Selling Typewriters: When Pink Piggies Fly

I received a rather unfriendly anonymous comment the other day, after my latest eBay typewriter listings post. My policy is not to respond to jibes from people who can't find the intestinal fortitude to come out from under a cloak of anonymity. My name is on this blog, loud and clear. Anyone who wants to criticise will first need to summons the courage to identify themselves. Otherwise, it goes straight on the spike, as they say in the newspaper business.

Anyway, the thrust of the comment misrepresented me, suggesting I was using that post to spruik my credentials as a typewriter salesman. I had made the mistake of expressing my thoughts out loud, believing the extent of my audience were Typospherian friends who understood I was a man with far, far too many typewriters and no job (ergo, no income).

One of my sons is also unemployed, and if by chance I do start selling typewriters online, it will be in partnership with him, in an honest-to-goodness enterprise purely aimed at keeping a roof over both of our heads (and my typewriters). But if I do start selling typewriters, I will only do so when I feel the time is right for me. And if and when I do, I will quite shamelessly spruik it here. But I still fear the major drawback is shipping typewriters, which is fraught with dangers, as I was yet again reminded only this week; much better just to hand a typewriter over to the buyer.

As it turns out, I have made a start, about a fortnight ago, selling this salmon-coloured Olivetti Lettera 22 for $80 (which is hardly profit-making! It almost certainly doesn't cover costs). It's to be a 14th birthday gift for a Canberra lass from her doting father. This man had researched current prices in great detail. He inspected the machine at close range and tested it. He knew he was getting a good deal, which included a case in good condition, dust cover and a manual. Contrary to what many people who email me think, I am no typewriter evaluer.

Indeed, and let's face it, I am no salesman either, no businessman. Never have been, never will be. I know nothing about driving a hard bargain, it's not in my nature (sadly or otherwise). Many - but fortunately far from all - the sellers who list typewriters on eBay are profiteering. That's what they do and some of them are good at it. Good luck to them. In the meantime, in the past few months, my ratio of (often very valuable) gifted typewriters to sold typewriters is at least 20 or 30 to one (that is, one sold).

The other day I bought an Adler 7 in absolutely magnificent working condition. Total cost, including organising a courier myself, at less than half the listed cost, was under $200. I was following the advice given to me many years ago by Paul Robert, who said he kept a small collection and when a better model than the one he already owned came up for sale, he bought the better one and sold the one he had. (Following Paul's good advice, that is, except for keeping a small collection!)

My plan was to sell the Adler 7 I had (also in excellent working order) to offset the cost of the superior one. But when it came to it, noting the decals were worn, and one of two other very minor problems, I couldn't do it. It wasn't worth it. I'll now give it away to a friend. 

Still, selling one typewriter is a small start in the right direction. There are many more that must go. 

Made in Scotland, where the natives are reputed to be frugal.