Fixing the IBM 2741

We had an IBM 2741 computer terminal at Tymshare. The 2741 is a Selectric typewriter installed in a stand the size of a small desk. Our 2741 was misbehaving. I had no idea who in Tymshare had ordered the 2741 but I took it upon myself to get it fixed. I supposed that I would have to track the official interface between Tymshare and IBM. I called IBM first, however. The person who answered merely asked “Where is it?”. I gave him the street address and later that afternoon someone from IBM came out and fixed it. I suppose the repair man might have found a serial number somewhere on the terminal and charged it to the “right account” but I rather think that IBM had somehow managed to eliminate the paper-work and merely fix broken 2741’s.