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
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 
Whatever you do don’t murder him over a noisy and distorted amplifier. 😀