eBay

soh.maryl · ‎01-18-2025

Shopping for a possible sewing machine on eBay. Found one I liked. Description: No case. Then later on: Hard case. Also: seller away til ene 25. What does that mean? Is "ene" a month? For some reason, can't contact seller. Fairly new seller, but, still, why not actually READ your listing before posting it?

whitewaterford · ‎01-18-2025

@soh.maryl It might be best to wait until seller responds. "ene" might be "enero", the Spanish word for January.

dbfolks166mt · ‎01-18-2025

Can you post a link to the item/listing?

chevymontecarlo88 · ‎01-18-2025

@soh.maryl wrote:
Shopping for a possible sewing machine on eBay. Found one I liked. Description: No case. Then later on: Hard case. Also: seller away til ene 25. What does that mean? Is "ene" a month? For some reason, can't contact seller. Fairly new seller, but, still, why not actually READ your listing before posting it?

I would be hesitant to purchase such a heavy item on eBay @soh.maryl unless the seller knows how to ship it properly. I know this is not your first rodeo and would look on Facebook MP or local thrift stores first.

If you need help sourcing one locally, PM me and i can help search for you.

-Good luck

- Roasting id

pickapaper · ‎01-18-2025

@soh.maryl

I don't know where you live but if there are estate sales in your area and you are not in a huge hurry, keep an eye on those. I see a lot of sewing machines at estate sales. And as @chevymontecarlo88 said, Facebook MP and Craigslist are places to look. Another place you might check is if there are any sewing machine stores or fabric stores that sell sewing machines in your area, they sometimes have used machines to sell.

I agree, I would be afraid to have something that heavy shipped. Even if from an experienced seller, I wouldn't want to take a chance of it being banged around during shipping.

chapeau-noir · ‎01-18-2025

I wouldn't have anything to do with that seller. I purchased a vintage serger on here, but the seller gave such a detailed description with photos, and do obviously knew what she was doing that I purchased, and was delighted with the machine. But saw too many other listings where the seller just didn't have a clue. Also purchased a really old machine from a man who repairs machines for a living, again a good buy.

I'd either look for something like that, or try to purchase locally.

“The illegal we do immediately, the unconstitutional takes a little longer.” - Henry Kissinger

"Do not obey in advance." Timothy Snyder "On Tyranny"

simba6 · ‎01-18-2025

I would find another seller. Unclear listings only lead to problems. Could be a careless written ad or, it can be a scam. Sewing machines have always been a popular scam item. There are plenty of better sellers to buy from.

soh.maryl · ‎01-18-2025

Actually, I've bought at least three machines from eBay sellers and have had no problems with any of the purchases. Regarding this particular purchase, it was a brand I'm interested in, but didn't bite because of the variation in whether or not or which kind of case it included. And with the seller's statement that it would not be shipped til "ene25". Have no idea when that is, do you?

Also, don't know if you're a sewing machine buyer or not, but I'd never buy from a fabric store. They know nothing about the machines they sell and good luck if you need help with a problem. Ditto for Wal Mart purchases.

soh.maryl · ‎01-18-2025

Had never considered that, thank you. Was not able, for some reason, to contact that seller, but he/she is in Pacific Palisades, California.

And shouldn't they recognize that "ene25" means nothing to many of us?

chevymontecarlo88 · ‎01-18-2025

@soh.maryl wrote:
Actually, I've bought at least three machines from eBay sellers and have had no problems with any of the purchases. Regarding this particular purchase, it was a brand I'm interested in, but didn't bite because of the variation in whether or not or which kind of case it included. And with the seller's statement that it would not be shipped til "ene25". Have no idea when that is, do you?
Also, don't know if you're a sewing machine buyer or not, but I'd never buy from a fabric store. They know nothing about the machines they sell and good luck if you need help with a problem. Ditto for Wal Mart purchases.

I don't buy them but have friends that do. The biggest issue i hear is improper packing and lack of knowledge (testing). Someone did post that ene may mean end of January but if they are not responding, i would not bother regardless of the deal or rarity.

Most of my friends that flip/use sewing machines, source them from thrift stores, Facebook, Craigslist or from dealers that refurbish them like @chapeau-noir posted. (church groups and senior centers are also great places to source these) I was not suggesting you don't know what you are doing but just giving my opinion of others i know that have had issues with sourcing on eBay.

- Roasting id

soh.maryl · ‎01-18-2025

Thank you for your very thoughtful reply. Yep, I abandoned that seller almost immediately.

Side information: One of the machines I did buy on eBay within the last 5 years or so was advertised as brand new, never removed from box. The price was ridiculously low, but a new seller. When I received this "brand new, never removed from box" machine, it was totally frozen, nothing at all would move. On inspection, it turned out that there was thread wrapped around every possible place it could be wrapped. There was lint and broken bits of thread also. Once I cleaned this up, it was a great machine. So someone was able to actually use a machine while it was still in the box--wow! I did not bother with leaving feedback.