I don’t mind waiting for an instrument as long as there’s some contact with updates now and then. What was frustrating was not hearing anything for over a year, then being told it’d be ready in a few weeks, then hearing nothing again for months, then being asked to finalise a few details (despite then already having all the info). Every time it felt like they were stalling for time rather than just being upfront. Was like that right up to the end, saying it’d be ready before the refund would be due (of course it wasn’t). There’s only so much a person can take.
My Shuker build took about 14 months (8 months longer than the original stated time) but Jon sent me update pics when requested and I know I can always head down the road to see him in person if needs be. Totally different prospect when it’s a company on the other side of the globe and when there’s just no unprompted communication for many months or sometimes years.