Recently, I have learned that there is a demand in the US for vintage sewing machines that were originally sold in Canada. I live in Canada, on the left coast in the beautiful and the occasionally wacky province of British Columbia. (don't get me started....). Now, since my hobby is buying and selling vintage sewing machines, (and I need something to do when I retire from my day job), I have decided to offer a vintage sewing machine finding service.
The proposition is simple: If you are looking for a sewing machine, originally sold in Canada, you let me know. I look for it, if I find it, I buy it, pack it and ship it to you for my costs plus a finders fee to cover my time, packing, and some extra to keep me and Alice (the cat) in the life style that we are accustomed to....lol.
As usual, the Devil is in the details, and here is how it works.
First, you tell me what you are looking for. Send me a picture and a model number, specify the color, cosmetic condition you want, good, perfect or collector grade, and if you want it in a case or table, or you will take just the head. Second, tell me how much you want to pay:( typically vintage machines here sell for $25.00 to $75.00 CDN).
Send me your zip or postal code so that I can calculate shipping costs.
With that information in hand, I will go and look for such a machine here in BC. Alternatively, you can look for yourself on Craigslist Vancouver BC CA, Kijij Vancouver or Letgo for a machine that you want. In either case, I will go, check out the machine, haggle on price, purchase, service it and pack and ship to you. If you see a table machine that you want, but don't want to pay shipping for the table, I will dispose of the table and just ship you the head, foot pedal and any accessories that come with the machine.
Costs:
If I do the hunting for the machine: my fee is $60.00CDN, Includes service, and packing
If you find the machine on Craigslist, my fee is $50.00CDN, Includes service and packing
Shipping would be via Canada Post, with tracking and insurance. I am on the west coast of the continent, and if you are on the east coast, or the South or anywhere else far away, you can expect to pay, to $90.00 CDN (cheapest rate plus insurance and tracking) for delivery, plus any US duties, fees or taxes that are applicable. Your machine should arrive within three weeks.
If you are a Canadian customer, shipping costs will be cheaper.
Overall costs: you should expect that this will be an expensive process. I would budget about $200.00 US Dollars per machine.Probably it will be less than that, but that would be a prudent amount to set aside.
Occasionally people's circumstances change or they simply change their minds. I don't want to be stuck with a machine if that happens. So, if I find a machine that you want, I require you to PayPal me the sum of $100.00CDN to proceed, before I buy it. This is NON-REFUNDABLE, after I have purchased the machine. After purchasing the machine, I will send you a whole bunch of pictures of it and calculate shipping cost and you can decide whether or not to proceed any further. I will then invoice you for the balance, pack and ship your machine.
If you decide not to proceed, I will refund you, an amount that I think that I can sell the machine for here. This will be the "sell it quick price", and it will be very low......$20-$50CDN depending on the machine.
Occasionally, with all the best intentions, and good will on both sides, the machine does will not live up to expectations when it arrives. Sorry, no refunds.......
No comments:
Post a Comment