If you are worried about purchasing a used sewing machine, here is a checklist to go through during the purchase.
Things to do before purchasing the machine:
- Ask the seller when the machine was originally purchased and the condition of the machine. Machines that are older than 10 years old will have problems being repaired, as parts are not readily available.
- Ask the seller to take a picture of the screen showing the total stitch count. Total stitch count and age are the two main factors to value a used machine. The higher the total stitch count, the less life is left in the machine. Machines will keep track of the stitch count since the last service and the total stitch count. The seller should be willing to show you the total stitch count. Avoid buying used machines with higher total stitch counts.
- Ask if the machine has ever been serviced. If it has, then ask for copies of the service records. (Tip: A machine with a lower stitch count may have never been serviced. A lack of service record does not mean the machine is a bad purchase.)
- Check to see if any dealers are located nearby to service the machine. At some point, every machine will need servicing, just like new cars eventually need oil changes and new parts. Ask if your local dealer will service machines not purchased at that store. Ask if the dealer offers classes that you can take (and the cost of those classes). When purchasing a used embroidery machine, you will want local support for parts, lessons, and repairs.
- Check YouTube to find dealer videos. Find the earliest video available to help date when the machine was produced. Baby Lock and Brother will create videos prior to the release of a new machine. Check their YouTube channels for your machine. This will tell you how old your machine likely is.
- Check places like Ebay’s sold items (found in Advanced Search on Ebay) to see the price this model machine has previously sold for. Before purchasing, check Facebook marketplace to see prices of embroidery machines currently being sold.
- Research the machine online to find the price the machine originally sold for. Online dealers may have refurbished machines listed, even if the machine is discontinued. Be aware that the refurbished price may be very close to the new price with some online dealers. Discontinued older machines will have their web pages removed from the current listings, so use Google (or your favorite search engine) to search for those hidden pages. (Tip: Type in your machine’s brand and model number followed by the word “site:” and the website. Example of how to search on Google: Brother NQ1400e site:sewingmachinesplus.com Note that the website doesn’t include the “www.” part.)
- Make a list of all of the original accessories and hoops that came with the machine. Often individual sellers will forget accessories, so it is worthwhile to ask if these original accessories are available. You can find this information on the company website and on dealers’ websites.
- Print the listing for the machine from the web page that you previously located. Print up the spec sheet, which lists the accessories. These printouts will give you a visual of the accessories as well as a written list.
- Make a list of any additional items pictured with the machine in the sales listing. Individual sellers often include stabilizer, thread, bobbins, and other items they purchased for use with the machine.
- Bring a USB with an un-zipped embroidery design in the machine’s preferred format. (The dealer’s website should list the format the machine uses, or the seller should know.) The design should be a quick stitch out with at least a couple of colors. The embroidery design should include some satin stitches, fill stitches, and outline stitches. (Tip: Single needle machines that are too old to have USB ports are not a good purchase choice. The lack of a USB port means that the machine will need obsolete technology to work and that parts won’t be available for the machine if it needs repairing.)
One you arrive at the seller’s location:
- Bring a cut away stabilizer, scissors, and a spool of embroidery thread with you. If the seller doesn’t have these things, you will want to bring them to test the machine.
- When you arrive at the seller’s place to purchase the machine, first check the stitch count on the machine to verify that it is the same as the stitch count the seller stated.
- Plug the USB into the machine and open the design in the machine. This tests the USB port.
- Have the seller show you how to thread the machine and set up the design. (Bring a notebook and pen to take notes. Use your phone to take photos of the steps.) If there is a thread jam, then you want the seller to remove it. The seller knows the machine, and it is your job to observe and learn any quirks, tips, and information.
- Stitch the design on cut away stabilizer. You can also use fabric hooped with the stabilizer, but that is not required. Stitch enough of the design to have a few tie offs and at least one thread change. You don’t have to stitch the full embroidery design, and you can skip sections of the design. You do want to see a satin stitch, a fill stitch, and an outline stitch.
- Watch to see if the machine cuts jump stitches when a single color moves to a different area of the hoop. Some machines will automatically cut the thread at the end of the color, but the machine won’t cut long jump stitches (in a single color). Other machines may not cut any threads at all. Newer, more advanced embroidery machines will cut the thread at both the end of a color and at long jump stitches.
- When you have stitched enough of the design to determine how the machine performs, remove the hoop and check the front and back of the design. You are checking for the quality of stitches and to make sure that the machine functions well.
- If you are purchasing a used multi-needle machine, then you will want each needle to stitch part of the design to ascertain that each needle functions properly.
- Check off all of the accessories and hoops using the list you previously created. Make sure that all of the items listed as being sold with the machine are present.
Once you are satisfied that the machine works and that all of the accessories and hoops are there, then it is time to package up your machine and pay the seller.
To transport a single needle machine, you will need to remove the embroidery arm. Bring a few gallon-size freezer zip-top bags to contain smaller accessories and threads. Place the parts carefully in your vehicle’s seat, and use rolled up towels around the machine to protect it. You can carefully strap your machine into the seat with a seat belt. If the seller kept the original box and packaging, transport the machine inside the box.