THE CLOCK SHOP - MICHAEL G. LAUDI, LAUDI INC., MICHAEL LAUDI, CLOCKSHOPGALLERY.COM Disingenuous, Deceptive Opportunist SACRAMENTO California

After establishing an appointment (5/16/14) for the review for possible service of a disassembled mechanical wall clock that has a personal sentimental value it was concluded by the store owner (Michael Laudi) he could reassemble, repair and/or service the clock.  

The owner estimated the repair at $545.00 and stated "He doesn't usually require a down payment but in case you abandon the clock I'll need a $200.00 deposit".  

I trusted the store owner would provide the service he claimed he could accomplish and I stated to him "I am a novice" and didn't have prior experience for this type of endeavor as it will be a gift for my wife who had this clock in her family for many years".

It was then I instructed the store owner if he cannot fix the clock to inform me of such immediately and asked if it would be ok to call the store periodically to check on the status of the repair which he assured me he would and I could.

After being notified the clock was ready for pick up (6/27/14) I asked if there was a detailed itemization of the service provided.  The employee (Mike #2) said there was not and to hang the clock away from any open ventilation.  The owner was not present to assist me and I paid $345 balance with my debit card.

The clock stopped ticking within a few days and I went through several troubleshooting protocols via telephone with the owner over a period of several days all of which failed. My last telephone message would take another week before it was answered at which point I expressed the troubleshooting and the delay of responding to my last call was frustrating me and that I no longer had enough confidence in the owner being able to satisfy my repair further.  

I was refused a refund of the money paid due to not allowing the owner to take the product back after which he had possession for over a month.

I requested mediation through Angie's List Complaint Resolution (Case #56122) and the Greater Sacramento BBB which all failed.

I took the clock to another clock repiar business claiming the same or more service/business experience as the previous business (40+years), explained the circumstance of my personal goals and the outcome of my experience with The Clock Shop and requested their complete assessment.

It was established by the other business that not only was my clock not repaired but the normal protocol of service charges were exorbitant and that The Clock Shop merely reassembled the clock and did nothing more to it.

This was physically established by the store owner in a demonstration and explanation of various items that were required for the appropriate/typical repair of my clock such as "bushings" that were a requirment but were neglected to be installed.

My conclusion and belief is that The Clock Shop owner, Michael Laudi saw an opportunity to not only price gouge me but humiliate me in the process by not fixing the clock in the first place and blaming "solely" his reasoning for not refunding me was not enabling him to obtain the clock a second time.

Despite all of which was unbeknownst to me it was clear as early as my conversations with the owner of The Clock Shop I was being taken advantage of and wasing willing to risk further by giving it back to him.

That reservation turned out to be correct.