geekhack

geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: Novus on Mon, 28 October 2013, 21:40:33

Title: Mechanical Keyboard prices in Taiwan
Post by: Novus on Mon, 28 October 2013, 21:40:33

Hey folks,

I have some friends planning an extended visit to Taiwan.
Would it be worth it to trouble them to buy/bring back some mechanical keyboards (filcos, ducky, leopolds & other nice brands) in Taiwan back to the states for me?
My friends are perfectly willing to bring back some keyboards (and they will have space in their luggage) but they are not well versed in keyboards (they are content with generic keyboards with regular membranes  :'()

Here in the States, we go through a bit of effort to buy mechanical keyboards ,because our general retailers don't carry the good stuff, with the expectation to spend more than $100 at least.
Is it easier to buy mechanical keyboards in Taiwan at general retailers without having to go through specialty stores/sellers like we do back here?

For those in the know:
Are the prices in Taiwan much more competitive than here?
Is the selection of keyboards larger/better?
Are the keyboards easy to buy (in general retailers etc?).

I'm currently using a Filco Majestouch 2 Ninja with Cherry MX Red switches.
I see that it's about $160 on Amazon with 2 free day shipping (prime)
Using this as my baseline, how much would this keyboard cost in Taiwan (NT)?
I know that alot of other keyboards are around the same price with shipping from tankguys, tigerimports and other websites.

This is only my second mechanical keyboard so my knowledge of keyboard pales in comparison to pretty much everybody here.
Are there any good exclusive models (any type of switch, brand) that can only be obtained overseas that are worth looking into?

Thanks!

Title: Re: Mechanical Keyboard prices in Taiwan
Post by: tp4tissue on Mon, 28 October 2013, 21:43:37

they're not cheaper if you factor in time to acquire....

Look at taobao prices... parity with US prices.

Title: Re: Mechanical Keyboard prices in Taiwan
Post by: MechManUK on Tue, 29 October 2013, 14:09:08

The pricing is considerable cheaper than UK pricing when I've been there.

If you friends are heading to Taipei head to the Guang Hua Digital Plaza for much keyboard happiness  :)

Have a look at http://www.armygroup.com.tw/shop/category-392-b0.html/ website which is just over the road from the Digital plaza and you can get a rough idea on pricing in NTD and compare to USD

Title: Re: Mechanical Keyboard prices in Taiwan
Post by: Lu_e on Tue, 29 October 2013, 15:58:22

Quote from: MechManUK on Tue, 29 October 2013, 14:09:08

The pricing is considerable cheaper than UK pricing when I've been there.

If you friends are heading to Taipei head to the Guang Hua Digital Plaza for much keyboard happiness  :)

Have a look at http://www.armygroup.com.tw/shop/category-392-b0.html/ website which is just over the road from the Digital plaza and you can get a rough idea on pricing in NTD and compare to USD

That shop has QFRs for $84 after conversion... & @amazon they're ~$69...

Title: Re: Mechanical Keyboard prices in Taiwan
Post by: Novus on Fri, 01 November 2013, 21:04:23

Thanks for the info guys!
Looks like the pricing is almost the same from what I've checked.

Title: Re: Mechanical Keyboard prices in Taiwan
Post by: Pacifist on Fri, 01 November 2013, 21:07:27

Its definitely the same. Before I went to china, I looked at taobao, and the differences were really minor