Chicony - Rant

[Phaedrus2129]

This ebay seller is ****ing lying *******. The keyboard arrived and the casing is split open, it's missing the left ctrl. keycap, and the left shift key sticks. None of this was mentioned in the description nor shown in pictures. I haven't tested the electronics yet, but I am very pissed off at this seller and am considering filing a complaint. Especially if it doesn't work, which I figure there's a 50/50 chance it will. At the very least he's getting one star rating. Grrrr.


On the bright side, the switches are very pleasant.

[didjamatic]

Auction Link?

Oh, and check the packing materials carefully, you'll periodically lose a cap during shipping.

[Phaedrus2129]

Ok, I calmed down a bit and looked through again. The missing keycap was in the bottom of the box, I fixed the sticking shift by reseating the stablizer, and the split has come (mostly) back together, though there is material missing. I think it's probably mostly due to damage during shipping; he used a square box and jammed the keyboard in diagonally, then filled in around it with paper waste. Still disappointed. Going to check for functionality.

[Phaedrus2129]

It works, I think. The shift key needed a few key presses to start working right, but it's ok now. So I'm not as pissed off, but still disappointed in the poor shipping. Do you think it would be reasonable to ask for $5 because of the split in the case, or would that be mean/stupid?

[washuai]

Did you have the option to insure the shipped item and declined it?  If you declined it, then I'd say leave it alone.  I definitely say you should let the seller know that their bad packing damaged the product and ask what kind of recompense they'll give you.  Bad packing just doesn't deserve 5 star pricing, but they deserve a chance to not get 1 star, especially since you're keeping the product and it is working.

[spolia optima]

I'd say you deserve your money back... depending on the auction description and the seller's terms, of course.

[didjamatic]

Tell them your problem, give them the opportunity to rectify it (ie, full or parital refund or return at their cost since it was their fault) and then decide what rating to give them on ebay.  Either propose a solution or put the ball in their court and give them the opportunity to make it right.

[washuai]

Tell them your problem, give them the opportunity to rectify it (ie, full or parital refund or return at their cost since it was their fault) and then decide what rating to give them on ebay.  Either propose a solution or put the ball in their court and give them the opportunity to make it right.

This is the more eloquent way of putting what I meant.  I'd say it is best to make propose a few alternate solutions, since you're more likely to get what you want that way.

[Phaedrus2129]

Hm, would it be fair to say that these Chicony boards were almost an "imitation" of the IBM Model M? The housing is given that curve that the Model M has, even though the internal assembly is not curved, it's almost the same size, the keycap are the same color, the status light LEDs have the same graphic around them. Give it an IBM logo and change the Enter/Backspace keys and to any but the well informed it'll look like a Model M.

[Phaedrus2129]

I was polite and he refunded me $12.50. Yay for diplomacy.

The shift key is still a little erratic; but it's getting better. I think the right side of the stabilizer got bent a little bit, but it's getting back into shape.

These switches are kind of nice, but remind me of ML switches a little bit, because they stick if you hit them on a corner. Lighter MX blues with a softer landing is a good way to describe them, except for the sticking. This may be because of lubricant loss? It's a shame the board itself is so "meh". IBM matrix non-NKRO, weird backspace, cheap construction (it creaks if I squeeze it). These switches need to be resurrected.

[aegrotatio]

I dunno, all bets are off on eBay.  I had no emotional reaction when my Chicony 5191 with fake Cherry Blues suffered from severe keybounce trouble.
The Chicony 5181 was nearly perfect for a used item.

You only spend disposable income on anything from eBay.  It's not worth the emotional effort for me for anything else.  I feel bad for the families of rubes who buy any kind of expensive collectibles there.