McIntosh Flunking the Course in Washington State...What Do You Think?


According to McIntosh website, there continues to be "NO" authorized repair in the state of Washington.  

To make it worse, when I contacted McIntosh regarding my MHA-100 which had front display issue, the person I talked with was dismissive and absolutely no help...this after I couldn’t get them to call me back (I had to have someone chase him down).  For the first time ever, a McIntosh person came across as professionally rude.

I’m afraid the best stereo manufacturer in America may be sliding down a slippery slope as service is usually the first thing that goes, after being purchased by a market hungry company.  Manufacturing quality and the product itself usually follow.  This just caused me to "not buy" the new McIntosh streamer and go with Aurender instead.  There are too many alternatives at this price point to be patient with McIntosh.

So although I’ve given up on McIntosh, I may still need the equipment I own repaired.  Does anyone know of anyone in the Seattle-Tacoma area that repairs McIntosh equipment?

 

 

 

bheyamoto

I rarely give dealerships or Manufacturers a second chance if they wrong me or screw me over! Bad customer service is unacceptable in the age of high priced stereo gear! Also, one thing I stopped doing is buying from very small Boutique companies that have just a couple of employees. Too many risks with them going under, the founder passing away or having major illness or folding leaving me with a boat anchor if I need service or parts that can't be obtained elsewhere. Its sad because some of these companies make great products.

Shall we ask everybody's favorite advisor / confidante about Inner Sound's high quality work?

Reviews for Inner Sound in Clackamas, Oregon, indicate issues with long repair wait times and unsatisfactory repairs, particularly on vintage equipment. Customers have reported items failing shortly after the 90-day warranty, high service costs, and improper repairs that made devices worse than before. Common Complaints About Inner Sound:

Extensive Delays: Repairs often take significantly longer than estimated, with some users reporting waiting months for service.

  • Failed Repairs/Warranty Issues: Idler wheels and other parts have failed shortly after the 90-day warranty period, requiring additional paid repairs.
  • Poor Quality Service: Instances of incorrect parts being used, custom modifications being removed without permission, and equipment returning in worse condition.
  • High Costs: Customers have found repair costs to be high for the quality of service provided.

Note: Some users have noted that due to the scarcity of specialized repair shops in the area, they are often the only option for certain repairs. 

This is a bigger issue of the lack of qualified service techs in the industry as a whole. Not a Mcintosh directly related issue. If there is no one who is qualified in the area how is that Mac’s fault?  I’ve seen this coming for a decade, very few younger people are getting into this type of work and the older people who have been doing it in the past are retiring fast now. Also, the older guys are not taking the time to train the younger Techs.

 My local audio shop doesn’t have a tech anymore and there really isn’t anyone left in the area. This is a sign of the times get used to it. If you really want to help start recommended to young people to take electronics technician courses in school. There is an opening market for this work.

There is an opening market for this work.

That’s for sure!

Wonder how long until there’s a service that lets you mail your broken gear to China and they fix it and return it back to you in less time and for less money tthan it takes the local guy to just diagnose it.

@glennewdick Its not just the electronic tech industry either. It's many skilled blue collar jobs. Our country has lost their way with people pushing kids to college convincing all of them they need a high paying desk job. I remember when I was in middle and high school I had MANY different type of shop jobs available to take including electronics, plastic/rubber shop, small engine repair, woodworking class and the list goes on and on. Many Public schools no longer offer these options. BTW I am a retired bench tech that did surface mount repairs for many years.