Author Topic: Diatec's new US Distributor for Filco announced... (Read 19249 times)

pm_ · « **on:** Mon, 28 February 2011, 06:14:49 »

Kind of.

I received an email from Diatec, and the new US Distributor is "Amazon USA!" Just go to Amazon and put in "Majestouch". Orders are handled via The Keyboard Company and fulfilled by Amazon, with the "cooperation" of Diatec. Only a few models to start, more in the future.

That's pretty much what they told me, although not quite verbatim...Isn't everyone excited!?!?

Following these instructions, I find four Filco's, all 104 key, two are blues, two are browns, and one of each type is the "USA Keyboard". I'm assuming the non USA models are ISO, although the descriptions don't clarify (or I'm missing it because I'm sleepy). So no tenkeyless yet. Prices are $149 for the "USA" and $154 for the presumably ISO.

Not exactly what I was expecting, but at least you'll presumably get it a little sooner. However, if I wanted a full size with blues, I would have just ordered the Rosewill RK-9000 and saved the $50. I also wonder how service/warranty work would be handled, which is one of the reasons why I wanted a US distributor...I hope those Leopold's are worth the wait...

bugfix · « **Reply #1 on:** Mon, 28 February 2011, 06:20:05 »

http://geekhack.org/showpost.php?p=302067&postcount=11

Pretty cool, the keyboardco folks are very nice.

keyboardlover · « **Reply #2 on:** Mon, 28 February 2011, 06:20:42 »

I'm thinking it's not exactly what Ripster was expecting either

Oh well, Filcos are officially available in the USA! Through Amazon! Via TheKeyboardco!

neo · « **Reply #3 on:** Mon, 28 February 2011, 06:45:13 »

Quote from: pm_;302075

I also wonder how service/warranty work would be handled, which is one of the reasons why I wanted a US distributor...

Listed as "Fulfilled by Amazon". Meaning packing, delivery, customer service and returns are all handled by Amazon.

Surly73 · « **Reply #4 on:** Mon, 28 February 2011, 07:03:48 »

Quote from: pm_;302075

That's pretty much what they told me, although not quite verbatim...Isn't everyone excited!?!?

No, because Amazon USA refuses to ship anywhere but the USA. With vendors like EK there's still a ton of annoying overhead to ship to Canada but at least it can be done.

It's great for everyone in the US48, though

sixty · « **Reply #5 on:** Mon, 28 February 2011, 09:12:36 »

One of my buddies who happens to be a videogame publisher had a similar deal with Amazon. What it means is basically that they ship the item to Amazon, then Amazon ships the item to the customer. Within Germany this easily adds about a 2-3 days extra to the otherwise light speed overnight shipping from Amazon. I assume though that things work differently here. Bruce probably either sends a big shipment to Amazon first, so they have enough in stock, or better ships directly from Asia to them.

The other way could never work out here I guess.

bugfix · « **Reply #6 on:** Mon, 28 February 2011, 09:15:15 »

Hm, my items that were marked with "fulfillment by Amazon" were always pretty quickly delivered, so I assumed they had them in stock already.

Bruce · « **Reply #7 on:** Mon, 28 February 2011, 09:25:35 »

This is Fullfillment by Amazon on their FBA programme. The goods you see on there are in Amazon warehouses in USA and ship out like their own goods. You can get the 'super saver' shipping and all that and full Amazon support.

reaper · « **Reply #8 on:** Mon, 28 February 2011, 09:25:43 »

Well, at least I'm glad that we get some sort of distribution in US but still no tenkeyless..

http://www.amazon.com/s/qid=1298906578/ref=sr_gnr_fkmr0?ie=UTF8&node=&search-alias=aps&field-keywords=majestouch

keyboardlover · « **Reply #9 on:** Mon, 28 February 2011, 09:41:50 »

Being that they're more overpriced than ever, I wonder if they'll be able to compete for long in the USA market.

itlnstln · « **Reply #10 on:** Mon, 28 February 2011, 10:17:09 »

If you have free shipping, it's about the same as buying it from Elitekeyboards.

itlnstln · « **Reply #11 on:** Mon, 28 February 2011, 10:28:51 »

Quote from: ripster;302179

Do you think Welly would consider the 30 day Amazon "No Questions Asked" guarantee sufficient? I've never seen such a guy RMA so many keyboards and get on so many reseller "black lists".

I should hope so. Amazon is pretty lenient. I'm sure, however, that the Keyboard Co. has to take the hit in which case, Bruce would blacklist Welly.

Variable · « **Reply #12 on:** Mon, 28 February 2011, 10:34:57 »

this is some pretty awesome

itlnstln · « **Reply #13 on:** Mon, 28 February 2011, 10:41:02 »

Quote from: ripster;302185

I wonder if you are somehow shielded from the downstream distributor though?

Not that I would ever do such a thing. I always had higher morals than Welly.

I would hope so, but I guess that would depend on the contract with Amazon. I would think that Amazon would force the third parties to honor certain conditions to protect the Amazon brand. I'm sure far too many people still think they're buying from Amazon instead of a third party via Amazon, so I would imagine that they would want to take some extra precautions.

Armando Penblade · « **Reply #14 on:** Mon, 28 February 2011, 11:03:12 »

And now I must annoyingly ask: is one of these bad boys worth a fifty dollar premium over an RK9000, assuming Newegg ever stocks them again?

pm_ · « **Reply #15 on:** Mon, 28 February 2011, 15:02:46 »

Quote from: neo;302082

Listed as "Fulfilled by Amazon". Meaning packing, delivery, customer service and returns are all handled by Amazon.

See, that really bugs me. If Amazon is handling all of those aspects, why is The Keyboard Co. even involved? As ripster said, it just adds an extra person in the middle that increases the overall cost of delivering the product. Why not just sell directly through Amazon? I wonder what does Amazon charge to handle fulfillment etc.?

I'm guessing Diatec must currently have volume issues and US retailers aren't really interested in carrying products they can't get in stock. Also, perhaps there just isn't the volume in the mid to high end keyboard market in the US for larger retailers to care, so you just end up with a boutique retailer here and there.

This definitely looks like a step backwards from when Elite Keyboards stocked them.

bugfix · « **Reply #16 on:** Mon, 28 February 2011, 15:05:35 »

Quote from: pm_;302357

This definitely looks like a step backwards from when Elite Keyboards stocked them.

Really? About the same price as before, backed by a company that is at least as competent, while using the infrastructure of Amazon(!)...

pm_ · « **Reply #17 on:** Mon, 28 February 2011, 15:15:46 »

Quote from: bugfix;302358

Really? About the same price as before, backed by a company that is at least as competent, while using the infrastructure of Amazon(!)...

Well, I don't like:

1. Having an additional middleman
2. Buying from an overseas company, even if it's being "fulfilled" stateside

No knock against The Keyboard Co., they appear to have a good reputation. But being overseas could complicate things. There's no mention of the warranty on these boards, and if you need service outside of what, 30 days, do you have to ship the board overseas? Will Amazon handle warranty service? If so, why even list The Keyboard Co., at all in relation to the product? I'm not saying The Keyboard Co., won't take care of you, but it I'm sure it has to complicate things, at least a little bit.

So, again, I think this is clearly a step backwards, albeit better than having nothing at all...

itlnstln · « **Reply #18 on:** Mon, 28 February 2011, 15:16:53 »

Actually, I think the Amazon distribution is a better deal than EKB. At the very least, you have a more consumer-friendly return policy. Also, you have the all the Amazon support staff.

That said, most of these advantages are because of the blanket return policy Amazon has vs. the more specific nature of EKB's policy, and EKB is a much smaller, boutique retailer with less sales, staff, etc. to offset a return policy like this.

pm_ · « **Reply #19 on:** Mon, 28 February 2011, 15:29:55 »

Quote from: itlnstln;302364

That said, most of these advantages are because of the blanket return policy Amazon has vs. the more specific nature of EKB's policy, and EKB is a much smaller, boutique retailer with less sales, staff, etc. to offset a return policy like this.

Noted. Very good points worth consideration.

They should eventually get tenkeyless in...hopefully in ANSI.

Felcom · « **Reply #20 on:** Mon, 28 February 2011, 16:33:12 »

Would this have affected current orders to the US?
Still waiting on a Filco I ordered 2 weeks ago. :rain:

Could probably have it in two days via Amazon, so good new for the future I guess.

Bruce · « **Reply #21 on:** Mon, 28 February 2011, 16:47:47 »

Hi Felcom

We got our stock today so it will have shipped today or will do tomorrow.
We will continue to ship USA orders received on keyboardco.com as normal. Although as you might have got caught out by the timing I can see if we can stop the order if you want to check out Amazon.

lokisnake · « **Reply #22 on:** Mon, 28 February 2011, 16:49:03 »

Quote from: pm_;302357

See, that really bugs me. If Amazon is handling all of those aspects, why is The Keyboard Co. even involved? As ripster said, it just adds an extra person in the middle that increases the overall cost of delivering the product. Why not just sell directly through Amazon? I wonder what does Amazon charge to handle fulfillment etc.?

I'm guessing Diatec must currently have volume issues and US retailers aren't really interested in carrying products they can't get in stock. Also, perhaps there just isn't the volume in the mid to high end keyboard market in the US for larger retailers to care, so you just end up with a boutique retailer here and there.

This definitely looks like a step backwards from when Elite Keyboards stocked them.

For us to buy directly through Amazon, Amazon needs to purchase and carry the products themselves. In the current case, The Keyboard Co is the one purchasing/importing the products to the US. Amazon is simply a product listing/shipping/handling service here. It isn't ideal, but it's something for now.

s7e · « **Reply #23 on:** Mon, 28 February 2011, 17:11:43 »

This is great news. Price isn't bad either.

I really want a tenkeyless version, I hope they sell them on amazon or in the USA very soon!

Maybe The Keyboard Company/Bruce could let us know if we could expect any other models to be sold? What about replacement key caps and other accessories?

drsauced · « **Reply #24 on:** Mon, 28 February 2011, 17:19:00 »

Wow. Do want! I was saving up for one of those OCN Duckys in MX Brown, but is the Filco a better keyboard?

RiGS · « **Reply #25 on:** Mon, 28 February 2011, 17:19:34 »

Definitely.

Ekaros · « **Reply #26 on:** Mon, 28 February 2011, 17:24:28 »

Quote from: keyboardlover;302148

Being that they're more overpriced than ever, I wonder if they'll be able to compete for long in the USA market.

40$ cheaper than in UK if tax is included, I wouldn't complain...

keyboardlover · « **Reply #27 on:** Mon, 28 February 2011, 17:31:30 »

Yo Dawg!

I heard you like Filco! So I put a distributor in your distributor, so you can buy while you buy!

woody · « **Reply #28 on:** Mon, 28 February 2011, 17:35:42 »

Quote from: Ekaros;302420

40$ cheaper than in UK if tax is included, I wouldn't complain...

You're not American.

Ekaros · « **Reply #29 on:** Mon, 28 February 2011, 17:40:04 »

Quote from: woody;302423

You're not American.

And am I glad of it!

keyboardlover · « **Reply #30 on:** Mon, 28 February 2011, 17:46:04 »

Quote from: Ekaros;302426

And am I glad of it!

Why?

RiGS · « **Reply #31 on:** Mon, 28 February 2011, 17:58:54 »

Probably because of the lack of fluoride in the public water supply.

Lpb45 · « **Reply #32 on:** Mon, 28 February 2011, 18:03:32 »

Tenkeyless is going to be available on Amazon in the next couple days according to Bruce at Keyboardco, he said they sent out 3 orders to Amazon the first 1 is on Amazon now with the others to follow in the next couple days.

Felcom · « **Reply #33 on:** Mon, 28 February 2011, 18:21:39 »

Quote from: Bruce;302406

Hi Felcom

We got our stock today so it will have shipped today or will do tomorrow.
We will continue to ship USA orders received on keyboardco.com as normal. Although as you might have got caught out by the timing I can see if we can stop the order if you want to check out Amazon.

No worries! Came home to a registered mail tag on my door so I'm pretty sure it came while at work today. Figures, as soon as I make a stink about it, there it is =P Can't wait to try it out tomorrow!

killy · « **Reply #34 on:** Mon, 28 February 2011, 18:25:16 »

Newegg canada is actually run logistically by UPS, I believe. They function as the warehouse from which wares are delivered and they also handle the RMAs.

I imagine that this is the case w/ Amazon and KeyboardCo. Keep in mind that either way Filcos would need to cross an ocean to get to America. Thus, if there are already established shipping lines to the UK, it would make sense to simply forward them to the US.

upperguy · « **Reply #35 on:** Mon, 28 February 2011, 18:33:32 »

so what do we think the timeframe/chances of a tenkeyless are?

clack · « **Reply #36 on:** Mon, 28 February 2011, 18:48:03 »

nnoooo, not a us filco distro. now even noobs can get a filco ;_;

upperguy · « **Reply #37 on:** Mon, 28 February 2011, 18:50:50 »

Quote

Hi Danny
Thanks for your email.
There will be two more batches going on Amazon in the next week or so and there will be TKL with Blues.
Let me know if I can help.
Bruce

In reply to my email asking if tenkeyless blues will become available.

s7e · « **Reply #38 on:** Mon, 28 February 2011, 19:05:03 »

Quote from: upperguy;302478

In reply to my email asking if tenkeyless blues will become available.

Thanks for the info! I will be looking forward to these!

n12 · « **Reply #39 on:** Mon, 28 February 2011, 19:24:11 »

Still, isn't this >=$20 more than buying from PCHome(including shipping)?

LONGZILLA · « **Reply #40 on:** Mon, 28 February 2011, 19:35:59 »

Quote from: n12;302493

Still, isn't this >=$20 more than buying from PCHome(including shipping)?

I think pchome is sold out their latest batch already. Shipping from Amazon w/ Prime is 2 days, shipping from Taiwan........................

pm_ · « **Reply #41 on:** Mon, 28 February 2011, 19:54:05 »

Quote from: longzilla;302499

I think pchome is sold out their latest batch already. Shipping from Amazon w/ Prime is 2 days, shipping from Taiwan........................

Shipping from Taiwan varies, doesn't it? I thought PC home was about a week or so, although it could be a good bit worse around the holidays. 5-7 days isn't that bad, imo, especially if you don't have Amazon Prime.

I think it is $20-$30 more than ordering from PC Home. On the flip side, you can return it if you have a problem with it. Give a little, get a little...

On a side note, I do like the Ducky tenkeyless with blues that I borrowed, and I those look like they're about $105 shipped to the US...although they mostly look OOS.

n12 · « **Reply #42 on:** Mon, 28 February 2011, 20:01:21 »

Shipping from PCHome to US(Chicago,IL) took ~4 business days for me. Wasn't too bad at all. They also include some goodies such as keycap puller, red esc key, Filco branded keycap, and yellow wsad keys... Not sure if Keyboard Co includes this too but I know for sure that Elitekeyboards didn't include them(only the red esc key).

theferenc · « **Reply #43 on:** Mon, 28 February 2011, 21:35:53 »

You know, the ability to order from a known trusted entity, within the US, has a lot of appeal to many buyers.

While I have no problem with ordering from PCHome or ArmyGroup, I can also read Chinese passably well, and my fiance is mainland Chinese, for the bits I have trouble with.

Without the ability to read the pages yourself, it's a lot more intimidating, not to mention potentially frustrating for many people. And really, $20-30 isn't that much for peace of mind, especially knowing you can return it if you really dislike it. And contrary to popular opinion here, not everyone is in love with Cherry switches.

Exoverture · « **Reply #44 on:** Mon, 28 February 2011, 21:52:03 »

Quote from: theferenc;302536

You know, the ability to order from a known trusted entity, within the US, has a lot of appeal to many buyers.

While I have no problem with ordering from PCHome or ArmyGroup, I can also read Chinese passably well, and my fiance is mainland Chinese, for the bits I have trouble with.

Without the ability to read the pages yourself, it's a lot more intimidating, not to mention potentially frustrating for many people. And really, $20-30 isn't that much for peace of mind, especially knowing you can return it if you really dislike it. And contrary to popular opinion here, not everyone is in love with Cherry switches.

There's always Google translate in Chrome

No but honestly, I ordered from ArmyGroup. I ordered it on Thursday, and it came to my house 9:43am on the following Monday. Pretty bloody fantastic!

$159 shipped. No customs!

theferenc · « **Reply #45 on:** Mon, 28 February 2011, 22:31:55 »

Yes, you know that. But not everyone does, nor does everyone trust it.

Just remember, the people here are already strange. Just because we are ok with it doesn't mean everyone else is.

neo · « **Reply #46 on:** Mon, 28 February 2011, 22:38:50 »

Quote from: theferenc;302554

Just remember, the people here are already strange.

That's an understatement of the year.

drsauced · « **Reply #47 on:** Mon, 28 February 2011, 23:16:24 »

Heh. Hehehe. Muahaha!

It's a bit more than I would have liked, but blue in MX Browns. Amazon Prime should have it here by Thursday!

verifyid · « **Reply #48 on:** Mon, 28 February 2011, 23:42:36 »

Quote from: drsauced;302561

Heh. Hehehe. Muahaha!

It's a bit more than I would have liked, but blue in MX Browns. Amazon Prime should have it here by Thursday!

you're in the same boat i am

jaynoon · « **Reply #49 on:** Tue, 01 March 2011, 00:54:19 »

Pretty sure fulfilled by Amazon, sold by KeyboardCo just means that KeyboardCo buys the products, sends them to Amazon's warehouse, and then Amazon handles distribution once it's sold. Amazon gets a cut, but KeyboardCo doesn't have to operate warehouses, shipping & return facilities, etc..

You regularly see stuff that's fulfilled by Amazon that's cheaper than sold by Amazon.

Honestly, worst thing about this is that it probably endangers EK, who sell keyboards, yeah, but also sell cool stuff like clickclack's keys. Won't be seeing those on Amazon any time soon.

News:

Author Topic: Diatec's new US Distributor for Filco announced... (Read 19249 times)

woody