Tips for Buying / Selling Used Longarm Machines

Selling:

  • Make sure to specify if you’re willing to set up/deliver or if you only want local pick up.

  • If you don’t have good photos of your machine, look online for accurate representative photos.

  • Please list how often the machine was used (# of quilts done per year.)

    • You should also include if you only quilted for yourself or if you also quilted for others.

  • Include any warranty information if applicable.

  • Specify if you’re including additional extras (and if they’re included in the cost).

  • Most buyers will want to test drive, so leave the machine set up and operational.

  • Include information on how the machine has been maintained. (where it was kept/used, cleaned, oiled, etc.)

Buying:

  • Check the sellers pick up / delivery policy

    • (Note that most sellers will charge an additional fee for set up / delivery.)

  • Make sure all components required for operation of the machine are included.

  • Ask if the original manual is included with the machine.

  • Be sure to ask about any additional material they may be willing to sell with machine.

  • When was the last service done on the machine, do they have the service records.

  • Don’t be afraid to ask for a test drive.

Below are some great resources for buying/selling used machines

(these are also good places to get an idea on how to price your machine if you’re selling).

APQS Forum (this is also a great place to find a similar machine that you have and look at the description to make sure you don’t forget any of the features.):

https://forum.apqs.com/forum/64-apqs-machines/

Longarm University:

https://longarmuniversity.com/MachinesForSale.html

Facebook’s Longarms4Sale group:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/Longarms4sale/

Facebook’s Quilters Classified:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/quilltersclassifieds

Facebook’s Sew It’s For Sale:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/sassysewingsales

Facebook Marketplace would be another good area to place an advertisement.

You might also check your local neighborhood group pages and see about posting there. (Check the rules, some groups have rules on when you can place for sale items.)

You could also check with any local Quilt Guilds in the area to see if they could include an ad in their next newsletter or in an e-mail blast to members.  There are always folks looking to start quilting but don’t necessarily have the budget for a brand new machine.

Good Luck!