Frequently Asked Questions
Where Are You Located?
Typewriter Muse is located at 1960 Chicago Ave, Riverside, CA. We are open from Sun/Sat, from 10AM-3PM and Fridays from 6PM-9PM.
If you're local, we invite you to join us during one of our Free Write Sundays to come in and take a few hours for yourself and your current writing project. Bring your typewriter or use one of our own and enjoy our complimentary snack and coffee bar.
What Can We See At Typewriter Muse?
Typewriters and so much more! We offer typewriter ribbon, covers, care kits and other accessories in our showroom. We also have a variety of typewriter art and original typewriter advertisements from 20th Century American Magazines complete with source information in our showroom. Above all, we provide a space of bespoke service for you to try-on your next typewriter.
How Do I Buy a Typewriter If I'm Not Located Near You?
1) Visit our website and browse our collection of typewriters. Point and click to purchase and we ship it to you.
2) Give us call at (951)-384-0646 and we can set you a virtual appointment over zoom or a video platform of your choice. This brings you into our showroom virtually and where we show you your next typewriter.
I Have a Typewriter and It's Broken. How Much Will It Cost To Fix It?
Please see our Repair page for all these details!
Can You Tell Me How To Fix My Typewriter Over The Phone?
As mechanical work is a tactile, hands-on specialty, we are unable to diagnose or repair virtually. Like all mechanics, your machine must be physically in our hands for an estimate of repair.
Will You Fix My Machine While I Wait?
Not likely but we can always try. We are one of a handful of full-service typewriter shops left and are usually blessed in an abundance of repair and sales business. We will do our best to get your machine back to you as quickly as possible but lead times can be anywhere from a few weeks to many weeks. It all depends on how many typewriters are in our queue when you arrive. We do our best to make sure all machines get the attention they deserve as they may not be in a shop for another twenty years.
That being said, we do offer a "Honey Service" where we can provide a light cleaning, lubricant and ribbon changes. We determine if this service is right for you after you bring in your machine for an assessment.
Do You Take Trade-Ins or Buy Typewriters?
We take donations on a case by case basis. Most machines people are letting go require several hours of cleaning, service and sometimes extensive repairs. As much as we would love to take every machine that comes our way, our storage capacity is finite. Let's talk about it and we'll see what we can do. Unless it is a rare bird of a typewriter, we probably won't be able to purchase it from you but, you never know. Feel free to give us a call and we can assist you in the best way to move your unwanted typewriter on to a new owner.
Can You Tell Me What Year My Typewriter Is?
We absolutely will when your machine is in the shop for service or repair. If it isn't here in the shop, check out Ted Munk's https://typewriterdatabase.com for details on where and how to find your typewriter's serial number and cross reference his extensive data on machine makes and models throughout the history of these great machines.
Do You Ship Typewriters?
Yes! We are proud to say that with our years of experience, we know how to safely ship you typewriters from our top-notch shipping department. We use custom made-for-us boxes with sufficient box space and inserts in each package to ensure your typewriter arrives without injury.
Can I Ship My Typewriter To You For Repair? What is 3-Way Shipping?
Yes, we offer a full 3-way shipping service to wherever you may be located. We send you a custom box depending on your typewriter make and model then you ship it back with our return label. We can offer this service for a similar price that UPS charges to box up and ship your typewriter one-way.
We started this service for the ease and simplicity it offers you, the customer. Once we receive your typewriter, we can give it an estimate and let you know all we can do for you. Give us a call to set up this service at 951 384-0646.
Can You Give Me Tom Hank's Phone Number?
We are fortunate to have a list of distinguished clients who love typewriters as much as we do, but we are bound to respect their privacy as we will be respecting yours. Yes, being located in Southern California and having our reputation means that we recondition all the cool typewriters for all the cool and famous people. You name them, we have probably worked on their typewriter. But just to be clear, we cannot introduce you to Mr. Hanks or pass along your movie script to him or anybody else. We also cannot give you Joe Van Cleave's phone number or tell you what his wife made for dinner. And we promise, we will also respect your privacy in the same fashion. And yes, your typewriter will receive the same treatment as Steve Spielberg's or anyone else we get to call our friends and customers.