Cuckoo Clock Repair
 

My three year old cuckoo has stopped running: The pendulum only runs for a few minutes then stops. The musical movement operates but sounds like a funeral dirge -really, really slow. The cuckoo works fine -loud and clear.

Has anyone bothered to take their cuckpp clock to a local clockshop for repairs? Did it cost a fortune? My wife really loves this clock which we paid about $300 for. I'm just wondering if it might be more feasible to buy a new one especially if this is a persistent and expensive problem.

You should post this in "the lounge" since it has nothing to do with European travel.

If you are planning a trip to Germany's Black Forest, or perhaps Switzerland, you might want to consider getting a new clock (which would make this thread relevant to the European forum!) although $300 isn't expensive for a top quality cuckoo clock...the really high end, handmade ones (with no plastic parts) can cost much more, into the thousands.
We've had a few fiddly clocks repaired and the bill was not cheap, close to the $300 mark. So...it depends on what's wrong with the clock, how much it would cost to fix it, whether you willing to spend that much, and possibly whether your wife will still like the clock as a piece of woodcraft rather than as a working clock.

Zeus,

I'm about to give some really vague information, which may or may not help.

Several years ago, while on a trip with several other couples, one couple bought an antique cockoo clock in, I think, Vienna. It might have been in Munich.

Whatever, I remember that the shop owner told them that if repairs were necessary, to send it to a company in Connecticut.

We all thought it interesting that they recommended using an American repair company.

I think our friends are out of town right now, but I'll check with them and get the name of the repairman.

By the way, their clock, which is large and beautifully carved, is still is use. I think it requires very frequent winding, though.

Byrd

FYI- cuckoo clocks are made in Europe. When I speak about getting a new one I think a less critical poster would assume I would pick-up a new one overseas.

This question has as much to do with Europe as someone asking for help getting their e-mails.

Let the Fodor's moderator do their job. They'll move the post if it bugs them.

And thank you Fodorites who are willing to help rather than jump down the throat of anyone who violates their personal set of rules.

BTilke - We did buy the clock in the Black Forest. At the time it was one of the mid-range priced ones. Replacing it might cost us much more now with the strength of the Euro and passage of time. The wife loves the tunes it plays and the fact that we only have to rewind every couple days.

Byrd - I would really appreciate your forwarding me the name of the repair shop in CT. Thanks!

Here is a site that lists several repair places in the US
http://www.cuckooclockworld.com/service.htm

I have a cuckoo clock purchased new in Germany about 1970. In about 1995, it stopped running. Took it to my local clock shop, who had many German clocks displayed for sale as well as in for repair.
He said he had to order new innards for it. Cost nearly as much to repair as it had to purchase years before. Stopped running again after about another 12 years and it hangs in place, just not running.

My suggestion was taken as jumping down your throat? Good grief, if you're that sensitive you'll never make it here. Why do you think we have various forums set up? Any other time you would have been flamed for such a posting and my response was in no way mean or rude.

Since the cuckoo part is working, it appears that any clock repair place should be able to fix your clock, since all classic clocks are the same inside.

I agree with kerouac. I'd just get an estimate from a clock repair shop and decide if it's worth it (to you) to fix. It may just need cleaning.

And I agree there's often a fuzzy line between the various forums.

Now I remember why I haven't visited these forums in a couple of years.....