Originally Posted by
swwhite
I have no personal experience with this, but I myself, if purchasing a used machine of any kind and complexity from anyone, would make sure that the seller had not lost the INSTRUCTION MANUAL.
Instruction manuals can often be found in pdf form on the web.
There's one interesting thing that sewing machines and bicycles have in common. People think of them as durable products that can be repaired and should last forever.