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
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+ OP 
I’ll take the snarky under, whatever it is.
Every delay I’ve ever encountered has had a quick polite response.
AVA must have enough clients already.

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It’s not about delays in this pandemic situation, it’s about communication once a company has your money. I have two PayPal disputes with small ( non audio) companies that refuse to communicate with me about their shipping delays. The least ANY business can do is communicate its problems with a customer. I agree with the OP.
I posted this to make others aware of what I went through. I have ran my own businesses for over 20 years. Some things you can't sugar coat. This transaction was badly handled all around, sorry to those who are offended by hearing what they don't like to hear. BTW, I canceled the order, got a refund right away and already ordered a Prima Luna Evo 100 tube preamp. More money, but likely worth it. Wanted the basic 4 RCA inputs with none of the bells and whistles and other than the vision SLR, there is really nothing out there in solid state. 
What’s the over/under on the OP using terms like: 

“do you know who I am?”
”this is simply inexcusable”
”I DEMAND SATISFACTION”
”I’m going to post my experiences in forums OR ELSE”

Entitled much? You are aware that those of us who don’t reside in a gilded cage are dealing with a world wide pandemic to which a HALF MILLION people have died in the US alone? If I was Frank I’d refund your money and show you right where you can put it.
These small shops are doing the best they can, I’ve got a piece on order from Decware. Their usual turn time is 6ish weeks. Currently it is 4 to 6 months. So the guy didn’t call you about his head guy having to go out of town, while I understand your position, a little grace might in order. Sure, in a perfect world he should have called, but he didn’t. If it’s that big a deal, just cancel your order, if you haven’t already. 
frank is terrific

he has a small outfit, a few very key employees

they have been oversubscribed, very busy

he is the last guy in this industry who will screw a customer over or be consciously unresponsive to a paying customer new or old

try to be patient, empathetic... this is not a life saving vaccine... this is a preamp