Author Topic: Gauging Interest for Noppoo Choc Mini Group Buy (Read 26355 times)

.XL · « **on:** Tue, 08 March 2011, 11:05:18 »

______________

Price change: $103 to CONUS, $110 to Alaska/Hawaii/Canada, and prices for other countries TBD

______________

Hello all,

I've been in contact with my guy in Hong Kong and he's working on sourcing the Noppoo for as cheap as possible, as well as finding cheap shipping options. We think we've got a good idea of what's going on with shipping and he's trying to work on the manufacturer for lower prices.

What I'm interested is in a Choc Mini group buy. I will try to organize it but bear with me as I have never done this before. So far it looks like I can get the Choc Mini shipped to CONUS for $100, but I will have to find out prices for other countries (if there is any interest for it).

The person who will be sourcing these from the manufacturer is the same person who sells them on eBay, so if you need any references just look there. He's legit. And I can promise you I'm legit also...my reputation here is nil but you're welcome to my eBay rep on request.

Anyway, this thread is just go gauge interest. I'm expecting around 15-20 Choc Minis, but I'd prefer an exact amount so I can let my guy know what we're looking at. Also, there's a good chance we will need to wait for them to be produced, as Noppoo is barely keeping up with demand.

Just comment below and let me know what and how much you'd be interested in from the normal options (Blue, Brown, Black). Thanks!

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Current standings:

Pineapples - (Brown x1)
Calavera - (Brown x1)
Parallaxis - (Brown x1)
spdx - (Brown x1, Black x1)
morphine - (Brown x1)
Muftobration - (Blue x1)
n12 - (Blue x1)
drgnfang - (Blue x1)
Slotermeyer - (Blue x1) [Canada]
CeeSa - (Blue x1) [Germany]
vhaarr - (Brown x1) [Norway]
jat4 - (Brown x1) [Finland]
Moneyless - undecided

6 + 5 + 1 + 2
[Brown x7, Blue x5, Black x1, Undecided x2]

calavera · « **Reply #1 on:** Tue, 08 March 2011, 11:13:57 »

If you can guarantee 105 shipped or lower to the states I'd be interested in one. Haven't made up my mind yet as of the switch though. (conflict with the poker I want to order

)

.XL · « **Reply #2 on:** Tue, 08 March 2011, 11:21:05 »

I can personally guarantee it. I'm leaving some wiggle room ($3) in the final price as quoted to me + my estimated shipping.

Shipping will be whatever is cheapest in the interest of keeping this as cheap as possible. I'll update with price changes whenever I find out. If we can get a large enough order I'm sure the manufacturer will be willing to drop the price a bit.

ogreofdakka · « **Reply #3 on:** Tue, 08 March 2011, 23:18:51 »

i m interested in 1 with brown switches

Moneyless · « **Reply #4 on:** Tue, 08 March 2011, 23:56:57 »

I might be interested in one if enough other people get interested to keep the price low. :biggrin:

pineapples · « **Reply #5 on:** Wed, 09 March 2011, 07:52:08 »

I'd be interested in one with brown switches.

calavera · « **Reply #6 on:** Thu, 10 March 2011, 11:24:14 »

I'm surprised there's only three people interested in this groupbuy? These get snatched up pretty quickly in the classifieds, I don't see why nobody would want new ones for cheaper.

May be you should change the title with said price for more attention

Slotermeyer · « **Reply #7 on:** Thu, 10 March 2011, 11:36:27 »

I'm in for 1 keyboard w/ blue switches. I live in Canada. Thanks for the offer .XL.

placebo guy · « **Reply #8 on:** Thu, 10 March 2011, 12:59:12 »

Put me down for 1 KB w/ blue switches.

.XL - It's Thursday and everyone is getting their Naruto fix.

.XL · « **Reply #9 on:** Thu, 10 March 2011, 17:29:34 »

So that's 6 people in so far (5 definites). If I get enough, I'll post the buy thread on March 31st (I'd say April 1st, but then you'd all think I was joking! I'm not, BTW).

ohm-ish · « **Reply #10 on:** Thu, 10 March 2011, 17:54:22 »

Nice one!
I'm could be very interested. with brown switches
But I'm in Denmark so I need to know the total first

I could not find it but do you think ISO keys could be possible?
Is this the improved version, with stronger/brighter key-printing? EDIT: let's find the improved version (unless people rather have the dark key version)

.XL · « **Reply #11 on:** Thu, 10 March 2011, 18:00:27 »

I'll ask my friend to source the new version with the white keys, if everyone is up for that.

Seeing as you're in Denmark it might end up being somewhere near $130 to ship to you. As long as you're okay with that, I'm okay with shipping it to you.

ISO keys will not be possible. He can buy only the standard layout.

ohm-ish · « **Reply #12 on:** Thu, 10 March 2011, 18:03:11 »

Quote from: .XL;309475

Seeing as you're in Denmark it might end up being somewhere near $130 to ship to you. As long as you're okay with that, I'm okay with shipping it to you.

I'm okay with that
send it as a low-value thing?

n12 · « **Reply #13 on:** Thu, 10 March 2011, 18:22:27 »

I'd be very interested.

Cherry MX Blue.

Parallaxis · « **Reply #14 on:** Thu, 10 March 2011, 18:43:14 »

I'd be interested in one with brown switches

ogreofdakka · « **Reply #15 on:** Thu, 10 March 2011, 19:27:47 »

white keys are fine with me

.XL · « **Reply #16 on:** Fri, 11 March 2011, 19:46:27 »

Sorry for the late responses! I was in New York picking up an old friend of mine I know from the Greek army. I'll update the thread tomorrow.

My brother is in for a Choc Mini, too!

placebo guy · « **Reply #17 on:** Fri, 11 March 2011, 20:02:16 »

Please remove me from the list. I'm going with iMav's KBC Poker order. Sorry.

calavera · « **Reply #18 on:** Fri, 11 March 2011, 23:54:32 »

I've made up my mind. Browns for me please.

ohm-ish · « **Reply #19 on:** Sat, 12 March 2011, 13:02:19 »

I'm out, sorry..
I'll regret not having the danish/swedish ISO layout

CeeSA · « **Reply #20 on:** Sat, 12 March 2011, 16:19:01 »

i would be in for
1x mx blue
shipped to germany for not more than 140$.
thanks

.XL · « **Reply #21 on:** Sun, 13 March 2011, 12:32:06 »

Price has been lowered to $100 for CONUS, $105 to Alaska/Hawaii/Canada, and other countries TBD.

Moneyless · « **Reply #22 on:** Sun, 13 March 2011, 16:01:05 »

Quote from: .XL;311020

Price has been lowered to $100 for CONUS, $105 to Alaska/Hawaii/Canada, and other countries TBD.

Oooooooooh $105 eh... That's a great price. Just $15 more than what I just paid for this BlackWidow non-ultimate (taxes ffuuuuu) to try out Cherry blues...

krisbo · « **Reply #23 on:** Mon, 14 March 2011, 10:30:17 »

Um, how about Australia?

Would like brown switches

.XL · « **Reply #24 on:** Mon, 14 March 2011, 19:57:13 »

For Australia it would just be easier to send it to you from China...

krisbo · « **Reply #25 on:** Mon, 14 March 2011, 21:53:20 »

Well if that is agreeable to your contact in Hong Kong I would definitely be down for an improved version of this board with brown switches.

alaricljs · « **Reply #26 on:** Mon, 14 March 2011, 23:21:22 »

1x Browns

.XL · « **Reply #27 on:** Mon, 14 March 2011, 23:32:12 »

Quote from: krisbo;311870

Well if that is agreeable to your contact in Hong Kong I would definitely be down for an improved version of this board with brown switches.

That is *IF* the improved version exists and isn't just a pre-production version.

I'll ask him for ya, and I'll make sure to clear up what's up with the legends

spdx · « **Reply #28 on:** Tue, 15 March 2011, 00:58:18 »

brown x 1. thanks

Moneyless · « **Reply #29 on:** Tue, 15 March 2011, 00:59:39 »

Might end up seriously being interested depending on what my credit card statement looks like online once it updates. :tongue: :frown: $105 is a good price.

calavera · « **Reply #30 on:** Tue, 15 March 2011, 01:58:36 »

Whats this white key talk about? I thought these come in black only? Anyone have pics?

RiGS · « **Reply #31 on:** Tue, 15 March 2011, 07:58:06 »

Quote from: calavera;311950

Whats this white key talk about? I thought these come in black only? Anyone have pics?

I think they refer to this as "white".

.XL · « **Reply #32 on:** Tue, 15 March 2011, 09:19:17 »

Let me know ahead of time if you're from outside the US. The prices might end up being higher for shipping, I just estimated the shipping myself.

vhaarr · « **Reply #33 on:** Tue, 15 March 2011, 18:02:53 »

I'm in for a MX Brown one, and I live in Norway

.XL · « **Reply #34 on:** Tue, 15 March 2011, 21:40:50 »

The prices for Canada/Alaska/Hawaii have changed. I just sent a package today to Canada and it cost me $17USD, so I will need to charge $110-$115 for those three places.

calavera · « **Reply #35 on:** Tue, 15 March 2011, 22:59:19 »

What would be the ETA on these keyboards? Just trying to plan ahead for funds

Moneyless · « **Reply #36 on:** Wed, 16 March 2011, 00:18:06 »

Quote from: .XL;312445

The prices for Canada/Alaska/Hawaii have changed. I just sent a package today to Canada and it cost me $17USD, so I will need to charge $110-$115 for those three places.

That's still pretty decent.

n12 · « **Reply #37 on:** Wed, 16 March 2011, 01:31:04 »

Someone stated in another thread around here, that they are changing the Choc mini again in "early 2011" (not just the "whiter" keycaps I'm guessing either). Any info/thoughts?

Edit: Link to post: http://geekhack.org/showpost.php?p=310469&postcount=23

Parallaxis · « **Reply #38 on:** Wed, 16 March 2011, 02:34:41 »

I hope the new ones aren't all white lettering, I like the dark stealth lettering

krisbo · « **Reply #39 on:** Wed, 16 March 2011, 03:38:26 »

I got a response from an ebay seller saying that the white lettering is only on early models, and that they are not for sale.

.XL · « **Reply #40 on:** Wed, 16 March 2011, 09:13:52 »

Quote from: calavera;312472

What would be the ETA on these keyboards? Just trying to plan ahead for funds

I was hoping to get ~14 people by the last day of march, but it seems like we might reach that goal earlier.

Quote from: krisbo;312551

I got a response from an ebay seller saying that the white lettering is only on early models, and that they are not for sale.

Is his ebay name 'aminglau'? That's my buddy in Hong Kong and who I'm sourcing the keyboards from. Any information from him you should consider truth.

krisbo · « **Reply #41 on:** Wed, 16 March 2011, 15:11:13 »

Yep, that's the guy.

spdx · « **Reply #42 on:** Wed, 16 March 2011, 23:25:44 »

I would like to give myself a chance to try a mx black.
++ black x 1

Muftobration · « **Reply #43 on:** Thu, 17 March 2011, 15:29:33 »

Put me down for a brown!

krazymunky · « **Reply #44 on:** Thu, 17 March 2011, 19:34:50 »

i want one but not too sure which switch. whens the latest date you need to know?

jat4 · « **Reply #45 on:** Fri, 18 March 2011, 02:26:10 »

So do these keyboards have a tenkeyless version of the US layout? I'd be interested in getting one to Finland if that's the case. With brown switches.

.XL · « **Reply #46 on:** Fri, 18 March 2011, 12:46:45 »

Quote from: jat4;313783

So do these keyboards have a tenkeyless version of the US layout? I'd be interested in getting one to Finland if that's the case. With brown switches.

Sort of. It's more compressed than that. It's about the size of the HHKB

@krazymunky - I'll close this thread at the end of March and start the group buy thread. From what it looks like we might be hitting 20-some people. I'm not sure if he can send 20 keyboard with one package so there might be 2 large packages heading my way. We'll see what that means for shipping when I start the group buy thread and get a real idea of how many keyboards are going out.

For all those that are wondering about the 'new' version of the Choc Mini coming out in early 2011, I believe the question has already been answered. The dark lettering is the current version, the white lettering is not for sale anymore. This groupbuy is therefore for the dark lettering only.

jat4 · « **Reply #47 on:** Sat, 19 March 2011, 17:45:54 »

Quote from: .XL;313991

Sort of. It's more compressed than that. It's about the size of the HHKB

Ok. I've looked at the pictures (I guess I could've done this earlier :ohwell:) and the layout looks good. Any idea on shipping costs to Finland?

.XL · « **Reply #48 on:** Sat, 19 March 2011, 21:31:15 »

Quote from: jat4;314525

Ok. I've looked at the pictures (I guess I could've done this earlier :ohwell:) and the layout looks good. Any idea on shipping costs to Finland?

It looks like it might be around 35-40 dollars US

kanjar · « **Reply #49 on:** Sun, 20 March 2011, 00:15:14 »

put me down for 1 brown shipped to the US

jat4 · « **Reply #50 on:** Sun, 20 March 2011, 04:56:41 »

Quote from: .XL;314587

It looks like it might be around 35-40 dollars US

Sounds reasonable. So one with Browns to Finland, please. :smile:

flyinout · « **Reply #51 on:** Sun, 20 March 2011, 12:52:15 »

I'm in for 1*Brown.
btw, how to pay and when will you begin shipping?

drgnfang · « **Reply #52 on:** Sun, 20 March 2011, 20:34:06 »

I'm down for 1*blue.

.XL · « **Reply #53 on:** Sun, 20 March 2011, 22:02:54 »

I've sent another email out to the person who will procure these keyboards for us to see how much he can send per order. I will let you know what his answer is to that question, but it seems the price won't get any cheaper than what I listed it (the shipping is lowest-price and the manufacture won't go lower unless we buy a much larger amount).

So, this is how it will go:

I will assess a manufacturers price + shipping price to the US fee for the keyboards, and you will pay me that first. I will ensure I have your order exactly right, so no worries there. Once I receive the keyboards to my house in Maryland, USA, I will update the buy thread I will make with exact shipping prices (I will have to have the keyboards in my possession so I can weigh them separately first) so we're not stuck playing the guessing game.

If anyone has a better idea of how I should proceed with payment please let me know!

Also, is Paypal okay for everyone or are Amazon payments better? Seeing as there's Europeans interested in the keyboards I'm assuming Paypal is the way to go (I don't want to use both, I want just one of the two).

CeeSA · « **Reply #54 on:** Mon, 21 March 2011, 04:15:15 »

paypal would be fine

drgnfang · « **Reply #55 on:** Mon, 21 March 2011, 17:02:08 »

paypal is fine (amazon is preferred).

vhaarr · « **Reply #56 on:** Mon, 21 March 2011, 17:04:03 »

Paypal preferred.

kanjar · « **Reply #57 on:** Mon, 21 March 2011, 17:09:06 »

i changed my mind. going with a filco. thank you though

spdx · « **Reply #58 on:** Mon, 21 March 2011, 18:58:50 »

Quote from: .XL;315070

Also, is Paypal okay for everyone or are Amazon payments better? Seeing as there's Europeans interested in the keyboards I'm assuming Paypal is the way to go (I don't want to use both, I want just one of the two).

Both work for me. Thanks

flyinout · « **Reply #59 on:** Mon, 21 March 2011, 20:43:41 »

I prefer paypal

Muftobration · « **Reply #60 on:** Tue, 22 March 2011, 02:16:41 »

Hey .XL, can you please change me from a brown to a blue? I have changed my mind.

.XL · « **Reply #61 on:** Tue, 22 March 2011, 09:22:50 »

Okay, list has been updated. I'll start the buy thread this upcoming monday, the 28th. And payment will be with paypal. Everyone okay with that?

krazymunky · « **Reply #62 on:** Tue, 22 March 2011, 13:00:55 »

screw it. im in for one brown.
paypal is good.

krazymunky · « **Reply #63 on:** Fri, 25 March 2011, 18:09:52 »

no updates?

.XL · « **Reply #64 on:** Fri, 25 March 2011, 18:44:32 »

I can't give any updates unless I get any :/ My guy in Hong Kong has exams now so it'll be a bit before he can let me know for sure. He said the good price discount can be reached at 20 keyboards, so we gotta hit that and we're good.

jat4 · « **Reply #65 on:** Sat, 26 March 2011, 08:56:49 »

PayPal is perfect. Thanks for doing this! :-) *hug*

calavera · « **Reply #66 on:** Sun, 27 March 2011, 00:53:36 »

Just to clarify, it's 100 shipped within CONUS? When can we expect delivery given everything goes smoothly?

.XL · « **Reply #67 on:** Sun, 27 March 2011, 03:55:03 »

Quote from: calavera;319396

Just to clarify, it's 100 shipped within CONUS? When can we expect delivery given everything goes smoothly?

That I can't give until I know my guy has received the keyboards :/

I'll start the group buy thread Monday night, and I'll work out the detail over the course of a week or two until we get a 20 keyboard order at the least.

flyinout · « **Reply #68 on:** Sun, 27 March 2011, 09:53:22 »

Quote from: .XL;319436

That I can't give until I know my guy has received the keyboards :/

I'll start the group buy thread Monday night, and I'll work out the detail over the course of a week or two until we get a 20 keyboard order at the least.

still have to wait so long? then please erase my name from the list, I can't wait any more~~:)

alaricljs · « **Reply #69 on:** Sun, 27 March 2011, 11:43:37 »

Pull me off the list as well.

ogreofdakka · « **Reply #70 on:** Mon, 28 March 2011, 02:19:00 »

me too sorry =/

CeeSA · « **Reply #71 on:** Mon, 28 March 2011, 07:13:14 »

omg, minus 3

15 left...
could the group buy still happen?

.XL · « **Reply #72 on:** Mon, 28 March 2011, 10:50:22 »

Quote from: CeeSA;319982

omg, minus 3

15 left...
could the group buy still happen?

It might end up being a bit more expensive. I just emailed the guy who's sourcing these to see what we can do with 15 keyboards...

I'm waiting to hear back on any possible price changes and then I will start the group buy thread.

The group buy thread will work as such:

I will take payment in the form of Paypal, and the price WILL change. The $100 cost was my best estimate, but the actual cost for CONUS will be $103 ($80 from manu + $13 per unit @ 20 units from HK + $9.34 shipping from my house to CONUS). Canada is ~$5-$10 more than domestic, so I'm thinking a price of $110 will cover Canada.

Those of you in Europe will probably have to wait several weeks, and will probably be looking at around a $30-$40 postage price.

K5Doom · « **Reply #73 on:** Mon, 28 March 2011, 11:15:03 »

edit: Nvm, I'll import it myself.

speakeasy · « **Reply #74 on:** Mon, 28 March 2011, 12:30:43 »

Is this really necessary? I paid ~$97 to have my Noppoo Choc Mini with browns shipped to the US, and it arrived within 3 weeks... and that was right before Chinese Lunar New Year. $103 doesn't really sound like a good deal unless you're DHLing them over or something.

.XL · « **Reply #75 on:** Mon, 28 March 2011, 12:45:28 »

The problem lies in getting them shipped in one large package to save money, to a residential address. From there they will be shipped to another residential address. You probably ordered from Taobao, right? As I said somewhere else, we won't get the amount of keyboards Taobao sellers get, so I can't guarantee a lower price than Taobao.

As I said, the prices WILL change. I update them whenever I learn of a difference.

K5Doom · « **Reply #76 on:** Mon, 28 March 2011, 14:53:33 »

Quote from: speakeasy;320147

Is this really necessary? I paid ~$97 to have my Noppoo Choc Mini with browns shipped to the US, and it arrived within 3 weeks... and that was right before Chinese Lunar New Year. $103 doesn't really sound like a good deal unless you're DHLing them over or something.

Which agent did you end up using?

spdx · « **Reply #77 on:** Mon, 28 March 2011, 14:56:52 »

Quote from: .XL;320154

As I said, the prices WILL change. I update them whenever I learn of a difference.

I have no problems with that. Thank you for taking time managing all the tedious works.

speakeasy · « **Reply #78 on:** Mon, 28 March 2011, 15:48:59 »

Quote from: K5Doom;320205

Which agent did you end up using?

Michael.

jat4 · « **Reply #79 on:** Tue, 29 March 2011, 07:56:14 »

Are we still doing this? I think Monday has already passed everywhere around the globe and I see no new thread..

.XL · « **Reply #80 on:** Tue, 29 March 2011, 10:50:04 »

I said I'd put up the new thread when I heard back from the person who I will source the keyboards from :wink:

I don't want to put up false prices for you guys! I want to know a near-definite price to post so I don't charge people random prices and then have to either ask for you to pay me a little more or to issue refunds to everyone.

krazymunky · « **Reply #81 on:** Tue, 29 March 2011, 11:19:59 »

sorry. going to have to pull out

need to use the money else where and i already have another keyboard coming. MUST STOP THESE IMPULSE BUYS.

hopefully my withdrawal doesnt screw it up for the other buyers.

jat4 · « **Reply #82 on:** Tue, 29 March 2011, 11:45:19 »

Quote from: .XL;320697

I said I'd put up the new thread when I heard back from the person who I will source the keyboards from :wink:

I don't want to put up false prices for you guys! I want to know a near-definite price to post so I don't charge people random prices and then have to either ask for you to pay me a little more or to issue refunds to everyone.

Oops. I missed the part where you said that. My apologies.

And this indeed sounds like a reasonable thing to do, so consider my last comment withdrawn.

.XL · « **Reply #83 on:** Tue, 29 March 2011, 17:53:07 »

Quote from: jat4;320738

Oops. I missed the part where you said that. My apologies.

And this indeed sounds like a reasonable thing to do, so consider my last comment withdrawn.

Ain't no thang

The guy I'm sourcing this from (aminglau @ ebay) and I are both students, so it's sometimes days between when we can respond to emails from eachother. I emailed him yest early afternoon and I'm still waiting to hear back from him. As soon as he gives me the all-clear I'll start the buy!

.XL · « **Reply #84 on:** Tue, 29 March 2011, 21:22:58 »

I have just received word: the blues are sold out at the manufacturer. We managed to grab 25 browns and 5 blacks before the stock was bought up again. These are some HOT keyboards in china!

TO ALL THOSE WHO WANTED BLUES: I cannot provide them to you. It's either blacks or browns, unfortunately. If you would like to change your decision to brown or black or remove yourself from the group buy entirely please post here.

I will start this group buy TOMORROW. I want to give any geekhack members that are still on the fence (or that chose blues) an extra night to think before I start the payment process. The prices seem to be sitting at $103 for CONUS and $110 for Canada/AK/HI.

ALL those who live outside of North America (i.e. Europe) please reconfirm with me you will be OKAY with paying some $35-$45 for shipping the package to you. I don't want the keyboard to get to my house and you to not want it anymore due to high shipping...I can't afford to pay for these boards out of pocket and I don't need an extra board lying around!

CeeSA · « **Reply #85 on:** Wed, 30 March 2011, 02:25:09 »

sorry, blue is the only one ... i am out

vhaarr · « **Reply #86 on:** Wed, 30 March 2011, 02:27:03 »

Quote from: .XL;321130

ALL those who live outside of North America (i.e. Europe) please reconfirm with me you will be OKAY with paying some $35-$45 for shipping the package to you.

Confirm it here or in the actual buy thread tomorrow?

Slotermeyer · « **Reply #87 on:** Wed, 30 March 2011, 07:43:03 »

I'm out :|

.XL · « **Reply #88 on:** Wed, 30 March 2011, 12:30:51 »

Quote from: CeeSA;321222

sorry, blue is the only one ... i am out

Quote from: Slotermeyer;321310

I'm out :|

Sorry guys :/ I was upset when I heard...if you can find one on Taobao or another site pick it up now! It'll probably be at least a month until you'll see them again.

Quote from: vhaarr;321223

Confirm it here or in the actual buy thread tomorrow?

Here or there. I just want to make sure you're okay with paying that much for shipping.

News:

Author Topic: Gauging Interest for Noppoo Choc Mini Group Buy (Read 26355 times)