Yes, that’s true, in fact I source some of my own stock from sellers on eBay BUT virtually all the typewriters sold on eBay at the very least need a full service, a fresh ribbon and adjustments to deal with decades of wear and tear. It is not uncommon for more complex repairs to be required. If you are happy to tackle simple repairs then it’s worth taking a chance on eBay or equivalent selling platforms. Study the photographs very carefully, looking for any damage of missing components (notably check the return lever and carriage knobs). If possible, prove a brand and model that has a good reputation, to reduce the risk of damage. Ask the seller to pack it carefully and to mark it as fragile.

The vast majority of couriers require a telephone number for the recipient, to assist with delivery communication. This is a mandatory requirement for international deliveries. I can assure you that this data is not retained by me nor passed to any third party, other than the courier. I am unable to book a shipping without a telephone number. If you have any concerns about this then please do not hesitate to discuss this with me. Delivery normally takes around two working days for domestic deliveries and around five working days for international deliveries. Tracking information is always provided.

All typewriters are provided with a brief maintenance sheet and I point out any particular care requirements for certain models after the purchase. The user’s manual should also be helpful and of course there is a wealth of care information available on the internet, if you know where to find it…! I offer an unlimited advice service on all sales and will always try to resolve any issues you may encounter with your typewriter.

If buying a typewriter as a gift, I would advise that you check it on arrival and remove any packing from inside the typewriter, before gift wrapping it. I can include a gift message in the typewritten piece that I include with each typewriter, at your request. Typewriters are precision machines and need to be carefully packed. The carriage will be locked for transit, where such a lock is fitted. The segment/basket will be packed with a suitable material to reduce movement in transit. The whole typewriter (or case, as appropriate) will be wrapped in an impact absorbing material and then wrapped in a double layer of cardboard. I try to recycle packing materials where possible so I apologise for the random materials you will find!

This is a difficult question, a little like trying to define the best car to buy! It all depends on what you need, what aspects you value and what design appeals to you. Some of the key aspects to consider include: style; age; functionality; reliability; ease of use; portability and literary associations (are you wanting a typewriter as used by a famous author?). For me, the era around the 1950s was a ‘sweet spot’ for typewriters, offering the best combination of some of the above factors. My personal favourite is the Olivetti Lettera 22 but some of the larger German/Swiss models offer excellent functionality, at the cost of portability. I am always happy to advise on what might best suit your needs, if you send me a message.

I generally recommend one of the smaller Japanese portables for children, such as any of the Brother or Silver Seiko manufactured typewriters. Many of these were sold under other brand names (chain stores and established Western typewriter brands such as Royal, Imperial and Adler) so other options are available, alongside Brother and Silver Reed typewriters. These typewriters are reliable, easy to use and robust, all in a very portable package. I can often source a suitable typewriter for you if I don’t have a suitable typewriter in stock to meet your needs.

I don’t have any issue at all with the principle of returning an item you are not happy with, but shipping costs tend to make this unviable. This is less of an issue in the U.K. of course. If you are not happy with a purchase then I will endeavour to resolve any issues to your satisfaction.

Virtually all manual typewriters use the same standard ribbon, available in either single colour or bi-chrome formats. Some typewriters will only take a single colour ribbon. The spools have different specifications but this doesn’t matter if you transfer the new ribbon onto the existing spools, to be recommended if the existing spools are original items, or are of a better quality than the new spools. On this basis, just purchase any ribbon, irrespective of the spool specification. Online suppliers offer the best deals, often with free postage. Be careful to fit the new ribbon correctly and use nitrile/latex gloves as this can be a messy job!

I offer set price servicing, which includes a thorough clean, adjustments and repairs as required, and a new ribbon. Charging by the hour tends not to be viable (or affordable for the customer). There is no charge if the typewriter is beyond repair or cannot be improved through servicing. The set price is currently £50, plus any delivery costs. Please send me a message if you wish to consider this.

All the typewriters I sell are fully working, any rare exceptions to this are clearly described in the listing for that particular typewriter. By definition, vintage typewriters are between 40 and 120 years old, so some degree of wear to the mechanism should be expected. In rare circumstances, the degree of wear may impair some element of the functioning, such as the automatic ribbon reverse, a function often prone to issues on older machines. An assessment of how well the typewriter works, including any such impairments, is included in the listing for each typewriter.