A/V Repair Services Offered
The services here are those that were formally offered by Rich Neels at the BCCLS office. I started helping Rich repair tapes in 2003, and in 2004 I took over the repairs altogether.
What kind of items can I repair?
I can (try) to fix any kind of media that you may have in your library. This includes audio tapes (both screwed together and glued together types), video cassettes, and any type of disc based media (music CDs, computer games, Books on CD, and DVDs)
Effective Repair For...
 | Video Repair | $4.50 |
 | Book on Tape Repair | $3.50 |
 | DVD Cleaning | $5.00 |
 | Blu-ray Cleaning | $5.00 |
 | DVD Cleaning | $5.00 |
 | Music CD Cleaning | $5.00 |
| Book on CD Cleaning | $5.00 |
 | CD ROM Cleaning | $5.00 |
And don't forget these popular video game fomats....Cleaned for just $5.00 each
Other Charges and Services
- Items that are not damaged will incur a $.50 "check" fee
- There is no charge for items that are beyond repair
Is there a charge for parts?
Yes, in some cases.
- If I have to replace an entire shell (the case that the video or audio tape sits in) because it is damaged, there will be an extra charge of $1.50. I will send back the part of the shell that has the title etc on it so that you can label the new shell.
- If I have to replace the "door" on a VHS tape (the plastic flap that covers the magnetic tape at the top) the charge will be $1.50
- Any other small parts that may need to be replaced inside a VHS or audio cassette will incur a charge of $.50.
But Wait!! You can get out of the parts charges!!!
How? By sending spare parts. If you send me discarded or donated VHS and audio tapes, I will give you a credit so that you will not have to pay the parts charge. And what's even better is that this credit is NOT one-for-one. You don't have to send a "parts" tape for every tape you send for repair. Just send the tapes marked FOR PARTS whenever you can and I will waive the parts charge.
How can you send me items for repair?
- Simply wrap them as you normaly would and send them via Velocity (formerly CD&L) to the Franklin Lakes Public Library (#H-1139). On the slip, put Ken Lew in the Attention line so that the package gets right to me. Click here to download and print a copy of the Franklin Lakes Velocity Slip
- If you are not affiliated with a library or are not on the Velocity circuit, please send items by regular mail to the address listed on my contacts page with my name on them. I would strongly recommend that you purchase standard shipping insurance on any mailed items. It's only $1.30 to cover $50 worth of merchandise. I can't be responsible for lost items.
How long will it take to get your items back?
I try to return items on a monthly basis. Taking my work schedule into account, I am usually able to return the items in the first week of the new month. Items sent late in the month may not be fixed in time to be returned the next month.
Rush orders:There will be times when you need an item back quickly because it is new or there are reserves on it. If you send me an item with a please rush note on it, I will get it back to you as soon as I can. There is no extra charge for a rush job.
Can missing items from a set be duplicated?
No. I did duplications in the past, but I have stopped due to copyright issues.
What about payments?
I have copies of vouchers from most BCCLS libraries. If I have one, I will send it with the repaired items. I will fill in my information (Name, address etc) and sign the voucher, and leave it to you to fill in the rest. If I don't send a voucher or the one I send is too old, please send me one when you get a chance.
If you are not affiliated with a library, you can send payment by check or money order.
What happens if something gets lost?
Velocity is good, but they are not perfect. This means that on some rare occasions things go missing. In such cases it is up to your library to file a missing item claim as per the
Velocity agreement. I can't place this sort of claim from my end because I am not a library or a member of Velocity. This hardly ever happens, but it is good info to have.
How can you contact me?
Head on over to the
Contact Info page for that info.
