Known problem with Howard Miller movements

by Dave H.
(Fayetteville, GA)

I have a 7 year old HM clock that has a movement model number 610-572. Apparently its a lemon and many people have experienced great problems with this movement.


Unfortunately I spent $165 on it after only 3 years of use. Only one year out of warranty! Now the clock is dead again and the repair guy says I shouldn't waste more money on it.

After contacting HM about this they responded by wanting to charge for the service to replace the lemon they know full well has had problems.

I feel that I've already spent enough and to do more isn't fair. I wish I could have known about this earlier!

Too bad they won't own up to it and do the right thing. Be warned.

Comments for Known problem with Howard Miller movements

Average Rating starstarstarstarstar

Click here to add your own comments

Apr 02, 2018
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		HM model 610-572 NEW
by: R J in Alabama

Their seems to be a lot of people with issues with their clocks.I guess our's was a good one we've had it since 2000 and it's never been cleaned or oiled and it run's great,it just lose's about a minute every 3 to 4 months.
Feb 27, 2016
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Howard Miller Great Find NEW
by: Jerry

Bought mine used in perfect shape for only $150 two years ago and the lady just had it serviced (cleaned and oiled)... it's around 12 years old now. I am getting ready to oil and clean it. I have a few Grandfather clocks and this is one of my favorite ones.
Jun 08, 2015
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Running fine
by: Anonymous

I must have lucked out, my Courtland (610-572) has been since I purchased it in 2001. No maintenance or cleaning of the movement has been done and it keeps perfect time. I do have to adjust the pendulum length twice a year, to account for the drastic temperature changes in New England.
Aug 23, 2013
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Still working perfectly
by: Anonymousjohn

Over 2 years later and my HM is still keeping perfect time.
Very happy with this clock!
Aug 22, 2013
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		610-572
by: Ellis Penley

Had my eye on this model but, after reading the replies and what a lemon it is I decided to look at other brands. Especially after reading the comments reference the rude customer service!!!!
Does anyone have a recommendation on another brand?? I would like to purchase a used model if possible.
Thanks
Feb 25, 2012
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Update
by: John

6 months later and still working perfectly.
Purchased it used from the origional owners moved it in a toyota venza set it up with a friend and had no problems.
As far as I know this clock has never been serviced and keeps absolutely perfect time.
Compared to other reviews it appears I lucked out!
Feb 25, 2012
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Problems with this Clock, Maybe consider class action to get Howard Miller to stand behind it
by: Anonymous

I purchased a Howard Miller Grandfather Clock model 610 572 and have had repeated problems with the movement. Local clock repair men all know this particular model is a lemon but Howard Miller will not stand behind it if its out of warranty. Its a real shame considering the history of quality this company has had.
Aug 28, 2011
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		610-572
by: John

I recently bought this clock used and it works perfectly.
I hope I don't experience the same problems.
Aug 01, 2011
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		More Input from HM
by: Dave H.

HM read this blog and said I didn't make it clear enough that the sprockets were sent at no charge. They were of course. Thanks Kurt! However, it still cost money to have them put in but I wasn't going to let them do it since all the shipping and their fee would have both cost me more and gave them the money they wanted anyway. Why reward bad behavior?
Speaking of that idea, they tried to call me a "less than honest" about how long I've had the clock. It was made around the year 2000 + or - a year perhaps, but my wife bought it while I was deployed to the Middle East in the summer of 2004 as a gift to me. So HM, I bet many things that are made don't sell the same year of production. Correct? Especially if the word gets out that its a lemon.

Their service starting with the agent that decided not to do anything to help (even when she
promised) has been confrontive and arrogant from the beginning. If anyone knows of other blog spots for clocks let me know!
Jul 31, 2011
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Follow up
by: Anonymous

The parts arrived and my local shop got everything up and running again! However, they showed me where the movement has way too much wear in other areas also. I don't remember what he called it but several places where some of the small axles ride in the sideplates wobble around too much was one area of great wear. Cheap metalurgy and more time will doom this movement again at some point!

Howard Miller at some time in the past had a great vendor for their movements out of Germany with the quality being top notch. But at some point they switched and everything went downhill after that time. Perhaps ten years ago or so? I don't remember.

I think this clock is destined to be a wine glass cabinet at some point in the future. However, it seems that I may not have to wait too long unfortunately. I still can't believe they tried to make money off of me during this whole thing!
Jul 15, 2011
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Tried again
by: Dave H.

I tried again with no luck. One rep said they would replace (send me) the three sprocket wheels that are the main source of the problem but would would still charge for the basic service if I sent the movement in. I followed up with a supervisor and that failed as well; I said I would accept the wheels for now but that they weren't going to make any more money from me in any way - she didn't bother to respond or send the sprockets. Interesting how they have figured out how to make money on their mistakes! I went back to the original guy and he said he would send them, I'm still waiting. I will see what the project looks like, but I will probably still have to take it to a local shop and spend more money if the parts ever get here.
Jul 15, 2011
Rating
star 		Howard Miller Grandfather model 641-572
by: Phil G

I also have a Howard Miller Grandfather Clock model 610-572. Had it about 10 years. Howard Miller did replace the movement once to no avail. It lasted less than a year. Have had numerous service calls on it. It is a lemon.

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to Howard Miller Grandfather Clock Forum.