Most people will think it's a bunch of randomly flashing lights, so I can see why it wasn't a success. I can guarantee that if I had one of these, everyone at home would insist I got rid of it.
Even though most people wont understand (or appreciate) the innards of a nixie/VFD/Numitron clock, they can at least tell instantly what it is, and see that it has a useful purpose. Believe it or not, my wife actually wants me to build another nixie clock for the house (we already have 5...)