I read some of it but wasn’t sure of the particulars so wasn’t going to base my whole choice from that.
I’m more concerned by how Brian chooses to run things tbh. Seems like he desperately needs to hire a business manager.
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I personally wouldn’t be to worried… the guy is almost definitely legit. I always do wonder how emails and such like that end up falling through the cracks, I feel like if there is a smaller synth company I have heard that exact same doesn’t respond story from a customer. Erica synths, DSI, Bastl… and all those are not one man operations. It happens and it sucks but it happens everywhere.
Honestly at this point I feel a bit surprised his website is still having trouble makes me wonder if there is something else out of his hands going on. I suppose the demand for the avalon now that it is on its final run is much larger than expected? maybe someone is trying to bot it and resell?
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I know someone that ordered last year, got the email in Feb saying his unit is ready and asking to confirm address. Did this, and then nothing. Sent three or four emails over the next few months, no reply. Then a week or so ago got a reply from Brian apologising and saying that he will ship it in the next few days. Received a USPS reference number a couple of days later. Last he heard, the package left LA on way to UK.
I don’t think Brian will take your money and disappear. He is just utterly crap at the business and admin side of things. Be prepared for a long and frustrating experience, but he will deliver the product eventually. (
)
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Most of us are somewhat aware of both Abstrakt and the risks of small companies, especially when “preordering”.
I’ve had an EMPick on order for several years now, long before the pandemic.
I respect the Avalon product, and there’s not much like it. So I risk my $ in the trust that I will eventually receive a product, and may have to bug someone a bit if I fell through the cracks.
Or, I can seek my money back from Paypal.
I mean, if I could buy the product. Which I currently can not 
Edit: Is this sunk cost? FOMO? Spite? Tenacity? Stubbornness?
Yes.
There is a time limit on both Paypal enquiries and credit card chargebacks BTW.
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Norand became available again so I’m officially giving up now.
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Apparently SX-Pro are a UK reseller, might be worth enquiring to them for UK buyers?
https://sxpro.co.uk/search.php?search_query=Abstrakt+avalon
I asked them if they can get them, might be worth a shot.
I’d thought about this but didn’t pursue it. Good idea
PayPal’s robust locks have been in a circle for over two hours.
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FWIW, I ordered 2 filter carts through Abstrakt’s site last week. They shipped the next morning and arrived a day earlier than expected.
Brian’s always been legit… and swamped.
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I asked SX-Pro but they said…
‘As it stands, Abstrakt Instruments haven’t responded to my numerous emails over the past few years, so we currently do not expect any more stock to arrive’
SX-Pro mentioned trying to contact them today and updating me if anything. But I honestly can’t help but laugh at everyone saying they can never get through to them.
Thumbs up to SX for responding so quickly though
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Yeah got same from them, really quite puts me off of buying Abstrakt gear if they don’t even talk to their distributors - what chance has a customer who wants spares/repair down the road?
I’ll guess I will wait for the Ulistrakt Instumentz Behline 
j/k
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Yes, I received a SEM cart fairly quickly.
Communications are overwhelmed, but unlike Cyclone Analogic (who definitely does not keep in touch with anyone as well as their distributors) I’m more confident in the support.
hisssssssssssssssssssss
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Those that managed to buy - how many units were left?
I see it’s still down. I don’t sit and try the whole time, I check now and then when I remember, and if my first request fails I don’t continue trying, so maybe it is not that hard to get through if you persist for a while?
I find it incredible that the system is still down. Are there really so many people interested that for more than 2 days the system grinds to a halt. And if interest is so huge, then maybe everything is sold out already?
I don’t believe its really restricted to “units left.” The description on the updated page said something that leads me to believe that this final run will be order made, that he needs to know how many units to build. It also said there were over 180 regardless of the color I selected.
Apologies in advance if I’m completely incorrect here.
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That’s the thing, I imagine there are still 150-180 to buy considering it’s failing out at the last Paypal step.
How I read it is that there are x number of units, and that the case / LED choices are irrelevant to the base number of components he has reserved.
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Yea that could be the case. Wish I could buy one regardless, but alas…I am strapped for cash.
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for those who want to get passed the “loading spinners of doom”.
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This is like a test to make sure only people that really want it will get one. The one guy claims his girlfriend is feeding him while he sits at his computer the whole day, refreshing his browser.
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There’s Ajax calls at some point. So refreshing the browser won’t work. 
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