Repair/Servicing, Conversion, & Restoration

We provide a Servicing, Repair, Conversion and Restoration service for old British Telephones. However because of the poor quality we do not repair or convert foreign copies (such as Indian) because we would not be able to offer a guarantee.

Our main technician had over 30 years experience working for BT and he has personally trained all our other technicians (all family members) on the correct method to perform high quality conversion, restoration, repairs and servicing. He also quality checks every telephone upon completion before it is sent back to yourself. Please be assured that the work we do is of the highest quality, we pride ourselves that you will not find better workmanship anywhere else. We guarantee all our work for 12 months.

Repair/Servicing (Option 1)

• Firstly we will professionally examine and test your telephone to check what needs to be repaired or adjusted, while doing this we will check for broken or faulty parts (such as braided cords, bells or dials etc).
• We will then e-mail you with the options and costs of any broken or faulty components if required. We always do this before proceeding, so that you have the option of us returning 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:
£12 for 700 series telephones + replacement parts if required
£19 for 200 & 300 series bakelite telephones + replacement parts if required

Conversion (Option 2)

This includes all the work we would perform on option 1(above) plus we will:

• Fit a modern 3m colour matching (if possible) high quality plastic BT style line cord between the telephone and the standard BT socket.
• We will fit a resistor to upgrade the ringing circuit to allow other telephones in the house to function reliably (as well as adjusting the bell ringer).
• Alter the straps inside the telephone to convert the ringing circuit to modern wiring standards (post 1979), this prevents bell tinkle etc.
• On Bakelite telephones we will also replace the carbon granule microphone with a more modern and reliable electret electronic microphone.

Conversion labour costs (this includes all the work in option 1 and 2) for the average conversion are:
£18 for 700 series telephones + replacement parts if required
£28 for 200 & 300 series bakelite telephones + replacement parts if required

Restoration (Option 3)

This includes all the work we would perform in option 1 and 2 (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).
• We will strip the dial down to its component parts and professionally clean the back plate, dial number plate, adjust and lubricate the mechanism.

Please note that we cannot repair broken or cracked Bakelite (this is a near impossible task).
Restoration costs for the average restoration (this includes all the work in option 1, 2 and 3) are:
£28 for 700 series telephones + replacement parts if required
£49 for 200/300 series bakelite telephones + 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:
£8 for 700 series telephones
£12 for 200/300 series bakelite telephones

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 ie: chips, cracks and scratches etc, and enclose a copy of this information (so that we know this has not occurred in the post) along with your contact details and return address.

If you are interested in any of the above options please contact us either by e-mail for the postal/drop off address details of our workshop. Please do not send any telephones to Elsecar Antique Centre.

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

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