It pays to shop, and to do a little home work. You will get your best value and best service by buying from a clock shop in your neighborhood. You will want to talk to the people, look at their showroom, and find out how long they have been in business. It is easy to find out what kind of reputation a clock shop has by talking to your friends. If a shop has a bad reputation, it does not take long for everyone in the town to know about it. You can also contact the clock factories for a list of their authorized dealers. Click here for information about online clock scams.

return to top Is it possible to service my clock myself?

There is no quick answer to this question. Without knowing what your mechanical ability is, we can only recommend that your clock be serviced by a professional. However, there are many people that do service their own clocks. Sometimes they do just fine, but sometimes it is necessary to correct some of the things that they did. It requires years of training and experience to become a good clockmaker, and there are special oils, and cleaners that are used. You can refer to How to Removing My Clock Mechanism or How to " Oil the Clock Mechanism". This will give you an idea of what you could do in your home to service your clock, but if you can take your clock to a clock shop for service, the service would be much more extensive, and the cleaning would be done with ultra sonic cleaners.

return to top How do I find a good clock service & repair shop?

First you can check with your friends, family or neighbors. If someone has found a clock repair shop that they like, they are happy to tell you about it.

You can also go to the websites for the major clockmakers where thay list their Authorized Clock Service Centers by zip code.

For Howard Miller clock service, click here.

National Clock Shop Directory

return to top When did they first start making clocks?

There are many books that deal with the history of clocks, and the early ways that men tried to keep tract of time. Click here for some of that information about the History Of Clocks.

return to top What does Authorized Dealer or Authorized Service mean?

Authorized dealer means that the factory recognizes the dealer as one of their dealers, and that dealer buys direct from the factory. The advantage is that all factory warranties apply at any authorized warranty service center. Another advantage is that you know that you are receiving factory fresh merchandise. There are two kinds of dealers; authorized dealers, and gray market dealers. Sometimes a dealer will offer a product or brand name in his advertising for the prestige or respectability that name will add to his establishment. When a gray market dealer sells an item that he is not authorized to sell, he must buy it from another shop that is an authorized dealer. As a rule, the only way that an authorized dealer will offer merchandise to a gray market dealer is if he has old, freight damaged, or unpopular merchandise he wants to get rid of but does not want to sell it to one of his own customers. When you buy an item from a gray market dealer, it is technically second-hand merchandise, and factories do not recognize gray market dealer warranties.

Authorized Dealers for Howard Miller Clocks.

Authoirized Service means that the factory has requested documentation, and other proof as to the qualifications, experience, and reputation of a service center. Only after the service center has proved to the factory's satisfaction that they are qualified to meet the manufacturer's standards will the factory grant the "Authorized Service Center" designation. This certification process must be repeated for every manufacturer individually,as the service requirements and training vary by brand.

Authorized Service Centers for Howard Miller Clocks.

return to top Buying online vs. buying from your local clock shop?

You will almost always find the best buy, your best service and the nicest clock by actually going to a clock shop and dealing with them in person. When a clock sales person can deal with you eye to eye he has options that he does not have online. Clock Shops can have in store sales that they don't put online, and when you buy from your local shop, they deliver it and set it up for you. When you buy from your local clock shop if you should ever have a problem with your clock, you have a local person to deal with. But even more importantly you can see that actual clock that you are going to receive, it is more fun when you buy a clock off of a showroom instead of a web page, and you get to hear what your clock will sound like. Your local shop can be just as competitive as they are online, but more than just the price, he can give you service that you can't get online.

There are big clock websites that look great when you see them on your computer screen but you have no way of knowing what their store is like in many cases because they don't list a showroom street address, and in many cases that wonderful website is actually out of the back of a truck, or someones garage. There are also online clock scams so you need to be careful when you buy online.

If you buy a clock online just because you saved a few dollers, but when you receive it, it is a less expensive clock than you ordered, is a customer return, or you don't get your clock at all, you really didn't save any money.

The bottom line is this: You will be better served by going to your local shop, finding the clock you want, talking nice to the sales people, getting the price you want, having them deliver and set it up for you, having a great relationship with the clock shop you bought your clock from, and enjoying your clock for the rest of your life.