Having been silent on typewriter talk for 18 months or so, I have bought and sold many typewriters. My process starting ten years ago was to find the ideal typewriter for my usage. I ended up with many of course. All of which I shall post here, but in the meantime, my favourite all purpose machine is the Hermes 2000, mine from 1956.

Oh, the address:https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/2384/6833/files/Hermes_2000_Typewriter_instructions_Manual.pdf?8738345546004849702

Hi Robmck, I wonder if you have solved your issue. I recently restored a 2000, and it is now my favourite typer of the 14 permanent keepers I have. When I rescued it, it had the same problem, and it turned out in my case to be the lightning margin. The following address will get you the PDF of the user manual. The margins are explained within.
Kind regards,
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mmm... It's an interesting discussion, it seems to me that the availability and pricing of typewriters is a localised phenomenon. In little ol' Perth Western Australia, middle men are not a direct influence, but indeed, the influence is pervasive. I have viewed and purchased machines which have been damaged, one particularly which had been dropped, a carriage shift Adler Tippa. The damage was so extensive, I couldn't remove the cover. After some wrestling with one of the seller's screwdrivers, I managed to open it. A long story short, the very pleasant and well to do lady had advertised according to inflated prices seen on ebay. Eventually without my haggling, she sold me two machines for the price of one. I made the purchase because I wanted the Adler as it had cursive script. So yes, elevated prices are a pervasive factor.

Conversely, recently I answered an ad which offered an Olivetti 32 for AUD1. I asked if he was selling it, and upon his confirmation, he asked me to offer a price. I said it was in my interest to offer him AUD5, and that would not be right, so I couldn't. He said: "Okay, what about $20?" I jumped at it, and because I had a meeting that day, limiting my ability to travel that day, he offered and indeed did deliver it the next day. It turned out to be in pristine new condition, a 1974 Lettera 32 from Spain. A very pleasant chap, and a thoroughly pleasant experience.

So in short it all depends on the local market.

Incidentally, I have kept the machine, as it is Elite, and I have given my 1967 Lettera 32 (Italy) to an old friend, as it was a Pica, which I do not prefer.

As it happens, I could be judged as an undesirable chap repairing and selling but for two factors. Firstly, my quest was to find the ideal portable and the ideal standard for me to cherish and use (which I have completed). Secondly, I do not profit from the machines, they go for about AUD50 - AUD70, even after a clean and repair. Overall, I have simply broken even.
 
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