Frequently Asked Questions

 
How do I know if the Howard Miller clock I am looking at is in stock?

What's the difference between cable driven and chain driven? Which is the best?

How difficult is it to assemble a grandfather clock?

Does Howard Miller let you special order their clocks with a different finish?

I am interested in ordering a Howard Miller grandfather clock. Do you have a "real color" sample of the wood finishes?

Do I have to pay sales tax on my purchase?

What is the shipping charge for a Howard Miller grandfather clock?

Can you ship any of your products internationally?

Can you tell me what my antique or Howard Miller grandfather clock is worth?

I have a grandfather clock, but the time is not regulating correctly. Can you tell me how to regulate the time?

Where do you ship your products from?

How long does it take for me to get my grandfather clock?

How do I get my engraved plate?

I can't decide which grandfather clock to purchase. Can you help me?

Are all of you products listed on the website?

Does the silence option on the clock allow you to turn it off at night, but have it on during the day?

Can you tell UPS to leave my product if I am not home?

What does triple chime mean? 

Do the clocks chime on the quarter and half hour? 

Q1. How do I know if the Howard Miller clock I am looking at is in stock?
A1. You can call an automated line and enter the six digit product number. All Howard Miller grandfather clocks start with 610-xxx. The phone number is 1-877-462-3228. If you don't know the 6 digit product number or you want to talk with someone, call 1-866-519-6970 (toll-free).

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 Q2. What's the difference between cable driven and chain driven? Which is the best?
A2. Both are used to regulate the time of the clock. Cable driven clocks are generally on the more expensive models. They make winding the clock easier and smoother because you use a crank that inserts in the face of the clock. Look closely at the pictures of the clocks. If there are holes by the 4, 6, and 8 on the dial of the clock, it is cable-driven. Cable-driven also means that the weights are suspended with cables and pulleys. The crank lifts the weights. Chain-driven means the weights are suspended by chains. They require you to open the door of the clock and pull down on the chain while slightly lifting on the weight. Both are good mechanisms to regulate the time, some people prefer the ease of use that cable-driven provides.
This information is all provided in the clock instruction manual. You can look at the instruction manual at http://www.howardmiller.com/Manuals/Default.asp.

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 Q3. How difficult is it to assemble a grandfather clock?
A3. Assembly is written out step by step and a phone number is provided for assistance with setup. You unpack the clock including all rubber bands and foam packing around the chimes. The only assembly required is hanging the pendulum and weights. You then set the time and start the clock.

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 Q4. Does Howard Miller let you special order their clocks with a different finish?
A4. NO. But, Hentschel does. You can order a clock in your choice of finishes, pickled oak, blonde oak, medium oak, dark oak, harvest cherry, forest cherry, pepper cherry, fruitwood, cinnamon quarter sawn oak, black laquer, white laquer, or you can get a custom finish for an extra 10%.

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Q5. I am interested in ordering a Howard Miller or Hentschel grandfather clock. Do you have a "real color" sample of the wood finishes? 
A5. Yes, we can send you a sample sheet of finishes for Howard Miller clcoks. Or we can send you actual finished wood for Hentschel clocks. Just email heather@gfcplus.com and make the request.

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 Q6. Do I have to pay sales tax on my purchase? 
A6. NO! The only customers that are charged sales tax are Missouri residents.

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 Q7. What is the shipping charges for a Howard Miller grandfather clock?
A7. A $99.95 shipping and handling fee is charged for all of the Howard Miller grandfather clocks shipped within the U.S. 

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 Q8. Can you ship any of your products internationally?
A8. Yes, we can ship any items under 100 lbs UPS International. The charge will depend on the place we are shipping too. We have shipped several grandfather clocks international. The least expensive way to ship grandfather clocks internationally is by boat. They can also be shipped by air.

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 Q9. Can you tell me what my antique or Howard Miller grandfather clock is worth?
A9. I am sorry, but we don't appraise clocks. Check with an antique appraiser.

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Q10. I have a grandfather clock, but the time is not regulating correctly. Can you tell me how to regulate the time?
A10. Go to the Howard Miller website, http://www.howardmiller.com/Manuals/Default.asp. This online instruction manual will give you step-by-step directions to regulating time on your grandfather clock.

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Q11. Where do you ship your products from?
A11. All our products are shipped directly from the manufacturer. Howard Miller is located in Zeeland Michigan. Hentschel is located in Waterloo, Ontario.

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Q12. How long does it take for me to get my grandfather clock?
A12. If the Howard Miller grandfather clock is in stock it ships within 2-3 business days from the manufacturer. Hentschel grandfather clocks normally ship int 2 weeks. It then is delivered via a trucking company in your area. The trucking company then contacts you 1-2 days before delivery.

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Q13. How do I get my engraved plate?
A13. When you receive your Howard Miller grandfather clock, you will also receive a brochure indicating you have 18 spaces on the top line and 18 spaces on the bottom line. You fill in the brochure with your personal information to engrave on the brass plate and send it in for engraving. It takes approximately 6 weeks to receive. If you have purchased a Hentschel clock, the engraved plate ships with your clock. We also offer to make a FREE engraved plate for orders over $100 and mail them to you within a week. Read more about the engraved plate at: http://www.grandfatherclocksplus.com/cgi-bin/shop/2FEP.html

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Q14. I can't decide which grandfather clock to purchase. Can you help me?
A14. We have a FREE step-by-step guide to purchasing a grandfather clock. Email heather@grandfatherclocksplus.com with the subject FREE step-by-step guide and we will email it back to you.

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Q15. Are all of you products listed on the website?
A15. No. We sell any Howard Miller product. Just email (heather@grandfatherclocksplus.com) or call toll-free (1-866-519-6970) for a free customized search of our products. You can also look at http://www.howardmiller.com to see the products we sell or buy a catalog at http://www.grandfatherclocksplus.com/catalog.html. Catalog costs are refunded at time of purchase.

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Q16. Does the silence option on the clock allow you to turn it off at night, but have it on during the day?
A16. Yes, the silence option allows you to turn off the chimes at any time. Some clocks come with an automatic silence option vs. a manual silence option. The automatic silence option silences the clocks chimes and gongs from 10:15 pm to 7:00 am.

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Q17. Can you tell UPS to leave my product if I am not home?
A17. No. You must call your local UPS to make a request to leave your package in a designated place. We can provide you with the tracking number the day after your product ships.

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Q18. What does triple chime mean? 
A18. It means you can choose to play Westminster, St. Michael, or Whittington chimes.

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Q19. Do the clocks chime on the quarter and half hour?
A19. Yes, they chime on the quarter and half hour and gong on the hour.

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Please feel free to contact us by EMAIL with any questions.