Old Telephone Repairs and Conversions for UK Telephones

Repair/Servicing, Conversion, & Restoration

Unfortunately due to the high demand and volume of current work we have had to temporarily suspend our conversion and restoration services, so that we can focus on our existing customer commitments and backlog of people on our waiting list (for telephones that we restore to sell).

We hope to resume these services in September 2013.

We offer a Repair/Servicing, Conversion & Restoration service for genuine British Telephones. Due to the poor quality of Indian and foreign copies of British telephones we will not repair or convert them (we would not be able to offer a guarantee and we do not stock the necessary spare parts required for these telephones).

We are a family run business and our lead technician had over 30 years experience working for BT. He has now personally trained all our other technicians (all family members) on the correct method to perform high quality conversion, restoration and servicing. He also quality checks every telephone upon completion before it is returned to it's owner. So you can be assured that the work we do is of the highest quality. We pride ourselves that you will not find better workmanship elsewhere. All our work comes with a twelve month guarantee, this includes any spare parts that we fit.

Repair/Servicing

We will professionally test and examine your telephone to determine what needs to be repaired and in doing so will check for broken or faulty parts (such as braided cords, bells and dials etc) that may need to be adjusted or replaced.
We will e-mail you with the options and costs of any broken or faulty components if needed. We always do this before proceeding, at this point if you do not wish to proceed we will return the telephone to you at no cost (apart from the return P&P)
After confirmation to proceed and payment from yourself (at the cost agreed) we will carry out the repairs and perform a comprehensive service of the telephone. This includes the dial, switch hook contacts and adjustment of the bell for optimum performance.
We will then test the telephone thoroughly on our test switchboard before returning it to you.

Repair labour costs for the average repair or service are:
£18 for 700 series telephones + replacement parts if required
Ł20 for 200/300 series bakelite telephones + replacement parts if required

Conversion

As servicing (above) plus we will:

Fit a modern 3 metre colour matching plastic line cord between the telephone and the standard BT plug.
Install a resistor to upgrade the ringing circuit to allow other telephones in the house to function reliably.
Alter the straps inside the telephone to convert the ringing circuit to modern standards (post 1979) and prevent bell tinkle.
On older Bakelite telephones we will also replace the carbon granule microphone with a more modern and reliable electret electronic microphone.

Conversion labour costs for the average conversion are:
Ł25 for 700 series telephones + replacement parts if required
Ł30 for 200/300 series bakelite telephones + replacement parts if required
Ł35 for a 200 series bakelite telephone with a bell set No 26 + replacement parts if required

Restoration

As Conversion (above) plus while the telephone is apart we will:

Professionally clean and polish every individual piece of Bakelite/Plastic. This is a three stage process that requires a lot of time and effort using the correct cleaning/polishing compounds and restoring techniques (majority of the time/cost).
Strip the dial down to its component parts and professionally clean the back plate, dial number plate and lubricate (adjustment will already be performed as part of the service).

Restoration costs for the average restoration are:
Ł35 for 700 series telephones + replacement parts if required
Ł65 for 200/300 series bakelite telephones + replacement parts if required
Ł75 for a 200 series bakelite telephone with a bell set No 26 + replacement parts if required

Return Postage

If you can't deliver the telephone in person please add the return postage costs to the above prices. These are:
£9 for 700 series telephones
£12 for 200/300 series bakelite telephones
£15 for 200 series bakelite telephone with bell set No 26

Please make sure that you send the telephone to us in a suitable cardboard box and wrapped in sufficient bubble wrap (please remember to wrap the handset separately in bubble wrap). Ideally use Polystyrene filler between the telephone and the box. Bakelite in particular is very brittle and we are not responsible for any damage sustained in the post.

When posting the telephones please make a note of any existing damage i.e.: chips, cracks and scratches etc, and enclose a copy of this information so that we know this has not occurred during transit. More importantly remember to enclose your details -we have many phones arriving on a daily basis so we need the information to identify your pride and joy.

If you are interested in any of the above options please contact us either by e-mail or phone for the postal/drop off address details of our workshop. Please do not send any telephones to Elsecar Antique Centre -we are not based there all the time and your telephone may go astray.

Payment can be made by cash if collecting the telephone or by cheque or bank transfer if posting the telephone. Cheques should be made payable to 'K. L. Shelton.'