An unfortunate group which is a very small percent of clocks shoppers, but probably have 90% of any “bad” experiences that are out there are customers whom really have not given any thought to what they have ordered or why they are ordering it.  ALSO, many clock shoppers tell us they were first lured by cheap clocks, e.g. grandfather clocks, they in some major mass market retailers, only later to realize the cases were made of plastic and the mechanisms were anything but special.

What this means is that there is a small but unfortunate group of buyers out there who in effect impulse buy, only to realize later that what they purchased is not what they want.

Among the key steps we recommend are looking at the overall brand image, quality, and reliability.  Then look at the case and make sure that is what you want.  Then there is a decision about whether to have a mechanical movement or a quartz movement, each with varying pros and cons (more on this in a future post).  A Home Decor or Office Decor fit is a must.  And the chiming sound should be welcome in the place where the clock finds its new home.

Finally, looking carefully at the warranty offered by the Manufacturer, and making sure that the Manufacturer is “real” and will stand behind their product, can make all the difference in the world!

Howard Miller Reading Time Table Clock    Model 645-421

With the addition of Schubert’s Ode to Joy and Beethoven’s Ave Maria Chimes, one will soon be able to listen to most all of the clocks chimes currently available.  These two newest clocks chimes add to the historically more famous, or at least utilized, chimes, which are the Westminster Chimes, St Michaels Chimes and the Whittngton Chimes.

It is worth noting that almost all of the quartz clocks playing either of these chimes give the Customer an opportunity to have not only the more traditional Chimes noted above, BUT ALSO to listen to the Ave Maria and Ode to Joy Chines on each quarter of every hour vs. hour only, which is the way Grandfather Clocks play these two newly added chimes all the time (currently, at least).  Take a look at several of the Howard Miller Grandfather Clocks to hear the different chimes.

Howard Miller Clocks and Ridgeway Clocks, in particular, offer many clocks with the Ave Maria Chimes (frequently in concert with the Westminster Chimes) and Ode to Joy Chimes.  Look around, listen, and enjoy!

OK, so I think I am an expert on clocks and time. I advise people in Companies on how to adapt their time systems to changes in Daylight Savings Time, and it has even become slightly complicated, perhaps even requiring a so-called expert, or so I might have called myself before today. A good chunk of the last week was devoted to the History of Daylight Savings Time, helping our corporate and individual customers know what to expect and why, and how it might even affect their own networks and employee time tracking system. Even owners of grandfather clocks wanted advice. We shared that these most recent changes came about as a result of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 signed by President George W Bush. We pointed to some of the unanticipated problems that occurred last week and that might be expected to happen this weekend. And how it could extend to every timekeeping gagdet of the numerous variety that exist in today’s world.

We even addressed energy savings, worker productivity, and even had the opportunity to put in a common public safety plug recommending battery changes to smoke detectors with each of the 2 changes in daylight savings time each year. Motherhood and apple pie.

We knew and spoke of software companies that were busily at work sending out last minute patches.

Well, talk about the emperor having no clothes, or in this case no clock or no telephone either. My telephone-pda-internet connection all-in-one-device, my umbilical chord to the working world at large, would not even turn on today. And guess what, the patch that was sent and had been applied didn’t help one iota! No time, no email, no internet connection, no nothing!

So much for good planning. My carrier-supplier shall remain nameless. Perhaps I’ll have better luck next time! If this does happen again, 1-800-4CLOCKS may feel compelled to name names. But I think because of the extra hour of sleep I got, I am feeling a little more relaxed and in a better frame of mind.