As Christmas draws closer, the restoration scammers are coming out of the woodwork so please be cautious. It is alarming the number of calls and emails we are receiving from people who trusted that their machine restorations were in good hands only to find out that they were sadly mistaken.
One such case involves a customer that went with another restoration company because this company low-balled the price we quoted the client for a full restoration. The family sent their machine to them, expecting that they would receive a fully restored machine for a very low price. Fast forward 2 years and this customer called us back. His machine has been sitting at this other company, along with his 50% deposit for 48 months and NOTHING has been done to it. At this point, the customer was so fed up with the runaround he had been getting that he just wanted his machine done. The client demanded his machine and deposit back and had it sent to us. We received this email recently:
Hello Greg and GW,
This email is long overdue, but better late than never.
I have been meaning to write to you both to tell you how excited I am about my WD-22 Coke Cooler you restored, and how fantastic it turned out. I have since taken it to my farm, just a stones throw from the old store (long gone) where it operated for years.
I have to tell you that my first experience with another “restorer” was not good…you know the story….
After a couple of years of nothing happening with my machine, I contacted your company. I could tell that you understood my frustration, and I was very happy that your efforts began immediately once the machine was in your hands.
In a nutshell, the machine looks like new, and works great. To see the condition of the machine, before and after is to understand the quality of your work. Everyone who sees it has nothing but good things to say. Last but not least, your consistent communication and frequent updates, photo’s etc., really meant a lot. Could not be happier! Next time I have something to restore, you will be the first to know.
Merry Christmas! 
Brendan O’Leary
A second client called us, after having purchased a machine from a large Ebay seller, because his machine stopped working after 2 months. He purchased the machine without a warranty thinking all would be fine. Well, it’s not! This client paid top dollar for a machine that doesn’t work and now wanted to purchase one of our custom built units. In the conversation he mentioned he had a Vendo 39 that had been restored a few years back but was missing parts and did not work so he wanted one from us along with the new unit he was purchasing for his 81. In all fairness, we explained that it would be much less expensive for him to let us restore the one in his garage than to purchase a new one of ours. Since we only restore machines one way and install a new custom built refrigeration unit in every machine, whether it is one we have done for resale or one we do for the customer, all of the machines come with 2 year warranties!
About 15 years ago, we used to cosmetically restore vintage refrigerators but could not find a source for refrigeration units that would work. So like everyone else, we sold them without warranties. One day we asked ourselves how we would feel if we paid several thousand dollars to have our refrigerator restored and even though we were told there was no warranty, would we feel good about the purchase. This is the reason we stopped doing them, since we believe that you should never make a sizeable purchase without a warranty made by a company that can back it up!
These are only two of the most recent calls we have received and we realize there are a lot of disappointed people out there. We try our best to explain to people that there is a reason that we don’t and won’t lowball a price on a machine. Our restorations are done thoroughly, inside and out, the same way every time, and we warranty our work!
We have been in this business a long time and have probably heard just about everything possible that could happen to customers using some other vendors. We take great pride in our restorations because when you come to Back In Time Warehouse (www.BITW.com) for your machines, you become part of our ever growing family. Our goal is to treat people with honesty and respect and realize that, for the amount of money you are spending on a restoration, there has to be a great level of trust.
For our part in building that level of trust, we photograph everything from start to finish. This means from the time your machine arrives to us, breaking it down and all the steps to completion. You receive a binder filled with photos of your machine through all the steps we take in the restoration so you can physically “see” what has been done. We are also available to communicate with you so you never get the feeling that you are just a number to us or wonder what is actually going on with your machine. We don’t avoid phone calls and the staff is always available to help you with any questions you may have.
If you or someone you know are currently having problems with a machine restoration at another vendor or your machine has stopped working, please give us a call and we will be happy to help you the best that we can. You will see the difference from the moment we answer the phone!
304-728-0547
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