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Moderated by Sharon1952, EleanorSews
Posted on: 10/11/15 5:20 PM ET
I was browsing the local online classifieds last night and found this ad "8 spool serger for sale purchased new, very little use. Asking $600.00" When I clicked on the picture it's a Babylock Evolution. I haven't called about it because I really don't need another serger, but it is a Babylock at what seems like a great price if it works ok. But wouldn't someone who sews describe it as an 8 thread, not 8 spool? So...to call or not to call?
Posted on: 10/11/15 5:48 PM ET
Be cautious - send them a message asking can you come look at it and try it out.
I have seen machines priced "too good to be true" on Craigslist - they say they are local but when you want to look at it they say they are some place else. They also want you to pay through a fake escrow site, half up front and half on delivery. If they say any of this run away.
If they are genuine they will let you come look at the machine - and if that price is true and the machine is real you have a bargain.
Hope this helps
Tanya
I have seen machines priced "too good to be true" on Craigslist - they say they are local but when you want to look at it they say they are some place else. They also want you to pay through a fake escrow site, half up front and half on delivery. If they say any of this run away.
If they are genuine they will let you come look at the machine - and if that price is true and the machine is real you have a bargain.
Hope this helps
Tanya
Posted on: 10/12/15 6:35 AM ET
Don't mean to sound negative, but......Take someone with you, too. There have been some rascals who advertise on Craigslist, set up a meeting site, and then rob you because they know you have money with you to buy the item. This happened in our area several times before the police got them....and one of the buyers got hurt. It just sounds to good to be true.
Posted on: 10/12/15 9:12 AM ET
To add to SharonRose alot of cities are allowing people to use tha police station to meet. Sounds to good.
Posted on: 10/12/15 10:31 AM ET
And a lot of the "too good to be true" listings you contact (I'd advise email vs. phone so you have time to think/process what they say and decide what, if anything you need to inquire further about) come back with some story about being out of the country for a family this or that, out of town a month for daughter's wedding, whatever.... but their "agent", "friend" whathaveyou will be shipping the machine for them and want you to wire or somehow get the $ to them other than showing up in a public place and handing over cash for an item you are seeing/trying in person.... be prepared for any story!
And as to the "spools" vs. "threads"... that wouldn't put me off if nothing else was questionable. They may have inherited it not be a sewer, see spools on the machine, and I can't tell you the things people who are supposedly sewers and have sewn for a long time call parts and accessories after having worked for a dealer a long time..... string for thread is not at all uncommon. Pressure foot for presser foot (or "foots" for the foot pedals of multiple machines they had), asked me to go through every accessory and tell what foot it is (they'd had the machine forever and sewed a lot and the feet were all there pictured and identified in the book) -- ok you don't always use all the feet - but they didn't know what the seam ripper was - this is someone who's sewn for decades (well, but maybe she's never ripped!). Or it could be someone whose native language isn't English.
But bottom line, as everyone said, be safe.
And as to the "spools" vs. "threads"... that wouldn't put me off if nothing else was questionable. They may have inherited it not be a sewer, see spools on the machine, and I can't tell you the things people who are supposedly sewers and have sewn for a long time call parts and accessories after having worked for a dealer a long time..... string for thread is not at all uncommon. Pressure foot for presser foot (or "foots" for the foot pedals of multiple machines they had), asked me to go through every accessory and tell what foot it is (they'd had the machine forever and sewed a lot and the feet were all there pictured and identified in the book) -- ok you don't always use all the feet - but they didn't know what the seam ripper was - this is someone who's sewn for decades (well, but maybe she's never ripped!). Or it could be someone whose native language isn't English.
But bottom line, as everyone said, be safe.
Posted on: 10/12/15 11:09 AM ET
Also be wary that it may be stolen.
Posted on: 10/12/15 11:28 AM ET
I'm with SewSally. I'd be worried it was stolen.
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Paula
"In Seattle you haven't had enough coffee until you can thread a sewing machine while it's running."
- Jeff Bezos, Amazon.com founder
Visit my blog at www.sewconfused.blogspot.com
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/paulag1955/sewing-inspiration/
"In Seattle you haven't had enough coffee until you can thread a sewing machine while it's running."
- Jeff Bezos, Amazon.com founder
Visit my blog at www.sewconfused.blogspot.com
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/paulag1955/sewing-inspiration/
Posted on: 10/12/15 11:38 AM ET
I haven't purchased machines through CL, but I have purchased a sewing cabinet & vintage Strommen sewing box. In both transactions, I ended up meeting with some nice older women looking to sell some items.
In both transactions, I replied through email. I asked additional questions. In your case, I'd ask WHY the price is so reasonable? The machine costs about $3,000.
When I went to pick up the sewing cabinet, I brought my big teenaged boys to help. Everything went smoothly.
I agree that you should find out more information about this machine first. Why is it being sold? Who owns it? Why is price so low? Is it listed for sale elsewhere (ie, ebay.)
If you agree to meet to inspect it, bring someone with you.
CL can be a wonderful resource for sewing stuff.
BTW: I also sold the very same cabinet that I purchased through CL. A lovely couple from out of state drove to my home to pick it up. We had several conversations on the phone & through email before the purchase. The deal went smoothly. So, not everybody's a creep on CL -- just be careful, that's all.
Good luck.
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In both transactions, I replied through email. I asked additional questions. In your case, I'd ask WHY the price is so reasonable? The machine costs about $3,000.
When I went to pick up the sewing cabinet, I brought my big teenaged boys to help. Everything went smoothly.
I agree that you should find out more information about this machine first. Why is it being sold? Who owns it? Why is price so low? Is it listed for sale elsewhere (ie, ebay.)
If you agree to meet to inspect it, bring someone with you.
CL can be a wonderful resource for sewing stuff.
BTW: I also sold the very same cabinet that I purchased through CL. A lovely couple from out of state drove to my home to pick it up. We had several conversations on the phone & through email before the purchase. The deal went smoothly. So, not everybody's a creep on CL -- just be careful, that's all.
Good luck.
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My Herd: Bernina 790 Plus Upgrade, Bernina 735, Babylock Triumph, Bernina Record 931. Sewing Makes My Crazy Life Normal.
Member #25631
Member #25631
Posted on: 10/12/15 11:44 AM ET
Time for an update. I spoke to the owner by phone, and she sounds like what she said she was. She bought the machine new several years ago. She's a quilter, and bought it thinking she would sew garments, but she hasn't done much with it. I don't think it was stolen or that's she's going to bash me on the head, but I'm not going alone, and not taking cash with me. If I like it a bank is very close. I like the police station idea, except then I wouldn't be able to try the machine. Stay tuned for more!
Posted on: 10/12/15 12:22 PM ET
In reply to Cheryl1956
Bring the cash. Lock it in your glovebox. Check out machine - with a friend. Bring some fabric - ask if it's threaded or whether you have to bring thread.
You will be able to tell alot from the look of the machine. Is it clean inside? Is it yellowed?
Do a 4 thread & try the cover stitch. Threading the 8 stitch & getting it to work right the first time (especially if you haven't done it before) can be cumbersome.
I'd suggest that if you have a BL dealer nearby that you go to the dealer's shop and try the Evolution & have someone show you how to thread it. Don't tell them that you're looking at a CL machine. Just act interested & try it out. That way, you'll know what to do when you see the machine.
Good luck!!
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You will be able to tell alot from the look of the machine. Is it clean inside? Is it yellowed?
Do a 4 thread & try the cover stitch. Threading the 8 stitch & getting it to work right the first time (especially if you haven't done it before) can be cumbersome.
I'd suggest that if you have a BL dealer nearby that you go to the dealer's shop and try the Evolution & have someone show you how to thread it. Don't tell them that you're looking at a CL machine. Just act interested & try it out. That way, you'll know what to do when you see the machine.
Good luck!!
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My Herd: Bernina 790 Plus Upgrade, Bernina 735, Babylock Triumph, Bernina Record 931. Sewing Makes My Crazy Life Normal.
Member #25631
Member #25631
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