I just had a very very lucky day!
By Loverbear
@Loverbear (4918)
United States
September 19, 2009 3:07am CST
I have to preface this discussion with I love shopping in thrift shops. Not the high priced ones, but the ones where you dig and find wonderful wonderful bargains. That's where I went today, to the Goodwill outlet store, which is where the stuff that doesn't sell in the retail thrift shops goes for final markdowns before it is shipped off somewhere else.
This particular store is about 80 miles from my home so it is a big treat to get to go there. I wasn't sure I would get to go today as we were in that particular town to go to my BF's doctor appointment. But he is so wonderful and such a love, he made sure we had time to go to that thrift shop. He lets me go in first so he can kick back and relax...and sometimes I don't find a thing, or on special days, like today, I find the greatest treasure a person can find.
I was cruising around the warehouse when I came across three sewing machines in cabinets. Noting special, you were mostly paying for the cabinet. Then I happened upon something that looked like a desk (I am looking for a desk too) so I zeroed in on it. It turned out to be another sewing machine in a cabinet. Then I looked closer...and about peed myself!!! 
It turned out to be a Bernina sewing machine in the cabinet. I checked the drawer and the attachments and extra bobbins were there! The top of the machine was missing and so was the foot control and power cord. So, I decided that I would work it out of the cabinet and see what they would charge for it...I was hoping for around $10, but when I got to the counter the clerk charged me only $5!!!!! If you're not familiar with Berninas, they are a Cadillac of sewing machines. They're Swiss made and it takes a bomb to destroy one. They sell on ebay for upwards of $200 and usually they don't have the extra feet and the bed for the free arm! I checked and found that I can get the foot control for $65, and the top part will probably be around $100. So, for $175 I have a Bernina that is in beautiful condition. The model I found I have seen sell for over $300... plus shipping on the sewing machine. Needless to say I am thrilled!!!!
What sewing bargain have you found lately?
It turned out to be a Bernina sewing machine in the cabinet. I checked the drawer and the attachments and extra bobbins were there! The top of the machine was missing and so was the foot control and power cord. So, I decided that I would work it out of the cabinet and see what they would charge for it...I was hoping for around $10, but when I got to the counter the clerk charged me only $5!!!!! If you're not familiar with Berninas, they are a Cadillac of sewing machines. They're Swiss made and it takes a bomb to destroy one. They sell on ebay for upwards of $200 and usually they don't have the extra feet and the bed for the free arm! I checked and found that I can get the foot control for $65, and the top part will probably be around $100. So, for $175 I have a Bernina that is in beautiful condition. The model I found I have seen sell for over $300... plus shipping on the sewing machine. Needless to say I am thrilled!!!!
What sewing bargain have you found lately?2 people like this
6 responses
@katsalot1 (1618)
•
19 Sep 09
I can understand your pleasure in finding such a bargain. There is nothing quite like finding something you've been wanting for ages at a really good price. I've often thought that this feeling of elation must be missing for people who can afford to buy what they want whenever they want it. There is an upside to not winning the lottery! I haven't had any sewing bargains lately, but I have just bought a camera off e-bay, which I'm very pleased with.
1 person likes this
@Loverbear (4918)
• United States
19 Sep 09
It was kind of a two fold day, before we left for town I was on ebay and found a new mixer for $5 with free shipping. My daughter managed to destroy my hand mixer and I've been without one for two years. I haven't found any that were worth my money that were under $30...so I've also got a new mixer coming.
If I were to win the lottery, I would still be the kind of person "on the hunt". I can't, after years of bargain shopping, walk in and hand out the money without thinking about what I'm spending.
Congratulations on your camera. Was it a digital or film? I am going to go for a film camera in November and then for a SLR digital. I saw a young man taking pictures of a rattle snake by the side of the road...he had a digital SLR and the pictures were phenomenal!
I do feel for the rich that haven't had to scrimp and save and look for bargains...they miss so much fun!
@cutepenguin (6431)
• Canada
5 Oct 09
Wow! I have a friend whose mom is good at finding things in thrift shops - I must admit that I rarely find anything really extraordinary in thrift shops, I usually just get buttons or books.
@Loverbear (4918)
• United States
19 Sep 09
Soon I'll be making "cats" and "bears" like crazy. I am sure that Mom led me to the machine because she knew I was looking for one. I am still in awe each time I look at the machine!
1 person likes this
@dreamweaverjan (3471)
• United States
19 Sep 09
Hey Congrats there dear friend on your great find;
I'm not much into sewing myself I wish I had the paitence for it, I loved it
when I was a kid but grew tired of it quickly;
are you gonna keep it for yourself now or try to get the parts needed and resell it
for a profit?? (G)!
Either way, congrats again just don't sew up one of the kitty's tails into it LOL!
@Loverbear (4918)
• United States
19 Sep 09
I'm keeping that baby for myself! 
I was wanting another Bernina so badly and this one came at such an opportune time that there is no way it will be sold. I think it was Mom leading me. She knows that I am working hard towards getting the teddy bear business up and going again, she was my biggest supporter and fan, and she knows that I need a really good sewing machine to sew the various "furs" together. I would have never taken a second look at that cabinet if a "litte voice" hadn't suggested that I take a look. I had to move a bunch of furniture to get to it...I was definitely led to that baby.
Willy, Khuay, and Ding Ding usually aren't too interested in the sewing machine. Murphy is the one who loves to perch on top of the machine while I sew. She loves the heat from the light bulb and the gears running. She hasn't shown any inclination towards playing with the needle while it's moving. If any of them get that close then I quit sewing.
Thank you for the congrats...it is one of those times that I HAD to share and it is so great to get wonderful responses from my friends from the Lot.
I was wanting another Bernina so badly and this one came at such an opportune time that there is no way it will be sold. I think it was Mom leading me. She knows that I am working hard towards getting the teddy bear business up and going again, she was my biggest supporter and fan, and she knows that I need a really good sewing machine to sew the various "furs" together. I would have never taken a second look at that cabinet if a "litte voice" hadn't suggested that I take a look. I had to move a bunch of furniture to get to it...I was definitely led to that baby.
Willy, Khuay, and Ding Ding usually aren't too interested in the sewing machine. Murphy is the one who loves to perch on top of the machine while I sew. She loves the heat from the light bulb and the gears running. She hasn't shown any inclination towards playing with the needle while it's moving. If any of them get that close then I quit sewing.
Thank you for the congrats...it is one of those times that I HAD to share and it is so great to get wonderful responses from my friends from the Lot.
@SallyAnna (142)
• United States
15 Oct 09
Hi Loverbear,
Woot woot lucky day indeed! That is a really good find I love my Bernina and your are right they last forever the best machines in my opinion. I wish you luck with your new machine! I love going to thrift stores it's amazing what you can find.
