Basis Audio - Exhorbitant servicing evaluation cost

Yes many reasons on their website and I'm sure they are valid from a business standpoint. But as a comparative example, SOTA undoubtedly has the same problem having been around a long time. but they've always been amazing with discussions and service and helping customers to understand how to potentially do repairs in the field to save time and money and trouble on both sides.  In fact they've now created tutorials and things for that. This approach seems like a much more helpful way to deal with the business problem. 

And I have no problem with Basis charging going ratss for their time but it just seems like they've set the prices high enough where they know most customers won't come to them for service. As Glennewdick notes above, can it really take a qualified Basis tech more than a few hours to see what's wrong with a table?. And what alternative is there for reliable service on these wonderful products?

it sounds like the service at basis is great. I wish I understood why they feel I have to charge so much just to diagnose a problem. 

And again I've heard nothing but great things about basis. I didn't mean to start a complaints session on them! 

appreciate the thoughts

Yeah. why not just $150/hour for diagnosis? Not saying they shouldn't make money.  

Maybe the turntable policy gives the wrong impression that anytime one sends a turntable in to basis they get charged that fee. From the stories above it sounds like that doesn't happen? I just don't understand under what circumstances the fee applies.

they didn't respond to my email but maybe I should just call them, since the these don't seem to apply every time you send it turntable in.

I have always gravitated to vacuum tables, having owned SOTA tables. So the debut vacuum seems like a holy Grail :). The truth is I don't know a lot about many other table brands. I have friends that have owned many from VPI and others. 

If I could confirm that basis doesn't charge that fee every time you send a table to them for any repair, that would help.

but I'm also happy to receive recommendations for other great tables. My listening preferences are very much tuned to musicality, dynamics, rich mid-range, and meaty sound. I try to avoid components that have a dead "neutral" or highly "detailed" reputation, sonically. 

not to perpetuate this thread, but I'm not complaining about the cost of service. I just don't understand how they can charge $3,500 just to figure out what's wrong with the table? it's not clear but it seems the service for the table would not be in addition of that.