geekhack
geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: crazeco on Fri, 01 February 2013, 18:54:56
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I purchased an Omnikey Evolution (I've been looking for one) that was labelled as BNIB. I paid a premium because I thought I was getting truly pristine BNIB, and I've wanted a new one of these for a long while.
I received it today and have noticed the following issues:
1) It has an AT connector, not PS/2 as advertised. Did these even come in PS/2? EDIT: (turns out they don't)
2) The box was not perfect and it came with no manuals. However, the board was in a bag.
3) Parts of the keyboard do look a little used. There are some light markings on a few of the keys. The serial connector looks like it may have been plugged into something (could be my imagination). Overall it's in excellent condition though.
Advice? Return? Keep? Refund?
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What kind of advice do you seek?
It seams in rather good shape. But I agree with you, it doesn't look NIB.
From the pictures, it's the markings on the cable that makes me go hum.
I'm not familiar with this board. How much did you paid for it?
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What kind of advice do you seek?
It seams in rather good shape. But I agree with you, it doesn't look NIB.
From the pictures, it's the markings on the cable that makes me go hum.
I'm not familiar with this board. How much did you paid for it?
I paid too much, but mainly because I thought it was brand new, and they are very rare. $200.00.
I agree overall it's in good shape, but not brand new shape.
The advice I want is, given the condition, what's a fair amount to refund me?
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30%-50%, if anything you can file a dispute if you bought via eBay/CC :).
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Yeah, I'd rather avoid a dispute with ebay/paypal if possible. But if I gotta do it...
I think a 30-50% refund is fair, that's also assuming the board works. I don't have an AT -> PS/2 adapter to test!
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The serial connector doesn't look like it was plugged in for a long time - it's just the type of shell used. It looks that way because it starts flaring out from flat to accommodate the shell. However, I would say it was used. There's a small possibility the bubbling is a defect from manufacturing, but the black marks are not. However, any use was likely fairly light - there's not much shine going on with it.
You can use a standard DIN5->PS/2 adapter with these no problem at all. The Alps Glidepoint will be a real problem though. :(
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Yeah, I'd rather avoid a dispute with ebay/paypal if possible. But if I gotta do it...
Sorry for the kind of off topic - But why's that?
(What's wrong with disputes?)
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The serial connector doesn't look like it was plugged in for a long time - it's just the type of shell used. It looks that way because it starts flaring out from flat to accommodate the shell. However, I would say it was used. There's a small possibility the bubbling is a defect from manufacturing, but the black marks are not. However, any use was likely fairly light - there's not much shine going on with it.
You can use a standard DIN5->PS/2 adapter with these no problem at all. The Alps Glidepoint will be a real problem though. :(
Thanks for the info! I agree it doesn't look like heavy use, however any use makes it not new, and not worth the $200.00. Bob at Northgate Repair says he can send me a USB adapter that will work with the glidepoint.
Sorry for the kind of off topic - But why's that?
(What's wrong with disputes?)
I guess I'll rephrase. I'd rather work something out with the seller first in respect to a refund as opposed to issuing a dispute with eBay and Paypal (which can take a while and isn't foolproof). I will if the seller won't work with me.
Here's the message I sent, FWIW:
Dear Seller,
I received the Omnikey Keyboard today in the mail. I wanted to connect with you first regarding a few things:
1) Unfortunately I can't (at least not immediately) use the keyboard. It's not a PS/2 keyboard as advertised. It's an older AT model. I can contact some people to see if a normal adapter works on the Omnikeys.
2) I was hoping, that it was advertised as brand new, there would be paperwork (a manual) to accompany the keyboard, as I thought it had programmable features.
3) The keyboard is in good condition, but likely not brand new.
This leaves me in a place where I know I paid a very premium price for this keyboard. One year ago they were selling for around $75-100 brand new. I'd rather not go through the hassle of returning it to you for a full refund. I'd like to reach a compromise about a partial refund given the condition. Please let me know as soon as possible (by Sunday) if that will be workable. We can figure out what is agreeable.
Thanks for your time.
Truly,
Crazeco
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^ that's a nice, clean and reasonable request. Keep us posted :-)
As far as the dispute - I totally agree with you. Talk to seller first, then take action if it fails.
(I recently had a small dispute on Paypal. Only 2 days after I placed the complaint, Paypal decided in my favor)
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^ that's a nice, clean and reasonable request. Keep us posted :-)
As far as the dispute - I totally agree with you. Talk to seller first, then take action if it fails.
(I recently had a small dispute on Paypal. Only 2 days after I placed the complaint, Paypal decided in my favor)
Update: Seller was very understanding and we agreed on a 35% refund. I'm relieved it didn't have to go further!
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^ that's a nice, clean and reasonable request. Keep us posted :-)
As far as the dispute - I totally agree with you. Talk to seller first, then take action if it fails.
(I recently had a small dispute on Paypal. Only 2 days after I placed the complaint, Paypal decided in my favor)
Update: Seller was very understanding and we agreed on a 35% refund. I'm relieved it didn't have to go further!
HAHA, silly,, you should've pushed for 60%, and then settle for 50%
and if he won't do it, threaten his account standings... and to report him for false advertising
HE WRONGED YOU... purposefully >:D he deserves it.
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HAHA, silly,, you should've pushed for 60%, and then settle for 50%
and if he won't do it, threaten his account standings... and to report him for false advertising
HE WRONGED YOU... purposefully >:D he deserves it.
You're right, I'm sure I could have pushed for even more. The actual condition of the keyboard is excellent, you can tell it has just been slightly used. 35% seemed like a fair amount. That's more than Best Buy will knock off for an open box item! :D