Having bought perhaps more than our fair share of expensive mistakes on Ebay, Elsie and I did finally perfect the art of looking at a listing for a sewing machine and predicting what it’ll probably be like in the flesh, so to speak.  That’s why nowadays it’s very rare indeed for us to bid more than a machine’s worth to us for spares.

Here’s a classic example.  Check out this snap of the motor plug on our latest acquisition, a machine which was listed as “working perfectly and in very good condition” …

At one time we’d have been dismayed to find half the motor socket missing and the plug going into it held together with string because that’s broken too, but now we just marvel at the ingenuity of that awesome bodge-up.  It’s really clever, that is, because not only does it hold the two halves of the plug together, it also ensures that the two cables enter it at the right angle to minimise the strain on the individual wires.  And it’s so neat, too!

So why aren’t we miffed about that?  Because judging by the angles that this machine was not photographed from when the seller listed it, it was highly likely that something in this area was a bit iffy.  And if there’s a foot pedal included with an electric machine but it’s not in any of the pictures, it’s a fair bet that something asscociated with it isn’t kosher.  Besides, broken sockets on Singer motors and motor plugs with missing screws are par for the course.

That’s why when we bid on a machine on Ebay nowadays, we only bid up to what it’s worth to us for spares – in this case, the base, case and compartment lid we needed for one of Elsie’s machines, plus a fiver in the reasonable expectation of being able to add a few bits and bobs to The Spares Cupboard.  Which reminds me.  If you’ll excuse me, I have a cupboard to tidy up before Elsie gets back from town on her bike …