Where to buy old typewriters

• User is looking for a cheap but well-functioning typewriter
• User is not able to get the Smith Corona XL 1000 typewriter to work; it may need repairs or replacement
• User is looking for recommendations on where to look for typewriters, what models to look for and whether to look for a manual or electronic typewriter
• Comments from other Redditors recommend looking for an older manual typewriter that was built like a tank and intended to last forever
• Manuals are quiet when one is quiet, and they work well when one is working
• Electrics seem attractive as they require much less effort to type, but they are noisy and run hot
• Belts in electrics always wear out and need to be replaced; electric typewriters are power-assisted manuals and only use electricity to run an electric motor when the switch is on. The rest is all mechanical
• Good luck finding specific new ribbons for electrics while ribbons for most older manual typewriters that take spools will use 1/2” wide ribbon
• Older manuals require more force to type, but that is the natural typing stroke that was used by millions of typists before electrics were invented, and once one learns it, they won’t want to type any other way
• Recommendations for places to look for typewriters include thrift stores, estate sales, and online marketplaces such as eBay and Goodwill auction
• Commenters recommend checking the furniture section in thrift stores for typewriters
• Commenters recommend bringing paper to try out typewriters before buying and testing as many features as possible
• Broken typewriters tend to sell cheaper, and it can pay off to read online about other people’s repairs to learn whether something found is fixable or difficult
• Commenters recommend avoiding shipping typewriters as it is expensive and damage during shipment happens
• Old typewriter models to consider include those from well-regarded brands like Olivetti, Olympia, Smith-Corona, Underwood, Remington, and Royal (earlier models)
• Commenters recommend avoiding portable or travel models as they can have corners cut off to reduce weight; typically lack functionality of the better models
• Commenters recommend looking for models built before 1970, as models built after are generally regarded as junk
• Suggested specific typewriter models, Their price ranges, and potential places to find them include:
  • Royal QuietDeluxe (1950s models built like tanks, generally $30

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• A 2-year-old Reddit post asks for advice on buying a functional typewriter with a vintage look.
• One Reddit user suggests looking beyond eBay and browse through the Etsy, Facebook marketplace, and Craigslist to buy typewriters.
• Some of the suggested brands to look for are Smith Corona, Underwood, Olympia, Brother, Royal, and Remington.
• Searching Etsy for “(maker-name) typewriter” can also give you some leads.
• Another Reddit user shares a link to typewriterreview.com/typewriter-marketplace/, which has compiled a list of websites to check for typewriter inventory from time to time.
• The recommended online marketplaces include shopgoodwill.com, Etsy, eBay, and Craigslist.
• Typewriter dealers such as thetypewriterman.com, thebroken TYPE, and vintageindustries.ca are also recommended.
• Goodwill Industries International operates the shopgoodwill.com site, and they regularly receive typewriters donated to them by the public.
• Etsy has a big selection of vintage typewriters from different sellers offering different brands and models.
• The subreddits r/typewriters and r/vintagetechnology have a community of typewriter enthusiasts who share their collections and provide helpful advice for enthusiasts and collectors.
• Another Reddit user suggests checking out the local selling apps such as Letgo, OfferUp, or Mercari.
• Craigslist is another recommended place to browse for vintage typewriters, with many sellers offering different brands and models across the United States.
• Typewriters can also be found on Amazon, although the selection is limited compared to eBay or Etsy.
• The website retrotypewriters.com also offers refurbished typewriters that come with a warranty.
• Buying from local stores and antique shops could also be an option.
• It is essential to check the condition of the typewriter and test if it is functional before purchasing it.
• Consider the shipping and handling fees and insurance options when buying online.

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• Typewriters.com offers a large selection of new and reconditioned typewriters at affordable prices.
• Products include portable typewriters, electronic typewriters, standard and heavy-duty manual typewriters, and antique typewriters.
• They also sell typewriter ribbons, correction tapes, and other supplies.
• The website provides information on each typewriter model in terms of features, dimensions, and weight.
• Typewriters.com has options from major brands such as IBM, Nakajima, Royal, Brother, and Swintec.
• They also offer antique typewriters for sale, with a collection that spans from the 19th century to the mid-20th century.
• Prices for antique typewriters range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars.
• Typewriters.com provides a toll-free phone number for customer support and typewriter selection assistance from Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm ET.
• Shipping is free for all orders within the United States and a 1-year warranty is provided for each typewriter.
• Customers can create an account to save their order history and track current orders.
• Typewriters.com provides financing options through PayPal Credit that lets customers pay for their purchase over time.
• The website has a section for typewriter collectors which includes tips on purchasing and maintaining typewriters.
• Customers can also find articles and tutorials on topics like installing ribbons and correcting mistakes.
• Typewriters.com has a blog about the history of typewriters and how they are used today.
• The blog also features interviews with people who use typewriters for their creative work, like writers and designers.
• They have a newsletter that customers can sign up for to receive updates on new products, promotions, and special offers.
• Customers can write reviews of products they have purchased, which appear on the product page.
• The website has a FAQ section that provides information on payment options, shipping, warranty, and returns.

• The Vintage Typewriter Shoppe is an online store that sells antique and vintage manual typewriters and supplies.
• The website is owned and operated by a military veteran who started selling their personal typewriter collection online over 19 years ago.
• The Vintage Typewriter Shoppe provides excellent to mint condition typewriters that are fully functioning and have been restored, degreased, cleaned, oiled, adjusted, and tested.
• All typewriters come with new ribbons installed and a 1 to 5-year warranty.
• The Vintage Typewriter Shoppe offers free shipping to US addresses since 2004 and pays shipping both ways if a warranty issue arises.
• The shop offers 100% money-back guarantee with free return shipping.
• The customer service is top-notch, and the shop takes pride in providing a positive customer experience.
• The typewriters come in original, vintage, and antique condition in various makes, models, and styles, including portable and desktop typewriters.
• The Vintage Typewriter Shoppe guarantees that their typewriters arrive as described or your money back.
• The shop offers accessories like ribbons, dust covers, pads, and books on the history and use of typewriters.
• The website includes a shop with available typewriters for purchase with detailed images, product descriptions, and prices.
• The shop includes a contact page and an FAQ section.
• The shop offers international shipping and quotes upon request.
• The Vintage Typewriter Shoppe is registered with the US Patent and Trademark Office.
• The website includes a link to the company’s BBB rating report, which has an A+ rating.
• The website includes an image gallery of typewriters that the Vintage Typewriter Shoppe has sold in the past.
• The shop’s website has a policy that only credit card payments are accepted, and that typewriters cannot be placed on hold or reserved.
• The website features an original piece of poetry about the art of typing.
• The shop’s owner provides a personal touch to the purchasing experience by sending thank-you notes and offering to answer any questions.

• The discussion thread “Buying a typewriter: Where to start” from r/typewriters is focused on finding and buying old typewriters.
• The thread is dated from February 17th, 2016, and has been archived.
• The original post in the thread, written by a user who wants to buy a vintage, manual typewriter, has received six upvotes.
• Users recommend buying typewriters from eBay, Craigslist, or local thrift stores.
• Several users share their experiences of buying typewriters from eBay for affordable prices.
• Users stress the importance of careful research into desired models and makes before proceeding to buy from eBay.
• Users also recommend taking the time to compare prices for similar models across listings.
• Several users caution against buying from sellers who are unrealistic in their pricing and against spending too much money on a single typewriter.
• Users recommend setting a price point and being patient to find the right model within budget.
• One user recommends finding typewriters at auctions labeled “broken” and conducting research to try to fix them.
• Users recommend sticking with metal-bodied typewriters, as they tend to last longer and be easier to repair.
• Users recommend seeking out universal ribbons, which are widely available and usable for most manual portables.
• Users note that special ribbons or cartridges may be required for more advanced machines such as electronics or IBM Selectrics.
• One user shares that FJA Products on eBay offers most types of ribbons for portables.
• Users also suggest looking for rebranded versions of desired models from Montgomery Ward or other brands.
• Users recommend looking into the models that interest the most and looking at pictures and details of features before purchasing.
• One user suggests examining typewriters in person before making a purchase to ensure they are in good operational condition.
• Another user recommends lowballing “Buy It Now” auctions that also accept “Best Offer” to get a lower price.
• One user notes that while buying online can be cost-efficient, it also comes with some risks such as damage during shipping.
• Users suggest checking Craigslist and thrift stores such as antique and secondhand stores for typewriters, especially those located close to one’s location.
• Users caution against spending more than 75 dollars on a typewriter.
• One user suggests the Star Typewriter store in Los Angeles, as they have a large collection of typewriters and knowledgeable staff.

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• An antique typewriter is a typewriter that is 100 years old or more; for a typewriter to be regarded as antique, it must have been manufactured before 1920.
• The first commercial typewriter was produced in the 1870s.
• Antique typewriters are highly valued due to their rich history, rarity, and mechanics.
• The most popular typewriter brands that produced the most valuable antique brands today include Remington Typewriter Company, Woodstock Typewriter Company, Oliver Typewriter Company, Corona typewriters, Royal Typewriters, and Underwood typewriters.
• The oldest Oliver typewriters are dated as far back as 1895. Antique Oliver typewriters usually go for as much as $125.
• Corona typewriters started in 1903 and are famed for their elaborate designs. The antique Corona typewriters are sold between $100 to $150.
• Royal typewriters started around 1903, and due to their sturdiness and ease of usage, they were the first choice for journalists and writers. They are relatively easy to come by, and one can get an antique Royal typewriter for $100 or less.
• Underwood typewriters were formerly known as the Wagner Typewriter Company, but the name was changed when the company was taken over by John Underwood. The most valued Underwood typewriters today sell for as much as $1000.
• To determine the age of a typewriter, use the serial number. The serial number could be located in different areas of the typewriter, depending on the manufacturer. A thorough examination will ensure finding the serial number. With the serial number, one can date the typewriter using “The Typewriter Database,” a website that has data on different antique typewriter brands.
• The value of an antique typewriter is determined by factors such as fonts, state of the typewriter, type of repair required, origin, design, and portability.
• Fonts can help take a typewriter’s value up, with special fonts, such as “vogue” font and cursive fonts, in higher demand.
• The condition in which a typewriter is purchased also has a bearing on its value. Neat typewriters without paint scratches, metal pitting, or worn labels are always sold at a high price. The mechanics of the typewriter also greatly determine its value, and an antique typewriter that still functions in perfect condition will go for a higher price than one that is faulty or

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• The webpage provides a list of 61 vintage and antique typewriters available for purchase.
• It explains that typewriters were used for writing before computers became popular.
• The text mentions that office work, schoolwork, novels, and letters were typed on typewriters in the 19th and 20th centuries.
• The webpage separates the types of typewriters into six categories: Working Vintage Typewriters, Inexpensive Vintage Typewriters, Vintage Royal Typewriters, Vintage Portable Typewriters, Vintage Cast Iron Typewriters, and Decorative Vintage Typewriters.
• The text mentions that typewriters prior to 1940 are generally worth more as an investment than post-war models. Still, the exception is colorful or unique machines.
• It is advised to check that the ink ribbon, which is likely to be the piece that goes bad, is in good condition or has recently been replaced.
• The text advises keeping an eye out for mechanical keys that either don’t press down or don’t reset when lifted.
• The webpage divides the models of typewriters up by period, including the early 1900s, 1920s to 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s.
• Each typewriter model has listed relevant information such as time period, functional or not, what features it has, the condition of the machine, the price of the machine, and a link to buy.
• It is mentioned that some typewriters have issues that require repairs or some parts that need replacements.
• Information about the history and background of both specific brands and of typewriters more generally are mixed throughout the webpage.
• The text has ads for other websites and content after each typewriter listed, but these irrelevant sections do not interfere too much with the central content.
• The webpage offers advice about buying typewriters, taking it into consideration that some cases may need servicing, repairs, or replacement parts.
• The text explains that the prices of most typewriters depend on whether it is sold with any added accessories and if so, what kind.
• The webpage provides proof that vintage and antique typewriters are still in demand by people who enjoy collecting, decorating their homes, or want to buy a machine with a unique aesthetic.

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