Cute little timer for a great price. Just know that you have to twist the timer all the way around and then back to the time you want. Good thing I watched the video about how to operate this timer! If I hadn't I think I would be disappointed, So just remember to turn it all the way around, 0 to 0 the set the time.it works, but the buzzer is so faint that it can't b e heard even if you are sitting right next to it.The penguin timer is cute. My son loves penguin and that is why is I got it for him.The first one we received, the alarm did not ring. Customer service was great and replace the timer right away. The replacement did work. When I set the alarm, you can hear the little ticking moving down. Once it reaches zero, the alarm rings. Sound pretty loud. I use it to time my kids on the ipad, eating dinner and reading. Nice and cute penguin. But after a couple of weeks using it, the alarm does ring when it reaches zero but sometimes it does not ring for some reason. Not sure why. I still use it and most of the time it does ring. It's very easy to use. My kids set the timer by themselves. The price is good for a timer for my kidsI got this timer for my 3 year old son, to understand the concept of time. Unfortunately, after first day him playing around with it, it stopped working as timer. When I opened it, I noticed the cogs of the timer mechanism were plastic and the unwinding cog had stripped teeth. I fully understand that there were specific direction on how to use it, however the description of the product mentioned it was metal mechanism which isn't true, at least for the item I have received. Now it just functions only as a toy for my boy to play with.I like watching the head turn, and use it for exercise, so not sure how it works in the kitchen.The gauges on the spin bike rotate through several points of information, with this I keep track of time through it all not just once every 30 seconds or so.Just twist the head to 55min or even to 60min, and turn back to time desired, it ticks but not loudly (for my use and location) the bell is audible and not obnoxious. Neat little penguin for less than most similar function timers.You've got to turn this timer to 60, and *then* back it off, stopping at the number of minutes you want. Everything else works as advertised. :)AdorableWe are dedicated to only using novelty timers, now, so this cute little guy is a perfect addition! He sits on my oven next to the cheeseburger timer. I like having two timers, because it's easy to lose track of different courses, since I don't hang out in the kitchen while I cook, so thanks!! I LOVE MY PENGUIN!I was a little worried after reading some of the other reviews, but everyone in my household has been pleased with our little timer so far! It was a present for my mother's birthday, she's named him TIM-E "pronounced Timmy, but spelt like time, lol). Haven't noticed any issues with accuracy, but I haven't been checking, I admit. The plastic seems a little cheap and breakable, but my brother did drop it one time and it's survived, so no complaints there. It works as well as any other timer we've had, the flaws people are having are simply drawbacks to mechanical timers, I feel.Very cute little timer but you would need to have it with you if you are using it to time cakes in oven. The ringer is not very loud and it only lasts a few seconds. I think you use the hedgehogs nose as your pointer and do read instructions enclosed on how to operate it.The one thing I would like a timer to do is tell you when its finished, or there is no point to it. This one does not make a sound to let you know the time has run out. Is that too much to ask?I ordered two of these and when they arrived I thought I would test them straight away. It was clear that neither of them worked properly as neither of the items alarm went off when they stopped. Returned for refund.