Juki LS-1341 pricing questions (new v used)

[sojourner999]

Hi,

My flat beds (consew 206-rb4 and Juki LU-563) working well.  Looking to add a cylinder arm.  Hobbyist, looking to be jobbyist, then eventually (down the road) strike out on my own.

I am in "analysis-paralysis" on a choice for cylinder arm.  My needs should not take me past the 3/8" / 135x16/17 needle type machines.  I am leaning toward a used Juki LS-1341 instead of a clone (cobra, cowboy, techsew).   My leaning is based on the fact that I can easily get juki parts, whereas getting clone parts 10 years down the road does not give me warm and fuzzy feelings.

One thing I cannot figure out is why there is such depreciation on used LS-1341.  I see new ones for 5K to 5.5K.  I have seen multiple used 1341's for 2K to 2.5K.  I have a call in to a semi-local dealer that will have some used ones in a couple months.  He mentioned $2,495.  I just cannot wrap my head around the fact that a coveted cylinder arm Juki would depreciate 50% from new.  Especially when flat bed machines do not depreciate anywhere near as much.  

Anyone have any ideas on this?  Is it people trying to pass off a clone as an original juki?  1341 not as good as regular juki?  maybe people want more than limited 6mm max stitch length ??  maybe people want the foot height adjustment knob on top that clones have?? juki perceived not good enough compared to clones?  ???

I am perplexed.  Also, I don't want to spend 2 - 2.5K for what I think is a Juki and get an ali-express machine painted over.

Can anyone shed some light on this situation?

Thanks!

[kgg]

1 hour ago, sojourner999 said:

I am leaning toward a used Juki LS-1341 instead of a clone (cobra, cowboy, techsew). 

The Juki LS-1341 is a good machine made in Japan. The clones are made in China and Taiwan. The clones depreciate at more then the real deal Juki's and are more difficult to resell. For me the best time to sell one of my clones is around the 3 years old mark while the Juki's stay. Typically the clone LS-1341 are clones of the older Juki LS-341 and the clone LS-1341 with the knob on top are hybrid LS-341 while others also have casing changes and or internal part changes. It can be a bit of a task trying to decipher what some of the clones are clones of as they may have different model numbering labels. Example: Cowboy CB341, Cobra class 26 and Techsew 2750 similar to the Juki LS-341. The Juki LS-1342 has the knob on top and comes with a narrower nose rather the standard larger nose diameter of the Juki LS-1341.

My take on:

i) The main reason you see Juki's at the 50 percent depreciation mark is that they typically have come out of an industrial usage setting with some beaten to death and need an overhaul. If you can find a Juki LS-1341 or LS-1342 from a hobbyist expect to pay 70 to 80 percent the price of a new one. In Ontario, Canada you can get an ex-industrial used Juki LS-1341 for about $1000 USD ($1500 CAD).

ii) Also the market for cylinder arm machines is a much smaller market then the flatbed market.

iii) Price of used machines in general will also depend on the available supply, demand and economy in local / state / province. 

iv) Buyers have a magic number in their head for purchasing a new or used machine. I think for a used machine the upper number is $2000 then it is just as well to buy a new clone from a reputable dealer for the extra dollars.

1 hour ago, sojourner999 said:

Also, I don't want to spend 2 - 2.5K for what I think is a Juki and get an ali-express machine painted over.

It is easy enough to know the difference just by looking at it or photo's.

kgg

[sojourner999]

2 hours ago, kgg said:

The Juki LS-1341 is a good machine made in Japan. The clones are made in China and Taiwan. The clones depreciate at more then the real deal Juki's and are more difficult to resell. For me the best time to sell one of my clones is around the 3 years old mark while the Juki's stay. Typically the clone LS-1341 are clones of the older Juki LS-341 and the clone LS-1341 with the knob on top are hybrid LS-341 while others also have casing changes and or internal part changes. It can be a bit of a task trying to decipher what some of the clones are clones of as they may have different model numbering labels. Example: Cowboy CB341, Cobra class 26 and Techsew 2750 similar to the Juki LS-341. The Juki LS-1342 has the knob on top and comes with a narrower nose rather the standard larger nose diameter of the Juki LS-1341.

My take on:

i) The main reason you see Juki's at the 50 percent depreciation mark is that they typically have come out of an industrial usage setting with some beaten to death and need an overhaul. If you can find a Juki LS-1341 or LS-1342 from a hobbyist expect to pay 70 to 80 percent the price of a new one. In Ontario, Canada you can get an ex-industrial used Juki LS-1341 for about $1000 USD ($1500 CAD).

ii) Also the market for cylinder arm machines is a much smaller market then the flatbed market.

iii) Price of used machines in general will also depend on the available supply, demand and economy in local / state / province. 

iv) Buyers have a magic number in their head for purchasing a new or used machine. I think for a used machine the upper number is $2000 then it is just as well to buy a new clone from a reputable dealer for the extra dollars.

It is easy enough to know the difference just by looking at it or photo's.

kgg

Thanks so much for your reply.  It is helpful.