Yes, but not many.

As one of Australia’s most trusted repairers and a patient, former science teacher and Curtin University professional, I have very few issues with customers. That said, one must keep in mind:

1. You cannot please everyone, no matter how well you run a business
2. Not everyone is reasonable, well-intentioned (or even sane), and
3. The customer isn’t always right
4. We all have tolerance limits and things we draw the line at

The Blacklist

Liquid Audio, in collaboration with other leading Western Australian technicians, manages a list of people who are banned from receiving assistance from any in the group. This is known as the black list, and its purpose is to protect the businesses and their owners from unnecessary pain.

For perspective, my database comprises several thousand customers. I’ve added about 10 people to the blacklist in a decade, one so far in 2025. This is only about one per year, and an exceptionally low rate of about 0.01% overall.

The Process

This small subset is, unfortunately, too painful, unreasonable, and problematic to assist, and attempts to work with them must be avoided. We apply this simple, zero-tolerance policy:

Assistance is terminated, details are recorded and shared with businesses in the group, and the individual is permanently blacklisted from all participating businesses.

Irreversibly losing access to the most respected repair businesses in Western Australia is a bad outcome, as it banishes blacklisted individuals into a world of businesses that really should be avoided. Still, those on the list must live with the consequences of their behaviour.

Examples

Blacklisted individuals include those who thought that:

• They could leave equipment uncollected for a year despite numerous requests and then argue about storage charges
• It was OK to pound on my door at 8 am on a Sunday, when they knew we were closed
• I stole dead 40-year-old capacitors from their equipment after helping them immeasurably
• I run a ‘scam’ where I help people and charge for my time, LOL
• I’m responsible for everything wrong with their trashed, WD-40-soaked amplifier
• They could try to extort me despite generously assisting them and providing a free repair