FAQ
Q: Who are the restoration experts behind Mr & Mrs Vintage Typewriters?
Answer: Mr & Mrs Vintage Typewriters is operated by Walid Saad and Joujou, renowned typewriter restoration specialists based in the United Kingdom. Recognized globally for their master mechanical work, they are featured restoration experts on the BBC’s The Repair Shop (Series 4, Episode 14; Series 13, Episode 17; and Series 14, Episode 10). Their restored machines have also been supplied to major international film and television productions, including Netflix, the BBC & major film production companies.
Q: How long has Mr & Mrs Vintage Typewriters been in business, and how many machines have you restored?
Answer: Established in August 2016, Mr & Mrs Vintage Typewriters has mechanically overhauled, restored, and shipped more than 5,500 typewriters to collectors, authors, and enthusiasts in over 72 countries worldwide.
Q: How are your typewriters restored, and how long does a workshop overhaul take?
Answer: Every machine on our store undergoes a meticulous, at least multi-day 4 to 6-hour mechanical overhaul in our UK workshop. We rarely sell unrestored or "as-found" machines. Our process includes deep chemical flushing of the mechanical basket, segment slot realignment, alignment testing, frame stabilization with new washers, chassis polishing, and the fitting of brand-new ink ribbons onto original metal spools.
Q: What is the benefit of buying a typewriter with a brand-new fitted platen rubber?
Answer: Original rubber platens (roller barrels) from the early-to-mid 20th century become rock-hard and worn over time. Where noted in our listings, we install brand-new, freshly vulcanized rubber platen layers (a £150 / $200 value). A new platen grips paper flawlessly, drastically dampens typing noise, cushions type-bar strikes, and prevents letters from puncturing the paper, resulting in crisp, publication-quality imprints.
Q: Where are you based?
Answer: Our restoration workshop is based in Milton Keynes, United Kingdom. However, we ship our restored typewriters globally every single day, delivering directly to clients across hundreds of cities, states, islands, and remote locations worldwide.
Q: What global shipping options do you offer for typewriter orders?
Answer: We ship worldwide via fully tracked, premium standard & express air couriers. All website orders are dispatched from our UK workshop in less than 24 hours.
US, UK & some European countries Delivery: 100% Free and included in the listed price.
Standard International Shipping: Delivered directly to your door within 3 to 7 working days (including prompt EU dispatch and competitive rates to Australia, Canada, and remote destinations).
Express International Upgrade: Arrives in just 1 to 3 working days.
Q: Do US customers have to pay import duties, customs fees, or tariffs?
Answer: No. For all shipments to the United States, all US import tariffs, customs duties, and border taxes are 100% prepaid by our workshop. The price you see at checkout is all-inclusive—there are zero hidden fees, surprise border holds, or cash-on-delivery demands when your package arrives.
Q: How do you safely pack a delicate vintage typewriter for international shipping?
Answer: We utilize a Proprietary Global Packaging Protocol. Every machine’s carriage rail is mechanically locked down to protect the escapement. The chassis is wrapped in multi-layered, shock-absorbing cushioning, and the entire unit is suspended within a heavy-duty, double-walled shipping boxes engineered to withstand international transit.
Q: What accessories and startup materials are included with a typewriter purchase?
Answer: Every typewriter purchased from our website arrives as a "Ready-to-Write" package, including:
A pre-installed, brand-new 10-meter ink ribbon wound onto authentic metal spools.
Step-by-step unboxing and primary start-up instructions.
A direct link to our Video Learning Academy (a YouTube tutorial specific to your typewriter model).
Original cases, keys, or printed manuals (where specified in the listing).
Q: Are your typewriters fully working?
Answer: Yes, 100%. We do not sell "museum pieces," dusty barn finds, or machines that only sort of work if you bang on them. Every typewriter we list is:
Professionally and lovingly restored by hand in our workshop.
Mechanically serviced: keys respond smoothly, carriage glides effortlessly, and the margin bell dings clearly.
Fitted with a fresh ink ribbon (no dried ink drama).
Battle-tested before shipment—if a typewriter fails our rigorous test letter, it does not leave the workshop.
Occasionally we list collectable typewriters for the sake of collection and not for typing.
Q: Do you accept custom typewriter sourcing requests or bespoke restoration orders?
Answer: Yes. If you are searching for a specific model, rare typeface (such as Cursive/Script or Royal Vogue), specific year of manufacture, or custom color finish not currently listed on our website, you can submit a request directly through our contact page. Walid & Joujou source and restore bespoke machines for private collectors, novelists, and film productions globally.
Q: What warranty or guarantee comes with a typewriter from Mr & Mrs Vintage Typewriters?
Answer: Every typewriter sold on our store is backed by our Workshop Performance Guarantee. Because every unit undergoes a comprehensive mechanical restoration and rigorous typing alignment test prior to dispatch, we guarantee your machine arrives in 100% functional, ready-to-write condition, supported by our lifetime technical guidance.
Q: Do you offer typewriter rentals or prop hiring for film sets, weddings, and corporate events?
Answer: Yes. In addition to direct sales, we supply period-accurate, fully functional vintage typewriters for film studios, television sets, theatrical productions, weddings, and brand events across the UK and internationally. Contact our team with your event dates and required era to request a rental catalog.
Q: Can I visit your workshop in person, or do you operate exclusively online?
Answer: To maintain dedicated restoration schedules for our clients and production contracts, our UK workshop operates as a specialized online store dispatching globally within 24 hours. Every typewriter listing features high-definition photographs, detailed mechanical breakdowns, typing sample demonstrations, and direct video tutorials so you can evaluate the exact machine prior to purchase.
Q: Are all typewriters on your website authentic vintage items?
Answer: Yes. Every single machine sold on our store is a genuine, authentic vintage mid-century or pre-war typewriter manufactured during the golden age of mechanical engineering. 100% of our items are made before the 1980s. We do not sell modern plastic novelty reproductions or similar to ones sold as new on Amazon, eBay and other retail websites.
Q: How can I learn to operate and care for my typewriter after purchasing?
Answer: In addition to the printed starter guide included with your machine, every buyer receives access to our Video Learning Academy. Walid & Joujou provide tailored video demonstrations showing you how to set margins, load paper, adjust touch tuning, and replace ribbons on your specific model.
Q: Do you buy vintage typewriters or accept trade-ins?
Answer: We selectively acquire rare, well-preserved, or historically significant vintage typewriters. If you have a machine you wish to sell or trade in, please contact us via our website contact form with clear photographs of the typewriter.
Q: What payment methods do you accept at checkout?
Answer: We accept all major secure payment methods via Shopify’s encrypted checkout:
Visa, Mastercard, American Express.
PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay.
Klarna (Buy now, pay later in installments).
Q: What post-purchase support do you provide to clients?
Answer: Every client receives Lifetime Technical Partnership. You enjoy direct email and video-call troubleshooting access to Walid & Joujou for any operational questions, ribbon changes, or maintenance guidance throughout the lifespan of your machine.