Taking Electric Typewriter Repair to the Next Level
For Counsellor Title Company, IBM Wheelwriters were not office décor. They were everyday production tools for real-estate forms, names, banking documents, and paper tasks that were cumbersome to recreate on a computer.
A Typewriter-Dependent Office
“How do offices work without a typewriter?” Joni Williamson, chief operating officer at Counsellor Title Company in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, asked when Typewriters.com first shared her story. After decades in the title business, she was still using a typewriter throughout the workday.
The company had moved from IBM Selectrics to IBM Wheelwriters, including Wheelwriter 5 and Wheelwriter 6 Series II machines. Their memory and electronic controls helped staff complete preprinted forms, add names, and handle banking work without rebuilding each document digitally.
“We use the Wheelwriters to handle real-estate transactions that require us to fill out forms or add names that would otherwise be difficult to work on a computer.”
When Local Service Disappeared
Heavy use eventually brought wear and repair needs, but Williamson could not find a nearby technician who both serviced Wheelwriters and offered a practical way to ship the machines. Driving a large office typewriter to a distant shop and returning later was not workable.
Her search led to Jim Riegert and Typewriters.com. Although the company had not purchased its machines from Typewriters.com, the team answered questions and helped arrange suitable packing so a Wheelwriter could travel to the service department.
What Made the Relationship Work
Diagnosis before shipping
A few specific questions can reveal whether the problem may involve a ribbon, printwheel, power supply, setting, or a repair that requires the machine.
Safer packing
Electronic typewriters are heavy and vulnerable to carrier movement. Model-appropriate packing helps prevent a service trip from creating new damage.
Model knowledge
Knowing which parts and supplies fit a Wheelwriter helps avoid unnecessary replacement and keeps supported machines in productive use.
Before You Request Service
- Write down the full model name and any series or revision shown on the label.
- Describe when the symptom occurs and whether it is intermittent.
- Record any error code exactly as displayed.
- Note recent changes such as shipping, a new ribbon, a jam, a spill, or a power event.
- Take photos or a short video if the problem can be shown safely.
- Do not continue operating a machine that smells hot, smokes, sparks, or contains liquid.
These details help a technician distinguish an owner-safe supply check from a mechanical or electrical repair.
Ask About Your IBM Wheelwriter
Call (404) 377-1884 Monday through Friday, 9 AM–5 PM ET, or email info@typewriters.com before sending a machine.
