In Time

26.3.19Agreed to pay £180 for renovation of our Becker clock. “I’ll charge you £200 if you want.” Paid £50 deposit. Take up to 6 weeks.21.5.19.8 weeks. Nothing heard. Rang. “I’ve only got one pair of hands.” Start in two weeks.25.6.19.5 weeks. Nothing heard. Rang – ready – collect 29.6.19. (He was available on 27th but I wasn’t free.)29.6.19.Collected clock. Doesn’t accept card or cheque – had to go to cash point.Immediately I got home wound up clock spring without a problem, but when I put the key in the keyhole for the chimes to see if it needed winding, there was a loud bang which I assumed was the spring breaking. No chimes, and clock stopped repeatedly.2.7.19Rang when he was next available. Told him what had happened.He sounded sympathetic but said that he wasn’t “normally insured for springs.” I suspected that this might be a lead–in to saying that he was going to charge me for a spring and perhaps other work, and I said that I would not pay any more than I have.Also that I’d had advice from the Consumer Centre who had said that I should give him opportunity to put it right before taking further action. At this point he lost his temper, said “thank you very much!” sarcastically, and rang off.Took it to shop. His attitude was more reasonable, and he examined it. Said that probably the spring not broken, and problem due to escapement slipping. This meant taking it apart but confident he can fix it5.9.19.9 weeks. Call to say that clock finished. Said I’d collect on next opportunity, Sat 7th.7.9.19.Collected clock. So far has worked satisfactorily, and there are signs of improvement due to the work.Summary:Brusque, unhelpful manner. Had to ring him twice to find out what was happening. Total twenty three weeks, nearly four times as long as maximum. Four visits instead of two. We need another clock renovated but we won’t be using him again.21.9.19.In the two weeks since I collected the clock it's stopped four times. This is the reason that we took it to him in the first place. I'd assumed that he was at least competent, but this is clearly not the case. I've told the jeweller who recommended him about the very poor service, and they won't be recommending him again.24.9.19.This is my last post.Clock mis-chimed. May have been due to having run down, despite my winding it fully four days ago. It’s a seven day clock, and only needed winding weekly before the work was done on it.Given his incompetence there’s no point in trying to get him to put it right - if he was capable of renovating it properly he would have done so in the first place. Given his aggressive attitude, I have no doubt that he would refuse to give a refund.The consumer advice that I was given on 1.7.19. was that before making a small claim through the County Court (which would first involve arbitration) I would have to get evidence from another clock repairer to confirm that the work was not done properly, and then write a formal letter giving him a chance to put it right. Even if I could get such evidence, which I think is very unlikely, it involves too much time, expense, and stress.Do not use this man.5.10.19In case the 5 star rating that has appeared since my last entry makes it seem that my review was too harsh, I would mention that since yesterday I have been trying to find a new clock repairer because the hour hand has now come loose and is not turning.7.10.19Rang another clock repairer who has good reviews online.Friendly, helpful, and clearly expert. He said that the problem with the hour hand is not just due to it slipping on the hub, as I'd assumed - it's a mechanical problem. If it had snapped he could replace it easily, but it will need work inside the clock. Unfortunately he now has a waiting list of two and a half years. He can't recommend anyone else - there are only a few of us." I asked him to put us on the list.Please post here if you know of a good clock repairer."

Everything started well. On the 29th July, 2018, we went in with a 19th Century Portico 4 barley twist clock, which needed cleaning and made good. It was working, but not very well. The owner said that he thought it was worth in excess of £500, and said that for £200, he would clean it and make sure everything was working. He also said it would take about 6 weeks.8 weeks later, we had heard nothing, so we rang him. He said he was having a few problems, but leave it with him.On the 6th October, we called, but he said he was still having problems.On the 10th November (week 15) we called in again, and reminded him that he had had the clock 15 weeks, and that he had never rung us. He said he was still working on it, but could not find the problem.On the 18th Dec, we went in, and after some discussion, we said we would take the clock on the 22nd Dec regardless. His attitude was fine - do what you like. I have spent a lot of time on this clock!" My answer was - you are the expert

Just love grandfather clocks. They have them in abundance in all shapes and sizes.

No longer there

Very helpful and generous with his time definitely recommend 5 stars from me

No longer in business, great shame, NEW In Time has opened in Bobby's on the square Bournemouth different personal but very helpful and friendly