How to order directly from Diatec Japan (Filco and other brands)

[user888]

Here is how to order a Filco keyboard directly from Diatec. I know they ship to Europe (The Netherlands at least) and shipment fees are reasonable.

- Don’t use the English site as it is not the same as the Japanse site:http://www.diatec.co.jp/shop/ (so don’t select ‘English Site’)
- Use Google Translate to translate as much as possible: http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=nl&sl=ja&tl=en&u=http://www.diatec.co.jp/shop/
- Navigating is still a bit trick as parts of the site are not translatable (as in text is included in pictures)
- You can select ‘Keyboards’ in the left pane
- You can also use Google to search the site, eg by searching for "site:www.diatec.co.jp kobo” without quotes
- After you found the product you want, leave Google Translate and visit the site directly (to prevent problems in the order process)
- For example: http://www.diatec.co.jp/shop/kobo/woodblue.php
- Step 1 is already done (it’s choosing the product). The word ‘Step 1’ is conveniently written in English
- Step 2 is selecting the keyboard layout. Also conveniently written in English. Eg Fullsize J 108 (J means Japanese) or Fullsize E 104 (E means English)
- In step 2 also select the print (top, called Majestouch 2 or side, called NINJA), just select.
- The page will scroll down to step 3. Be aware there are 2 'step 3’s on the page, depending on the selected layout. Ignore the one you didn’t select
- Now select the Cherry MX switch (currently blue, black, red, brown)
- Then copy the product number from the next page, eg. KOBO-WMB02-MC-EFB2 [139]
- Then send a mail to sales@diatec.co.jp and ask for a quote, mentioning the product number. Please ask nicely, because Japanse are nice people

And that’s it, they will mail you a quote. You transfer the money by wire and you should receive the keyboard. I’ve ordered already. I went for the white fiber 87 keys http://www.diatec.co.jp/shop/kobo/carbonwhite.php (I find the standard white one too beige). Thinking of a custom (white) WASDKeyboards keycap set and a mimic paracord cable.




When I receive it I will write my findings, compared to a WASDKeyboards V2

[joneslee85]

It is so much hassles, there are few dealers in Taiwan who could do cheaper shipping

[user888]

Well my Taiwanese is on the same level as my Japanese, so that wouldn't help me. I've been searching the last week for dealers and haven't found the Taiwanese ones. The closest to me (in GB) is Keyboardco, but he's way too expensive. Do the Filco's from Taiwan come directly from the manufacturer or do they come from Japan?

I now paid 20,264 YEN / 142.00 EUR including shipment.
For a WASD V2 87 keys including shipping I pay 192.60 USD / 141.38 EUR.

This is excluding Dutch custom fees of 21%. Both keyboards with Blue MX Cherry

So pretty comparable. WASDkeyboards should start a business in Europe, just a guy in an office customising keyboards received from Costar. Taiwan -> Europe is cheaper (and better for the environment) than Taiwan -> US -> Europe

[tuxsavvy]

Hate to sort of burst your bubble but here is another way to buy stuff from Japan internationally (even if they don't accept international shipping). Also this method predates yours by several months: http://en.reddit.com/r/MechanicalKeyboards/comments/18387i/guide_bought_my_hhkb_pro_2_from_amazoncojp/

[user888]

Well, that's great, can't have enough alternatives.

[samwisekoi]

The carbon fibre boards are SWEET!  Thanks very much for the tutorial.

http://www.diatec.co.jp/shop/kobo/realcarbonH.php

 - Ron | samwisekoi

[user888]

I received the keyboard yesterday: http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=53828.0

[Candyflip]

I received the keyboard yesterday: http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=53828.0

The board came in just a week after ordering?
Nice board tho I might look into ordering the same one

[GhostofHarry]

You can try to use tenso

http://www.tenso.com/en/

after tenso registration, they will give you a japan address and phone number

use them as info to register membership in diatec and you can shop there

product will be transfered to tenso and further shipment will be processed by tenso to you place