On the other hand, I can see where a less expensive set, like modifiers, makes sense to establish a new relationship with GMK and get the ball rolling for more group buys.
The bottom line is that no group buy is perfect and the organizers here have really done a top-notch job working behind-the-scenes to establish a relationship with a new vendor to make future group buys with GMK a more streamlined and easier experience.
For their hard work to pay off, we need to hit the MOQ. If you like buying key cap sets through group buys, then it's literally the least you can do by ordering an Escape set.
While everyone here, including myself, can appreciate the effort being put into the GB by its organizers, I don't have to show my appreciation by buying something. I'm showing appreciation by participating in this discussion, which makes GB buys more orderly and successful in the long run.
So, I don't think it may have been the wisest decision to go with just modifiers -- especially those with such odd colors. Modifiers may be less expensive than a whole set, but for double the $41 currently for the mods, we could have come close to buying a whole set, right? Modifiers are, like you said, a more
advanced group buy. Thus, they limit the participation of many who don't see the need to purchase a set of modifiers for $41 that they may not even use. Entire keysets rarely ever have this problem. I understand that production slots aren't available at this time for entire keysets, but this GB seems to have been rushed. I appreciate Ivan's previous GBs, especially the various white PBT sets, even though I didn't purchase one.
I don't know about everyone else who hasn't put in an order with this GB yet, but I don't like throwing money at something I don't like or won't end up using. That includes the $8 Esc key pack. Perhaps that is because I lack the variety of keysets some of you already possess. It's easier for you guys to justify buying these mod packs/esc keys if you have several keyboards/keysets ready to put them on. That's not the case with me.
Better preparation and brainstorming is in order for future group buys instead of expecting users to purchase something
just because. As much as it may be difficult to accept for some, users don't owe anyone anything.
Pretty well summarized mashby. I believe a good amount of participants, myself included, are not CRAZY over these colors (love me some CMYK though). But we participate because we believe this may be the start we need to a very beneficial relationship. Keep in mind that GMK has already purchased the purple plastic assuming this GB was good to go. However if we have to cancel, it may be a while before we can have GMK keycaps without middlemen in between.
Again, if this GB was so important -- to begin a new relationship with GMK, then more time and discussion should have been in order.
I don't like being the negative guy, but some of you seem surprised why the GB isn't taking off. I'm giving my observations as to why some, like myself, are not participating.