Why won't JFK Clock Repair answer "parts" inquiries, and requests for "free help" ?

JFK Clock Repair formerly received several inquiries per week from people fixing their own clocks (or those of others), who wanted "free repair advice" or to buy new or used "parts" for their repairs. Such inquiries were generally from clock repair "hobbyists", and even from other clock shops.

Each inquiry was answered as a courtesy and for free, sometimes in great detail, and often requiring considerable time to answer. On average I was spending 10 hours per week answering inquiries (that's about 1-1/2 hours per day, every day).

As time passed, more requests for "free help" came in. By answering every inquiry that arrived, my website had become a de facto "free online help service". It was taking such a toll on my time, that I had to decide if I was in the "clock repair business", or the "free information business". I decided that I was in the CLOCK REPAIR business. Thus the "free help" that was given in the past for clock “hobbyists” and other repair shops, is no longer available from me. There are simply not enough hours in the week. I wish there were, but there are not.

Like Salvatore Tessio (actor Abe Vigoda) said at the end of the movie The Godfather, "It's just business" (nothing personal). I understand and praise your desire to learn, and wish you the BEST of success in your clock repair project, hobby, or business, and would gladly answer all inquires, as a courtesy and for free, if someone would just provide me with 10-20 extra hours per week during which I could do so.  Since nobody’s issuing me “more time per week”, I must ask that you please search elsewhere for the "parts" you need, and for the "free help". It is abundant. In fact the Internet is filled with clock "chat rooms" and "lists" where dozens, hundreds, or thousands of clock repairers or shops “lurk”, and many will answer questions after you post them.

Need old or "used" parts? Try www.ebay.com for what you need.

Want to learn clock repair? Basic and advanced clock repair books and videos, as well as repair tools and parts, are available at www.merritts.com.

For research, historical, and repair questions, the archives at http://www.nawcc-mb.com/bbv2/ may be helpful. The Yahoo Group “Clocksmiths” is also a very popular forum for the clock repairer: http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/Clocksmiths/ 

Thank you for finding my website, for your understanding, and for your business.
- - John Kurdzionak

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