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geekhack Community => Keyboard Keycaps => Topic started by: kekman on Sat, 09 April 2016, 07:44:59

Title: Buying keycaps on Taobao
Post by: kekman on Sat, 09 April 2016, 07:44:59
Are there any notably reputable sellers on Taobao? I see lots of keycap sellers claiming PBT at very low prices so I'm not sure about the quality of the legends, thickness etc.
Title: Re: Buying keycaps on Taobao
Post by: Jokrik on Sat, 09 April 2016, 07:58:41
Are there any notably reputable sellers on Taobao? I see lots of keycap sellers claiming PBT at very low prices so I'm not sure about the quality of the legends, thickness etc.

You might wanna go with enjoypbt, they've reputable product
and they're on taobao
Title: Re: Buying keycaps on Taobao
Post by: GreyAmbience on Mon, 11 April 2016, 05:39:14
In me experience all I've got from taobao had been legit. I've bought 3 keyboards, novelties, keysets and a lot of phone accessories.

It's all lived up to my expectations. Latest I got the keyboard that has interchangeable switches. They simply plug out of the board. Except for the led colors I love that board and it was only about 60$!
Title: Re: Buying keycaps on Taobao
Post by: kekman on Mon, 11 April 2016, 05:59:42
In me experience all I've got from taobao had been legit. I've bought 3 keyboards, novelties, keysets and a lot of phone accessories.

It's all lived up to my expectations. Latest I got the keyboard that has interchangeable switches. They simply plug out of the board. Except for the led colors I love that board and it was only about 60$!

can you link me to that? it sounds very interesting, is the mechanism a part of the plate or pcb?
Title: Re: Buying keycaps on Taobao
Post by: GreyAmbience on Mon, 11 April 2016, 06:33:56
In me experience all I've got from taobao had been legit. I've bought 3 keyboards, novelties, keysets and a lot of phone accessories.

It's all lived up to my expectations. Latest I got the keyboard that has interchangeable switches. They simply plug out of the board. Except for the led colors I love that board and it was only about 60$!

can you link me to that? it sounds very interesting, is the mechanism a part of the plate or pcb?
Not sure if I linked correctly because I'm on mobile and vpn and stuff: https://detail.m.tmall.com/item.htm?id=524142355125&spm=a2141.7631730.0.i1

The switches can just be pulled out of the circuit board with the opposite end of the keycap puller that comes in the box.
The LEDs are soldered on the pcb below the keycap so you just use a switch with no LEDs in.

The quality is unbelievable compared to the price. Metal case and nice look.
Not a fan of the keycaps look though.
Title: Re: Buying keycaps on Taobao
Post by: mind_funeral on Tue, 12 April 2016, 16:00:36
That link didn't work but I'm also interested in that keyboard.
Title: Re: Buying keycaps on Taobao
Post by: Frizer on Tue, 12 April 2016, 16:38:46
Had no problems with the buying process when I picked up GMK Valentine from taobao. However a week after buying someone tried to spend $12k on my credit card which has put me off taobao somewhat.
Title: Re: Buying keycaps on Taobao
Post by: kekman on Tue, 12 April 2016, 19:52:06
Had no problems with the buying process when I picked up GMK Valentine from taobao. However a week after buying someone tried to spend $12k on my credit card which has put me off taobao somewhat.

well that's not nice
Title: Re: Buying keycaps on Taobao
Post by: carmenohio on Mon, 18 April 2016, 19:37:17
Most things from Taobao should be pretty safe to buy.  I've made 5 purchases on Taobao and everything came through as advertised.
Title: Re: Buying keycaps on Taobao
Post by: Khuya on Tue, 19 April 2016, 00:21:42
BOught a bunch of stuff on Taobao, all seems good, quality is as expected.  I would recommend.
Title: Re: Buying keycaps on Taobao
Post by: Tangtawan on Thu, 21 April 2016, 16:53:03
How did you guys managed to order from Taobao? Can you order directly with your credit card like from ebay or aliexpress, or you have to make a purchase through cargo middleman ?
Title: Re: Buying keycaps on Taobao
Post by: SpAmRaY on Thu, 21 April 2016, 16:57:43
How did you guys managed to order from Taobao? Can you order directly with your credit card like from ebay or aliexpress, or you have to make a purchase through cargo middleman ?
Unless you love in China you're most likely going to have to find a proxy.

Bhiner, taoboaring, taoboafocus etc...
Title: Re: Buying keycaps on Taobao
Post by: Tangtawan on Fri, 22 April 2016, 01:49:23
How did you guys managed to order from Taobao? Can you order directly with your credit card like from ebay or aliexpress, or you have to make a purchase through cargo middleman ?
Unless you love in China you're most likely going to have to find a proxy.

Bhiner, taoboaring, taoboafocus etc...

I did try placing order with Taobaofocus, they said I have to make the first payment in which the price has already increased a lot from original. What does first payment means? and how many times do I have to pay before getting the item. I live in Thailand though.
Title: Re: Buying keycaps on Taobao
Post by: kekman on Fri, 22 April 2016, 01:50:29
How did you guys managed to order from Taobao? Can you order directly with your credit card like from ebay or aliexpress, or you have to make a purchase through cargo middleman ?
Unless you love in China you're most likely going to have to find a proxy.

Bhiner, taoboaring, taoboafocus etc...

I did try placing order with Taobaofocus, they said I have to make the first payment in which the price has already increased a lot from original. What does first payment means? and how many times do I have to pay before getting the item. I live in Thailand though.

usually the first payment is a deposit in order to make sure that you are a legitimate buyer, so when they order the item and receive it they aren't left in the dark by a buyer who never paid for the item
Title: Re: Buying keycaps on Taobao
Post by: Nisei on Wed, 27 April 2016, 10:18:23
Are you guys buying straight from Taobao sellers? How?
I've never tried that because most of them don't do business with buyers outside of China so I've always used buychina.com as an agent.
You can paste the url of a taobao item in their search field and you get a price in US$ and they take care of everything. Their prices are very reasonable but sometimes I have the feeling I could get things much cheaper if I order directly.
Title: Re: Buying keycaps on Taobao
Post by: kekman on Thu, 28 April 2016, 02:08:07
Are you guys buying straight from Taobao sellers? How?
I've never tried that because most of them don't do business with buyers outside of China so I've always used buychina.com as an agent.
You can paste the url of a taobao item in their search field and you get a price in US$ and they take care of everything. Their prices are very reasonable but sometimes I have the feeling I could get things much cheaper if I order directly.

i was in china recently. i bought several items, all came within 2 days. unfortunately one of my orders, an infinity kit was falsely advertised. i spent extra for the blank black dsa keycaps from signature plastics but i received a preassembled, gh60 in a bent steel case with cheap abs with gamer font on it.