Abbott’s Business Machines

I have nothing but good things to say about Mitch. He has awesome prices for cleaning typewriters and making them shine as good as new. At times he is hard to get a hold of but he always calls back, even if it a few days later. Hey what can you say he is a hard working solo man! I always roll by his place to have him install a ribbon. I am moving out of San Diego in a few weeks and I don’t know what I will do without him.

Mitch is awesome. I collect manual typewriters and Mitch is my go-​to guy for any repairs, questions or issues, whatsoever. He is kind, thorough and basically a miracle maker when it comes to anything mechanical. He knows every model and every make, and if you stop by his workshop to pickup or drop-​off, he will go through all the functions with you.
It’s absolutely wonderful to work with such an honest, good-​hearted, kind, and knowledgeable businessman. I’ve used his services over the past four years and every time I’ve walked away with a typewriter that worked like new and a piece of his contagious, excitable passion for these old machines.
Give Mitch a call, schedule a meeting and you won’t be sorry.

I bought a vintage typewriter at the swap meet for $ 20! Sweet deal!!! NOT! It didn’t have ribbon. Nor did it have the original spool. I attempted to find the right ribbon. I bought ribbon on line a couple of times and it didn’t work out as my machine was a rare one. I called Mitch and he met me right away in his home office (which was very interesting as he has a crap load of gadgets everywhere and old antique typewriters). He not only sold me the ribbon that I needed, installed it and he also fixed a couple of the bent letters. I recommend! Nice guy!

Mitch is one of the kindest humans I have ever met. Do yourself a favor and don’t believe a word of any bad review on here. I found an antique typewriter at a thrift store and wanted to be able to use it. Mitch was incredibly knowledgeable and brought my machine up to functioning condition while teaching me each feature and how to use them. He gave me a large chunk of his time and energy, and fixed a handful of little problems he found along the way, but only charged me for the ribbons he installed. I almost kind of hope my typewriter breaks now so I can go hang out with Mitch again!

I found Mitch on Google. I had just found an old typewriter in a pawnshop and, as a writer, I enjoy the old-​fashioned mechanical process of creation. The problem was, I knew zilch about the machine I purchased. On our first call I just had some questions about the machine – care, maintenance, operation, the like. I also wanted to know where to find ribbons. Mitch said he had some on hand, but I’d have to drive out to his place to get them. I’m sure I could have saved myself the drive and located some ribbons online or elsewhere, but I’m a fan of supporting the independent guys and Mitch had been more than helpful over the phone.
Showing up at Mitch’s place was like stepping into a time warp, old machines everywhere. It’s always such a pleasure to meet someone so in love with their craft and so genuinely excited to share the passion. Mitch had an old Underwood similar to mine out on his bench and he gave me a brief tutorial. He gave me a lot of great pointers on how to keep the machine in good condition and gave me his email address so that I could email him and he could reply with a digital copy of the original owner’s manual. I sent the email from my phone at his place and I had the manual in my inbox before I got home.
I ran into a couple more questions and Mitch took my calls without hesitation. They say first impressions go a long way, and as far as Mitch goes, I’m sold. The guy is a unique character with a true skill and passion. As long as I have my machine and he’s around, he’s the only person I’ll go to.

I highly recommend Mitch if you want to buy a functional antique typewriter or get your typewriter repaired. He has the biggest selection (hundreds!) of typewriters for all different eras and they are amazing!!! I bought my daughter one for Christmas and she LOVES it so much especially with it being operational and from the 1940’s. Mitch has encyclopedic knowledge of typewriters and all the manual operations that he gives great tutorials.
I couldn’t be happier with the service I got from him. His knowledge is rare and he is so patient in helping people.

It’s sad when you see a business with glowing Unilocal reviews and one negative review. You think «Gee, this person must be a nightmare» but then you experience EXACTLY the same thing.
Why oh why did I go to Abbots?
I picked this business for Typewriter repair, the great reviews, and proximity to my house.
Below is the nightmare.
–The word Abbott’s is not listed on the building… Um ok.
–It’s simply a drop off location where this guy Mitch, picks up and takes your typewriters home… Ok, that’s fine.
–Problems:
Definitely unreliable, hard to get a hold of, and all around rude.
I called to make sure the business was open and spoke with Mitch. He seemed nice enough. I explained that my typewriters (Olivetti Lettera and Olympia De Luxe) were sentimental to my family and was interested in having them CLEANED and repaired in working order (nothing too major just FILTHY and sticking keys).
After drop off, I asked him to call me ASAP with a detailed report.
He said he would contact me in 2 days.
He never called. A week later I contacted him to find out the status. He wanted to know why I was calling and when I replied with my expectations of contact, he had suddenly been busy because of «two funerals that week». Ok… Sorry to hear that.
So he quoted me about $ 45 for cleaning and service and an additional $ 9.50 for a ribbon. This was the quote for each machine.
Then he leaves a message, saying he was looking at different machines, quoting me $ 75 for each machine plus $ 9.50 for the ribbon.
(How many people bring in two of the EXACT SAME typewriters?)
Now this is the quote for each machine.
I called back (Voicemail — What a surprise!) and specifically asked him to do service on ONE machine, the Olivetti Lettera because quite frankly the prices were too damn high.
He called back and changed his tune back to the original price quoted.
Said the Olympia wouldn’t work and he would fix it at a lower cost.
Total job $ 128
Again, stressed how sentimental these typewriters were and that I wanted them just CLEANED and functioning. No problem right?
WRONG, picked them up today. Cash only. The Lettera was so filthy dust and grime came off on my fingers. This was UNDER the keys, not on the paper.
The guy at the counter felt bad enough to take it back and blow it with concentrated air.
My INVOICE stated this: (written exactly as listed — see photo)
«Bad customer discount applied, inaccurate memory, argumentative.
Reduced original pricefro $ 84.50 to $ 64.00
Complete clean oil and adjust. new ribbon
Flat rate repair»
WOW just WOW.
Filthy machine and a personal Insult… Can you believe I paid this guy?
I called to inquire why he felt the need to insult me on his invoice.
He danced around the question and finally decided it was because «I needed to know».
When I mentioned that such information could be passed along in a professional private conversation he then decided it was «For his own records.»
Mitch and Abbott’s Business Machine has lost my business FOREVER.
I’d rather drive 1000 miles and pay 3x more to have someone else fix my machines.

You know, I don’t want to rain on anyone’s parade. But frankly, I feel that I need to temper everyone’s enthusiasm over Mitch’s competence by sharing my experience with his UNRELIABILITY:
1. Late Sept 2012 — I delivered my Remington typewriter to Abbotts, with instructions to change the ribbon and advise on cleaning and/​or minor repairs.
2. Oct 2012 — I was called out of town unexpectedly, and forgot about my typewriter.
3. Nov 2012 — I finally remembered the typewriter, and called Mitch. He had NO recollection of receiving the machine. But he called me back 5 minutes later, after having found it. He read the invoice over the phone: change ribbon, advise on cleaning and/​or repairs.
4. Dec 2012 — after having forgotten about it again (life was busy at that time), I finally remembered, and called again. And once again, Mitch had no recollection of the typewriter. But he immediately found it, and read the invoice over the phone — again. Said he’d call the next day.
5. One week later, he finally called, to say that I could pick up my typewriter at Abbotts.
6. When I did, yes, the ribbon had been changed. But he charged me FULL PRICE for a SHORT RIBBON appropriate for a calculator, not a typewriter. ALSO, on the invoice, Mitch had written, «No other work done,» with an addendum, «Keys are gummy.» Idiot! That’s why I had requested to be advised of cleaning and/​or repair!
Why did the guy hold on to my typewriter for 3 months, AND THEN charge me for a short ribbon, and NOT fulfill the rest of the invoice?
The advice from here is: you have to RIDE Mitch, to make sure that he does the work correctly and on time. There are one or two other places in San Diego (others in Orange County) who charge a lot more, but at least, they deliver when they say, and do the work right. Just because a person is knowledgeable — if he’s a flake, I will NOT recommend him.

I cannot rave enough about Mitchell. Not only is he a ridiculously skilled repair person (he can fix or build anything!), he is a generous and honest human being and a hoot to boot.
The only problem is, he is not a very good business man as he often undercharges for the amount of time he puts in to his work.
If you have the slightest interest in how your typewriter functions, he will make sure you know how to fix it yourself next time. Not because he doesn’t want your business, but because he gets a kick out of fellow typewriter enthusiasts and simply enjoys passing it forward. I don’t know how he stays afloat with that business model – except that he has a gazillion customers who seem to know a good thing when they see it. His phone is constantly ringing when I’m at his shop.
Frankly, this review is looong overdue. But I really don’t need other people’s typewriter problems (sorry fellow enthusiasts!!) clogging up Mitchell’s schedule, haha.
But yeah, if you’re having an issue with your typewriter, turntable, fax machine, or what have you… if it’s fixable, he can fix it!

I took my poor typewriter into Mitch last year. It was in pretty bad shape but he managed to fix it. I think I paid around $ 70 but I know he put way more than $ 70’s worth of time and effort into fixing my typewriter. He has a skill for fixing typewriters that is very hard to come by and he clearly has a true passion for it. He called and updated me while working on my machine and was very friendly. I will definitely take my typewriter to him again if it needs more repairs (though hopefully I will not need to).

Have a typewriter that needs a tune up or repair? Well, it’s time to meet your new friend Mitch. Mitch is an expert typewriter whisperer in San Diego.
He has a workshop out of his home, but has a pick-​up location in Clairemont Mesa. Since I live near his neighborhood, he suggested that I drop it of at his place. Walking into his shop I was greeted by his adorable pup and overwhelmed by the array of machines waiting to be repaired. It was evident that the word is out about Mitch. It seem there isn’t a machine he can’t work on, however old or unusual.
I needed a tune up for a 1950’s Smith Corona. Found this gem for my husband at an antique sale in Temecula. It was covered in dirt and the keys stuck, but in otherwise OK condition. But I digress…
Mitch took the time to give me a tutorial on the machine. I would have been clueless without him. He explained each feature (with interesting historical context), adding his tips and tricks along the way. He was able to provide me a copy of the instruction manual. He promptly fixed my machine and retuned any calls. It was only $ 50 for a full tune-​up with a few repairs and a new ribbon. The price was well worth it considering his attention to detail. I would have paid a few extra bucks for the tutorial — but that was an added perk of going to an expert like Mitch.
This man is truly passionate about typewriters. After the great experience I had with my first typewriter, I would trust him to work on any new addition to our collection.