Stearns Business Machines

Just got unceremoniously «banned» from this place.
Was incredibly happy to find this place to fix my roller & get new ribbon. When we came in, we were told we may need parts but he’s not sure, he’ll have to look at it. He asked where we got and we told him about our garage sale find! He made a comment that it might not even be worth it for us to fix, but he would take a look this afternoon and call us with an estimate. He also said minimum without parts is $ 79 so the estimate could be pricey. I grimaced but I thought «okay, let’s get the estimate and see how I feel…» So we left…
About 4 hours later, I received the «estimate» call. Except it wasn’t an estimate, it was «we’re just finishing the work and you owe us $ 90.» I was really confused, because I don’t remember agreeing to any work being done. So I asked a LOT of questions because it wasn’t the original person I spoke with on the phone… but suddenly the realization struck that they had already done $ 90 worth of work on my typewriter without me agreeing to it. If you take your car in for an estimate, someone calls you before any work is done! I was livid, and kept getting this «ho hum oh well» attitude from the woman on the phone. Finally I get put on with the original guy I spoke with and HE’s YELLING AT ME! So, after an angry back and forth of him holding my typewriter hostage for the price of 90 samolians — I told him to take out the ribbon, break it again, and I’ll be there.
We picked it up, he hadn’t reversed any of the work and told us to never come back again. I’m fine with this. I’ll go to Kearny Mesa where labor is $ 35. Don’t yell at your customers! And don’t do work without giving TOTAL COST first!!!

My drop-​off went fine. When I arrived at 9am on a Monday to pick-​up, nobody was there. I waited 45 minutes until somebody showed up because I had driven nearly an hour to get there. The repairman opened and acted like everything was normal. I asked if they always open so late and he said «no, I’m the morning guy and today I’m late.» He took my money and told me to come again. I said I would not be returning and that I had waited for 45 minutes. He responded, «how was I supposed to know that?» I told him it shouldn’t matter if I waited for only 5 minutes he should have apologized. He said «well you should have said something» Umm no sir you should of said something, and that something is «I’m sorry.» I left annoyed and came home to use my typewriter, only to find that some of the keys are sticking. Not a happy customer!

Hi, Stearns is one of the few places in San Diego County that repairs most makes of typewriters. I have an IBM Selectric and they reconditioned it in only two days. They were very nice, but their business has been in the same spot for about 30 years.
CleoLeo