Universal Typewriter Shop

Smitty is THE legendary, extremely experienced typewriter expert/technician/educator/knowledge-bearer/etc... in all of Houston and possibly the entire state, country, or planet. He is the nicest man you will ever meet and he works for the love of typewriters exclusively, never overcharging in fact, I hope that people pay him more than he charges for the top-notch service and fine work that he does. Clearly, I cannot say enough good things about him and am not concerned about setting the bar too high when it comes to prospective clients' expectations regarding the service they will receive from Smitty at Houston's beloved Universal Typewriter Shop.

I feel so bad posting a poor review but my husband dropped off our typewriter right before our wedding in 2018 and we still haven’t gotten it back. We’ve both tried calling and visiting the shop countless times over the years, without any luck getting into contact with anyone. My husband said the owner was super friendly and probably going through health issues, so I feel especially terrible about being a bother...but we’d really like to get our typewriter back. If anyone has any information or advice on what to do here, I’d greatly appreciate it.

I dropped off my Underwood Typewriter a little over a year ago and still have not gotten it back. In that time I’ve called and left countless voicemails the voicemail machine is now full as well as made several drives to retrieve my family heirloom. I have no clue what’s happened or if the shop is even still open, I saw in another google review that said the shop has been closed or sold or something? I don’t know. All I DO know is I can’t contact anyone and I would really like to get my typewriter back. Smitty is a sweet man and I know he’s had some health issues recently and can understand that but SOMEONE needs to be in contact with his clients because I know I’m not the only one who wants/needs their typewriter back.

Well I don't know what to say honestly. I really tried to be understanding of Smitty's situation; he's a kind, older man who has some health problems. So when I dropped off my great great grandmother's Underwood typewriter at his shop a year and a half ago, I was understanding everytime I called him up and he said he was still working on it, or just waiting for a part to come in. For months this happened, until I couldn't even reach him anymore. I see reviews pop up about how people were able to get their typewriter's fixed, yet I can't even get ahold of the man. Someone contacted me on reddit saying that they too are trying to get ahold of him but with no luck, and they mentioned that Smitty had sold the place. So now I'm left here wondering what became of a priceless family heirloom such as my family's Underwood typewriter, because I have neither seen nor heard of any updated on it's status. I realize this is a dying art form, and I can understand completely Smitty's health problems and situation, but what I don't understand is at least having the common courtesy or business ethics to call back the hundreds of times I've left a message with my phone number, claim form, and the serial number of the Underwood typewriter. I just hope that he get's ahold of me soon, or that I can reach someone that knows where I can get ahold of him.

Mr.Smithy was a sweetheart! He fixed my typewriter as quickly as he could and told me a bit about himself...when I entered his shop, it reminded me of my grandparent's library...something about old paper smell that transported me into the 50s. I would definitely go back and this time I'll pay him more than what he asked for...the man still takes the bus everyday to work and arrives before the sun comes out, he is at least into his mid eighties.

Doesn't return calls, nor updates the status of your typewriter. He has my job typewriter for the past 2018 whole year. Once I got ahold of him. He told me to send him a picture of it to his phone.. And he told me it will be ready for pickup, Monday this was in April 2019. And ever since that day. He won't answer my calls. I know he has been going thru alot of VA appointments. But he could at least let me know about the item. Even if it's not fixed. I would just pick up it. I left voicemails. And no answer. I appear. But nobody is there.

Had the best customer service and got my typewriter fixed at a low cost. A very humbleling experience. Business suffered a lot of damage from Harvey and are still open and running. Recommend Walk-in if you can't reach them from the phone.

I dropped of my typewrite almost 5 years ago and he has not reached out to me at all, I have tried calling but the voice-mail is full, if any one has any idea how I can get my family heirloom back please let me know, he was a nice man and said he could fix it but he has yet to let me know anything.

You have to be persistent when calling.. If you need to go there I recommend calling until you get ahold of him because the shop hours are not consistent.. He works on all ages typewriters..

Fixed my Hermes 3000 perfectly and is the nicest man. Will gladly be back in the future.