tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post7345431345594255494..comments2023-10-20T08:27:40.314-04:00Comments on male pattern boldness: Elna eBay fiasco or "I Give Myself Very Good Advice..."Peter Lappinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05109154527996679077noreply@blogger.comBlogger53125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-46115301392174688522015-01-18T07:40:00.314-05:002015-01-18T07:40:00.314-05:00Thanks for this post! Had the opportunity to buy a...Thanks for this post! Had the opportunity to buy and Elna Lotus for $30 off a local buy/sell page- reading your reviews inspired me to give it a go. Best sewing camp machine ever! So responsive, love love LOVE it! :) Kate Shttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10280648847345150670noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-14097442811994800792012-10-06T02:28:06.166-04:002012-10-06T02:28:06.166-04:00Hi Peter, I have a perfect Elna Lotus sewing machi...Hi Peter, I have a perfect Elna Lotus sewing machine. Its 40 years old in perfect condition. I am still using it. I live in Australia. I have always had it serviced. Regards JanAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-73381124486884464022012-06-03T17:23:50.876-04:002012-06-03T17:23:50.876-04:00Ugh, what a let down. I bought an Elna Lotus off e...Ugh, what a let down. I bought an Elna Lotus off eBay a couple of months ago, and it is just lovely - good condition, reasonably quiet (after extraction of what looked like a dead mouse), and stitches as nicely as my Berninas. I'm glad you're getting your money back... don't let it put you off the Lotus altogether!Jennyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06922893283283290466noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-31581154011041888162012-05-24T12:38:43.221-04:002012-05-24T12:38:43.221-04:00Peter, Steve P was happy to hear I got his info fr...Peter, Steve P was happy to hear I got his info from a link in your blog. <br /><br />And I gave him a nice vintage pattern with an unusual but simple shirt pattern ( front sections cut in half so you can use stripes in different ways or whatever, and then pockets are made into the horizontal seams. It had slacks with welt pockets also. Got it for 10 cents at the Textile center sale!Holleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02456114674230132372noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-51540483236128164142012-05-22T08:53:36.342-04:002012-05-22T08:53:36.342-04:00I am so sorry to read this, Holley. What a trial!...I am so sorry to read this, Holley. What a trial! Yes, reading negative feedback can provide key info about how a seller communicates -- I've read some that is positively abusive.Peter Lappinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05109154527996679077noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-76357053125953139912012-05-22T01:16:47.357-04:002012-05-22T01:16:47.357-04:00Reading some of the replies above, I just have to ...Reading some of the replies above, I just have to make a few comments about ebay. First, if they sell much at all they should have top rated seller status! This guy I bought from did not. Ebay now charges fees on shipping amounts. Also as of June 1 if sellers don't have at least 90% of their sales with 14 day returns and 1 business day shipping time, they will not get the 20% top rated seller discount. If they have neutral and negatives, click on the numbers and it sorts them out and you can see what other buyers have had trouble with. You can tell if the buyer is unreasonable ( like a neg for wrong shade of cardstock without even contacting you, ahem) or the person doesn't accurately describe things. Ebay and paypal most often side with the buyer in a dispute. Remember that they can just remove that payment... whoosh,, from the person's paypal or bank account. The guy I bought from did not have TRS status! But I thought $150 was such a good price! So I need to follow my own advice also.Holleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02456114674230132372noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-27701310673224877982012-05-22T01:00:33.598-04:002012-05-22T01:00:33.598-04:00I am an ebay seller myself ( craft items). I have...I am an ebay seller myself ( craft items). I have bought many old machines before, but not on ebay. I first bought an Elna Super that it said needed a knob replaced. Spent about $90 for it inc shipping. Found out knob was obsolete. Found another elna super on ebay for $150 plus $35 shipping. Said it ran very nice and smooth. The motor ran but it did not sew! Rotary hook mechanism was broken and several other major things. I found a great repair person through your link here.. Bobbin Doctor in SE Mpls. He wrote an estimate up for me. Seller first insisted it must be UPS. NOPE. There was rust inside the frozen needle position knob and Bobbin Dr said gear "exploded" for rotary hook. Also pedal was only able to be used for "very fast". Seller will not agree to pay return shipping and it was $30 and I paid $35 for a thorough estimate. If he pays my return shipping he'll get a neutral and otherwise a neg. After I insisted it was not UPS he still maintained it ran well when he sent it!!What a waste of time. I did buy a third one at an estate sale where I could try it out and he's going to service that one. Thanks for the link to him!Holleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02456114674230132372noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-39534454350620476062012-05-20T09:07:32.894-04:002012-05-20T09:07:32.894-04:00I'm sorry to hear about your 301, Stan. I may...I'm sorry to hear about your 301, Stan. I may write a post about what to do in these situations. I was lucky that all my issues were easy to document and impossible to ignore.Peter Lappinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05109154527996679077noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-73903720282012746442012-05-20T09:02:49.251-04:002012-05-20T09:02:49.251-04:00Peter, You got lucky with this seller. I purchase...Peter, You got lucky with this seller. I purchased a 301 tan longbed last fall. The total price was aroung $175. It was poorly packed, rusted etc and only worth about $35 for parts or a total restoration. The seller had no returns...but there is always "eBay buyers protection"...what a crock of BS that is. In my message to the seller, than later to eBay I stated "that when I removed the bottom cover..." Right then both the seller and eBay accused me of tampering with the machine and it may no longer be in the condition that it was shipped bla bla ba. In the end, eBay sided with the seller, even after I sent them a link to the owners manual to show them what I removed and why.<br /><br />BTW, the noise from the Lotus may be the rubber drive pully thing that is dry and hard. They sell for about $40 and are a pain in the butt to replace. As cute as this machine is (the smaller they are, the better I like'em)there is way too much internal plastic to fail and are very expensive to repair. I'll take my Singer 221, 222 and Kenny 1030 anyday over a Elna Lotus...and I'm a dyed in the wool fan of vintage Elna's.Stan in PVDnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-53701489927338627632012-05-19T12:25:40.953-04:002012-05-19T12:25:40.953-04:00The Elna Lotus is a well built, precise machine. I...The Elna Lotus is a well built, precise machine. I bought mine new in the early 80s and did a tremendous amount of piecing on it. Weighing a mere 7 pounds, it traveled well! The negatives (for me) are that the presser foot pressure can't be adjusted and you can't lower the feed dogs. That being said, I stitch on a computerized machine with all the bells and whistles, but would never give up my treasured Lotus.Sharon Thttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12766854401505962681noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-54237249364203169072012-05-15T21:52:35.773-04:002012-05-15T21:52:35.773-04:00When I'm looking at anything on ebay, I say to...When I'm looking at anything on ebay, I say to myself, "Would I pay $X if I saw that same item at a thrift store or garage sale?", or in your case, your beloved Chelsea Flea Market. It stops me in my tracks every time. I'm glad you could get your money back. I'm not familiar with the Lotus, but my Supermatic is my little sewing hero!Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02217045813653088005noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-60478488959798878512012-05-15T13:35:11.786-04:002012-05-15T13:35:11.786-04:00Not to mention the free towel!Not to mention the free towel!Peter Lappinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05109154527996679077noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-17702473178230626602012-05-15T12:43:33.117-04:002012-05-15T12:43:33.117-04:00Okay, I sympathise. I have always thought I'd ...Okay, I sympathise. I have always thought I'd like a Lotus (or an Elna "Grasshopper"). If you say it's noisy, maybe I'll resist. But it's tiny and has stretch stitches! What's not to like? Except, you know, the damage.<br /><br />My first good machine, a Viking 400, came from ebay. It arrived in a big box, wrapped in a towel. Miraculously, it wasn't damaged and worked perfectly.<br /><br />I was lucky.Alice Mhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16837715495593639879noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-25049542984355588622012-05-14T09:02:02.892-04:002012-05-14T09:02:02.892-04:00Oh No! At least the seller is refunding the money...Oh No! At least the seller is refunding the money. But still, having to deal with disappointment and packing it back up again...<br /><br />I try to stay away from ebay unless I'm hunting for something specific, whether information (completed listings only) or acutal items.JustGailhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08948391538309176039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-47222926350945566782012-05-14T08:37:18.621-04:002012-05-14T08:37:18.621-04:00Exactly, especially since eBay really has the thum...Exactly, especially since eBay really has the thumb-screws on sellers now. As soon as the item arrives, the buyer is going to see the truth and complain anyway, right? It's not like you can keep hiding it after the item arrives.Little Black Carhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14313164876855565140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-8505735265451041032012-05-13T22:30:02.051-04:002012-05-13T22:30:02.051-04:00Hi Peter, just stumbled upon your blog and I'm...Hi Peter, just stumbled upon your blog and I'm loving it! Have a nice day, JennyJennyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11720539535843651521noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-10695828615817474532012-05-13T19:26:56.673-04:002012-05-13T19:26:56.673-04:00C. Sleep on it. If it were in good condition the...C. Sleep on it. If it were in good condition there would be more pix. <br /><br />Thanks for sharing, Peter--we are all vulnerable to the temptations represented by those little photos on Ebay. An Elna Lotus in fine and oiled condition should sound smooth--I got to use a borrowed one and loved it, once I figured out how to use it (no manual). It has won engineering awards because it is a precision machine, when treated well. I don't think I'd forgive rust on any sewing machine.Kristinanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-29489980366729821632012-05-13T17:41:25.017-04:002012-05-13T17:41:25.017-04:00It's nice to know other people have regretful ...It's nice to know other people have regretful e-bay impulse buys too! I own 2 pairs of riding boots from e-bay, neither of which fits right... aww, learning the hard way. Thanks for sharing Peter!<br /><br />I figured you would have 20+ invites to Pinterest after your post, but glad you could use the one I sent. Nice to see you on there :)Jacqui Parduehttp://www.thegarmentfarmer.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-59642563711023146012012-05-13T17:03:18.047-04:002012-05-13T17:03:18.047-04:00Oh Dear! I too did a very similar thing last week!...Oh Dear! I too did a very similar thing last week! In a momemt of madness on ebay I bought 2 vintage dolls Buy it now! They need a trip to the dolls hospital!Jopsyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18307174609744304126noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-45745778591384766232012-05-13T16:52:29.934-04:002012-05-13T16:52:29.934-04:00The Elna Lotus amuses me - the noise they make is ...The Elna Lotus amuses me - the noise they make is so deep and grunty - it's like a chihuahua barking like a St Bernard! Where the heck does that sound come from!?!MrsC (Maryanne)https://www.blogger.com/profile/14440723067459232998noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-84014177327771824992012-05-13T16:14:36.029-04:002012-05-13T16:14:36.029-04:00I have recently recognized that I have a passion f...I have recently recognized that I have a passion for odd vintage clothing. I say recognized - becuase it has been strangely freeing to finally know that I just love the stuff, it makes me happy to see it and tinker with it. I have a knack for finding good stuff at bottom dollar prices. So what to do? I quit thinking "my closet" and channeled that energy into "etsy store". Why not? People like me are looking for people like you, honest, love the old machines, are able to quickly assess any problems, able to fix problems. <br /><br />What I am saying is that you might want to consider being a middleman. Collecting these things you love anyway and asking buyers to look over your choices; asking them to build a relationship with you. What better way to make some income? As far as inventory storage problems, I immediately think of our local sewing machine dealer (Kansas) who has a back room FULL Of Elnas that were leased out to school home ec programs. They know the machines still are valuable but they do not have your unique personality that reaches the newer generation of buyers. I think its something you should consider. I don't think anyone else is doing it.Kitty Frank, Realtorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15035368882833228494noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-87137335707024246452012-05-13T15:52:46.742-04:002012-05-13T15:52:46.742-04:00C: When in doubt, log out, do without but in gener...C: When in doubt, log out, do without but in general - bail out.lorenakittyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09560547401772928574noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-800645658176732662012-05-13T13:18:28.352-04:002012-05-13T13:18:28.352-04:00LOL! Peter what is the current count?LOL! Peter what is the current count?scorpioninbluehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12004830986247178040noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-29655298969934709412012-05-13T12:36:49.837-04:002012-05-13T12:36:49.837-04:00That was last year's sewing machine fiasco. An...That was last year's sewing machine fiasco. Another "Buy it Now" mistake (for which I was fully refunded, thankfully).Peter Lappinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05109154527996679077noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-5799979726049653692012-05-13T12:26:23.531-04:002012-05-13T12:26:23.531-04:00C: I will pass on my lesson by writing an article ...C: I will pass on my lesson by writing an article on how to accomplish returns on ebay (wasn't there one that arrived smashed?)sewpdxnoreply@blogger.com