Wow. Be Careful Who Services Your Typewriter!

Well, over the phone, I was quoted $256.00 for a thorough cleaning of my typewriter at a recommended place.  Thought that was kinda outrageous, so I decided to take my Hermie to the closest place to where I live.

On the phone, the owner of the place said he knew about the Hermes 3000 inside out; and that, for a flat fee of 45 dollars, he would clean it and show me how to use it when I got it back from servicing it.  Thrilled, I drove my Hermie to that place.  When I got there, he said, "Oh, yeah.  They don't make 'em like they used to.  This machine is from Germany."  That should have been hint enough for me to turn around and take my machine home.  My machine is from Switzerland.  But I didn't want to be rude.  So I handed him my machine and bit my nails all the way home.  Sigh. 

When I went back, he didn't really show me anything in depth, just how to work the margins. He charged me $75.00 because I ordered a ribbon and because the flat fee carries a tax at this place (making it not a flat fee).  I thanked him and was happy to have my Hermie back. 

When I was finally seated at my typing stand, I started banging those keys and noticed the spacebar didn't work like it used to.  It was hitting metal to metal.  I thought to myself, "Am I just being picky here?" 

Yup.  My paranoid behind took my Hermie into a different place to get it serviced.  Gary, the Owner of Gary's Typewriter Repairs, informed me that there was, in fact, no padding for the spacebar.  The padding had come off during the cleaning service at the first place I took it to.  Then I found out that that other owner of  that first place I took my Hermie to actually takes his machines to Gary for servicing.  Sigh. I know.  Hard to believe, huh.  Pfffft... I won't dwell too much on that info.

So another week without my Hermie later, I got my typewriter back.  In perfect condition.  Now it sits on its typing stand gleaming at me --It's so shiny!  :)  I love, love my Hermie.  Too bad it took me so long to get it serviced.  I guess you get the kinda service you pay for?  Sigh.  Well, the second place I took it to is reasonable.  He charges a 45 dollar flat fee also.  And when he says flat fee, he means flat fee!  But his work speaks for itself.  For me to dish out $256.00, my Hermie would have to do the dishes. 

I will continue to take my Hermie to this second place that serviced it from now on.  For those in L.A., go see Gary, the owner of Gary's Typewriter Repair at 833 East South Street, Long Beach, CA 90805  (562) 423-0157.  He knows his stuff!  And he showed me the ins and outs of my Hermes 3000 machine.  I highly recommend him.  Thanks, Gary!