I can't believe this.

@OP It it's anything, it's extortion. Bribery is you volunteering to pay someone to do something for you. Extortion is someone looking for a payment from you to get them to do something on your behalf.

It doesn't seem that you have too many options, or maybe no other option.  I certainly would never do business with Tascam again.  And I would tell all of my friends the same.  I am sorry for your troubles and wish you the best in having them resolved.

“And believe me when I say they are very independent!”

Well put. LOL 

 I understand covid (that was 2 years ago!)

Most of America was locked down still in 2021. Unless you live in SD, TX and FL. 

COVID is still a factor with shutdowns in China........

Tascam evidently outsources the repairs. And they admit they have little control over the service centers. And believe me when I say they are very independent!

The first place I took it to bad mouthed Tascam so bad that I didn’t feel comfortable taking it there. There is more to the story, but I’ll leave it like that.

Where it is today was highly recommend by Tascam and the service manager is/was quite cordial. But once in possession of the unit he is non-committal as to when he will even be able to look at it.

I'm not sure I feel comfortable forking over doe to what seems to me like a bribe to get it moved up the service line. This may be why things are so backed up. "Pay the fee or no work for thee?"

Yeah, I understand covid (that was 2 years ago!) but warranty work should be performed timely. Otherwise, warranties mean nothing.

ozzy

Yep, sent my TD145 in for a tune up and it took 6 weeks, but I am just glad to have a local guy that knows about 45-year-old turntables from Germany. 

Part of the problem is the wave of people that were seasoned and retired or their job was displaced during covid.   There is a shortage of talent 

Why?

You pay more to overnight a package.  Lots of companies will charge a fee for expedited service. May only be a day shorter than waiting but it's expedited. 

 The serious backlog is not unusual at all these days but the priority service for a fee is pretty scuzzy.

Sounds like capitalism to me.  Would you like it better if there was coach, business or first class service?

The serious backlog is not unusual at all these days but the priority service for a fee is pretty scuzzy.

Ignoring the shameless extra fee grab suggested in your post, ….TASCAM is NOT alone in crazy backlogs for service, albeit they seem to stand alone with their queue jumping service requests.

I bought a high-end BRYSTON digital player and stablemate DAC pre-owned. I sent the player back to BRYSTON for a full software reinstall and general status look over . It went in on or about October 2021 and I got it back on or about March 2022, but only after I personally got ahold of the Service Manager. He got it back to me fully updated and shipped at their cost within 10: days after the calls, AND ….NO CHARGE as an unexpected but much-welcomed very classy gesture of inconvenience amelioration …. Ergo…. top-shelf service.

He did comment that COVID and supply chain disruptions both have played havoc in the entire audio industry. Available tech bodies were off sick because of COVID… etc. Supply chain parts shortages were - and continue to be - common.

Thanks. I totally agree, it sure seems that way. I am very disappointed in Tascam.

ozzy

Hey Ozzy, picture this. You're in line at the DMV and someone behind you in line walks up to the counter, slaps a $20 down, and is taken care of. What happens next? There is now a new line with everyone holding $20 bills, but the same service. Unfortunately, unless you pony up the $20, you will forever be at the back of the line. They should not offer the "Rush" service in the first place. Sounds like bribery to me too!