11-22-2020
06:33 AM
- last edited on
11-22-2020
08:13 AM
by
kh-stanley1
Vintage Baby Ben Westclox Wind Up Alarm Clock WORKS/ -
A most preposterous and frustrating encounter
Being a long time member I trade actively, purchased a baby ben with an inherent defect n asked for refund, seller turned a blind eye n maintained clock working, what happened was one morning I turned the winder key inadvertently clockwise n caused a sprung spring, I sought redress from seller, got the clock for a few days only yet seller without heeding hard facts maintained I’d the clock for 30 days n now seeking a refund because I broke it, I never did, I never overwound the clock, most absurd as for a normal clock rotating the winder key in the wrong direction would only loosen the key but never sprung spring, both frustrated n annoyed, seller not listening n asked me ‘to move on’ maintained clock in perfect condition despite repeated requests , helpless n frustrated but stilI wish others to know how unfortunate I have been, it was a real nightmare!
Solved! Go to Best Answer
11-22-2020 07:38 AM
Thanks. I still consider that’s not fair no matter the value of the clock. The reverse turning of the winder key should only loosen the key but not sprung spring otherwise how is one able to remove the key from the shell for repair. Moreover the reply from the seller twisted all facts n said I have been in possession for 30 days when in fact only got it for a few days . I opine the sale attitude is more important than the clock itself no matter the value which is sadly lacking in this case. I bought another similar item (brown) with the same phenomenon n the seller there hastened to give me the refund n was also so apologetic, I was so pleased that at least I met one who was given to understandability n was so communicable n mindful to being so! I will definitely trade with her again should an item I like crops up again. Tkx for viewing my ‘manifesto’ thou we might share different beliefs. Have a good time n stay safe!!
11-22-2020 06:40 AM - edited 11-22-2020 06:45 AM
@nelsoka_0 wrote:
A most preposterous and frustrating encounter
... one morning I turned the winder key inadvertently clockwise n caused a sprung spring...
You broke the clock. It doesn't matter what you consider to be the effect on a "normal" clock (whatever that is) of your action. You broke the clock. I hope you can get it repaired at a reasonable price, so you can enjoy it, although these were never expensive clocks to begin with.
11-22-2020 07:11 AM - edited 11-22-2020 07:13 AM
Maxine is right. And it is against board policy to "name and shame" other eBayers, as you try to do in the final sentence of your post.
11-22-2020 07:38 AM
Thanks. I still consider that’s not fair no matter the value of the clock. The reverse turning of the winder key should only loosen the key but not sprung spring otherwise how is one able to remove the key from the shell for repair. Moreover the reply from the seller twisted all facts n said I have been in possession for 30 days when in fact only got it for a few days . I opine the sale attitude is more important than the clock itself no matter the value which is sadly lacking in this case. I bought another similar item (brown) with the same phenomenon n the seller there hastened to give me the refund n was also so apologetic, I was so pleased that at least I met one who was given to understandability n was so communicable n mindful to being so! I will definitely trade with her again should an item I like crops up again. Tkx for viewing my ‘manifesto’ thou we might share different beliefs. Have a good time n stay safe!!
11-22-2020 08:30 AM
@nelsoka_0 wrote:... The reverse turning of the winder key should only loosen the key but not sprung spring otherwise how is one able to remove the key from the shell for repair... I bought another similar item (brown) with the same phenomenon...
Therefore, this is how these inexpensive, mass-produced clocks were made, all those years ago -- and yet you expect sellers today to be responsible for making it right when you break the clocks because you're unaware of the manufacturer's original poor design. Golly! I guess we do share different beliefs! Anyhow, stay safe and well, yourself -- and if you buy any more of these, please don't turn the winders the wrong way. 😊
11-22-2020 09:16 AM - edited 11-22-2020 09:20 AM
@nelsoka_0 wrote:Thanks. I still consider that’s not fair no matter the value of the clock.
It was sold to you as working, and it worked. It would still be working if you hadn't turned the key the wrong way. Even if you'd bought it as new in the 1960s, I'm not sure the store would have been under any obligation to refund you in such circumstances. Expecting a seller today to guarantee that a 50-year old clock will continue to work if misused doesn't seem very reasonable!
11-22-2020 09:50 AM - edited 11-22-2020 09:55 AM
@argon38 wrote:
@nelsoka_0 wrote:Thanks. I still consider that’s not fair no matter the value of the clock.
It was sold to you as working, and it worked. It would still be working if you hadn't turned the key the wrong way. Even if you'd bought it as new in the 1960s, I'm not sure the store would have been under any obligation to refund you in such circumstances. Expecting a seller today to guarantee that a 50-year old clock will continue to work if misused doesn't seem very reasonable!
Not to mention than on these clocks, both the "Wind" direction and the "Alarm Set" direction are clearly marked, with arrows, so there's no excuse for turning either one in the wrong direction to begin with. I've just spent a long time looking at photos of these, and I cannot find a single one that lacks the arrows showing the winding directions.
11-22-2020 09:59 AM
I said 1960s because my parents had one from that era, which I fondly remember. I didn't actually realise they had such a long lineage:
11-22-2020 10:34 AM
That's a nice resource! On another board, OP self-described as an "alarm clock collector," so perhaps s/he will want to bookmark it.
11-22-2020 10:45 AM
Confused here, does " I bought another similar item (brown) with the same phenomenon..." mean you bought a second clock just like the first and broke that as well?