Ripped off, any ideas?


I was given a working Fisher 800C receiver from my father in law that he purchased new and had stored in his basement. It was running hot and had a few cosmetic blemishes so for my father in law I wanted to get it looking and running like new.
I did some research and found a place called AEA Audio in the SF Bay Area, about 90 miles from my home. I called and spoke to man named Ken owner of AEA audio and he spoke a good game of everything he could do to restore it to new. I dropped it of to his home April 30th of 2017. He said he was backed up and moving so it would be about 3-4 months and would call me when he was beginning work on my unit. A very nice guy and showed me his home work shop and also had a business location about 15 minutes from his home. Everything seemed on the up and up.
I have called him 5 times since dropping it off and he assured me it was safe and still in his shop but it was taking longer than expected due to his moving and it would be another 3 weeks at every call.
I called him early December and told him I wanted to pick it up before Christmas regardless of weather or not the work was completed he said no problem he should have it done by then.
I have called him three times since and no return call. I know I should have been more deligent in my hounding him but I travel so much for work I haven't had time to stay on top of it.
What recourse do I have and how do I proceed.
Any thoughts would be appreciated.

128x128jb505
I'm in the area and was going to consider them.  Hind sight is always 20/20 but most of us grow up trusting in people who make some type of mistake early in our lives that forever shape us. And kinda embarrassing too sharing stories that you have been victimized. I too have similar predicament currently with a _ company, details will be left out because it is on-going. Lesson for me is, if you cannot take advantage of paypal, most credit cards which recognize Ecommerce fair exchange laws don’t do it. And research, research about the company, financial well being and dont’ believe reviews as they can write their own and put it on a server (These companies come and go). I have a long trail of emails, text, documents and phone calls but to make a long story short after a week of money extraction, broken promises and excuses I had to send him a demand letter (below). He finally wrote back stating he couldn’t send my audio equipment himself due to his back problem/pain so I ordered FedEx to-pick up at his alleged premise, an address he provided. According to FedEx two failed attempt; a no-show. I have one more FedEx scheduled agreement with this person so I am still hopeful but I’m afraid at this point I will soon have to start with a police report at request of my counsel and document everything. There are no winners in this route and I have repeatedly told this guy. I will do a follow up and let you know the final outcome but many wishes to you jb505, I hope it turns out well. For now let’s take solace in knowing our story shared serves to protect other unsuspecting audiophiles from being victimized. Be positive!

@jafant
    Agreed. I did not call him that, but responded to the exact words of the comment just ahead of mine. 
The world is full of con men and rip-off artists. Back when I was very young (and foolish) I trusted a man who ran a store that sold and procured equipment. I wrote the check and waited and even visited him as he was close by. The gear never came and he stalled and got ugly when I brought my brother in law (a big guy) along. He proceeded to ask me if I was about to beat him up in front of other customers so I took the high road and warned the customers to not trust the guy.

I filed papers on him and lo and behold, someone murdered him on another matter. I found it out by calling him only to get his wife who was every bit as nasty as he was, asking me if I was happy now that he was dead. A very sad matter indeed. My attorney advised me to drop the matter and told me that death cancels all debts. Lesson learned.

All the best,
Nonoise
Sounds like it is time to go all ebm on the company. Better yet just take ebm with you. Just kidding. When we have helpful ones on this site the next time one needs some advice need to try to remember to ask. Sorry this happened. I have had stuff in for about 9 months for repair when I was told just about 2 months initially.  He had legitimate reasons. He was older and became ill and got back logged. He was a fine man and I got my equipment back working great with no problems for 3 yrs now. I am glad he did the work.  He is still in business doing great work.
jb505
  Ripped off, any ideas?

This tube Fischer is collectable.
I don't know about the US, but there's been a bit of this going around in Australia with unscrupulous service techs with "collectable" older hifi that can fetch good money.
They hang onto it as long as they can making all sorts of excuses hoping one day you'll either give up, forget, or die one day and it becomes their's. 

Cheers George