Doug Rose - you are using very strong words with regard to the 302 products sold by Oldphoneworks. We aren't claiming to be offering phones configured exactly as they came from the factory (although that is a value added option.). Our phones are built for the consumer market using original parts and repro cords. When ordering a phone, customers have the option of selecting dial type, trim options, cord color, etc. and the phone price is set by the options selected. We also offer many options not available from the OEM including brass and chrome handset bands on F1handsets, pulse to tone upgrades, and colors never offered by WE in 302s including baby blue, pink and orange. These are all customer options- they aren't something that we do to rip the customer off. personally I like black cloth cords on a black 302. I think they look great, regardless of the fact that WE didn't configure 302s that way). It funny that you say that companies like this will do you no favors. I maintain that OPW bends over backwards to provide flexibility and options that are available no where else in the industry. On top of that, our refurbishing process is amongst the best in the industry.
Clearly Doug, you are a purist when it come to phones, and I can certainly respect that approach to collecting. It's important to remember, however, that phones were continuously upgraded and serviced with new parts while in active use. They were improved with new parts and technology as it developed. Oldphoneworks continues that tradition in the 21st century.
It's nice when you can find a phone with all original parts, and we do offer date matched phones upon request. It is, however, an expensive option given the amount of work that it takes for us to refurbish such a phone to our high standards.
Keep in mind Doug that it it wasn't for companies like Oldphoneworks, there wouldn't be products like new cloth covered cords, pulse to tone converters, reproduction mouthpieces and receivers, etc, available to the collector community.
No reputable company is in business to rip their customers off. They offer products and services, and if the customers like those products and services, the company will prosper. If not, the company will quickly fail. Oldphoneworks has been offering products to consumers and collectors for almost 15 years. We take great pride in our customer service, and our product offerings. Yes, we aren't perfect, but we do try to address our mistakes in the best interest of the customer.
Separate note to tallguy58 and others. OPW would love to give shipping discounts, but shipping already costs us about $1000 more each month that we collect in shipping charges. Shipping from Canada across the border is very expensive. There are sometimes cheaper options (ie - regular mail,) but we can't provide tracking info so we generally don't use them.
Don Woodbury
