Amp repair cost — is this right?

You can barely replace an internal fuse in a half hour!

Seriously?

I need to write a book of all cases that I have dealt with repair shops in the last 40 years. Here are just a few typical cases in my real life. A jumbo TV failed to turn on that costs $500 to replace a pair of $9 chips. Refrigerator company charges $260 to replace a $2 switch. It costs $500 to paint a corrosion furnace cap. Water softener company charges $500 to just dump the old salt and put a bag of salt that costs $15. A heating company charge $395 for a $25 heat sensor... and last but not least, a prominent high end company charges $900 to replace a 5-cent belt. They're all claims the values of "years of experience".
You're getting stuck with this service shop because you have spent $115 to ship your unit. If you want it back, you will need to pay at least $100 diagnostic fee plus $150 shipping and handling on top of your $115. Looking for another repair shop wont save you a considerable amount of money. The actual job to replace 8 capacitors is less than 30 minutes, and the cost of 8 capacitors is less than $100. The remaining is profit or "rip off" fee. Good news is you're not the first one or the last one. If you're really into the world of "high end", learn soldering technique and use
YouTube "how-to" video clips.

Hello jnehma1,

I too been at this point in this hobby of ours. Stuff breaks, or is old and is in need for a total overhaul.

Due to some experience (the hard way) I noticed very high price differences from technician to technician. So $105 - $12,- an hour. I implore you to find a good TV repair guy with a love for audio (I don't know if it's a gueranteed succes formula, but I was lucky and paid 12, - /hr and the guy knew everything) maybe you can call and Google around, but search actively

I also became aware of the much important part and that is: different personalities from tech guy to tech guy. And you have to deal with them (Personalities) 

I always thought in the line of. You want an overhaul, it would cost X amount. If you want extra it will cost x amount extra. But some Techs are not willing to do your bidding (mods)  (want the best 'subjectively' ) Some work very clean, some work very fast. Some will have a outspoken opinion of your problem, some will rip you off with adding too much hours. And sometimes you got to wait very very long. And some don't know what they are doing

My solution is I use different techs for different problems/repairs/overhaul

That said 1300 is a lot. I overhauled my Classé CA-400 four weeks ago for $830,- and even then I was thinking mmm. But the work is done stellar so.  That is the price of admission 

Re. Phil’s response “The actual job to replace 8 capacitors is less than 30 minutes, and the cost of 8 capacitors is less than $100. The remaining is profit or "rip off" fee...”

World Class ridiculous statement...and gives great insight into why brick and mortar and skilled techs are becoming a thing of the past.

Ask these posters to do their jobs for free and see what response you get.


Ingnorance.

If you categorically refer to profit as “ripoff fee”  I can’t help you.

There are too many in this world that want something for nothing.