Anyone else treated poorly by AVA?


Back at the end of December 2020, I placed an order with Frank at Audio by Van Alstine for a Vision SLR preamp. Heard so many good reviews about Frank and his products, I felt that was just what the doctor ordered for my system. At first I was told the custom building of my unit would take up to 3 weeks. Then, as nothing happened, I inquired and was told due to an unexpected high volume of orders, mine would take another 2 weeks. I then told Frank, please tell me if there are any further delays because not knowing is worse than getting bad news. Three weeks past, not a word from Frank. So, almost 2 months past the order date, I called him and he tells me they have a problem, the master technician who builds these units left for another state to care for his wife who got sick. I get that and I hope with all my heart she will be ok. But bottom line is Frank fed me multiple excuses for not performing while not communicating about any of it. It was completely inexcusable. He had my money for nearly two months and did not bother to keep me updated of what was going on. I could not ever recommend AVA to anyone and felt compelled to relate this on this site since I usually see only praise for Frank and I frankly felt the opposite. Worst audio purchasing experience in my 66 years.

128x128baylinor
The world is flat folks. Bet Frank is waiting on components from a offshore supplier.
@thecarpathian. My Hellcat begs to differ.
Frank’s been in business since the Pleistocene Age and has a great reputation for both products and service, or he wouldn’t have lasted this long. Practically every audio company you can name is "boutique" in size and they’re all experiencing their worst nightmare. Ever hear of Covid-19? Lots of audio companies are having a hard time getting parts and have lost employees. Oh, and try buying home appliances, a bicycle, a car, puzzles, lumber, computer equipment, furniture, or even toilet paper (again).

I agree that the communication could be better, but this isn’t business as usual.


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When you commission any type of custom build , you need to expect and accept delays....  especially post covid.  I fix medical equipment from mfgs all over the world.  They say 3 weeks? Plan on 6.  I hate telling customers that their $20k swiss microscope is waiting on  $60 parts thats back ordered til March. 

I'm having something built now.   No promise of any delivery date in June when I ordered it other than hopefully by end of year.   You know what?  If I get a call saying it won't be ready until February,  thats ok because I had no preconceived delivery date to begin with