Clock Selling??

[kmmcrafts]

If you was to sell small clocks with the mini insert fit-ups..

Would you?

1) ship them to the customer with the clock inserted into the wood 

2) leave the clock loose 

3) insert the clock and have it set for the time zone where it's being mailed..

4) insert the clock without starting it so they need to remove it and set the time etc..

 

I've contemplated this for years.. and have always just inserted the clock un-started.. send the instruction papers etc with a small set of typed instructions on how to remove the clock and start it etc.. But wonder if I should do one of the other options above..

[tomsteve]

yes.

if it aint broke, dont fix it.

[woodknots]

That's what I do when I ship one.

[orangeman]

#3

[dgman]

I've always sent them with the insert installed, not set with the battery installed but not activated, mailed with the instruction sheet that comes with the clock insert.

[kmmcrafts]

2 hours ago, tomsteve said:

yes.

if it aint broke, dont fix it.

I guess I don't understand that one.. Noting is broke.. I'm talking about clocks and how to best ship them.. 

[kmmcrafts]

1 hour ago, woodknots said:

That's what I do when I ship one.

What's what you do when you ship them, LOL all the above ? LOL    I'm guessing you mean what I mentioned I do in the last sentence? 

[trackman]

“If it isn’t broke don’t fix it” is an old saying meaning if something is working for you there isn’t a need to change anything. 

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

Kevin you know this is one of my primary forms of scrolling and selling and I make hundreds of different clocks over the years and still do. When I do a craft show it is alot easier to deal with what you are asking because the person is in front of you. I always change the battery right there for them to a fresh battery. These are so cheap it is a no brainer. When you buy in bulk and from China such as you did they usually send batteries separately or have the plastic tab to keep the stem out so the clock is not running. They use to include a small piece of paper for each clock insert that had instructions on it to change the time. I always attach that along with a short message as to how to get the insert out of the clock on the bottom of each base and if the clock has no base I include it attached to my business card. I have shown a photo of this set-up. At the show I show the person what I am doing so they have an idea and if it is a gift I also tell them of the instructions. Now when at a show I can see a clock is running when I installed but things do happen and I give all customers a lifetime guarantee for replacement if it stops working. I do this also when sending clocks. These instructions are included on the sales receipt I send with them. Not sure if dealers are still sending those pieces of paper but I just make copies if I do not have them. I always set the time for what time zone if sending and if selling at show. 

Now for larger clocks I also include a battery because these are just alkaline batteries and there is no law against sending them in the mail (that I am aware of). I wrap the battery in bubble wrap separately and do not install it because you do not want the hands moving and probably the battery will fall out anyway. But if need be I again include instructions on installing battery and what type is needed. Again on sales receipt or on base. I always ship fresh batteries. Again small expense. Been doing this for over 35 years since I got into this. I do not sell on line so I do not do that volume of sales as you do. My sales are mainly at shows. But always have gotten custom orders and still do. But one thing I do is when I get a sale to send, I right away pull an insert or clock motor and run it for a few days to make sure it keeps time before sending. In your case you do not use as many different inserts as I do so it maybe wise to have some running all the time so you can install one that you know is working well. The motors in these clocks are not as reliable as they once were. Better to know a motor is running well before shipping. Simple things like that can hurt a business. 

[Rockytime]

JT, you make some great looking clocks.

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

44 minutes ago, Rockytime said:

JT, you make some great looking clocks.

Thank you sir. I wish I had taken photos of all the clocks I have made over the years and been able to show them all. I use to work for Steebar  the clock insert business, scrollsawing and pen making (was not when I did work for them) supplier back in the day when the original owner had the business. His main business at that time was clock inserts and motors and he sold the best of the best. I use to design projects for displaying his inserts so many of the patterns that are still there are mine. I sold him the rights to them. I also use to work with John Nelson the pattern designer. He would design patterns and I would do the test run and tweak if need be.  The owner passed away and the new owner really did not keep up in good graces with the business so I left and he has had many complaints over the years. It is too bad because it was a good company to buy from. 

[tomsteve]

6 hours ago, kmmcrafts said:

I guess I don't understand that one.. Noting is broke.. I'm talking about clocks and how to best ship them.. 

welp, ya said

." and have always just inserted the clock un-started.. send the instruction papers etc with a small set of typed instructions on how to remove the clock and start it etc."

 

is there something broke with the process? customer complaints?

[kmmcrafts]

3 hours ago, JTTHECLOCKMAN said:

Kevin you know this is one of my primary forms of scrolling and selling and I make hundreds of different clocks over the years and still do. When I do a craft show it is alot easier to deal with what you are asking because the person is in front of you. I always change the battery right there for them to a fresh battery. These are so cheap it is a no brainer. When you buy in bulk and from China such as you did they usually send batteries separately or have the plastic tab to keep the stem out so the clock is not running. They use to include a small piece of paper for each clock insert that had instructions on it to change the time. I always attach that along with a short message as to how to get the insert out of the clock on the bottom of each base and if the clock has no base I include it attached to my business card. I have shown a photo of this set-up. At the show I show the person what I am doing so they have an idea and if it is a gift I also tell them of the instructions. Now when at a show I can see a clock is running when I installed but things do happen and I give all customers a lifetime guarantee for replacement if it stops working. I do this also when sending clocks. These instructions are included on the sales receipt I send with them. Not sure if dealers are still sending those pieces of paper but I just make copies if I do not have them. I always set the time for what time zone if sending and if selling at show. 

Now for larger clocks I also include a battery because these are just alkaline batteries and there is no law against sending them in the mail (that I am aware of). I wrap the battery in bubble wrap separately and do not install it because you do not want the hands moving and probably the battery will fall out anyway. But if need be I again include instructions on installing battery and what type is needed. Again on sales receipt or on base. I always ship fresh batteries. Again small expense. Been doing this for over 35 years since I got into this. I do not sell on line so I do not do that volume of sales as you do. My sales are mainly at shows. But always have gotten custom orders and still do. But one thing I do is when I get a sale to send, I right away pull an insert or clock motor and run it for a few days to make sure it keeps time before sending. In your case you do not use as many different inserts as I do so it maybe wise to have some running all the time so you can install one that you know is working well. The motors in these clocks are not as reliable as they once were. Better to know a motor is running well before shipping. Simple things like that can hurt a business. 

Thanks JT. 

Beautiful clocks you made!

How did you attach the papers to the bottom of the clocks? Since I use beeswax and mineral oil for the finish I'm thinking stickers and tape etc would probably not stick.. 

[kmmcrafts]

49 minutes ago, tomsteve said:

welp, ya said

." and have always just inserted the clock un-started.. send the instruction papers etc with a small set of typed instructions on how to remove the clock and start it etc."

 

is there something broke with the process? customer complaints?

Nothing wrong with the process.. how I've done it for the last 10 years. but I did have one customer complaint about it being very hard to get the clock out to set it up.. BUT.. this was a older lady with arthritis.. she actually broke the woodwork piece trying to get it out.. This was  few years ago.. and I obviously sent a free replacement and set it up for her before I sent it in the mail...  but I often wondered if there might be a better way.... I don't like the idea of setting it up before I ship it out. simply because the customer ( I figure) would throw away the instructions etc and not have a clue how to get the clock out for changing battery or setting time.. If they have the paper and have to set it the first time.. They should sort of have a clue what to do later down the road when the time comes for the battery etc..

I might look into seeing about having a sticker with the instructions etc on the bottom as JT did.. with the battery number too.. 

Nothing wrong with y current system.. but if I can improve it then that is a good thing..   

[Travis]

I'm not sure how you assemble the clocks, but I wonder if you drill a smaller hole that goes all the way through.  Maybe 1/2" or 3/4" wide.  That way a person can simply push a pencil through the back of the piece to pop out the clock.  Might be a nice way for your customer to easily pop out the clock for battery changing or resetting.

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

4 hours ago, kmmcrafts said:

Thanks JT. 

Beautiful clocks you made!

How did you attach the papers to the bottom of the clocks? Since I use beeswax and mineral oil for the finish I'm thinking stickers and tape etc would probably not stick.. 

Kevin just about all my projects are dipped in Watco Danish oil and let dry then I buff with Watco satin polish. This gives them a nice warm glow and feel as these that I have show were. I have been sticking those things on with scotch tape and never had a problem. Being on the bottom they do not get played with or touched much at all. As you see I also place felt dots to keep the clock bases from scratching furniture or anything and also helps keep that paper off the base to prevent from rubbing.  As you said the instructions probably will get tossed but that is why I try to keep with the clock. If they are small clocks and people have a hard time getting them out they could take to a watch dealer and have them change the battery or ask a younger person to do them. The 2-3/4" inserts are also push in inserts. I do not like leaving a hole in the back if the project can accept the full depth of a clock insert. Sometimes you have no choice. Here is an example of that. The billiard ball clocks and also the golf ball for this golfer's clock. You do not want holes in the back of these.

Edited February 12, 2018 by JTTHECLOCKMAN

[CharleyL]

I always set them for the time zone where they will be going, so the time is correct on the clock when they open the package. I include instructions about how to replace the battery and set the clock too, but they don't need to do this when they first receive it.

 

[woodknots]

On 2/11/2018 at 11:19 AM, kmmcrafts said:

What's what you do when you ship them, LOL all the above ? LOL    I'm guessing you mean what I mentioned I do in the last sentence? 

Yes meaning I ship them like you do. I send unset and with instructions on how to get them set ,

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

44 minutes ago, woodknots said:

Yes meaning I ship them like you do. I send unset and with instructions on how to get them set ,

Not sure why you want to send unset. You need to at least try the insert to make sure it keeps good time in my opinion. At least set it to your time and if they live in a different time zone then they can adjust. The insert is the whole clock. That is what they are buying mainly. I have had bad inserts and as I mentioned today they are not as reliable as they once were. especially the China ones. 

Edited February 13, 2018 by JTTHECLOCKMAN

[kmmcrafts]

2 hours ago, JTTHECLOCKMAN said:

Not sure why you want to send unset. You need to at least try the insert to make sure it keeps good time in my opinion. At least set it to your time and if they live in a different time zone then they can adjust. The insert is the whole clock. That is what they are buying mainly. I have had bad inserts and as I mentioned today they are not as reliable as they once were. especially the China ones. 

I've yet had any complaints about the smaller inserts.. While yes.. I do test each one.. once an order comes in.. I set aside the clocks I'll be using and activate them for a day or so while I'm making the item in the shop.. I've yet to find a bad one. But.. I do order the best motors and clocks I can get.. That said.. I have had the bigger inserts test bad.. as well as even after I send one out.. after my testing of the clock.. have had customers complain.. I just send them another insert..

I like making the customer set up the clock so they somewhat have an idea of how to do so the next time it needs set or a battery change.. Like I said.. they throw out the paper or loose it by the time the battery goes dead.. I am however looking into attaching the instructions to the bottom s you have done.. Which is also why I asked what others do.. Even with the instructions.. I'll most likely leave the time setting to the customer... Also not sure how good for the clock it would be to have it running while getting bumped around etc during transit to it's destination.. Many customers are buying a few months out in advance too.. so the battery is just wasting away for nothing.. That said, LOL Most customers buy it today and want it delivered last week LOL..  

 

I guess everyone has a different method and reasoning to their method.. Not really a right or wrong way of doing it I suppose... I've only had the one complaint from the older lady.. so I balk it up as "you can't do it right for everyone every time" Had I set it up for her in the first place.. I'd have never had the complaint until a year or better when the battery dies.. and I'd rather make it right for her now than later.. I've sold a couple thousand of these over the couple of years.. and only the one complaint.

Edited February 13, 2018 by kmmcrafts

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

Kevin I understand but those batteries last for over a year and by the time they have to reset or change a battery they forgot anyway. I have a few inserts that did not work from the get go. The flag ones are some of the worst. I can only find them through Wildwood and I use many of these. Can not find the blue flag ones any more. Only the white background. I ordered some of the 2-3/4" from Wildwood and the whole desig was changed and do not fit in my projects like the others use to. I buy 2"  also. I use so many in my military clocks. I have asked here as well as other forums as to a source for some of the inserts I use but have come up empty. getting tougher to find my inserts. 

[woodknots]

On 2/13/2018 at 12:01 PM, JTTHECLOCKMAN said:

Not sure why you want to send unset. You need to at least try the insert to make sure it keeps good time in my opinion. At least set it to your time and if they live in a different time zone then they can adjust. The insert is the whole clock. That is what they are buying mainly. I have had bad inserts and as I mentioned today they are not as reliable as they once were. especially the China ones. 

I didn't say I didn't check to see if it worked or not. but way to assume you know what i mean and don't mean from one word. have a great day if you want.

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

8 hours ago, woodknots said:

I didn't say I didn't check to see if it worked or not. but way to assume you know what i mean and don't mean from one word. have a great day if you want.

You too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Edited February 16, 2018 by JTTHECLOCKMAN

[JimErn]

Arrg

JT, your pic of the golf ball clock got me interested.

So. I make an impromptu jig to hold the ball, and chuck a 1 3/8 forester bit in the drill press, all is going fine, until, around 1/4 inch in ...

pieces of rubber bands start pouring out, along with the rest of the core

So my question if you don't mind, are you filling the golf ball with something, if so with what?

I was using a titleist 3, surely all golf balls are made basically the same?

Surprised me to no end, ROFL

[MrsN]

All golf balls are not the same. Some have rubber band how things, like you discovered, but others have a more sollid rubber/plastic core. Some have a few different materials inside.