Shopping at Lidl - Warning

topcom

I recently purchased 2X Radio Controlled alarm clocks, that were on sale on 12/03/09 - but mine on 23/03/09 purchased I set the 1st one up and it didn't take long for it to find signal but the time was set a 1hour ahead although I adjusted it 4 times it still always set up at 1hour ahead. I reported this to Lidl Customer Services who advised me that they had received similar reports from customers and returned them to store for a refund, but was surprised to find they still had some on sale. I then contacted Customer Services and asked them why the had not removed them from sale and advised Customers for a recall of this product. I have reported this to Consumer Direct and hope they will investigate.

If anyone has purchased one for themselves or as a present it might be prudent to check that it works correctly,.

I do have another R/C clock that came from Tchibo that works correctly as noted today.

max2009

You should be ok now as the clocks have gone forward

wigmaster

This problem with Lidl clocks is not new - I had the same experience about three years ago - apparently it's because they are tuned to german time - offset by an hour from the UK.

Although Lidl offered me a refund I decided to try a workaround, which involved opening up the clock, exposing the pointers (via a couple of screws) and then pulling the pointers around to the correct time - at the top of the hour and with the assistance of the speaking clock or something similar. The clock then shows the correct time and auto adjusts itself at the GMT/BST changes in line with UK time.

It probably destroys any form of warranty but it's a nice simple solution.

wigmaster

I should add - mine was a wall clock with pointers - obviously my 'solution' wouldn't work with LCD models.

topcom

max2009 wrote: »

You should be ok now as the clocks have gone forward

The clocks are set to European time and therefore will be always an hour ahead.

topcom

wigmaster wrote: »

This problem with Lidl clocks is not new - I had the same experience about three years ago - apparently it's because they are tuned to german time - offset by an hour from the UK.

Although Lidl offered me a refund I decided to try a workaround, which involved opening up the clock, exposing the pointers (via a couple of screws) and then pulling the pointers around to the correct time - at the top of the hour and with the assistance of the speaking clock or something similar. The clock then shows the correct time and auto adjusts itself at the GMT/BST changes in line with UK time.

It probably destroys any form of warranty but it's a nice simple solution.

Thanks for your comment and might under other circumstances have tried your solution, but I bought one also as a present and my comments was to warn purchasers of the problem. Lidl in the UK is a separate company and purchases independently and should therefore test equipment is suitable for UK use.
I like another correspondent bought an R/C clock several years ago from them several years ago which did not change from BST toGMT or vice versa I thought they may have got it right by now. I wonder how many people set clock up and found they had gone to work an hour to early.

bookworm1363

Having just bought a RC watch for DH and having had the hell of a time getting it to the right time, here is, FWIW, what the advice on the booklet said:

Place the clock/watch near a window with the 12 o'clock facing outwards, and not near metal.

The signals get sent/reset at 2 am, 3 am, 4 am, 5 am and 6 am. The signal comes from somewhere North, Leeds I think (can't find the booklet right now) .

Can't guarantee it will work with your clock, but after struggling with DH's watch for 2 days, I re-read the instructions properly, did as they say and hey presto, it's set to the right time, and changed to BST no problem yesterday!

lilac_lady

topcom wrote: »

The clocks are set to European time and therefore will be always an hour ahead.

"We have ways of making you early" perhaps?