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Plan B Synthesizers , founded in 2003 by Peter Grenader, is part of the Electro-Acoustic Research consortium which produces analog, digital and hybrid modular synthesizer products. In April 2008, Plan B moved its operations from Toluca Lake to Pomona, CA where their product line grew from individual products only to complete systems and includes the Model 15 Complex VCO, the Model 11 Evil Twin FIlter and Model 24 Heisenberg Random Voltage Generator. In 2009, they parted company with NoiseBug and now sell through Big City Music . Items bought from BCM are checked before shipping, but all warranty repairs are handled by Plan B and the warranty repair issues reported in the links cited on this page will apply. A claim has also recently been made by an ex employee that modules that have been sent in for repairs are having their components stripped to provide parts for new modules to be sold by BCM , if this claim is true it implies that modules offered for sale by BCM contain parts stolen from customers modules - buyer beware. Plan B also launched a Direct Buy scheme. Many customers have paid for modules through the Plan B website and have received no goods as evidenced by the complaints on the many internet forums as linked to below. None of these complaints however are related to purchases that were made through Big City Music. In fact, the consensus seems to be that the only way to obtain PlanB equipment is to buy from BCM. It is too early to see if there will be issues with warranty repairs, or if the business relationship sours as it has with all previous suppliers, thus leaving customers without BCMs essential support.
Plan B has a long history of supply problems, has a long history of changing dealers, even owing money to a dealer, and have a lot of customers waiting months and sometimes years for modules and repairs. See this thread for details problems cited include bad or non existent communication from PlanB, request for payment as modules are ready to ship then no communication and no goods, modules sent in for repair never returned, items shipped with missing components, when sent back, repairs are not completed, abusive phone calls from Plan B when customers complain - all these and more listed, some with video evidence, in the links cited above and below. Some customers have been waiting for paid-for items since 2006 . Customers from outside the US seem to be ignored totally when they have problems -again see link above as well as these links [http://www.muffwiggler.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=60353#60353] and and and and and . And for those who read German, this reference supplies further info . The picture that Plan B tried to paint is that there are a handful of Plan B haters and the companies problems are minor. However, if you read the indicated links, you will see that the problems are widespread, going across continents and country boundaries. Reading the cited links also leads to the impression that Plan B never have direct answers for questions such as, 'give me my goods or a refund', but instead out of pocket customers are treated to self justifying tirades, but very often money or goods do not seem to be forthcoming.
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