Robert D McLaughlin Sr Clocks & Rocks Failed antique clock repair, excessive repair time and high cost Stratham New Hampshire

I took my antique Vienna Reg Westminster Chime Clock to Robert McLaughlin, Master Clock Maker, for repair of the broken time spring on 6 January 2015. He estimated the repair cost to be between $405 and $495 and a completion time of 10 weeks.

The clock was given to me by a friend in Germany about 20 years ago and ran beautifully all this time.

I did not hear from Robert after 10 weeks and called. He had not even looked at the clock due to problems with his septic system and roof leaks. He said to call him again in a few weeks. Thereafter I called every month but he seemed to run into one problem after another both with his home and with the clock.

Eventually on 21 July, six months later, I could finally pick it up, but it would no longer chime the hours most of the time. To add insult to injury he also charged $598, more than $100 over his highest estimate. Therefore I seriously question his expertise in clock repair and want to spare others the same experience.