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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: pm_ on Mon, 28 February 2011, 06:14:49

Title: Diatec's new US Distributor for Filco announced...
Post by: pm_ on Mon, 28 February 2011, 06:14:49
Kind of.

I received an email from Diatec, and the new US Distributor is "Amazon USA!"  Just go to Amazon and put in "Majestouch".  Orders are handled via The Keyboard Company and fulfilled by Amazon, with the "cooperation" of Diatec.  Only a few models to start, more in the future.

That's pretty much what they told me, although not quite verbatim...Isn't everyone excited!?!?

Following these instructions, I find four Filco's, all 104 key, two are blues, two are browns, and one of each type is the "USA Keyboard".  I'm  assuming the non USA models are ISO, although the descriptions don't clarify (or I'm missing it because I'm sleepy).  So no tenkeyless yet.  Prices are $149 for the "USA" and $154 for the presumably ISO.

Not exactly what I was expecting, but at least you'll presumably get it a little sooner.  However, if I wanted a full size with blues, I would have just ordered the Rosewill RK-9000 and saved the $50.  I also wonder how service/warranty work would be handled, which is one of the reasons why I wanted a US distributor...I hope those Leopold's are worth the wait...
Title: Diatec's new US Distributor for Filco announced...
Post by: bugfix on Mon, 28 February 2011, 06:20:05
http://geekhack.org/showpost.php?p=302067&postcount=11 (http://geekhack.org/showpost.php?p=302067&postcount=11)

Pretty cool, the keyboardco folks are very nice.
Title: Diatec's new US Distributor for Filco announced...
Post by: keyboardlover on Mon, 28 February 2011, 06:20:42
I'm thinking it's not exactly what Ripster was expecting either :D

Oh well, Filcos are officially available in the USA! Through Amazon! Via TheKeyboardco!
Title: Diatec's new US Distributor for Filco announced...
Post by: neo on Mon, 28 February 2011, 06:45:13
Quote from: pm_;302075
I also wonder how service/warranty work would be handled, which is one of the reasons why I wanted a US distributor...


Listed as "Fulfilled by Amazon". Meaning packing, delivery, customer service and returns are all handled by Amazon.
Title: Diatec's new US Distributor for Filco announced...
Post by: Surly73 on Mon, 28 February 2011, 07:03:48
Quote from: pm_;302075

That's pretty much what they told me, although not quite verbatim...Isn't everyone excited!?!?


No, because Amazon USA refuses to ship anywhere but the USA.  With vendors like EK there's still a ton of annoying overhead to ship to Canada but at least it can be done.

:mad:

It's great for everyone in the US48, though
Title: Diatec's new US Distributor for Filco announced...
Post by: sixty on Mon, 28 February 2011, 09:12:36
One of my buddies who happens to be a videogame publisher had a similar deal with Amazon. What it means is basically that they ship the item to Amazon, then Amazon ships the item to the customer. Within Germany this easily adds about a 2-3 days extra to the otherwise light speed overnight shipping from Amazon. I assume though that things work differently here. Bruce probably either sends a big shipment to Amazon first, so they have enough in stock, or better ships directly from Asia to them.

The other way could never work out here I guess.
Title: Diatec's new US Distributor for Filco announced...
Post by: bugfix on Mon, 28 February 2011, 09:15:15
Hm, my items that were marked with "fulfillment by Amazon" were always pretty quickly delivered, so I assumed they had them in stock already.
Title: Diatec's new US Distributor for Filco announced...
Post by: Bruce on Mon, 28 February 2011, 09:25:35
This is Fullfillment by Amazon on their FBA programme. The goods you see on there are in Amazon warehouses in USA and ship out like their own goods. You can get the 'super saver' shipping and all that and full Amazon support.
Title: Diatec's new US Distributor for Filco announced...
Post by: reaper on Mon, 28 February 2011, 09:25:43
Well, at least I'm glad that we get some sort of distribution in US but still no tenkeyless..

http://www.amazon.com/s/qid=1298906578/ref=sr_gnr_fkmr0?ie=UTF8&node=&search-alias=aps&field-keywords=majestouch (http://www.amazon.com/s/qid=1298906578/ref=sr_gnr_fkmr0?ie=UTF8&node=&search-alias=aps&field-keywords=majestouch)
Title: Diatec's new US Distributor for Filco announced...
Post by: keyboardlover on Mon, 28 February 2011, 09:41:50
Being that they're more overpriced than ever, I wonder if they'll be able to compete for long in the USA market.
Title: Diatec's new US Distributor for Filco announced...
Post by: itlnstln on Mon, 28 February 2011, 10:17:09
If you have free shipping, it's about the same as buying it from Elitekeyboards.
Title: Diatec's new US Distributor for Filco announced...
Post by: itlnstln on Mon, 28 February 2011, 10:28:51
Quote from: ripster;302179
Do you think Welly would consider the 30 day Amazon "No Questions Asked" guarantee sufficient?  I've never seen such a guy RMA so many keyboards and get on so many reseller "black lists".


I should hope so.  Amazon is pretty lenient.  I'm sure, however, that the Keyboard Co. has to take the hit in which case, Bruce would blacklist Welly.
Title: Diatec's new US Distributor for Filco announced...
Post by: Variable on Mon, 28 February 2011, 10:34:57
this is some pretty awesome
Title: Diatec's new US Distributor for Filco announced...
Post by: itlnstln on Mon, 28 February 2011, 10:41:02
Quote from: ripster;302185
I wonder if you are somehow shielded from the downstream distributor though?

Not that I would ever do such a thing.  I always had higher morals than Welly.


I would hope so, but I guess that would depend on the contract with Amazon.  I would think that Amazon would force the third parties to honor certain conditions to protect the Amazon brand.  I'm sure far too many people still think they're buying from Amazon instead of a third party via Amazon, so I would imagine that they would want to take some extra precautions.
Title: Diatec's new US Distributor for Filco announced...
Post by: Armando Penblade on Mon, 28 February 2011, 11:03:12
And now I must annoyingly ask: is one of these bad boys worth a fifty dollar premium over an RK9000, assuming Newegg ever stocks them again?
Title: Diatec's new US Distributor for Filco announced...
Post by: pm_ on Mon, 28 February 2011, 15:02:46
Quote from: neo;302082
Listed as "Fulfilled by Amazon". Meaning packing, delivery, customer service and returns are all handled by Amazon.


See, that really bugs me.  If Amazon is handling all of those aspects, why is The Keyboard Co. even involved?  As ripster said, it just adds an extra person in the middle that increases the overall cost of delivering the product.  Why not just sell directly through Amazon?  I wonder what does Amazon charge to handle fulfillment etc.?

I'm guessing Diatec must currently have volume issues and US retailers aren't really interested in carrying products they can't get in stock.  Also, perhaps there just isn't the volume in the mid to high end keyboard market in the US for larger retailers to care, so you just end up with a boutique retailer here and there.

This definitely looks like a step backwards from when Elite Keyboards stocked them.
Title: Diatec's new US Distributor for Filco announced...
Post by: bugfix on Mon, 28 February 2011, 15:05:35
Quote from: pm_;302357
This definitely looks like a step backwards from when Elite Keyboards stocked them.


Really? About the same price as before, backed by a company that is at least as competent, while using the infrastructure of Amazon(!)...
Title: Diatec's new US Distributor for Filco announced...
Post by: pm_ on Mon, 28 February 2011, 15:15:46
Quote from: bugfix;302358
Really? About the same price as before, backed by a company that is at least as competent, while using the infrastructure of Amazon(!)...


Well, I don't like:

1. Having an additional middleman
2. Buying from an overseas company, even if it's being "fulfilled" stateside

No knock against The Keyboard Co., they appear to have a good reputation.  But being overseas could complicate things.  There's no mention of the warranty on these boards, and if you need service outside of what, 30 days, do you have to ship the board overseas? Will Amazon handle warranty service?  If so, why even list The Keyboard Co., at all in relation to the product? I'm not saying The Keyboard Co., won't take care of you, but it I'm sure it has to complicate things, at least a little bit.

So, again, I think this is clearly a step backwards, albeit better than having nothing at all...
Title: Diatec's new US Distributor for Filco announced...
Post by: itlnstln on Mon, 28 February 2011, 15:16:53
Actually, I think the Amazon distribution is a better deal than EKB.  At the very least, you have a more consumer-friendly return policy.  Also, you have the all the Amazon support staff.

That said, most of these advantages are because of the blanket return policy Amazon has vs. the more specific nature of EKB's policy, and EKB is a much smaller, boutique retailer with less sales, staff, etc. to offset a return policy like this.
Title: Diatec's new US Distributor for Filco announced...
Post by: pm_ on Mon, 28 February 2011, 15:29:55
Quote from: itlnstln;302364
That said, most of these advantages are because of the blanket return policy Amazon has vs. the more specific nature of EKB's policy, and EKB is a much smaller, boutique retailer with less sales, staff, etc. to offset a return policy like this.


Noted. Very good points worth consideration.

They should eventually get tenkeyless in...hopefully in ANSI.
Title: Diatec's new US Distributor for Filco announced...
Post by: Felcom on Mon, 28 February 2011, 16:33:12
Would this have affected current orders to the US?
Still waiting on a Filco I ordered 2 weeks ago. :rain:

Could probably have it in two days via Amazon, so good new for the future I guess.
Title: Diatec's new US Distributor for Filco announced...
Post by: Bruce on Mon, 28 February 2011, 16:47:47
Hi Felcom

We got our stock today so it will have shipped today or will do tomorrow.
We will continue to ship USA orders received on keyboardco.com (http://www.keyboardco.com/) as normal. Although as you might have got caught out by the timing I can see if we can stop the order if you want to check out Amazon.
Title: Diatec's new US Distributor for Filco announced...
Post by: lokisnake on Mon, 28 February 2011, 16:49:03
Quote from: pm_;302357
See, that really bugs me.  If Amazon is handling all of those aspects, why is The Keyboard Co. even involved?  As ripster said, it just adds an extra person in the middle that increases the overall cost of delivering the product.  Why not just sell directly through Amazon?  I wonder what does Amazon charge to handle fulfillment etc.?

I'm guessing Diatec must currently have volume issues and US retailers aren't really interested in carrying products they can't get in stock.  Also, perhaps there just isn't the volume in the mid to high end keyboard market in the US for larger retailers to care, so you just end up with a boutique retailer here and there.

This definitely looks like a step backwards from when Elite Keyboards stocked them.


For us to buy directly through Amazon, Amazon needs to purchase and carry the products themselves. In the current case, The Keyboard Co is the one purchasing/importing the products to the US. Amazon is simply a product listing/shipping/handling service here. It isn't ideal, but it's something for now.
Title: Diatec's new US Distributor for Filco announced...
Post by: s7e on Mon, 28 February 2011, 17:11:43
This is great news. Price isn't bad either.

I really want a tenkeyless version, I hope they sell them on amazon or in the USA very soon!

Maybe The Keyboard Company/Bruce could let us know if we could expect any other models to be sold? What about replacement key caps and other accessories?
Title: Diatec's new US Distributor for Filco announced...
Post by: drsauced on Mon, 28 February 2011, 17:19:00
Wow.  Do want!  I was saving up for one of those OCN Duckys in MX Brown, but is the Filco a better keyboard?
Title: Diatec's new US Distributor for Filco announced...
Post by: RiGS on Mon, 28 February 2011, 17:19:34
Definitely.
Title: Diatec's new US Distributor for Filco announced...
Post by: Ekaros on Mon, 28 February 2011, 17:24:28
Quote from: keyboardlover;302148
Being that they're more overpriced than ever, I wonder if they'll be able to compete for long in the USA market.

40$ cheaper than in UK if tax is included, I wouldn't complain...
Title: Diatec's new US Distributor for Filco announced...
Post by: keyboardlover on Mon, 28 February 2011, 17:31:30
Yo Dawg!

(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7G6ciJUMuAk/TGOJCxnXBYI/AAAAAAAABY8/drhyu0NLBdY/s1600/yo+dawg+1.jpg)

I heard you like Filco! So I put a distributor in your distributor, so you can buy while you buy!
Title: Diatec's new US Distributor for Filco announced...
Post by: woody on Mon, 28 February 2011, 17:35:42
Quote from: Ekaros;302420
40$ cheaper than in UK if tax is included, I wouldn't complain...

You're not American.
Title: Diatec's new US Distributor for Filco announced...
Post by: Ekaros on Mon, 28 February 2011, 17:40:04
Quote from: woody;302423
You're not American.


And am I glad of it! ;D
Title: Diatec's new US Distributor for Filco announced...
Post by: keyboardlover on Mon, 28 February 2011, 17:46:04
Quote from: Ekaros;302426
And am I glad of it! ;D


Why?
Title: Diatec's new US Distributor for Filco announced...
Post by: RiGS on Mon, 28 February 2011, 17:58:54
Probably because of the lack of fluoride in the public water supply.
Title: Diatec's new US Distributor for Filco announced...
Post by: Lpb45 on Mon, 28 February 2011, 18:03:32
Tenkeyless is going to be available on Amazon in the next couple days according to Bruce at Keyboardco, he said they sent out 3 orders to Amazon the first 1 is on Amazon now with the others to follow in the next couple days.
Title: Diatec's new US Distributor for Filco announced...
Post by: Felcom on Mon, 28 February 2011, 18:21:39
Quote from: Bruce;302406
Hi Felcom

We got our stock today so it will have shipped today or will do tomorrow.
We will continue to ship USA orders received on keyboardco.com (http://www.keyboardco.com/) as normal. Although as you might have got caught out by the timing I can see if we can stop the order if you want to check out Amazon.


No worries! Came home to a registered mail tag on my door so I'm pretty sure it came while at work today. Figures, as soon as I make a stink about it, there it is =P Can't wait to try it out tomorrow!
Title: Diatec's new US Distributor for Filco announced...
Post by: killy on Mon, 28 February 2011, 18:25:16
Newegg canada is actually run logistically by UPS, I believe. They function as the warehouse from which wares are delivered and they also handle the RMAs.

I imagine that this is the case w/ Amazon and KeyboardCo. Keep in mind that either way Filcos would need to cross an ocean to get to America. Thus, if there are already established shipping lines to the UK, it would make sense to simply forward them to the US.
Title: Diatec's new US Distributor for Filco announced...
Post by: upperguy on Mon, 28 February 2011, 18:33:32
so what do we think the timeframe/chances of a tenkeyless are?
Title: Diatec's new US Distributor for Filco announced...
Post by: clack on Mon, 28 February 2011, 18:48:03
nnoooo, not a us filco distro. now even noobs can get a filco ;_;
Title: Diatec's new US Distributor for Filco announced...
Post by: upperguy on Mon, 28 February 2011, 18:50:50
Quote
Hi Danny
Thanks for your email.
There will be two more batches going on Amazon in the next week or so and there will be TKL with Blues.
Let me know if I can help.
Bruce

In reply to my email asking if tenkeyless blues will become available.
Title: Diatec's new US Distributor for Filco announced...
Post by: s7e on Mon, 28 February 2011, 19:05:03
Quote from: upperguy;302478
In reply to my email asking if tenkeyless blues will become available.


Thanks for the info! I will be looking forward to these! :D
Title: Diatec's new US Distributor for Filco announced...
Post by: n12 on Mon, 28 February 2011, 19:24:11
Still, isn't this >=$20 more than buying from PCHome(including shipping)?
Title: Diatec's new US Distributor for Filco announced...
Post by: LONGZILLA on Mon, 28 February 2011, 19:35:59
Quote from: n12;302493
Still, isn't this >=$20 more than buying from PCHome(including shipping)?


I think pchome is sold out their latest batch already. Shipping from Amazon w/ Prime is 2 days, shipping from Taiwan........................
Title: Diatec's new US Distributor for Filco announced...
Post by: pm_ on Mon, 28 February 2011, 19:54:05
Quote from: longzilla;302499
I think pchome is sold out their latest batch already. Shipping from Amazon w/ Prime is 2 days, shipping from Taiwan........................


Shipping from Taiwan varies, doesn't it?  I thought PC home was about a week or so, although it could be a good bit worse around the holidays.  5-7 days isn't that bad, imo, especially if you don't have Amazon Prime.

I think it is $20-$30 more than ordering from PC Home.  On the flip side, you can return it if you have a problem with it.  Give a little, get a little...

On a side note, I do like the Ducky tenkeyless with blues that I borrowed, and I those look like they're about $105 shipped to the US...although they mostly look OOS.
Title: Diatec's new US Distributor for Filco announced...
Post by: n12 on Mon, 28 February 2011, 20:01:21
Shipping from PCHome to US(Chicago,IL) took ~4 business days for me. Wasn't too bad at all. They also include some goodies such as keycap puller, red esc key, Filco branded keycap, and yellow wsad keys... Not sure if Keyboard Co includes this too but I know for sure that Elitekeyboards didn't include them(only the red esc key).
Title: Diatec's new US Distributor for Filco announced...
Post by: theferenc on Mon, 28 February 2011, 21:35:53
You know, the ability to order from a known trusted entity, within the US, has a lot of appeal to many buyers.

While I have no problem with ordering from PCHome or ArmyGroup, I can also read Chinese passably well, and my fiance is mainland Chinese, for the bits I have trouble with.

Without the ability to read the pages yourself, it's a lot more intimidating, not to mention potentially frustrating for many people. And really, $20-30 isn't that much for peace of mind, especially knowing you can return it if you really dislike it. And contrary to popular opinion here, not everyone is in love with Cherry switches.
Title: Diatec's new US Distributor for Filco announced...
Post by: Exoverture on Mon, 28 February 2011, 21:52:03
Quote from: theferenc;302536
You know, the ability to order from a known trusted entity, within the US, has a lot of appeal to many buyers.

While I have no problem with ordering from PCHome or ArmyGroup, I can also read Chinese passably well, and my fiance is mainland Chinese, for the bits I have trouble with.

Without the ability to read the pages yourself, it's a lot more intimidating, not to mention potentially frustrating for many people. And really, $20-30 isn't that much for peace of mind, especially knowing you can return it if you really dislike it. And contrary to popular opinion here, not everyone is in love with Cherry switches.


There's always Google translate in Chrome :P

No but honestly, I ordered from ArmyGroup. I ordered it on Thursday, and it came to my house 9:43am on the following Monday. Pretty bloody fantastic!

$159 shipped. No customs!
Title: Diatec's new US Distributor for Filco announced...
Post by: theferenc on Mon, 28 February 2011, 22:31:55
Yes, you know that. But not everyone does, nor does everyone trust it.

Just remember, the people here are already strange. Just because we are ok with it doesn't mean everyone else is.
Title: Diatec's new US Distributor for Filco announced...
Post by: neo on Mon, 28 February 2011, 22:38:50
Quote from: theferenc;302554
Just remember, the people here are already strange.


That's an understatement of the year.
Title: Diatec's new US Distributor for Filco announced...
Post by: drsauced on Mon, 28 February 2011, 23:16:24
Heh.  Hehehe.  Muahaha!

It's a bit more than I would have liked, but blue in MX Browns.  Amazon Prime should have it here by Thursday!
Title: Diatec's new US Distributor for Filco announced...
Post by: verifyid on Mon, 28 February 2011, 23:42:36
Quote from: drsauced;302561
Heh.  Hehehe.  Muahaha!

It's a bit more than I would have liked, but blue in MX Browns.  Amazon Prime should have it here by Thursday!


you're in the same boat i am
Title: Diatec's new US Distributor for Filco announced...
Post by: jaynoon on Tue, 01 March 2011, 00:54:19
Pretty sure fulfilled by Amazon, sold by KeyboardCo just means that KeyboardCo buys the products, sends them to Amazon's warehouse, and then Amazon handles distribution once it's sold. Amazon gets a cut, but KeyboardCo doesn't have to operate warehouses, shipping & return facilities, etc..

You regularly see stuff that's fulfilled by Amazon that's cheaper than sold by Amazon.

Honestly, worst thing about this is that it probably endangers EK, who sell keyboards, yeah, but also sell cool stuff like clickclack's keys. Won't be seeing those on Amazon any time soon.
Title: Diatec's new US Distributor for Filco announced...
Post by: .XL on Tue, 01 March 2011, 01:13:22
Quote from: jaynoon;302576
Pretty sure fulfilled by Amazon, sold by KeyboardCo just means that KeyboardCo buys the products, sends them to Amazon's warehouse, and then Amazon handles distribution once it's sold. Amazon gets a cut, but KeyboardCo doesn't have to operate warehouses, shipping & return facilities, etc..

You regularly see stuff that's fulfilled by Amazon that's cheaper than sold by Amazon.

Honestly, worst thing about this is that it probably endangers EK, who sell keyboards, yeah, but also sell cool stuff like clickclack's keys. Won't be seeing those on Amazon any time soon.


That is exactly right, Fulfilled by Amazon means the logistics is run by Amazon, who receives batch orders from the Keyboard Co.

To be honest, I don't know why everyone is complaining. You wanted easy to get, quality mechanical boards here in the US, and here they are. Yet you (not you personally, jaynoon) complain when that happens. There is NO better online distributor anywhere than Amazon. I signed up for prime 9 months ago, and I have more than made up my $80, so that point is moot.

The price point may be a problem for some, but I don't see where the issue lies. With Super Saver shipping and Amazon Prime, you have fast and FREE shipping speeds, meaning $154 IS $154. It might be a bit more expensive than what Elitekeyboards will offer with the Leopolds, but the cost of shipping from EK will make the prices about even. Price isn't even something to complain about.

How about instead of complaining, we thank theKeyboardCo for putting this deal through, and making it EASY for us. You want to buy a Filco and have it at your house the NEXT DAY? No problem, for $157.99 you can be playing with it 24 hours after you placed your order.

Going through this thread makes me envision a bunch of starving people begging for bread, and when bread is given, they say it's not good enough and want cake.

I paid $164 for my 10keyless filco from Armygroup; had I know this was going to happen I would have waited. Could have saved $10, not a big deal though. Ordering from PCHome would have cost me, at the cheapest, $140 with Taiwanese taxes included. And I would have to wait much longer. All things considered, $154 is a pretty great deal.

And who knows, if EK offers the Leopolds for ~$140 shipped, theKeyboardCo might drop their prices to the same.

Anyways, that's my rant for the evening. Goodnight! And thanks again, Bruce, I look forward to indirectly dealing with you :p

P.S.- throw a Filco wristwrest and some other interesting goodies on here, and you'll have a customer for life :wink:
Title: Diatec's new US Distributor for Filco announced...
Post by: gilgam on Tue, 01 March 2011, 03:20:18
i don't really understand why diatec switched from EK to amazon

better visibility (must be)
better margin maybe

But the keyboard company site's always suck ( although i bought from them with a great pleasure...)

I use to webdesign a lot and, even from a customer point of view EK site is much more appealing ...
Title: Diatec's new US Distributor for Filco announced...
Post by: Ekaros on Tue, 01 March 2011, 03:52:47
Quote from: gilgam;302607
i don't really understand why diatec switched from EK to amazon

better visibility (must be)
better margin maybe

But the keyboard company site's always suck ( although i bought from them with a great pleasure...)

I use to webdesign a lot and, even from a customer point of view EK site is much more appealing ...


Can agree on that, keyboardco.com is "a bit" old school... It sure does get job done, but there is a few little thingys around...
Title: Diatec's new US Distributor for Filco announced...
Post by: bugfix on Tue, 01 March 2011, 03:56:57
Have a look at pckeyboard.com for the real "old school".
Title: Diatec's new US Distributor for Filco announced...
Post by: Ekaros on Tue, 01 March 2011, 03:58:34
Quote from: bugfix;302615
Have a look at pckeyboard.com for the real "old school".


Hmm, they don't seem to go to externalities...
Title: Diatec's new US Distributor for Filco announced...
Post by: woody on Tue, 01 March 2011, 04:24:34
Quote from: gilgam;302607
But the keyboard company site's always suck ( although i bought from them with a great pleasure...)

I use to webdesign a lot and, even from a customer point of view EK site is much more appealing ...

Now, now. TKC's site is good enough - I get most of the information (categorized!) in a single page load, and I can do text search. Not sure EK's is "better" by requiring more clicking. Prettier - maybe, but what eye candy has to do with information and navigation?
Title: Diatec's new US Distributor for Filco announced...
Post by: db_Iodine on Tue, 01 March 2011, 04:46:06
Quote from: woody;302624
Now, now. TKC's site is good enough - I get most of the information (categorized!) in a single page load, and I can do text search. Not sure EK's is "better" by requiring more clicking. Prettier - maybe, but what eye candy has to do with information and navigation?


In a way I agree with this. If you're searching for a specific product, you can just do a text search on the page where you can see all the products that are listed. Then again, if you're just browsing and checking out if there's anything new in the shop, it's pretty hard to find those new products in the list view.
Title: Diatec's new US Distributor for Filco announced...
Post by: sixty on Tue, 01 March 2011, 05:51:14
Quote from: gilgam;302607
i don't really understand why diatec switched from EK to amazon


Cancelling a deal does not have to be a one-sided thing. In fact if you check the EK site you will see that it says that EK decided not to work with Diatec anymore, not the other way around.

Quote

I use to webdesign a lot and, even from a customer point of view EK site is much more appealing ...


This may be true for the hipster e-sport kids that buy the Filco (no offense anyone, I have several myself), but not for the general business customer. I am pretty sure most of the sales that the KeyboardCompany does are big business orders.

Personally I think the site is fine, sure it may not be that appealing. But the technology behind it is actually neat and very modern. In fact, as woody has already mentioned there is much more ajax and in-site technologies that save you quite a lot of clicks and navigation, compared to EK.
Title: Diatec's new US Distributor for Filco announced...
Post by: keyboardlover on Tue, 01 March 2011, 06:31:59
Tkc's site is definitely ugly compared to EK's.
Title: Diatec's new US Distributor for Filco announced...
Post by: gilgam on Tue, 01 March 2011, 06:47:49
Yes indeed unicomp's site is way older.

Numbers of click and avaibility of information is very important but the first visual contact and eye candy helps the customer in the buying experience.

The back-end technology may be the best of the world ( did i say ruby on rails ;-) ) a nice view and a nice ergonomy is very important too.

But as far as they sell their stuff.... whatever

@sixty
Ok i haven't fully read the text. Bad opinion so.
Title: Diatec's new US Distributor for Filco announced...
Post by: ch_123 on Tue, 01 March 2011, 07:58:07
Quote from: clack;302477
now even noobs can get a filco ;_;


That occured about two years ago now, get with the times.

I'll be interested to see what the prices are like for the EK Leopolds.
Title: Diatec's new US Distributor for Filco announced...
Post by: dracaXL on Tue, 01 March 2011, 09:13:08
Quote from: RiGS;302443
Probably because of the lack of fluoride in the public water supply.


I laughed so hard.
Title: Diatec's new US Distributor for Filco announced...
Post by: dracaXL on Tue, 01 March 2011, 09:16:02
Quote from: .XL;302583
That is exactly right, Fulfilled by Amazon means the logistics is run by Amazon, who receives batch orders from the Keyboard Co.

To be honest, I don't know why everyone is complaining. You wanted easy to get, quality mechanical boards here in the US, and here they are. Yet you (not you personally, jaynoon) complain when that happens. There is NO better online distributor anywhere than Amazon. I signed up for prime 9 months ago, and I have more than made up my $80, so that point is moot.

The price point may be a problem for some, but I don't see where the issue lies. With Super Saver shipping and Amazon Prime, you have fast and FREE shipping speeds, meaning $154 IS $154. It might be a bit more expensive than what Elitekeyboards will offer with the Leopolds, but the cost of shipping from EK will make the prices about even. Price isn't even something to complain about.

How about instead of complaining, we thank theKeyboardCo for putting this deal through, and making it EASY for us. You want to buy a Filco and have it at your house the NEXT DAY? No problem, for $157.99 you can be playing with it 24 hours after you placed your order.

Going through this thread makes me envision a bunch of starving people begging for bread, and when bread is given, they say it's not good enough and want cake.

I paid $164 for my 10keyless filco from Armygroup; had I know this was going to happen I would have waited. Could have saved $10, not a big deal though. Ordering from PCHome would have cost me, at the cheapest, $140 with Taiwanese taxes included. And I would have to wait much longer. All things considered, $154 is a pretty great deal.

And who knows, if EK offers the Leopolds for ~$140 shipped, theKeyboardCo might drop their prices to the same.

Anyways, that's my rant for the evening. Goodnight! And thanks again, Bruce, I look forward to indirectly dealing with you :p

P.S.- throw a Filco wristwrest and some other interesting goodies on here, and you'll have a customer for life :wink:


Fantastically said! I don't understand this mentality, which seems to be prevalent on the internet in general.
Title: Diatec's new US Distributor for Filco announced...
Post by: Surly73 on Tue, 01 March 2011, 09:19:19
Quote from: dracaXL;302718
Fantastically said! I don't understand this mentality, which seems to be prevalent on the internet in general.

My position is still this: I wish they launched new distribution methods for NORTH AMERICA, not just US48.  This KeyboardCo action is not really a replacement for the EK supply chain if it doesn't serve all of North America.
Title: Diatec's new US Distributor for Filco announced...
Post by: Surly73 on Tue, 01 March 2011, 10:01:41
Quote from: ripster;302723
Canada, like Cuba, I think are two former territories I think we should claim back.


Er, no.
Title: Diatec's new US Distributor for Filco announced...
Post by: drsauced on Tue, 01 March 2011, 10:10:13
Annex Canada Now!

Don't do it for the oil, do it for the Canadian Tire.
Title: Diatec's new US Distributor for Filco announced...
Post by: sawedust on Tue, 01 March 2011, 15:10:12
Quote from: ripster;302723
I also think Hawaiians and Alaskans (hey, they booted Sara Palin so they can't be THAT bad) are discriminated against.

Canadians I tend to think of as JV Americans like Puerto Rico or Guam.  Maybe Samoa.  Canada, like Cuba, I think are two former territories I think we should claim back.  Canada for the oil and Cuba for the cigars.
Show Image
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5008/5374502312_8f8719f57e_z.jpg)


Yay Hawaii!

Boo for international shipping across all four oceans instead of just one. :(
Title: Diatec's new US Distributor for Filco announced...
Post by: .XL on Tue, 01 March 2011, 20:26:46
Quote from: ripster;302992
Just to be clear this is Amazon's Free Shipping fine print.  For example I had to pay to get a Bosch Table saw but keyboards will be free.

They're just jealous you live in Hawaii!

And in regards to the other guy with 'XL' in his name...no, I didn't make that account to toot my own horn :p

But like he said, I don't understand that diva mentality...

REJOICE! Competition is a GOOD thing! We will be the ones that reap it's benefits!
Title: Diatec's new US Distributor for Filco announced...
Post by: itlnstln on Wed, 02 March 2011, 07:59:37
Quote from: ripster;302992
Just to be clear this is Amazon's Free Shipping fine print.  For example I had to pay to get a Bosch Table saw but keyboards will be free.


For some reason, I was thinking you lived in northern CA, WA, or OR.

From HI, a trip to Japan should be like crossing the street.  If I didn't know that HI was part of the US, I would swear I was in Japan.
Title: Diatec's new US Distributor for Filco announced...
Post by: bugfix on Wed, 02 March 2011, 08:22:39
Ripster's Hawaiian?
Title: Diatec's new US Distributor for Filco announced...
Post by: itlnstln on Wed, 02 March 2011, 08:26:54
Or Alaskan, but I would doubt that.  While certainly possible, some of the stories, pics, etc. would lead one to believe otherwise.
Title: Diatec's new US Distributor for Filco announced...
Post by: bugfix on Wed, 02 March 2011, 09:31:40
Coward.
Title: Diatec's new US Distributor for Filco announced...
Post by: keyboardlover on Wed, 02 March 2011, 19:24:55
Tenkeyless's are up! (http://www.amazon.com/s?ie=UTF8&search-alias=electronics&field-manufacturer=The%20Keyboard%20Company&tag=5336432816-20).

No reds yet though...
Title: Diatec's new US Distributor for Filco announced...
Post by: elbowglue on Wed, 02 March 2011, 19:40:53
Nice!  Tenkeyless are cheaper.  $139!
Title: Diatec's new US Distributor for Filco announced...
Post by: Amw86 on Wed, 02 March 2011, 20:47:22
I was totally disappointed to see the options on Tenkeyless were blues or blacks.

they have Brown's in tenkeyless no?

red's are just a lighter black aren't they? no bump at all?

without having tried anything but Blue's I can't decide If I just want to get rid of the clicking and just have the bump or neither.

Now if we could just get some Leopold's up, I've been waiting to make a purchase in what seems like forever.

edit: ah snap, How did I miss the one with browns, wooot.
Title: Diatec's new US Distributor for Filco announced...
Post by: Raedyn on Wed, 02 March 2011, 20:51:08
Awesome!!! Thanks for the heads up. I just placed my order.

This will be my first mechanical keyboard. I've been reading the boards for weeks trying to find out as much as possible before my purchase. I've also been driving my wife crazy listening to the clickety clack of keyboards on YouTube.  

This past weekend I almost pulled the trigger on a Razer, mostly because I am leery of making an international purchase. I'm glad I didn't, since I really wanted a tenkeyless board. I've been banging on a Sidewinder X6 with the number pad removed for about 2 years now, and I don't miss the extra keys.

I absolutely cannot wait to get this board in the mail.
Title: Diatec's new US Distributor for Filco announced...
Post by: keyboardlover on Wed, 02 March 2011, 20:56:51
Welcome to GH dudes!
Title: Diatec's new US Distributor for Filco announced...
Post by: placebo guy on Wed, 02 March 2011, 21:46:43
Unfreakingbelievable.  I bought a Filco keyless in the classified around 5pm CST for $150, and now Amazon posts them for $139 around 7pm CST.

Good thing I got a nice bonus last week.
Title: Diatec's new US Distributor for Filco announced...
Post by: ieatfish on Wed, 02 March 2011, 22:44:25
Quote from: placebo guy;303915
Unfreakingbelievable.  I bought a Filco keyless in the classified around 5pm CST for $150, and now Amazon posts them for $139 around 7pm CST.

Good thing I got a nice bonus last week.


If you're happy with the price you paid for the Filco, ignoring the fact that it could have been lower, no reason to worry.  Though you could get quite a few tacos for $11...  :p
Title: Diatec's new US Distributor for Filco announced...
Post by: drsauced on Thu, 03 March 2011, 01:24:17
Well shoot, the TKL with Blues is very tempting.  If I hadn't just bought the full-size in Brown, I'd be alright.  The TKL in Blue is Riptser's current fave after all, and having the keys off the the left is somewhat irritating.

Now the moral dilemma, since I'm a sysadmin, do I rig the machines to start 'needing attention' and create more work for myself to help pay for it all?

Nah, I'll wait.  Unless somebody can convince me otherwise.  /slap.  Nah, I'll wait.
Title: Diatec's new US Distributor for Filco announced...
Post by: pm_ on Thu, 03 March 2011, 01:48:17
Well...I officially don't care about the Filco's anymore, since Elite Keyboards is getting Leopold tenkeyless for $99 + shipping.  Standard shipping from CA to Chicago looks about $12.50, so the cost is about $28 less than the filco, but otherwise the keyboards have been said to be of similar quality.

I'm excited, so, I just kind of had to say something in this thread. :)
Title: Diatec's new US Distributor for Filco announced...
Post by: woody on Thu, 03 March 2011, 04:47:46
Quote from: keyboardlover;303813
Tenkeyless's are up! (http://www.amazon.com/s?ie=UTF8&search-alias=electronics&field-manufacturer=The%20Keyboard%20Company&tag=5336432816-20).

And with messed up pictures and descriptions.
Title: Diatec's new US Distributor for Filco announced...
Post by: jsvd on Thu, 03 March 2011, 07:10:49
If only EK had cheaper shipping price to EU.. I don't want to pay 50 bucks for a 100 keyboard (+customs) :(
Title: Diatec's new US Distributor for Filco announced...
Post by: RiGS on Thu, 03 March 2011, 08:32:08
LOL 139$ for a tenkeyless Filco with free shipping.
Rockefeller is right about that competition is a sin.
At least for the greedy bastards.
Title: Diatec's new US Distributor for Filco announced...
Post by: p.s. on Thu, 03 March 2011, 15:21:59
Quote from: ripster;302723
I also think Hawaiians and Alaskans (hey, they booted Sara Palin so they can't be THAT bad) are discriminated against.

Canadians I tend to think of as JV Americans like Puerto Rico or Guam.  Maybe Samoa.  Canada, like Cuba, I think are two former territories I think we should claim back.  Canada for the oil and Cuba for the cigars.
Show Image
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5008/5374502312_8f8719f57e_z.jpg)


Gasoline is more expensive in Canada than in the States. I don't know why.
Title: Diatec's new US Distributor for Filco announced...
Post by: theferenc on Thu, 03 March 2011, 15:38:24
The pictures and descriptions look correct to me. Admittedly, this is something I would never buy, but they are correct, even if they don't sound appealing.
Title: Diatec's new US Distributor for Filco announced...
Post by: runeazn on Thu, 03 March 2011, 16:06:54
i hardly see how the keyboardco can make money on filcos
as filco shipped from pchome is like 130$ and the keyboard co's liek 180$..  <<< US

140$ including shipping from PChome
120 quid including shipping from keyboard co translates 195$
both shipped to holland..

^^^^ holland :P
Title: Diatec's new US Distributor for Filco announced...
Post by: dracaXL on Fri, 04 March 2011, 08:27:34
Quote from: .XL;303179
They're just jealous you live in Hawaii!

And in regards to the other guy with 'XL' in his name...no, I didn't make that account to toot my own horn :p

But like he said, I don't understand that diva mentality...

REJOICE! Competition is a GOOD thing! We will be the ones that reap it's benefits!


Yes, I am in fact not .XL, to clarify, ha! But you know what they say... great minds etc :tongue: