A question familiar to typewriter technicians and writers alike. A quick search for typewriters on Ebay, or other market places, will reveal a wide array of typewriters in various states of condition with an equally wide spread of prices. In most cases, yes, the prices of typewriters are cheaper on Ebay. However, unless the typewriter is being sold by a proven and reputable typewriter technician who operates on Ebay, there is a high likelihood that the typewriter being sold has not had a thorough inspection, adjustment or clean. Even when a listing has good photos, it is difficult to judge the operational status and internal condition of a typewriter.
The Write Typer sources a good portion of its typewriters from online marketplaces, like Ebay, and experience shows that 95% of typewriters sourced from such online marketplaces require a service, which includes, but is not limited to, a deep clean (typewriters can be unbelievably dirty!), adjustment, installation of a new ribbon, and polishing and waxing to a shine. Typewriters from the '20s, '30s, '40s, and '50s also often have rubber parts that have perished, melting or crumbling away, which are sometimes difficult to identify in listing photos.
In addition to a general servicing, typewriters bought from Ebay may require repairs - mechanical problems are not always visible in photos. Typewriters sold in The Write Typer, on the other hand, go through disassembly, deep cleaning, adjustment, repairs, detailing and thorough testing.
Finally, when purchasing from Ebay, there is no guarantee that the typewriter will reach you without being damaged during shipping due to less than ideal packing. Despite their weight and industrial appearance, typewriters are delicate instruments with fine moving parts. Sitting on a desk or a lap, they can keep up with the rap-rap-rap of an enthusiastic typist; however, unless they are packed properly with ample packing material, typewriters do not tolerate well the inertia experienced during the stop, start, up and down of shipping.
Inadequate packing could not protect the shell of this Lettera 22 typewriter, which cracked during shipping.
Even after having sent packing instructions to online sellers, I have unfortunately received typewriters with cracked metal shells, disconnected carriages, smashed platen knobs, and cracked wooden cases. It is stunning what inexperienced or careless sellers consider sufficient packing. On the other hand, The Write Typer packs typewriters carefully and methodically and has a 100% record in shipping typewriters safely.
A platen knob of an Olympia Splendid SF smashed due to poor packing.
So, yes, typewriters generally are cheaper on Ebay. But, unless you know what you are looking for and have the skills, equipment and time to fix a faulty typewriter, why roll the dice?
0 comments