Long arm quilting machines are great, but they are EXPENSIVE!! If your pocket book is crying, fear not. There are some was to get a long arm for less, and that includes buying a second hand long arm quilting machine.
In this article, we’ll talk about where you can find used long arm quilting machines for sale online and offline.
Where To Find Used Long Arm Quilting Machines For Sale
Second Hand Long Arm Quilting Machine (Online Dealers)
If you buy a second hand long arm quilting machine from an individual it can be hard to tell what condition it’s in until it’s too late! Not everyone takes care of their equipment how they should, and if you’re inexperienced, it’s easy to make a regrettable purchase.
But, with a factory refurbished machine you typically get a warranty and support. Sewing Machines Plus inspects and services all their used machines – AND gives you a 1 year warranty.
What’s a factory refurbished quilting machine?
Factory refurbished means that the dealer has purchased the machine used from an individual. They check out the machine, and they make sure everything is working properly by cleaning, tuning up, and repairing any defects.
If you buy from a reputable online dealer, then you should also get at least a 1 year warranty from the time of purchase and support if any problems occur. In exchange, you may pay a bit more than you would if you were to purchase a used long arm quilter from a private party, similar to purchasing a used car privately vs from a dealership.
Where can you get factory refurbished long arm machines online?
There are a few places, but one of the best in my opinion is Sewing Machines Plus. They not only have a large inventory of new machines, but they also have a rotating inventory of second hand long arm quilting machines too! All of their refurbished machines will come with a warranty, and they even ship machines to you for free so there are no oversize freight fees.
Their inventory, of course, rotates based on what machines they’ve gotten in, but if you keep your eyes peeled you can get a good deal. They most commonly seem to have Qnique machines, but sometimes other used models pop up too.
Click Here To Check Refurbished Inventory At Sewing Machines Plus
EDIT: I’ve since found a second site with good access to refurbished longarms, but they call theirs “recertified”. SewVacDirect is another place to look for affordable, gently used long-arm quilting machines you should check.
Click Here To Check Recertified Inventory At SewVacDirect
Craigslist
If you’re really patient and you know how to spot a lemon – Craigslist can be a great way to get a great deal on a long-arm quilting machine. However, these machines aren’t super common – So, it could take quite a bit of waiting for one to pop up in your area.
Though, if you are willing to drive a ways to pick it up – you could also use a “search all of Craigslist site” to shop all of Craigslist within your state or metro area – giving you more results. BUT a lot more junk to filter through.
PS. If you’re not seeing any results you can also create your own ad! People place “want to buy” ads on Craigslist all the time, and if somebody browsing has a machine they want to get rid of they may contact you. It’s not a sure thing, but it’s worth a try.
Facebook Marketplace
Facebook Marketplace has become very popular for buying and selling used stuff these days. You can pick up all kinds of things that people are looking to get rid of, and if you’re lucky – you might even score a deal on a used long arm sewing machine if you’re willing to check back often.
It’s a great way to get top rated quilting machines for less if you don’t mind spending a few minutes per day going through new listings.
However, I don’t like Facebook Marketplace nearly as much as Craigslist. I don’t know why but people tend to be flakier here! I’ve tried to sell stuff before and I got a lot of responses, but no follow through. It was much faster dealing with people on Craigslist for me, but perhaps your experience will be different.
In any case, it’s another source for used machines that you should definitely try, because a lot of people don’t use Craigslist anymore and if you’re not checking all the available sites you could be missing out on a great deal.
Ebay
If your area does not have a lot of options for sewing stores selling used machines, or people offering them up on Craigslist, then Ebay is also an option. Similar to Craigslist, you’ll likely need to be patient and know what you’re looking for here.
Ebay won’t likely be as good of a deal as other sites though, as there is LOTS of competition there for people looking to buy the machines for themselves, or even to resell for a profit! Patience is key to good deals and if you’re handy, Ebay can also be a good place to pick up machines with easy to fix mechanical issues, which can save you even more money if you’re willing to take the time to learn to fix them up.
You also will likely have to be able to pick the machine up. Most of the people selling on Ebay will be small sellers who will not offer you free shipping to your door like a sewing machine dealer would. So, be sure you can drive the distance to get the machine before bidding and that you have adequate transportation to get a large machine back to your house.
Your local dealer
If you have a dealer nearby, it’s very likely that they stock refurbished machines. This can, of course, be a lot more difficult if you live in an area without many dealers (or even no dealers at all!). However, it’s always worth it to check, and maybe even to leave your number with them in case they get in any used machines!
Make sure they know that you are very motivated to buy so they call you first when used inventory shows up.
In closing, finding a used long arm machine can be challenging.. but if you’re patient – you can save a lot of money. Remembering to search every day will help you secure the best machines – because you need to jump on them quickly to get these deals. Happy hunting!
Barb, our resident quilter and embroidery aficionado, weaves a thread of creativity through our collection. Serving as the curator of machine embroidery content, Barb infuses each design with a touch of her artistic expertise. The free embroidery patterns you discover on our site often bear the mark of Barb’s craftsmanship. Let’s get crafting!
