The only things that count for these buyers are whether the machine works as described and whether can find it for less money somewhere else.
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No sewing project is ever a complete success nor a total failure.
Posted on: 5/19/10 7:26 AM ET
In reply to AdaH
I'll be blunt. 
It's a used machine. It has no warranty. One can buy a brand new Janome coverstitch machine for $400-$500, which does a triple stitch and takes accessories, neither of which the Bernina does. The Bernina also has a reputation of being fiddly when trying to release the fabric (don't know if that's absolutely true, but I've read it many places).
I would think $250-$300 is probably the most you will get for it.
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It's a used machine. It has no warranty. One can buy a brand new Janome coverstitch machine for $400-$500, which does a triple stitch and takes accessories, neither of which the Bernina does. The Bernina also has a reputation of being fiddly when trying to release the fabric (don't know if that's absolutely true, but I've read it many places).
I would think $250-$300 is probably the most you will get for it.
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"I base my fashion sense on what doesn't itch." — Gilda Radner
http://stitchesandseams.blogspot.com
"I base my fashion sense on what doesn't itch." — Gilda Radner
http://stitchesandseams.blogspot.com
Posted on: 5/19/10 11:17 AM ET
Post it here on PR with a good price. You can specify the area so you won't have to ship it. $500 is too much.
I sold my sewing machine on PR in my local area to a very nice woman.
I sold my sewing machine on PR in my local area to a very nice woman.
Posted on: 5/19/10 11:57 AM ET
Echoing what Debbie said. Just got a brand new Janome 1000cp for 499 from a great local dealer (well, local to DD who I was visiting but great reputation) with features noted. I think one mistake sellers often make in trying to sell a machine is comparing desired sale price to what they paid. It's just not relevant, it's what the market will bear, what else is out there, etc. I did have the 009 back when it was a newer model and while there were a couple steps for releasing the fabric I didn't find it particularly fussy or tricky, just not easy to just sew off as you can with the coverpro.
I'd also try listing it here first, if for no other reason there's no cost to list as with ebay. There's also a yahoo group specifically for selling/buying sewing items Sewitsforsale. Again no cost. Many subscribers so you'll get in front of a lot of people either place before paying an ebay fee. Good luck!
-- Edited on 5/19/10 11:58 AM --
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I'd also try listing it here first, if for no other reason there's no cost to list as with ebay. There's also a yahoo group specifically for selling/buying sewing items Sewitsforsale. Again no cost. Many subscribers so you'll get in front of a lot of people either place before paying an ebay fee. Good luck!
-- Edited on 5/19/10 11:58 AM --
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