so I'm pretty new around here and fairly ignorant to group buys in general, so pardon me if this is impolite to ask: what is the usual turnaround time from IC to GB to me annoying my coworkers by showing off my new keyboard?
There are no hard and fast rules on that, but I can certainly answer for this one...
My plan was to run the IC (interest check) for about 2 weeks, with the (obvious) goal of gauging interest, but also identifying which particular layouts/features people wanted most. It's only been 4 days and I think most, if not all, of those goals have already been met.
The GB (group buy) will probably run for about a month. Options that I'm sure we'll get enough orders for will be posted for purchase. Ones that I'm less confident of achieving MOQ (minimum order quantity) will be set up as a waiting list, or I'll provide referrals to people who can do that mod for you.
Once the GB purchase goals have been met, we'll finish the 3D drawing, and then start tooling it. The keycap tooling is already underway, so the only tooling required is for the case, mounting plate, and PCB. For options where we get very few orders, we'll probably still be able to offer them as a kit with a fiberglass mounting plate. If you don't have the skills to assemble it yourself, I can refer you to somebody who can do it for you for a fee.
The drawing takes about a month. Tooling takes about 3 months. Gearing up for production takes about 2 months. You're looking at about 6 months or so.
It's a slow process, but it's also a unique opportunity to participate in the design process and get something built to (or very close to) your specs, and also to purchase extra items not normally available.
For example, one of the layout options may not be popular enough to ever go into formal production, so this is your only opportunity to get one (or a few for backup, or backup parts).
Or if you want a different colour case, you'll be able to buy a spare case (or multiples) at a low cost and paint it/them whatever colour suits your fancy. You may not want to risk painting your expensive new mechanical keyboard
red or
green, but if you have an extra case (or two) that cost you next-to-nothing, why not?
For comparison, a one-off plastic case done by CNC routinely costs us upwards of $500 to make -- if you can buy a spare for $20, that's really inexpensive.
Once the GB is done, we won't offer these options again -- though we will offer keycaps, and we may do an aluminum case GB in the future -- but for PCBs, plates, stock cases, the GB will be your only chance to buy them. As I said, it's a unique opportunity.
