Estimating what it costs for repairing a radio is totally dependent on how much information we have about a radio. Some points -

The optimum way for us to derive a ballpark estimate of the costs of repairing a radio is to physically inspect the radio. The total charges for repairing a radio is impossible to divine even when we have the radio in front of us. What needs to be done to the radio cannot be predicted until we are actually in the process of repairing your radio. See "Bad Radios"  Also, see Repair vs Restore explaining how some radios become restorations as opposed to repair jobs.

When you use the "Get Estimate" link on the left, you will have several choices on how to get an estimate. Most choices involve sending the radio to us.

There is a third option available, where we request that you "document" the radio so we can provide an estimate. This includes sending photos to us. [A picture is worth a 1000 words.]

So, it is possible for us to give you a price "Before" you send the radio to us. But, as explained above, it is only a ballpark.

RADIOS WHERE NO ESTIMATE OR REPAIR IS POSSIBLE

Shortly after we receive your radio ( or receive well documented requests for estimate) - certain anomalies can make the Radio just plain not fixable for a reasonable amount of money. Those situations are:

PRIOR UNSUCCESSFUL REPAIR WORK

If you have attempted to repair your radio yourself, we really do not want to work on that radio. Besides all the normal repair work required, we also have to divine what you did. Our experience is that you would not like the total charges that are necessary to repair/restore that radio.

BURNED OUT RADIOS

Certain radios, [and we see this most frequently in older console radios that have a power transformer], have malfunctioned in the past where a lot of the wiring and components have been fried. This type of radio requires a massive time consuming ( and expensive) rebuild. You are better off buying another radio identical to that one, and letting us bring that one up to par. Again, Our experience is that you would not like the total charges that are necessary to repair/restore that radio.

MODIFIED RADIOS

For whatever reason, we are seeing more and more radios where the circuits have been altered. This requires an enormous amount of time to determine the circuit modifications. It also is a wasteful guessing game. We see a lot of this on low end amateur equipment.

NO MANUFACTURER/MODEL NUMBER

If you cannot provide the manufacturer or model number of a radio, then successful repair is in doubt. I will accept a radio without a manufacturer or model number for repair, but there will be a $50.00 charge for research that is non-refundable. This equivalent to calling an auto dealer and saying "I think I have a ford, but I do not know the model or the year - what is the price to repair?". You would not do that because the dealer will tell you that you bring it in at your own risk. Same here. I have to "know" that I can acquire the schematic for a radio before I accept a radio for repair.

NO EMAIL ADDRESS

This has nothing to do with the Radio, but, is absolutely essential (having an email address). I have tried in the past to work on radios that were sent to me after a phone call discussing the radio and its repair. Usually someone has given the radio owner my phone number. If you do not have an email address, or an email address of someone that can get a message to you, then I probably do not want to work on your radio, In the  process of repair, including questions, authorizations, reporting, and final bill submission - telephone tag makes the process almost unworkable.

COMPLETE DISASTERS - JUNKERS

Some radios have been so abused or neglected that repair simply makes no sense. True, I could bring them back to life, but the cost of doing that far exceeds the cost of acquiring an identical unit on eBay and having me fix that radio. The following two Photographs are of a radio that a customer sent me that was a complete disaster. Do not waste your shipping dollars sending me a radio in this condition.

SUMMARY

We really want to repair your radio. And, we want to do it for a reasonable price. Just check and see if your radio falls into any of the above categories if you can. If we physically receive your radio and you have prepaid for electrolytic repair and the radio turns out to be hopeless (Not worth fixing), we will tell you so right away. Your prepaid electrolytic repair will be credited against return shipping and any difference refunded. In the event that your radio falls into one of the categories above, you are much better off buying an identical unit that does not have those problems. You can usually find them on Ebay.

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