Is your clock “worth it”, to repair?
I receive this question often.
I believe it is inappropriate for me to advise my customers how, and on what, to spend their money.
So, my answer on whether a clock is “worth it” to repair, is this: it’s completely up to you.
I can tell you this: it’s your clock. It’s your money. And you will repair your clock (or not repair it) for your own reasons.
Reasons to repair could include: family history dating back decades or centuries; sentiment or nostalgia; you’ve inherited it; your father received it 40 or 50 years ago for 25 years’ service at his employer; it was a wedding gift to your great-grandparents in 1912 and you remember it at your grandparents’ house when you were a child; you bought it during your first trip to Germany; your father built it in woodshop when he was in Medford or Somerville (or other) high school in the 1970s; your uncle built it from a kit; it was on your mantel when you grew up; you like antique clocks and have collected a few; etc.
The reasons are yours, and yours alone.
But some repair shops tell customers that this (or that) clock is “junk”, or “not worth repairing”, or “not worth spending your money on”, or not worth their (the shop’s) time, etc.
I have never, and will never, say any such thing.
What I will do, is this: I will diagnose your clock’s troubles, and I will quote the pricing that my shop charges to correct those problems and, on major repairs, to guarantee the work. You may approve, decline, ask follow-up questions, or think about it for a little while, before making a decision.
But the decision as to whether it’s “worth it” to repair a clock or not, is not mine to make. All I do is diagnose problems, suggest the best way to repair, and quote pricing. You will tell me “Yes” or “No”, for reasons that are your own.
If you approve a repair with me, I will be honored and thankful that you chose to hire me. For your money, you will receive top-quality workmanship on repair work that’s done properly, and, on major repairs….my two-year guarantee.
If you decline a repair, I will understand, and I will be thankful for your shop visit and for your inquiry, regardless.
If my services are, or might be of interest, please contact me. I welcome your inquiry.