A full restoration like C_dk is talking about, you're talking serious money. As a business model, it could never work because very few would ever pay the premium involved - especially on equipment of limited value in the first place. Most people would not buy an air conditioner in January for 1/2 price even though they know it will cost double in June. Just a fact of the marketplace that defies logic.
By the same token, most people will far more happy to pay $700 for a "serviced-to-spec" C26 rather than one that has been masterfully restored for $1,400.
They do warranty the equipment they sell for an entire year and that is the peace of mind you're paying for.
I suppose you're right. It simply never occurred to me that with all the discussion here about the necessities of recapping older equipment that a company so well regarded as AC is might be selling gear that is still all, or nearly all, stock/original if they claim it meets/exceeds spec. And obviously, as in the case of the OP, that gear might very well be in need of further work to actually sound good.