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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: shogrran on Mon, 23 March 2015, 20:17:44

Title: Disappointed in CMStorm keyboard and their support
Post by: shogrran on Mon, 23 March 2015, 20:17:44
First of all I'd like to say I was one of the first people who supported their early keyboard venture by purchasing the CMStorm Quickfire Rapid.

I like the simple layout. No extra keys on the model. No fancy lighting.

But now I regret ever having to do anything with this keyboard for the following reasons;

1. Poor global support. Lower than low.
I had problems with the usb cable being lose after a few months. I wanted to get support for it, a replacement if possible but guess what... since I purchased it in Singapore and I am no longer in Singapore. They didn't want anything to do with the keyboard. They don't even give you options or refer you to whoever support you need to contact in Singapore.

I have previously bought items from other companies based on different countries which have TIP TOP global support and was able to provide me with instructions and support even at my location. (steelseries, corsair and fractal are examples of these companies that have A-grade customer support)

2. The alt key is now intermittently not actuating even when pressed. It seems like it's grounded or something. And this is just out of the blue. Nothing was done to trigger this problem.

3. All in all this keyboard failed me faster than a cheap rubber dome keyboard.

Next time I buy a keyboard I think I'll go for steelseries or corsair (might be steelseries because I don't have much deskspace)
I learned that even as preferences in keyboard brands may vary... eg. length, appearance, the preference for customer support is the same across all customers. In my experience it's best to get from a brand that has good customer support.

Title: Re: Disappointed in CMStorm keyboard and their support
Post by: tp4tissue on Mon, 23 March 2015, 20:41:43
This stuff happens all the time..

quick fix with the soldering iron.

on all brands..

and support is equally crummy if you're outside US
Title: Re: Disappointed in CMStorm keyboard and their support
Post by: shogrran on Tue, 24 March 2015, 02:26:03
This stuff happens all the time..

quick fix with the soldering iron.

on all brands..

and support is equally crummy if you're outside US

I know the issue happens on keyboards in general. And it's just a matter of bad luck sometimes that you get quite a faulty keyboard. But as a regular customer with little to no soldering iron experience... a good support answer means a lot. Specially if you want to keep the customer. Besides... are you referring to the grounded Alt key or are you referring to the loose USB?

Support for the steelseries products and corsair products I have bought is NOT crummy outside US. I raised a ticket... they promptly answered and identified that my item is still under warranty and mitigation followed. DONE. How hard can that be really? If a company would market a product and sell a product, they should be ready to support the product.
Title: Re: Disappointed in CMStorm keyboard and their support
Post by: jamster on Tue, 24 March 2015, 02:44:11
on all brands..

and support is equally crummy if you're outside US

Eh? That didn't really make much sense.

@OP: I could understand that perhaps the board would only be covered by a warranty in the country of purchase (lots of stuff is like this, like camera gear or computer parts). Does sound a bit crap though. Have you contacted support in SG?
Title: Re: Disappointed in CMStorm keyboard and their support
Post by: rowdy on Tue, 24 March 2015, 04:42:13
The Alt key might be if the case is too tight.  That happened with some batches of QFR a couple of years ago.

Try loosening the case just a little bit and see if that particular problem improves.
Title: Re: Disappointed in CMStorm keyboard and their support
Post by: davkol on Tue, 24 March 2015, 15:28:09
A whole batch of QFRs (spring 2013 I think?) had faulty Alt (bad solder joints or traces). No big deal. You get what you pay for. Filco Majestouch2 shouldn't have these issues.

Actually, you don't always get what you pay for, because Corsair, SteelSeries, Razer and others sell sparkling manure for waaayyyyy too much.
Title: Re: Disappointed in CMStorm keyboard and their support
Post by: tp4tissue on Tue, 24 March 2015, 16:31:45
This stuff happens all the time..

quick fix with the soldering iron.

on all brands..

and support is equally crummy if you're outside US

I know the issue happens on keyboards in general. And it's just a matter of bad luck sometimes that you get quite a faulty keyboard. But as a regular customer with little to no soldering iron experience... a good support answer means a lot. Specially if you want to keep the customer. Besides... are you referring to the grounded Alt key or are you referring to the loose USB?

Support for the steelseries products and corsair products I have bought is NOT crummy outside US. I raised a ticket... they promptly answered and identified that my item is still under warranty and mitigation followed. DONE. How hard can that be really? If a company would market a product and sell a product, they should be ready to support the product.

How bout you stop being a big baby and playing the helpless victim.. Get off ur porn, YouTube some soldering videos, buy a $50 soldering iron and some solder, ur set to fix most electronics problems for life.

T
Again this kind of problem happen all the time
Title: Re: Disappointed in CMStorm keyboard and their support
Post by: tp4tissue on Wed, 25 March 2015, 02:37:32
shogrran--

I've been notified by 1wolf, that I may have come off as too-angry..

If I came off as angry... that was not my intention.. I was merely trying to explain that you are NOT helpless, and it is within your power to take some responsibility for what happens because it is both within your capability and a productive undertaking.

If you have any questions as to what / where to solder, let us know.. All veterans here have fixed keyboards a plenty.