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Frequently Asked Questions
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Weren't you at one time the Eric W. Idstrom Company? I've broken a piece. What do I do now? Is there anything I should know before I ship my piece to you? How do I pack my item in preparation to ship to you? What happens when you receive my piece? How much do you charge for shipping and handling? What exactly is a restoration? What if there are missing pieces? How much will it cost and how long will it take? How do I care for my restored piece? Do you have any pieces for sale?
If there are any questions we haven't addressed here, feel free to call 352.245.8862 or e-mail Leak Enterprises . Use our contact form if you are currently not at your own e-mail address.
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Weren't you at one time the Eric W. Idstrom Company? Yes. I apprenticed under Mr. Idstrom and worked as a full time artisan with him until he retired in 1991. We then began to transition the company name to Leak Enterprises. The artisans are the same, and the high standards of workmanship set by Mr. Idstrom are still practiced. Basically, we're the same company, only the name has changed.
I've broken a piece. What do I do now? Save every piece you can find. DO NOT try to glue the pieces back together if you intend to have the item restored. We will only have to take it apart and reglue it. This adds to the cost of repair. You can bring the item into our shop, or you can ship it to us. At that time we will give you a free estimate for restoration. Should you decide to have the item restored, we will provide the timeframe for completion, and request a 50% deposit before work begins.
Is there anything I should know before I ship my piece to you? Many people would like to know an estimate for repair before they incur shipping charges for an item that may not be worth repairing. Feel free to e-mail or call us (352.245.8862) with questions of this nature, but be aware, there is no way to give an accurate estimate without having the item in hand. We can issue a ballpark guess based on what is described to us, but we will not be held to that price should there be more to the restoration than was described to us. As a general rule, a simple repair starts at $50. Of course, simple is a very relative term. Every repair has its difficulties, whether it be an odd texture, or intricate pattern, or a difficult color to match. Some repairs may be less: small chips, glue only jobs, etc. But if you don't want to spend at least $50, it's probably best not to send it. See our instructions for packing your piece in the following section.
How do I pack my item in preparation to ship to you? When shipping an item, there are a few things to consider about packing. If you have the original box, by all means, use it. Sometimes, like in the case of some Lladro figurines, they are held in place by the base and head. If a figurine has lost its head, then obviously more care will need to be taken, because the design of the original box is no longer useful. Still pack it in its original box, but take care that it does not move around. In all cases, wrap each broken piece separately, and DOUBLE BOX your item. DO NOT just wrap something in bubblewrap, throw it in a box with packing peanuts and expect it to arrive in the same condition as when you sent it. We see this quite often and the results are not pretty. To double box an item means to put the box that you carefully packed your broken pieces in, and put it into a larger box (at least 2" larger on each side) with packing peanuts. Some people prefer to take their item to a pack and ship type establishment for this task. Whatever you choose, be sure to include your name, address and phone number inside the box, and insure the item.
What happens when you receive my piece? We will assess the damage and provide you with a free estimate for restoration. You will then decide whether to repair the piece or not. If you decide to proceed with restoration, we require a 50% deposit before work begins. The balance, plus shipping and handling, is due upon completion. Your item will be shipped to you upon receipt of the balance. If you decide not to restore your item, and you want it returned to you, shipping and handling charges will apply. These charges are to be paid before the item is returned to you.
How much do you charge for shipping and handling? Very often when people hear the phrase shipping and handling, they think only freight charges. That's only part of the cost. On top of freight charges we have to consider packing material charges, weekly pickup charges from the freight carrier, and the most costly thing, the time it takes to pack an item to stand the rigors of today's conveyor belt shipping hubs. Taking into account all of those things, we've come to a basic fee of $20 for the average box. Extremely fragile items that take more time to pack, oversized boxes, or high insurance items will be charged accordingly.
What do you repair? We specialize in porcelain, ceramics and similar materials. Some of the brands we restore are Lladro, Hummel, Roseville, Weller and like American pottery, Meissen, Boehm, Cybis, Walt Disney Classics, Armani and similar art objects. We are often asked if we can do anything with glass. If glass is broken, the only thing we can do is glue it back together. We cannot hide the break. It will be less obvious once it is glued together, but it will not disappear completely. We can reglue Swarovski Crystal if it has come apart. We appear on Lladro's recommended restorationist list, and we are also recommended by The Hummel Society.
What exactly is a restoration? These are the types of repair that we offer: Complete restoration: A repair that is invisible to the naked eye and under blacklight. Glue only: No attempt is made to disguise the break or damage. The pieces are glued back together, that is all. Glue and touch-up: Same as above, but small chips will be colored so that they are less noticeable. The chips may be filled or unfilled depending on the clients' wishes. We do not repair or restore ANY kind of dinnerware. Try Replacements LTD if you need a piece of china replaced. I've found them to be helpful folks and they have quite an extensive inventory.
Where are you located? We are located in Belleview, FL which is just south of Ocala and approximately an hour north of Orlando. Click here for directions via MapQuest. (please note: if you are coming up Hwy 301 heading north, MapQuest, Google Maps, et al, will tell you to turn left at Babb Rd. You cannot make a left there (No Left Turn). You must turn at the road before it, Campbell Rd. (just before the Sweetbay Supermarket), then right at SE Oak Rd, then left at Babb Rd. See map below).
We are open for pickup and drop off by appointment only. Feel free to call (352) 245-8862 to set up an appointment.
What if there are missing pieces? This is a common occurrence, and while it adds to the expense of the repair, it is by no means a reason to abandon hope of a complete restoration. Our talented artisans will recreate the missing part.
How much will it cost and how long will it take? Cost is based on the extent of the damage and the time it will take to restore the item. It is not based on the intrinsic value of the piece. Because of this, sometimes the cost of restoration exceeds the actual monetary value of an item. We will tell you if this is the case. Sometimes sentimentality plays a part in one's decision about whether to restore or not to restore. The final decision is yours. A free estimate is provided, but shipping and handling charges apply to all returned items. The time involved in an item's journey through the restoration process varies. This type of work is tedious and time consuming and often there is a backlog of work. Because of this backlog, it may take several months from the time we receive an item, to the time it is returned to you. We will give you an estimate of our current timeframe.
Will I get an estimate? If you drop off your item, we will give you an estimate at that time. All estimates are free of charge. If you ship your item to us, we will call or send you a postcard that will inform you of the estimate of repair, the current timeframe for completion, and notify you that a 50% deposit is required before work begins. The balance plus shipping and handling will be due upon completion and your item will be shipped upon receipt of your payment. Shipping and handling applies to all returned items, whether you choose to have them restored or not.
How do I care for my restored piece? All pieces are thoroughly cleaned before restoration. Periodic dusting with a soft brush should be sufficient to keep your piece clean. Do not use abrasives or solvents. Do not display your piece in direct sunlight. Do not put any collectible in the dishwasher, restored or not. (You'd be surprised )
Do you have any pieces for sale? Occasionally we do have restored pieces for purchase. To see what we have, click here.
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