geekhack

geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: Engine on Sun, 10 April 2011, 21:20:48

Title: Filco from KBC Direct or Amazon?
Post by: Engine on Sun, 10 April 2011, 21:20:48: Would you buy a filco directly from KBC or Amazon? I'm talking about not money but packaging issues.
I've never ordered from either but am preparing to buy one and only know that I may end up paying more if I buy from "across the pond" or take a chance on poor packaging from Amazon. I'm just looking for your experiences.
Title: Filco from KBC Direct or Amazon?
Post by: noodles256 on Sun, 10 April 2011, 21:21:57: amazon just threw my keyboard in a box with no protection. I think it varies though. I have ordered things from there that were well-packed.
Title: Filco from KBC Direct or Amazon?
Post by: Brummell on Sun, 10 April 2011, 21:24:01: Last time I talked to Bruce he said that shipping a Filco would only cost $23. I guess it all depends on how long you want to wait.
Title: Filco from KBC Direct or Amazon?
Post by: MrSneis on Sun, 10 April 2011, 21:40:34: I would say get it from Amazon, as much as the KBC seems like a great company to deal with you're talking spending significantly more to get it from overseas. Amazon doesn't pack the best but at worst I'd speculate the box moves around a little during transit and might have a dented corner. Plus, Amazon's return policy is very lenient; I'm sure if it came to you dented or damaged they'd let you return on THEIR dime. And finally, it's KBC that's supplying Amazon with the boards AFAIK.
Title: Filco from KBC Direct or Amazon?
Post by: .XL on Sun, 10 April 2011, 22:36:35: Get it from Amazon. Really, the shipping is fine. We may love keyboards but let's not treat them like they're some fragile pieces of art...they can take a beating just fine, and Amazon makes sure the packing is adequate.
Title: Filco from KBC Direct or Amazon?
Post by: Engine on Sun, 10 April 2011, 23:01:48: Holy cow, what are you saying Rip? Are there two different co's in operation or that they are passing our orders onto chinese warehouses abroad? Or....What are you saying?
Title: Filco from KBC Direct or Amazon?
Post by: Engine on Sun, 10 April 2011, 23:15:59: Ok Rip, so are you satisfied with Amazon?
Interestingly, both KBC and Amazon have outages on the Filcos...Good grief.
Title: Filco from KBC Direct or Amazon?
Post by: kektr0city on Sun, 10 April 2011, 23:25:10: i think bruce said in the vendor forums that they're planning on restocking the amazon store in about 2 weeks.

edit: yep. http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?t=16938
Title: Filco from KBC Direct or Amazon?
Post by: .XL on Sun, 10 April 2011, 23:34:55: For whoever is wondering, KBC is a group of guys from Taiwan/Hong Kong. They make and sell PBT keycaps, and they're making the KBC Poker keyboard.

The Keyboard Co is the UK-based keyboard seller. The same guy who also sells on Amazon.
Title: Filco from KBC Direct or Amazon?
Post by: Chobopants on Sun, 10 April 2011, 23:36:20: Yeah if he's restocking soon, wait for Amazon. The Pound to Dollar exchange rate made me the guy that ended up paying so much, not the shipping. I'm just impatient.
Title: Filco from KBC Direct or Amazon?
Post by: Engine on Mon, 11 April 2011, 00:08:59: Quote from: .XL;328339
For whoever is wondering, KBC is a group of guys from Taiwan/Hong Kong. They make and sell PBT keycaps, and they're making the KBC Poker keyboard.

The Keyboard Co is the UK-based keyboard seller. The same guy who also sells on Amazon.

Thanks for clearing that up! I had no idea that there was a difference. "The Keyboard Co" is where Bruce works and he is the one that stocks Amazon righ?
That's who I'm talking about. Good grief. Then what does KBC stand for? I thought I saw that acronym used in connection with "The Keyboard Co" somewhere(officially).
Title: Filco from KBC Direct or Amazon?
Post by: Chobopants on Mon, 11 April 2011, 00:21:00: 1 off FKBN87MR/EB2 (Filco Majestouch-2 Tenkeyless NKR ASCII with Red Switch) @ £130.00
Sub Total £130.00
Carriage £13.77
VAT @ 0% £0.00
Total £143.77

143 British pounds sterling = 234.0481 US dollars

So shipping was really only 20 bucks or so. Really is just the exchange rate. Could be worse:
(http://finance.google.com/finance/chart?q=CURRENCY:GBPUSD&tkr=1&p=5Y&chst=cob)

Yeah Bruce is the TKC guy. KBC is a cult based in Shanghai that specializes in very dark keyboards.
Title: Filco from KBC Direct or Amazon?
Post by: iMav on Mon, 11 April 2011, 00:22:45: Quote from: Engine;328357
Then what does KBC stand for?
the KeyBoard to Cheer you up.

I kid you not. (http://www.KBC-china.com)
Title: Filco from KBC Direct or Amazon?
Post by: Engine on Mon, 11 April 2011, 00:29:02: Quote from: Chobopants;328360
1 off FKBN87MR/EB2 (Filco Majestouch-2 Tenkeyless NKR ASCII with Red Switch) @ £130.00
Sub Total £130.00
Carriage £13.77
VAT @ 0% £0.00
Total £143.77

143 British pounds sterling = 234.0481 US dollars

So shipping was really only 20 bucks or so. Really is just the exchange rate. Could be worse:
Show Image
(http://finance.google.com/finance/chart?q=CURRENCY:GBPUSD&tkr=1&p=5Y&chst=cob)

Yeah Bruce is the TKC guy. KBC is a cult based in Shanghai that specializes in very dark keyboards.

I have two questions for you:
1. Do you feel that "TKC", oh, let's just call it "Bruce", does a better job packaging keyboards and is therefore worth the extra bread?
2. Do you feel that the Filcos have supurb stabilizers than Leos?

iMAV, you weren't kidding!
Title: Filco from KBC Direct or Amazon?
Post by: reaper on Mon, 11 April 2011, 00:30:02: Quote from: iMav;328363
the KeyBoard to Cheer you up.

I kid you not. (http://www.KBC-china.com)

lol It'll cheer me up when I can get that KBC Poker aluminum casing for a whole lot less than $400. =D
Title: Filco from KBC Direct or Amazon?
Post by: Chobopants on Mon, 11 April 2011, 00:36:21: Quote from: Engine;328366
I have two questions for you:
1. Do you feel that "TKC", oh, let's just call it "Bruce", does a better job packaging keyboards and is therefore worth the extra bread?
2. Do you feel that the Filcos have supurb stabilizers than Leos?

iMAV, you weren't kidding!

1. Don't know yet! I get many things from Amazon all the time (Prime yay!) so I have a good idea of how they pack (never had any problems) and my Linear R is still in the mail. I can let you know what I think when I get it though and how it compares to Amazon.

2. The Filco stabilizers are great., crisp and responsive. The Leo's stabilizers hurt my hand, literally. I can't type on my Leo because it exacerbates an existing tendon condition. This doesn't even happen on my 55g Realforce. I'm strongly considering selling the Leo after I get my Linear R because of this issue.

If you have super strong manly tendons and have never felt wrist pain from typing, then this board may be for you. As someone with touchy tendons it isn't something that I can use.

Let's just say, I didn't even know or care what a stabilizer was until I got my Leo, now I know more about them than I really like to because I had to get to the bottom of what was causing my pain.

In short:

Unless you're on a strict budget, get a Filco.
Title: Filco from KBC Direct or Amazon?
Post by: iMav on Mon, 11 April 2011, 00:37:38: Quote from: reaper~;328368
lol It'll cheer me up when I can get that KBC Poker aluminum casing for a whole lot less than $400. =D

You and me both!
Title: Filco from KBC Direct or Amazon?
Post by: .XL on Mon, 11 April 2011, 12:48:38: Quote from: iMav;328373
You and me both!

I'm going to find them and rob them of their aluminum casings when I'm in Shanghai...
Title: Filco from KBC Direct or Amazon?
Post by: dazed on Wed, 13 April 2011, 21:56:10: I bought my filco from amazon. It came in fine condition, although the cushioning in the box was lacking (two bags of air).
Title: Filco from KBC Direct or Amazon?
Post by: .XL on Wed, 13 April 2011, 22:01:04: Quote from: dazed;330347
I bought my filco from amazon. It came in fine condition, although the cushioning in the box was lacking (two bags of air).

The one I had ordered came with maybe 5 bags. It seems like enough packaging to me...the keyboards really are tough, and the packaging they already come in is enough to protect them. I really don't think they need more than that.
Title: Filco from KBC Direct or Amazon?
Post by: canon.tk on Wed, 13 April 2011, 22:41:27: The three Filcos I ordered from amazon.com all came in the same sized boxes and didn't have anything but the paper packaging. The boards were just sliding around in those oversided boxes.