Now I'm back actively involved with a CB, I hear more horror stories (not about my CB auditors, thankfully) about auditors demanding all kinds of things!
It's a paradox that a CB is a supplier, yet most organizations don't treat them like their commodity (or other service) suppliers. under normal supplier relationships, if a supplier delivered below expectations, they'd be given a corrective action!
I know may people don't like (or know how) to address and auditor, often fearing confrontation. It's also true to say that many auditors have walked into a firestorm without them doing anything. I once encountered a CEO who threatened me with all kinds of intimidations - simply because he'd heard, secondhand, of a potential non-conformity I'd mentioned during the 'stage 1' (yes we did them, on site back in the 90's).
It can be difficult for a CB's management to decipher who has a legitimate issue over those clients who are - how can I put this diplomatically - 'high maintenance. However, if the issue cannot be resolved at the auditor level, I encourage discourse with the head office management.....