Manufacturer Repairs? What is a reasonable time?

I sent in my Ayre CD player for a repair and up-grade. It has been six weeks, and it took a week of no responses before I learned to hang on the line and reach a person, instead of leaving a message that was ignored. I did expect it to take a while, and I called a week ago and it was on a bench. So, I am in limbo because I expected it would take two months, and it seems to be going as I expected. I think that means either they are very busy with new products, or have an understaffed repair department. I am willing to wait because it is such a great product, and nice, when you get them. I would like to plug PS Audio...I sent them an email about installing a power plant and I got a response in less than ten minutes!! Springbok10, I believe you are in the market for a new amp. At this point I would not expect it to be repaired, and I think you should use their name to protect others. Then again, some times we are just unlucky.

Three months is a long time, but it's not outrageous. Before going nuclear make an effort to clearly express your displeasure to the proprietor and offer them the opportunity to make it up to you. A firm return date is what you're looking for. If he won't provide that, or misses the date with no explanation, then do what you have to do.

It's worth noting that if we try to put out of business every audiophile company that screwed up something with a particular customer there wouldn't be any audiophile companies left standing.

I'm curious as to how you know that "one channel not working" is a "minor repair"? It is not as if the company has their employees just sitting around playing card games. If they have a long queue of repairs, it is typically, first in first out. So, they get to it when they reach a stopping point on the products in front of you. Now they can hire more technicians, but first, they must train them on repairs of their equipment and to hire full time assuming that the back log will continue may be a problem. To me, as long as they pick up the phone and acknowledge they have the equipment and give me a timeline for repairs, I'm good. It is when they don't pick up the phone. Then I have a problem.

Varied opinions, which is what I expected, hence the secrecy regarding the identity of the manufacturer. Sure, I dont know how minor the repair, nor does he, since he hasnt looked at it yet. Ignoring e-mails is also annoying, but he does pick up the phone to tell me that he is too busy to do the repair and will be done in "a few weeks" (since March). I give him the benefit of the doubt, but if I dont at least get a date from him, then I will do what I have to do - believe you me, it's not my intention to put anybody out of business, but fair is fair. All I asked for was a firm date or estimate, not endless procrastination.