Two-Year GUARANTEE
History
In the late 1990s and early 2000s, when I was managing the clock repair department at The Watchmaker in Stoneham MA, and when I was in the initial stages of giving consideration to opening my own repair shop (which, in 2006, became JFK Clock Repair), I began offering my private customers a two-year guarantee on my work. The motivation was this: at the time, The Watchmaker offered a one-year guarantee. Other shops offered guarantees that ranged from 90 days to 1 year. Hobbyists and tinkerers offered no guarantee, or, at most, about 90 days. I wanted to prove that I stood behind my work with the best guarantee that was at the time, available. That’s where my “Two Year Guarantee” began. At the time, no other shop near Boston offered anything like it.
I began the “two-year guarantee”, and I still offer it today.
The Basics
Problems with complete mechanical rebuilds (overhauls) done by JFK, or with new mechanisms installed by JFK, are rare. In fact, during the guarantee period, you will probably never have any problem with a clock that was fully-rebuilt by (or that had a new mechanism installed by) JFK.
But if there is a problem…
JFK Clock Repair guarantees all major clock repairs (overhauls; complete mechanical rebuilds), and new clock mechanisms, for two years. The guarantee covers labor and parts. (For grandfather or tall clocks, the guarantee also covers the necessary house calls).
If an overhauled clock fails to run properly during the 2-year guarantee, the cause of the problem will be determined, and the clock repaired at no cost to you.
Minor repairs, adjustments, etc. are not guaranteed.
The Fine Print:
There is some fine print. It is this:
- No refunds are given.
If a repaired clock that is subject to JFK’s two-year guarantee fails to run properly during the 2-year guarantee, JFK will cheerfully remedy the matter as outlined above. But such situation shall not be considered the basis of a refund request.
Exclusions
There are some exclusions. The guarantee does not cover:
- Clocks that only had minor repairs, adjustments done
- Battery changes
- Battery leaks (when a dead battery’s chemicals leak out)
- Suspension spring damage (caused by handling the pendulum roughly, or moving the clock with the pendulum attached)
- Stop pin or chime cam damage (caused by moving the hands while the clock is chiming or cuckooing)
- Chime selector lever damage (caused by moving the chime selector lever(s) while the clock is chiming)
- Chain or ratchet damage (caused by physically pulling down on clock’s weights directly; this can stretch the chains and damage internal components). Only pull the loose end of a chain, to raise a clock’s weight. Never pull down directly on the weight itself!
- Future adjustments for timekeeping
- Any trauma to the clock that is beyond the control of JFK (falling off of a wall or shelf; being tipped over; water damage, rust, fire/smoke, repair attempts by others, etc.).
The guarantee will be void, and JFK will not provide a free repair, if the clock has been abused, misused, oiled, sprayed with a lubricant such as “WD-40” or similar, or if the clock has been tampered with in any way or if another person or shop attempts a repair, adds oil, lubricant, or “cleaner”, or manipulates the clock in any way.
Cautions
Well-meaning family, friends, or neighbors who have read a book or watched a YouTube video about clock repair; or a “know-it-all” spouse who can fix anything; or “tinkerers” and “handy” types; or “engineers” who think that they “know everything” …. are generally your clock’s most serious “guarantee voiders”.
If you have a problem with a JFK-repaired clock that was guaranteed, or if you think you might have a problem with your JFK-repaired (and guaranteed) clock …. please contact me or return it for an evaluation. It’s that simple. I am happy to look at it, and subject to the items listed above, I will take care of it for free whilst it is under guarantee.
Final Caution
Benevolent repair attempt(s) by:
- Your neighbor who has tools and a workshop.
- Your friend or relative who tells you how “easy” clock repair is.
- Someone who tells you that it’s “a hassle to return the clock to JFK”, and that he’ll “save you from having to spend the time and effort of a return trip to JFK”).
- Your “know-it-all husband”.
- That “electrical engineer” in your family who’s confident that he’s an expert at absolutely everything.
…. might cause damage which causes JFK to void the clock’s guarantee.
Simply contact me if you feel there is a problem (and keep all others well-away from your clock) …. and I will cheerfully remedy any problems that occur within the guarantee period.
Thank you for your confidence.