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I have a ******* typewriter. The serial number is *****. Can you tell me when it was made and what it's worth?
This has become the number one question that I receive. I try to respond to them all but as my business continues to grow, I have less time to research your typewriter. If you have the serial number, go to www.tw-db.com to see when it was made. As far as value, I need detailed information and pictures of all sides, decals, any damage, etc. I can then give a ballpark estimate. It's very likely worth more than what other "expert" sites claim. They are not interested in updating their sites in regard to current collecting conditions. Antique typewriters have taken a serious hit in value, while "undesirable" typewriters(just about any typewriter made after 1920 as quoted by the "experts") have become VERY desirable. People have gotten away from collecting display only typewriters. 80% of my customer base actually use their typewriters. Be aware of current market conditions and don't rely on outdated books/websites in regard to value!
How much is the shipping to zip code XXXXX?
Amazingly, this is still the most asked question that I receive! If you live in the lower 48 United States, the price includes FREE UPS Ground S&H. I have offered this for 5 years and it's clearly posted all over the site ;-)
How are you different from a seller on ebay?
I have been dealing in typewriters for over 4 years on ebay and more than 10 before that. Most sellers on ebay have "run" across a typewriter and don't really know anything about them. There are several sellers on ebay that just buy on ebay and turn around and re-list. Most of those sellers don't even clean the typewriters or repair them. They just wipe them down and list for a profit.
Every typewriter I offer for sale has been cleaned, oiled, fully tested, adjusted, comes with a new ribbon installed, has had the platen and/or feed rollers replaced if necessary and the price includes professional S&H - www.vintage-typewriters.com - and comes with a FULL money back guarantee (including the return S&H cost!) if not as described. You won't find this on ebay or anywhere else unless you're looking at one of my items :-)
There has also been an epidemic of new "professional typewriter restorers" to pop up on ebay and elsewhere online over the last year. I have personally seen the "quality" of some of their work and it's really scary. I've had four shipped to me by customers to redo the "restoration" that was supposedly done before they purchased. Some of these "restored" typewriters are selling for far more than they're worth and the buyers are getting ripped off. Always use caution when buying on ebay or online. I have over 1000 positive feedback and fewer than 5 negative customer comments. Some go to extremes and one international customer is simply a liar who has stalked me for nearly three years.
Let my incredible feedback speak for the quality of my items and the high level of integrity that I offer with all of my transactions. You won't find a better item or better customer service anywhere else!
Why do you offer FREE S&H?
Most sellers charge way too much for shipping typewriters and they know it! You shouldn't have to justify your S&H cost in your listing and this should be a red flag that they are going to make money on you via S&H costs. I buy my packing supplies in bulk and UPS offers a 31% discount on ground service for sellers that use their ebay paypal account to ship items. This means I am able to package and ship your new typewriter better than anyone else for an average of $25 within the lower 48 United States. This includes a new box(20"x20"x20", 18"18"16", 18"x18"x12" or 16"x16"x16"), new foam packing nuts, new bubble wrap, 3" 200 lb. strapping tape and 5 - 3"x5" "Delicate Instrument" stickers. It's well worth it for me and my customers to know that it will be packed well and that they haven't been overcharged for shipping! You can go to www.vintage-typewriters.com to see how I pack a portable typewriter.
Where do you find all these typewriters?
I began with an enormous collection that had been passed on to me from my father. Many I kept but most I sold so I could buy better machines for my own collection. From 1998 through 2004 I bought a lot on ebay but the poor packing, inaccurate descriptions and high shipping cost's finally turned me away. I still buy on ebay but it accounts for less than 15% of my buying sources. I began going to auctions, estate sales, antique stores and running ads in newspapers. I gave out business cards along the way and now have so many contacts that I have to turn down more typewriters than I can buy! I have two local ebay buyers that resell to me. This is perfect because they have to deal with poor packing and other issues that may arise but still have the potential of making a $25 -$100 profit by selling to me! I also have several local "pickers" that are always on the look out for typewriters for me. I'll get a call on a weekend because one of them found a machine at a yard sale and they want to know if I'm interested and how much it's worth to me. Then I have collectors and relatives of deceased collectors that contact me and I'll buy one typewriter or the entire collection. Just this summer I bought a local collection which included 5 Blickensderfers, 4 Hammond's(including a curved 1b), 3 Oliver's and 18 other models of different make. These are machines that have not been on the market in decades (if ever!)! This is why I have such a great selection and offer typewriters that have previously been unrecorded.
Do you have any typewriters that aren't listed on ebay or your website?
Absolutely! If you email me what you're looking for there is a good chance I have it or know someone who does. When I first opened this web site (Sept 2006) I had nearly 200 typewriters listed. I thought it was awesome to have such a large offering without one repeat typewriter. I soon found out that it was actually hurting my business. I received numerous emails from potential buyers that simply couldn't make up their mind! How wonderful it would have been for them to buy everything they liked but most of us aren't in a position to spend that kind of money ;-) So I began pulling typewriters off. Just hiding them from view and adding them back into the inventory every time another would sell. I now try to keep about 100 or so at any one time and add more during the Christmas season and for my Annual Spring Sale. I have approximately 2300 in inventory but that number changes monthly.
Can I come to your shop and see the typewriters?
No. I don't allow people to come to my shop or my home. There are many reasons for this. Personal safety being the foremost consideration. There are many crooks out there who are looking to rip you off and many collectors that won't take no for an answer. I've had very negative experiences with people in the past that wanted items that were not for sale and became very aggressive. These are not situations I(or my family) want to be in. My feedback speaks for itself as to the condition of my typewriters and the high level of integrity with which I do business.
Why do you offer a full money back guarantee?
I am so confident that you will love your typewriter that I am even willing to pay for the return S&H so that my customer isn't out anything! There is no company that I am aware of that will offer a full refund including return S&H! For example, if you have a claim through paypal for an ebay purchase, you have to pay for the return shipping even if the item is not what you won. How fair is that? Not very! I stand behind every item I sell and you won't lose a penny if it's not as described! I am also about to implement(November 2009) a 1 year warranty for most of my typewriters! Try finding that kind of customer service anywhere in today's world :-)
Are these pictures of the actual item or do you use stock photos like some other sellers?
I never use "stock" photos! I always post actual pictures of the item you are bidding on or buying. You deserve to see exactly what you're buying! I also use a unique tan linen back drop, so if you see pictures that look like mine, they were probably "stolen" from my site.
Can you send me more pictures?
Absolutely! I always make more pictures available upon request. The web site only allows 3 pictures per listing. Ebay allows up to 12 pictures and that's why there were always more on the ebay listings when I sold there.
Do your typewriters come with cases?
Most do! Please read the second paragraph to see whether it comes with a case and what the condition of the case may be in. The answers are usually in the listing ;-)
Do you accept credit cards?
Yes! I only accept credit cards via paypal. Paypal no longer requires customers to register. When you checkout, you will be transferred to www.paypal.com and given the option of either logging in or entering your credit card information. Paypal makes it safe and easy to pay for your purchases! I can also email a merchant invoice if we work out a special deal.
I prefer to buy on ebay. Do you offer "Buy it Now" auctions for items listed on your web site?
No. I no longer sell on ebay due to their high fees and 2009 negative policy changes.
Is the shipping cost to Canada lower than other International locations?
Absolutely! I have special pricing set up in the checkout system for my Canadian customers! The cost is about half what I charge for other International destinations ;-)
Compared to other typewriters online, yours seem a little pricey. Can you justify the price?
I know it may seem high but compared to what you would get on ebay or from one of my "competitors", the value is definitely justified. Typewriters have made an incredible comeback in the past few years. On ebay, even average condition typewriters are selling for well over $75.00. That's for AS IS, maybe works, maybe doesn't items. No one else offers the same quality as I do, either. Both mechanically and cosmetically. Especially cosmetically! It's hard to find an original, vintage typewriter in pristine condition and I drive hundreds of miles each month to look at typewriters in basements, attics and garages all over SC and NC. I know some sellers say their typewriters look like new but then they also state they have normal wear. How can something look like new but have normal wear? It's not possible.
I pay a lot for my typewriters initially. My average buy price is $100.00 but I recently paid $450.00 for a Fox 3. Then there is the $20.00+ packing material cost and an average $25.00 shipping fee cost for portables. The chemicals I use are expensive but the best. No one else is using the same chemicals and it makes a difference in the final outcome of the typewriter. The average time and material cost for refurbishing a typewriter is approximately $200.00. This is also the same price I charge to refurbish portable typewriters. Every typewriter I sell has an average of $295.00 invested in it. Office models and rare/scarce typewriters are much, much higher. It also takes me about 45 minutes to properly pack a portable(www.vintage-typewriters.com) and a little over an hour to double box and properly pack an office model typewriter. Don't forget about the time and cost to take the pictures and list the typewriter on the website. That's another hour per typewriter. Finally, I have the website fees, paypal fees(avg. 4%), warehouse rental fees(x2), workshop rental fees, taxes, printer ink and paper for the shipping labels and the cost of fuel to pick up typewriters and drop off typewriters at UPS. Some claim I charge too much but it costs a lot to run a business and to offer the best vintage and antique typewriters you can find ;-)
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