Two-Year GUARANTEE
In the Boston/eastern Massachusetts/southern New England area(s), I invented the clock repair “two-year guarantee” nearly 30 years ago.
I still offer it.
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.
At the time, The Watchmaker (my employer) offered a one-year guarantee on its work. Other clock shops offered guarantees that ranged from 90 days to 1 year.
Hobbyists and “tinkerers” generally offered no guarantee at all, but some offered, at most, from about 30 to about 90 days. Nothing more.
I wanted to show the public that I was willing to stand behind my work with the best guarantee that was available. So I did so, and it was this: Two years.
At the time, this duration of coverage was unheard-of…. no other shop near Boston, or in eastern Massachusetts/southern New England offered anything like it.
And few others, if any at all, do so today.
I’m still offering it.
How does it work?
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(s) 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, “jump starts”, setup of an older clock after moving, 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 oiling, minor repairs, setups/startups, “jump starts”, or adjustments done
- Battery changes
- Battery leaks (when a dead battery’s chemicals leak out, and corrode the battery contacts)
- 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.).
- Any non-JFK service or service attempts, including oiling; being “sprayed” with oil or penetrating lubricant, WD-40, silicone spray, etc.
- Clocks repaired (and guaranteed) by JFK, but taken to another shop before their return to JFK
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, silicone spray, lubricant, graphite, any type of “cleaner”, or if he or she 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”. Do not let these persons or places VOID your JFK guarantee!
Assurances
If you have a problem with a JFK-repaired clock that is/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 (!)
Repair attempt(s) by ANYONE other than me (JFK), including:
- Another clock shop
- 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 “if it’s a hassle for you to return the clock to JFK, he’ll take care of it so that you don’t have to spend the time and effort going all the way back to JFK”.
- Your “know-it-all husband”.
- That “electrical engineer” in your family, who’s confident that he’s an expert at absolutely everything…. and who might even tell you that he knows more about clock repair than I do….
will be cause for JFK to void your 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 trust and confidence.