Author Topic: [GB] GMK Merlin - Shipping from Kono commences! (Read 54486 times)

merlin64 · « **on:** Fri, 16 August 2019, 10:41:23 »

GMK Merlin GB 08/08/19 - 09/08/19 ENDED

Featuring stock GMK Colors TU1, N6, and CP, I present to you my first keyset design. For those who don't know me, I've been part of the community since around 2013/2014 (lurking primarily). Since then, I have created a YouTube channel where I review keyboards and feature meetups https://www.youtube.com/mechmerlin and I'm also the QMK Community Ambassador. If you're ever at a meetup and see someone with a wizard hat, that is most likely me.

This set is inspired by two of my favorite sets, GMK Triumph Adler and GMK Nautilus. I've included novelty kits for all your magical needs featuring my wizard hat, a crystal ball, and for the first time ever a QMK logo officially endorsed by QMK. (If other keyset designers wish to use this, simply ask QMK). My favorite novelty though is the "SUMMON" key. Disclaimer: Pressing the "SUMMON" key will not actually summon me.

But Merlin wait, didn't this set come out on August 8th, 2019? Well yes, we've had some difficulties in terms of renders but through the help of the community I've managed to remedy most of those issues. =). Anyway without further ado.......... *cue magical music

Kits

Base Kit (MOQ 150):

Wizardry Kit (MOQ 100):

Ortho/40s Kit (MOQ 100):

Keyboard Renders:

Where to Purchase?

US: https://kono.store/products/gmk-merlin-keycap-set
EU: https://mykeyboard.eu/catalogue/category/group-buys/gmk-merlin_178/
Asia: https://ilumkb.com/collections/groupbuy/products/groubuygmk-merlin

Projected Timeline

GB Ends September 6th, 2019
Shipping to customers begins December 2019

Other Info:

I will be posting updates on this thread from here on out. You can see the IC thread on: https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=95019.0

For even more updates or if you just want to directly ask about GMK Merlin, feel free to join the gmk-merlin channel on my Discord Server: https://discord.gg/ZThNMBx

Thank you to everyone for all their support in this set. From all the encouragement, to the novelty design and even to the renderings. Thank you all so much. Let's get this set to MOQ!

merlin64 · « **Reply #1 on:** Fri, 16 August 2019, 12:49:19 »

Current GB Progress. The following statistics comprise total sales of each kit from kono, mykeyboard, and ilumkb. It will be in the format of sales/MOQ.

09/08/19 - FINAL CUSTOMER GROUP BUY SALES NUMBERS - numbers do not reflect vendor extras.
Base Kit: 203/150
Ortho/40s: 33/100
Wizardry: 137/100

More

09/07/19
Base Kit: 187/150
Ortho/40s: 31/100
Wizardry: 125/100

09/06/19
Base Kit: 178/150
Ortho/40s: 30/100
Wizardry: 123/100

09/05/19 - MOQ for Base and Wizardry Hit!
Base Kit: 166/150
Ortho/40s: 27/100
Wizardry: 112/100

09/04/19
Base Kit: 140/150
Ortho/40s: 23/100
Wizardry: 89/100

09/03/19
Base Kit: 119/150
Ortho/40s: 19/100
Wizardry: 74/100

09/02/19
Base Kit: 114/150
Ortho/40s: 18/100
Wizardry: 70/100

08/30/19
Base Kit: 88/150
Ortho/40s: 14/100
Wizardry: 56/100

08/23/19
Base Kit: 64/150
Ortho/40s: 9/100
Wizardry: 29/100

08/16/19
Base Kit: 39/150
Ortho/40s: 9/100
Wizardry: 23/100

08/08/19
Base Kit: 07/150
Ortho/40s: 00/100
Wizardry: 00/100

merlin64 · « **Reply #2 on:** Fri, 16 August 2019, 12:49:45 »

06/22/20 - I finally got GMK Merlin lol.

06/12/20 - People have started to report to me that Kono has begun shipping!

05/18/20 - Kono confirms GMK Merlin is in the new warehouse

04/09/20 - Several people are already reporting receiving their sets. Lucky! US Folk will have to wait longer as Kono seems to be changing shipping warehouses

03/24/20 - mykeyboard.eu has confirmed that GMK Merlin has arrived! Hopefully other vendors will get theirs soon too!

02/18/20 - Received word that GMK is even further delayed. Order to be shipped to Kono and proxies in early March.

11/27/19 - Received word that GMK is delayed, order to be shipped to Kono and proxies in February 2020.

09/19/19 - GMK makes their own renders

09/16/19 - Order submitted to GMK

09/08/19 - GROUP BUY ENDS

Signature · « **Reply #3 on:** Sat, 17 August 2019, 08:25:44 »

Approved!

merlin64 · « **Reply #4 on:** Fri, 23 August 2019, 11:32:16 »

Folks, I updated the current GB progress! We still have a ways to go to meet MOQ!

dvorcol · « **Reply #5 on:** Fri, 23 August 2019, 22:14:44 »

Quote from: merlin64 on Fri, 16 August 2019, 12:49:19

Current GB Progress. The following statistics comprise total sales of each kit from kono, mykeyboard, and ilumkb. It will be in the format of sales/MOQ.

08/23/19
Base Kit: 64/150
Ortho/40s: 9/100
Wizardry: 29/100

« Last Edit: Fri, 23 August 2019, 11:04:21 by merlin64 »

merlin64 · « **Reply #6 on:** Sat, 31 August 2019, 09:18:24 »

Thanks dvorcal for the neat graph!

Anyway, updates for this week. Doing a little better but still haven't hit MOQ.

We've got 1 more week to go!

dvorcol · « **Reply #7 on:** Sat, 31 August 2019, 11:45:11 »

Quote from: merlin64 on Fri, 16 August 2019, 12:49:19

Current GB Progress. The following statistics comprise total sales of each kit from kono, mykeyboard, and ilumkb. It will be in the format of sales/MOQ.

08/30/19
Base Kit: 88/150
Ortho/40s: 14/100
Wizardry: 56/100

08/23/19
Base Kit: 64/150
Ortho/40s: 9/100
Wizardry: 29/100

More

<-- history to date

Quote from: merlin64 on Sat, 31 August 2019, 09:18:24

Thanks dvorcal for the neat graph!

Anyway, updates for this week. Doing a little better but still haven't hit MOQ.

We've got 1 more week to go!

You're welcome!

Best of luck with this GB. August was a highly competitive month, but it looks like Merlin sales are picking up.

chive_ · « **Reply #8 on:** Mon, 02 September 2019, 22:47:13 »

How close is this to hitting MOQ?

mrpetrov · « **Reply #9 on:** Mon, 02 September 2019, 22:49:57 »

Quote from: chive_ on Mon, 02 September 2019, 22:47:13

How close is this to hitting MOQ?

Pretty sure they're now past the point that it will get produced once you include the extras being purchased by vendors. So if you were thinking of hopping on board, this is happening!

merlin64 · « **Reply #10 on:** Tue, 03 September 2019, 00:46:29 »

Quote from: chive_ on Mon, 02 September 2019, 22:47:13

How close is this to hitting MOQ?

The second post in this thread contains up to date info on latest numbers. For more up to date info as I receive them you can look at my discord channel.

dvorcol · « **Reply #11 on:** Tue, 03 September 2019, 07:04:47 »

More

]

Quote from: merlin64 on Fri, 16 August 2019, 12:49:19

Current GB Progress. The following statistics comprise total sales of each kit from kono, mykeyboard, and ilumkb. It will be in the format of sales/MOQ.

09/02/19
Base Kit: 114/150
Ortho/40s: 18/100
Wizardry: 70/100

More

<-- history to date

merlin64 · « **Reply #12 on:** Tue, 03 September 2019, 10:37:51 »

Thanks dvorcol, I've looked back and tried to piece together metrics from conversations to backfill the earlier stats. =)

merlin64 · « **Reply #13 on:** Tue, 03 September 2019, 13:28:11 »

As some of you may know, I also have a Twitch stream where I build boards and port boards into QMK.

I'll be doing a giveaway tonight 09/03 of a GMK Merlin base set during my Porting with Ports stream. Tune in at 7:30 PM PST on https://www.twitch.tv/mechmerlin to learn about the QMK porting process and to have a chance at the most magical set of the year!

dvorcol · « **Reply #14 on:** Tue, 03 September 2019, 14:20:09 »

Quote from: merlin64 on Tue, 03 September 2019, 10:37:51

Thanks dvorcol, I've looked back and tried to piece together metrics from conversations to backfill the earlier stats. =)

Thanks, I updated the history graph -->

More

merlin64 · « **Reply #15 on:** Wed, 04 September 2019, 19:57:38 »

Good news! We are extending the GB end day by another day! Couple people have expressed that Friday is pay day, and would be able to better afford the set on Friday rather than Thursday.

Another bit of good news, vendors have assured me that even if we don't hit MOQ, we are at the point where vendor extras will allow us to hit MOQ for both the base and novelty sets. Ortho/40s is still trailing far behind so there is little chance of that pulling through unless 60 people sign up all of a sudden!

dvorcol · « **Reply #16 on:** Wed, 04 September 2019, 21:58:18 »

Quote from: merlin64 on Wed, 04 September 2019, 19:57:38

Good news! We are extending the GB end day by another day! Couple people have expressed that Friday is pay day, and would be able to better afford the set on Friday rather than Thursday.

Another bit of good news, vendors have assured me that even if we don't hit MOQ, we are at the point where vendor extras will allow us to hit MOQ for both the base and novelty sets. Ortho/40s is still trailing far behind so there is little chance of that pulling through unless 60 people sign up all of a sudden!

More

<-- history to date

merlin64 · « **Reply #17 on:** Wed, 04 September 2019, 23:41:47 »

Getting closer!!!
Metrics updated with 09/04 stats

09/04/19
Base Kit: 139/150
Ortho/40s: 23/100
Wizardry: 89/100

dvorcol · « **Reply #18 on:** Thu, 05 September 2019, 00:29:35 »

Quote from: merlin64 on Wed, 04 September 2019, 23:41:47

Getting closer!!!
Metrics updated with 09/04 stats

09/04/19
Base Kit: 139/150
Ortho/40s: 23/100
Wizardry: 89/100

More

<-- history to date

merlin64 · « **Reply #19 on:** Thu, 05 September 2019, 21:15:18 »

Wooohoooo! Folks, we finally hit MOQ, and that's before any vendor extras!

Thank you everyone who has purchased a set so far! We still got one more day to go!

dvorcol · « **Reply #20 on:** Thu, 05 September 2019, 21:48:22 »

Quote from: merlin64 on Fri, 16 August 2019, 12:49:19

Current GB Progress. The following statistics comprise total sales of each kit from kono, mykeyboard, and ilumkb. It will be in the format of sales/MOQ.

MOQs have been hit for Base and Wizardry. These do not include vendor extras for replacement or instock sales.

09/05/19
Base Kit: 166/150
Ortho/40s: 27/100
Wizardry: 112/100

More

09/04/19
Base Kit: 140/150
Ortho/40s: 23/100
Wizardry: 89/100

09/03/19
Base Kit: 119/150
Ortho/40s: 19/100
Wizardry: 74/100

09/02/19
Base Kit: 114/150
Ortho/40s: 18/100
Wizardry: 70/100

08/30/19
Base Kit: 88/150
Ortho/40s: 14/100
Wizardry: 56/100

08/23/19
Base Kit: 64/150
Ortho/40s: 9/100
Wizardry: 29/100

08/16/19
Base Kit: 39/150
Ortho/40s: 9/100
Wizardry: 23/100

08/08/19
Base Kit: 07/150
Ortho/40s: 00/100
Wizardry: 00/100

Quote from: merlin64 on Thu, 05 September 2019, 21:15:18

Wooohoooo! Folks, we finally hit MOQ, and that's before any vendor extras!

Thank you everyone who has purchased a set so far! We still got one more day to go!

More

<-- history to date

eskimojo · « **Reply #21 on:** Fri, 06 September 2019, 06:43:29 »

Quote from: merlin64 on Thu, 05 September 2019, 21:15:18

Wooohoooo! Folks, we finally hit MOQ, and that's before any vendor extras!

Thank you everyone who has purchased a set so far! We still got one more day to go!

Congrats

merlin64 · « **Reply #22 on:** Fri, 06 September 2019, 10:34:36 »

Folks, we have entered our FINAL DAY! As mentioned yesterday I am pleased to announce that MOQs for base and wizardry have been hit!

As of this posting, we got roughly 15 hours and 25 minutes left!

merlin64 · « **Reply #23 on:** Fri, 06 September 2019, 20:17:34 »

Hello everyone. Kono has informed me that since they can't submit the order until Monday 09/08 anyway they might as well keep the GB open until then.

Hence, GMK Merlin will continue to be on sale until Sunday 09/08!

merlin64 · « **Reply #24 on:** Sat, 07 September 2019, 09:03:46 »

Updated Sales

09/06/19
Base Kit: 178/150
Ortho/40s: 30/100
Wizardry: 123/100

Rob27shred · « **Reply #25 on:** Sat, 07 September 2019, 09:26:07 »

Man I wish I had the money to get in on a set, really love this colorway, but didn't know it was even running till a few days ago. Hopefully they'll be some extras cause I have a feeling this is gonna be one of those sets that skyrockets in price on the second hand market!

dvorcol · « **Reply #26 on:** Sat, 07 September 2019, 10:37:28 »

Quote from: merlin64 on Sat, 07 September 2019, 09:03:46

Updated Sales

09/06/19
Base Kit: 178/150
Ortho/40s: 30/100
Wizardry: 123/100

More

<-- history to date

merlin64 · « **Reply #27 on:** Sat, 07 September 2019, 21:51:39 »

Updated Sales

09/07/19
Base Kit: 187/150
Ortho/40s: 31/100
Wizardry: 125/100

dvorcol · « **Reply #28 on:** Sun, 08 September 2019, 00:57:16 »

Quote from: merlin64 on Sat, 07 September 2019, 21:51:39

Updated Sales

09/07/19
Base Kit: 187/150
Ortho/40s: 31/100
Wizardry: 125/100

More

<-- history to date

merlin64 · « **Reply #29 on:** Sun, 08 September 2019, 10:40:37 »

It's the FINAl DAY 09/08! Get your orders in!!!!

merlin64 · « **Reply #30 on:** Sun, 08 September 2019, 21:51:19 »

We are down to the FINAL 4 hours! Get your orders in!

I'll provide a final total once everything has been accounted for.

merlin64 · « **Reply #31 on:** Mon, 09 September 2019, 13:05:16 »

The Group Buy for GMK Merlin has officially ended! Thank you to everyone who has joined. It was quite the ride, and I appreciate all the support you guys all so graciously provided.

Final Customer Sales Numbers for GMK Merlin
Base Kit: 203/150
Ortho/40s: 33/100
Wizardry: 137/100

These numbers omit any vendor extras.

Once again thank you guys for all your support. I'll be updating the second reserved post for any future announcements and shipping updates.

dvorcol · « **Reply #32 on:** Mon, 09 September 2019, 18:14:04 »

More

Quote from: merlin64 on Mon, 09 September 2019, 13:05:16

The Group Buy for GMK Merlin has officially ended! Thank you to everyone who has joined. It was quite the ride, and I appreciate all the support you guys all so graciously provided.

Final Customer Sales Numbers for GMK Merlin
Base Kit: 203/150
Ortho/40s: 33/100
Wizardry: 137/100

These numbers omit any vendor extras.

Once again thank you guys for all your support. I'll be updating the second reserved post for any future announcements and shipping updates.

Quote from: merlin64 on Sat, 28 December 2019, 10:29:09

Ortho will not be produced as it did not hit MOQ

merlin64 · « **Reply #33 on:** Thu, 19 September 2019, 13:45:29 »

09/19/19 Updates: GMK has made their own renders of the set! Not sure what this means on how close or how far they are on production though.

Emir · « **Reply #34 on:** Thu, 19 September 2019, 13:48:34 »

Quote from: merlin64 on Thu, 19 September 2019, 13:45:29

09/19/19 Updates: GMK has made their own renders of the set! Not sure what this means on how close or how far they are on production though.

They do it pre-production so that the designer can accept the final keys. They do it before quoting you, and before heading into production. Basically, the order is in the confirmation stage.

merlin64 · « **Reply #35 on:** Wed, 27 November 2019, 17:33:17 »

UPDATES

11/27/19 - Received word that GMK is delayed, order to be shipped to Kono and proxies in February 2020.

Kind of expected this to happen based on the number of GBs happening that same month.

eskimojo · « **Reply #36 on:** Thu, 28 November 2019, 01:59:19 »

Quote from: merlin64 on Wed, 27 November 2019, 17:33:17

UPDATES

11/27/19 - Received word that GMK is delayed, order to be shipped to Kono and proxies in February 2020.

Kind of expected this to happen based on the number of GBs happening that same month.

Somewhat hefty delay from the original date of December, but as you say, not really surprising.

I'm sure it'll be great when it comes anyway

hyperdolch · « **Reply #37 on:** Sat, 28 December 2019, 08:26:36 »

Will Ortho/40s Kit be produced?
And is 'yellow Enter' in Ortho/40s kit 2U size or 1.75U size?
It looks like 2U in rendering:(

merlin64 · « **Reply #38 on:** Sat, 28 December 2019, 10:29:09 »

No Ortho will not be produced as it did not hit MOQ

Ortho/40s: 33/100

merlin64 · « **Reply #39 on:** Tue, 18 February 2020, 13:06:33 »

UPDATE:

02/18/20 - Received word that GMK is even further delayed. Order to be shipped to Kono and proxies in early March.

child · « **Reply #40 on:** Tue, 18 February 2020, 13:22:09 »

I was thinking how long it will take GMK to follow SP steps and it seems it just happened...

merlin64 · « **Reply #41 on:** Wed, 19 February 2020, 10:42:36 »

LOL. Yeah oversaturated. Hopefully they will get new machines to keep up with demand soon. Though I wonder how much extra demand is needed for a company to be able to justify purchasing new machinery. Like maybe its when lead times take 5x as long, then its justifiable lol.

merlin64 · « **Reply #42 on:** Tue, 24 March 2020, 08:53:28 »

UPDATE!!!

03/24/20 - mykeyboard.eu has confirmed shipping of GMK Merlin! See pictures in update post!! HURRAY!

Zeelobby · « **Reply #43 on:** Tue, 07 April 2020, 08:21:31 »

Any chance there will be extras available? Specifically on Kono? Missed this and would love to pick it up.

Jae-3soteric · « **Reply #44 on:** Wed, 08 April 2020, 14:46:50 »

Got my set in the mail the other day

merlin64 · « **Reply #45 on:** Thu, 09 April 2020, 15:44:32 »

Super jealous of all you folks who have already got it!! Make sure you post pics!

Anyway....looks like us folks in America will have to wait longer. This just in from Kono

Distribution Warehouse Transition -
Temporary Fulfillment Shutdown

Fulfillment for new orders has been halted while we transition inventory to a new warehouse. If you received a shipping or progress notification (not your order confirmation email) we expect your order to ship before the move is complete. There will be delays given the pandemic.

With that in mind, we’re making Domestic US shipping free during the transition.

We planned to move our stock in two phases to keep fulfillment active for core products, but our current provider cut off services early (and unexpectedly) due to Coronavirus’ impacts on their operations. All inventory must move; fulfillment for new orders cannot begin again until that is complete. We hope to complete the transition fully within 2 months.

The new fulfillment center will be a dramatic improvement. Bringing awesome new products to life will be way easier, so we’re excited. Please contact support@kono.store with questions and concerns — thanks for your patronage!

merlin64 · « **Reply #46 on:** Mon, 18 May 2020, 15:31:05 »

Folks, Kono has confirmed that GMK Merlin has made it safely to their new warehouse

LeoShi · « **Reply #47 on:** Fri, 12 June 2020, 03:01:34 »

when will kono ship the orders?

merlin64 · « **Reply #48 on:** Fri, 12 June 2020, 21:25:26 »

Folks I am getting reports of people receiving tracking numbers for GMK Merlin here in the US! Woohoo. Hopefully we'll see the end of this soon!

child · « **Reply #49 on:** Mon, 15 June 2020, 05:58:37 »

Fortunately being in Europe I received mine quite some time ago. Hopefully this picture will sweeten the remaining time for those still waiting

News:

Author Topic: [GB] GMK Merlin - Shipping from Kono commences! (Read 54486 times)