Pops,
I too have been in this hobby for a long time; over three decades. I've been fortunate because I've only had two equipment failures in that time, probably because I have mid-fi equipment based on the majority of systems represented here at Audiogon.
Keep this in perspective. The Beemer analogy isn't fair unless you are getting that same service in Arco, Idaho. The closest BMW dealer would be in Salt Lake City, Boise or Billings. Consequently, BMW couldn't possibly give you the service you are accustomed to where you live.
Audiophiles are a real minority in the overall scope of things. There are way more high end audio manufacturers than there are car manufacturers and they have a smaller number of customers to jusify their existence on. It's not realistic for them to have repair facilities located near everyone.
If you bought this item from a local retailer then he should be supplying you with a loaner and handling the shipping for you. At least that's the way the upper end dealers used to work.
I too have been in this hobby for a long time; over three decades. I've been fortunate because I've only had two equipment failures in that time, probably because I have mid-fi equipment based on the majority of systems represented here at Audiogon.
Keep this in perspective. The Beemer analogy isn't fair unless you are getting that same service in Arco, Idaho. The closest BMW dealer would be in Salt Lake City, Boise or Billings. Consequently, BMW couldn't possibly give you the service you are accustomed to where you live.
Audiophiles are a real minority in the overall scope of things. There are way more high end audio manufacturers than there are car manufacturers and they have a smaller number of customers to jusify their existence on. It's not realistic for them to have repair facilities located near everyone.
If you bought this item from a local retailer then he should be supplying you with a loaner and handling the shipping for you. At least that's the way the upper end dealers used to work.