by Bernie Weishapl » Fri Jul 22, 2016 6:00 am
Same problem here. I don't have a clockmaker within 250 miles radius of here. Tried to get a couple of young men involved but one lasted 2 days and the other 4 days. There is no interest in antiques and collectables at all. I got out of watch repair because of my eyes but when I was fixing them 90% of what I did were old pocket watches that grandpa had and a few womens watches that grandma had. Newer watches most of the time you give them a estimate and I got the excuse I can buy a new one at walmart for half your repair cost. So they toss them and buy new. I have about 70 clocks I have bought at garage sales and auctions over the last 30 some years and can't hardly give them away. For example I bought a kitchen clock at a auction they couldn't even get a $10 bid on. I gave $5 for it, repaired the movement and case. Looked great when I was done. I started at $225 and it has sat for a couple of years so reduced the price several times which it is now $125 and still not sold. Clocks here have taken a nose dive as far as sales go but the repair business is still pretty strong especially among the older generation who still value these old relics from yesteryear.
Bernie