Buying mechanical keyboard in Eastern Europe

[Kblavkalash]

Hello guys!

Can't believe I found website where everyone talks only about keyboards xD

So I want to buy a mechanical keyboard and after checking most sounds of different keyboards here I decided that out of most of them I like Das keyboard sound and Razer blackwidow, so I guess they are Cherry MX - Blue.

Now I don't need exactly those keyboards, I just want it to be tactile + clicky, but I live in the Eastern Europe, Lithuania and I didn't find anyone selling mechanical keyboards here

So maybe anyone of you are living somewhere in middle/eastern europe and know where to buy them not expensive (<90$). Because in USA you got really nice prices - for 80-100$ you can buy good keyboard and shipping is free. Now prices in amazon uk is like 50% more than in USA and shipping will cost like 30$ more. So let's say you buy Razer blackwidow in USA, and you pay 80$, I must pay 80 euro (that's 50% more for me) + shipping (~30 euro) so that's really insane.

So is there any way to buy a new mechanical keyboard without paying so much money?

And thanks guys

[Kairxa]

http://www.keyboardco.com? They are in UK.

[Kblavkalash]

http://www.keyboardco.com? They are in UK.

Thanks for link, but they have huge shipping costs too, but even without that, can you please point me a Cherry MX - Blue keyboard in that list under £50?

[keyboardlover]

Thanks for link, but they have huge shipping costs too, but even without that, can you please point me a Cherry MX - Blue keyboard in that list under £50?

This one is £59. I think it's the least expensive cherry blue they have, but please correct me if I'm wrong...

[muchadoaboutnothing]

This one is £59. I think it's the least expensive cherry blue they have, but please correct me if I'm wrong...

With shipping and VAT that's £84.94 to Lithuania. Unfortunately, if you can't get a Cherry blue board locally, that's probably your cheapest option.

That's $134 USD but trying to import something from the US (if you were fine with a US layout) would kill you on the shipping.

Shame that Gemini no longer stocks that Cherry Blue board.

[Kblavkalash]

Yeah £84 is crazy price, I get in a month just twice as this xD

[kriminal]

Yeah £84 is crazy price, I get in a month just twice as this xD

whoa... hopefully try to find some cheap cherry browns, or ship a very cheap model m from the states so that when shipping rapes you at-least it wont come up to that much?

[keyb_gr]

JFTR, even the least expensive kind of mechanical board would set you back ~50€ here in Germany (and that's for a common G80 with German layout and blues). With shipping and in the less common US layout (which currently appears to be out of stock), you'd easily be looking at 80..90$ provided you can find a shop that actually ships to Lithuania. That would still be about 1/3 cheaper than getting one from the UK, of course.

[7bit]

keybo.de sells the G80-3000 @ 63 EUR + shipping. You've got to pre-pay, because they havn't got them in stock (at lest if you want a special layout like LT or US). Shipping seems to be @ 17 EUR with DHL, but maybe there is a cheaper method.

Do you have friends who travel to Germany from time to time?

ps: welcome to geekhack!

[NewbieOneKenobi]

Hello guys!

Can't believe I found website where everyone talks only about keyboards xD

So I want to buy a mechanical keyboard and after checking most sounds of different keyboards here I decided that out of most of them I like Das keyboard sound and Razer blackwidow, so I guess they are Cherry MX - Blue.

Now I don't need exactly those keyboards, I just want it to be tactile + clicky, but I live in the Eastern Europe, Lithuania and I didn't find anyone selling mechanical keyboards here

So maybe anyone of you are living somewhere in middle/eastern europe and know where to buy them not expensive (<90$). Because in USA you got really nice prices - for 80-100$ you can buy good keyboard and shipping is free. Now prices in amazon uk is like 50% more than in USA and shipping will cost like 30$ more. So let's say you buy Razer blackwidow in USA, and you pay 80$, I must pay 80 euro (that's 50% more for me) + shipping (~30 euro) so that's really insane.

So is there any way to buy a new mechanical keyboard without paying so much money?

And thanks guys

There is a Polish auction site at www.allegro.pl. There are occasionally IBM Model M keyboards and getting a new-in-box Steelseries 6gv2 or 7g (both black Cherry, which is supposedly non-tactile and is not clicky) via Buy Now is not a problem. There is also some company that deals in post-leasing stuff, located at www.delllow.com, they do come across IBM Model M's. The price shouldn't exceed $35 for a Model M keyboard, shipment fee shouldn't be too expensive to Lithuania. You may want to write to them directly. They occasionally have other clicky keyboards but that's rare.

You may want to contact Cherry in Germany ($100 and a bit, pre-VAT, plus shipment) or get a Razer Black Widow (€79 with VAT, plus shipment) just to save yourself the trouble of looking and looking and dealing with shipment fees, import duties and taxes etc.

[Kblavkalash]

Thanks for responses guys.

I am wondering why there are tons of multimedia Logitech keyboards here in my country, which btw costs A LOT, and even more than those mechanical sometimes, but I can't find a single mechanical keyboard seller here.

Are mechanical so unpopular or what?

[NewbieOneKenobi]

Thanks for responses guys.

I am wondering why there are tons of multimedia Logitech keyboards here in my country, which btw costs A LOT, and even more than those mechanical sometimes, but I can't find a single mechanical keyboard seller here.

Are mechanical so unpopular or what?

They're kinda "indie" and they might be associated with "old tech", other than this, I don't know.

[keyb_gr]

Mechanicals have only been making sort of a comeback in the last few years. There were signs that it was eventually going to happen as of early last decade (when Model Ms were rediscovered), but things didn't really take off until 2008 or so, with models like the Steelseries 7G or Das Keyboard II enjoying some halfway wide distribution. Still, they remain sort of a boutique product.

But yes, it's about time that the usual consumer crap gets some competition in stores.

[NewbieOneKenobi]

Kblavkalash, it is not 100% confirmed but I seem to have happened upon a small source of old mechanical keyboards from Dell (no info as to which type yet and some of them could even be 286-old with an AT plug, which means a converter to PS/2 is needed). The cost seems to be $11 per unit. Shipping one to Lithuania should cost around $22. Let me know if you're interested. I could buy it in my name but tell them to ship it directly to your address, or I could give you their e-mail, they should probably speak English well enough. This probably isn't the best of bargains but it isn't bad. I'm still waiting for the savvy guy to reply to my e-mail. Should be tomorrow or so. Incidentally, these are the same guys who have IBM keyboards for $35 or so on auctions. Oh heck, I'll give you their e-mail address via PM.

[Kblavkalash]

Thanks NewbieOneKenobi for suggesting this, but I am not such keyboard fan that I buy this old IBM or something like that

I just want good new mechanical keyboard you know, not something of 20 years old, even if it works perfectly.

[Machine]

I live in Poland, and have exactly the same problem. It seems like mechanical keyboards are generally unavailable in whole EU! I know they sell them in UK, but with GB layout, and I want US layout (I hate shortened left shifts, on my current Cherry there is a polished place on left shift, on its right side, thats the point I press left shift).

Keybo.de? No, they don't have them. Steelseries? They are not clicky.

I'm a programmer. I need a keyboard for work. It seems like all keyboards are now made for gamers, there's no such thing like keyboard for programmers. Ok Das is, but it's unavailable in Europe. They say they will have them in February 2011. Damn!

I've tried Unicomp, they wanted $80 for shipping. The keyboard costs $69. No. I won't spend more on shipping than on keyboard itself.

I'm desperate. Money is not the issue. I want to invest any money it takes into really professional keyboard for work. But I want to pay for the thing, not shipping! $20 up to $30 for shipping is acceptable.

Anyone tried using Razer Black Widow for typing? It's gaming keyboard, well, I play games from time to time, but would it be better for typing than any rubber dome keyboard? Is it curved? I don't think so. Maybe it wouldn't be a smart choice if I look for something for work? Anywhere else I can look?

[7bit]

...

Keybo.de? No, they don't have them. Steelseries? They are not clicky.

Did you actually contact keybo?

I got my G80-3000 LPCEU-2 (US-layout in black with black switches) in September from keybo.de. They havn't got them in stock, but order them from Cherry which may take a while. You just have to pre-pay. 63 EUR + shipping.

[chet0]

Get some friends, buy in a group.

or

Buy a Topre, then shipping costs won't exceed the cost of the keyboard.

[Kblavkalash]

Machine -->

You can buy keyboards, at least Filco with USA layout in Keyboardco.com.
But the price will be extreme, pretty much everything what you saw in $ in USA will be in £.
Shipping is not THAT huge, but extremely high keyboard price + VAT + shipping will be a lot.

But you won't get much cheaper Filco elsewhere anyways, so if you decided to buy Filco go with Keyboardco, they at least give 1 year warranty, not like Elitekeyboards.

[Machine]

Did you actually contact keybo?

I got my G80-3000 LPCEU-2 (US-layout in black with black switches) in September from keybo.de. They havn't got them in stock, but order them from Cherry which may take a while. You just have to pre-pay. 63 EUR + shipping.

I have a Cherry reseller in Poland too. I've contacted them earlier and ordered G80-3000LSCEU-0. I've even paid for it but then they replied they can get only G80-3000LPCEU-0, black switches - and I need blue (or brown). You know, for typing, gaming will definitely be the secondary use.

They said that I won't get G80 with blue or brown switches because Cherry doesn't make them anymore.

So that's it. No more clicky keyboards from Cherry.

[Machine]

Machine -->

You can buy keyboards, at least Filco with USA layout in Keyboardco.com.
But the price will be extreme, pretty much everything what you saw in $ in USA will be in £.
Shipping is not THAT huge, but extremely high keyboard price + VAT + shipping will be a lot.

But you won't get much cheaper Filco elsewhere anyways, so if you decided to buy Filco go with Keyboardco, they at least give 1 year warranty, not like Elitekeyboards.

And that's what I've done. I've bought FILCO at http://getdigital.de. They in Germany, so the shipping should be cheaper than from UK. I paid 170EUR with shipping and tax. I hope it will be worth its price. BTW, on their webpage I've found Filco Majestouch Pro supports NKRO. Does it?

[twn2]

I have a Cherry reseller in Poland too. I've contacted them earlier and ordered G80-3000LSCEU-0. I've even paid for it but then they replied they can get only G80-3000LPCEU-0, black switches - and I need blue (or brown). You know, for typing, gaming will definitely be the secondary use.

They said that I won't get G80 with blue or brown switches because Cherry doesn't make them anymore.

So that's it. No more clicky keyboards from Cherry.

I contact with Cherry company, and they say they are still producing the G80-3000 with blue and brown switches. Probably you can contact Cherry directly to get more information.

[Machine]

I contact with Cherry company, and they say they are still producing the G80-3000 with blue and brown switches. Probably you can contact Cherry directly to get more information.

I doubt they would even talk to me. Big international companies use to refer retail customers to local resellers, and they don't treat them seriously too.

I give up on this, but maybe somebody would try, it would be good to know there still are G80-s to get somewhere.

I wonder if the mechanical keyboards are really such a bad deal in Europe. Or maybe Cherry doesn't like to sell them because they are too durable?

[muchadoaboutnothing]

I doubt they would even talk to me. Big international companies use to refer retail customers to local resellers, and they don't treat them seriously too.

Big companies are often nicer than you think. The fact that you took the time to contact them is usually indicative of your interest. Emails get the least attention (some companies don't really respond to them), phones get more, and letters tend to get the most attention. This all varies by the company though.

I'd try, at least.

[7bit]

Big companies are often nicer than you think. The fact that you took the time to contact them is usually indicative of your interest. Emails get the least attention (some companies don't really respond to them), phones get more, and letters tend to get the most attention. This all varies by the company though.

I'd try, at least.

Exactly!

It may take a while, until they respond. They will sell you the keyboards only pallette-wise, but you can buy a single keyboard through their consumer reseller keybo.

[woody]

And that's what I've done. I've bought FILCO at http://getdigital.de.

Congrats. Week or so of usage and you'll be pretty happy with it, that you won't remember about G80 anymore, I guess.
________
glass bongs

[CeeSA]

http://www.ba-computer.at/product_info.php?products_id=1175929
47,51€
shipping int. by request (ask via email)

or i could sell you my brand new Cherry G80-3000LSCDE-2 (black, german layout)
75€ inkl. postage
(i bought it from Amazon for 52€)

pm me

[CeeSA]

^^
bad advertising

[Machine]

http://www.ba-computer.at/product_info.php?products_id=1175929
47,51€
shipping int. by request (ask via email)

or i could sell you my brand new Cherry G80-3000LSCDE-2 (black, german layout)
75€ inkl. postage
(i bought it from Amazon for 52€)

pm me

Oops, don't make me regret my Filco AFAIK, G80 is a little bigger, I don't know if it has NKRO, but it probably has laser etched keycaps, am I right? And it's cheaper. If someone would buy my Filco I would consider it

I was too eager to buy mechanical keyboard. Each time I looked on words with missing letters I was more and more angry and fed up. No more missing letters. I mean ASAP.

One thing is bothering me: I used to polish spots on the keys texture, especially shifts and space, on cheaper keyboards I made even holes in keys How will my Filco endure my abrasive fingers? I've read it has a texture on keys, something like frosted glass. Is it durable enough?

[sixty]

They said that I won't get G80 with blue or brown switches because Cherry doesn't make them anymore.

So that's it. No more clicky keyboards from Cherry.

Lies. I just called them up on the phone about this yesterday since I got worried after reading your post. I got it confirmed three times that all models (Click-tactile, soft-tactile and linear) are still in production as of now and there are no current plans of stopping production.

I asked for both the ANSI and ISO layout and the nice lady confirmed that both versions are still in production with all three switch types.

[keyboardlover]

Did you hear the one about the Polish submarine?

[keyboardlover]

Q: How do you sink a Polish submarine?

A: Forget to close the screen door.

...Wah, wah.

[NewbieOneKenobi]

I live in Poland, and have exactly the same problem. It seems like mechanical keyboards are generally unavailable in whole EU! I know they sell them in UK, but with GB layout, and I want US layout (I hate shortened left shifts, on my current Cherry there is a polished place on left shift, on its right side, thats the point I press left shift).

Keybo.de? No, they don't have them. Steelseries? They are not clicky.

I'm a programmer. I need a keyboard for work. It seems like all keyboards are now made for gamers, there's no such thing like keyboard for programmers. Ok Das is, but it's unavailable in Europe. They say they will have them in February 2011. Damn!

I've tried Unicomp, they wanted $80 for shipping. The keyboard costs $69. No. I won't spend more on shipping than on keyboard itself.

I'm desperate. Money is not the issue. I want to invest any money it takes into really professional keyboard for work. But I want to pay for the thing, not shipping! $20 up to $30 for shipping is acceptable.

Anyone tried using Razer Black Widow for typing? It's gaming keyboard, well, I play games from time to time, but would it be better for typing than any rubber dome keyboard? Is it curved? I don't think so. Maybe it wouldn't be a smart choice if I look for something for work? Anywhere else I can look?

Rarely but sometimes you can find something on Allegro. There's also a company that has used stuff: http://delllow.com/. I've just got 10 Dells with Alps off them, 30 PLN each, 25 or 30 PLN courier shipment total (same as for one keyboard). If you live in Warsaw or come passing by, I could give you one but you'd have to clean it yourself.