Why Filco keyboards are in short supply UNCOVERED TRUTH! its not their fault?

[spitfire6000]

http://www.diatec.co.jp/en/aboutus.php#DI

I came across this while browsing...

"Please kindly be noted that our policy is one distributor in one country."

http://www.diatec.co.jp/en/aboutus.php#DI

They say 1 distributor per country, so does that mean that keyboard co uk will forever be the only retailer to have the rights to sell Filco keyboards in the usa?

If its true, they are pretty lucky to have UK and US rights exclusively.

Whats the real story here, anyone know? Discuss.

[alaricljs]

Ok, awesome headline for a tabloid... only problem is you didn't uncover anything.

[spitfire6000]

Ok, awesome headline for a tabloid... only problem is you didn't uncover anything.

I know =*(, i wanted to actually edit the thread topic title, then i realized I couldn't and it was too late.

Please forgive my unintended misleading title, sorrey ^_^

[eyesnine]

I don't think that's a good strategy going forward.

I'm sure that they make nice keyboards, but when they start facing serious competition from Rosewill/Newegg, Chinese imports: Ducky, PLU, etc. they'll get killed.

It's not like they have a patent on tenkeyless layouts or plate mounted Cherry MX keyswitches.

[Astounding]

Low demand, low supply.

[aggiejy]

Well, demand may be low in comparison to a non-niche product, but it's certainly higher than supply.  It's a pretty safe assumption Keyboard Company will stock and sell as many of the top sellers as they can get.  It's never a *strategy* to be out of stock.  (Though, it can artificially drive up demand/prices... but that's not their aim if it's selling well at their price points.)  

Just guessing, but Diatec likely has stronger contacts and commitments closer to home.  Supply goes there first, then to KBC.  (Or, some base level of supply goes to KBC regardless to keep them in play, but not much more.)  

Of course, there's more to it than that obviously.  Red switches seem to be gaining in popularity, perhaps production runs were committed to black, etc, etc, etc.

Who knows.  But I *do* know I can't wait until I can order that Filco tenkeyless ninja w/ reds on Amazon with free 2nd day shipping for $149.  

I'm just sayin'.

[spitfire6000]

Low demand, low supply.

I think this is very true, despite keyboard co uk totally selling out the black switch ninjas in amazon and uk. Theyre getting new shipment in both locales on july 15th, but I dont know if it will sell out as fast as it did now.

Biggest problem i see is the lack of marketing and widespread knowledge of the company/keyboards.

Most people in PC gaming today think of Razer blackwidow when they think of a mechanical keyboard. Razer makes garbage products, probably because all their investment is in the presentation and marketing. And really...sad to say, it pays off because the blackwidow ultimate sold a ton of units on newegg.com

If you look at that diatec website...you will see that in the about us section they list:
Capital    40,000,000 Yen = 400,000 US dollars

That being just only capital, not profits. Its going to be hard for a smaller company like this to compete on an international sale if they're limited to one distributor per country. =/

I would be one sad camper if Razer continues to dominate the mech keyboard market, simply by large scale advertising and fancy packaging. It was impressive to unbox the razer blackwidow ultimate when it first came to my house. The packaging materials and design of the fancy box and spacing cardboard was very high quality....and then 2 minutes later I started noticing build quality defect after defect, quickly realizing this keyboard was absolutely horrible.

It would be really nice to see Filco and other REAL premium board makers to see some kind of success for their efforts.

Instead...you have most of the profits and popularity going to this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823114012&cm_re=razer_blackwidow-_-23-114-012-_-Product

[spitfire6000]

Who knows.  But I *do* know I can't wait until I can order that Filco tenkeyless ninja w/ reds on Amazon with free 2nd day shipping for $149.  

I'm just sayin'.

I did that same free 2 day shipping with amazon prime, and it seems that everything I ordered from amazon since starting the prime trial came OVERNIGHT shipping not 2 day. It might happen for you too, if you live in an area reasonably close to a amazon warehouse. In in New york area.

I find it interesting that the Red switch Filco is Limited edition, and yet the black switch ninja sold out despite being released after the red. They will have more stock on the july 15th on amazon, but yea...keyboard co uk does not keep supply low to keep prices high. I dealt with them personally over the phone to resolve a amazon glitch that wouldn't let me order the keyboard, and their sales manager was on top of it hardcore. If you look at other sources for filco ninjas, they're more expensive than keyboard co on amazon.

[The Solutor]

They say 1 distributor per country, so does that mean that keyboard co uk will forever be the only retailer to have the rights to sell Filco keyboards in the usa?

When a product is overpriced it's easier to keep the bubble inflated with just one channel

[BiNiaRiS]

I've been talking to them for months. They don't seem to care that they are giving the sole distribution rights of the US to a UK company. I was thinking about buying a Filco but I see so reason. There are plenty of alternatives that are just as good. Rosewills will be back in production in a few months and I'll grab one of those.

[aggiejy]

Buy LEOPOLDS!...

And be stuck with one shiny spacebar you can never replace via a group buy!

[BiNiaRiS]

And be stuck with one shiny spacebar you can never replace via a group buy!

Give it time. There are too many of us with Leopolds now.

[False_Dmitry_II]

Was rosewills coming back announced somewhere? I keep seeing it get mentioned along with allegations that they will have more than one switchtype this time.

[Lanx]

when razer finds out that they could charge MORE for a tenkeyless BW and showcase 100's of Koreans gaming with Tenkeyless the masses will swarm for the Razer BWU+ Heart of the Storm Tenkeyless Edition.

[bdpq]

Many of those "elite" gamers customize their boards with their clan tags, 2nd layer custom key-mapping and clan keycaps directly from the manufacturer.  The bigger clans and prize winners get TV endorsement and their own cable channel.  

They are big money makers and being a gamer is a legit "career choice" for high schoolers.

I am pretty sure razer can put on a show of hundreds of K gamers on the BW if razer pays them.

[aggiejy]

Give it time. There are too many of us with Leopolds now.

 
Ha, well I don't think Signature Plastics will volunteer.  And while there may be many of us, I think we'll have to talk 7-bit or iMav to put the heat on them for a new mold.  Not sure if they priced it already or not.  Shouldn't be something we have to pay for though... SP surely would resell spacebars with those fittings to others.  Same with steelseries.  I wonder if they are all offset enough to have a universal fitting that works with everything?

[spitfire6000]

when razer finds out that they could charge MORE for a tenkeyless BW and showcase 100's of Koreans gaming with Tenkeyless the masses will swarm for the Razer BWU+ Heart of the Storm Tenkeyless Edition.

that will be the saddest sight of all time. Its not even their faults! I myself got a razer bw ultimate as the first attempt at mech keyboard. The reviews on average were great, and it was my first razer product. I learned my lesson well.

Razer should stick to making mouse pads for 35 dollars, I got the razer scarab, and that thing is pretty impressive. Sure, it should probably cost 8 bucks in reality...but it comes with a carrying case and certificate of authenticity...because when you buy a razer you need proof that its real =/

umm like... seriously? I am impressed with razer's tactics i must say. They treat all pc gamers as if they're half witted children, and SCORE! ohh...my mousepad has a carrying case! because like...im definitely going to need to protect something that is durable enough to scrape off my logitech g500 mouse feet in only a month. Seriously razer?

But anyways back to the topic, I sure hope Filco can get their buts in line with global competition, cause they are losing bigtime.

I bet in a years time, the mass producers like razer das or thermalake will increase their build quality to be on par with filco...and if logitech jumps in too...forget it, they will own that so bad.

Mmmmm....logitech cherry mx black switch illuminated keyboard...that sounds too good for be true! Like a g19 with mechanical switches, damn that thing would sell out no matter if it was $250.

[candy]

http://www.diatec.co.jp/en/aboutus.php#DI
"Please kindly be noted that our policy is one distributor in one country."
If its true, they are pretty lucky to have UK and US rights exclusively.

 
Then The Keyboard Co. is in direct conflict with Diatec's public policy and likely to be in violation of their contract because they are selling in TWO COUNTRIES. Since The Keyboard Co. is a UK company,  they would be the UK distributor, but then who is the factory distributor for the USA? Not Amazon.com because they are acting as The Keyboard Company's agent here in the USA, not Diatec's.

Anyone?

[Soarer]

Then The Keyboard Co. is in direct conflict with Diatec's public policy and likely to be in violation of their contract because they are selling in TWO COUNTRIES. Since The Keyboard Co. is a UK company,  they would be the UK distributor, but then who is the factory distributor for the USA? Not Amazon.com because they are acting as The Keyboard Company's agent here in the USA, not Diatec's.

Anyone?

I think the policy means one distributor per country, not one country per distributor.

[False_Dmitry_II]

Wasn't there a time when their store on amazon and elitekeyboards overlapped in selling filcos?

[Astounding]

I hope spacebars are coming for leopolds!

[Waterdr1nker]

I hope spacebars are coming for leopolds!

I hope so, too. I have one on backorder and the thought of not being able to switch keys kind of makes me sad.

[HaveANiceDay]

AFAIK signature plastics does not have molds to make leopold/steelseries spacebars. So until they buy new equipment, we probably won't see leopold compatible sets in the SP group buys here.

[Astounding]

AFAIK signature plastics does not have molds to make leopold/steelseries spacebars. So until they buy new equipment, we probably won't see leopold compatible sets in the SP group buys here.

Doesn't someone else have them?  Like leopold?

[aggiejy]

AFAIK signature plastics does not have molds to make leopold/steelseries spacebars. So until they buy new equipment, we probably won't see leopold compatible sets in the SP group buys here.

True, but building another mold isn't exactly buying new equipment.  I believe mold prices for items of that size are < $1k generally.  Especially being that they have the item designed already... only change is adding (or moving) the feet.  But who knows... maybe it's a bigger deal than that.

[IvanIvanovich]

SP will do custom molds for $500 per key.

[BiNiaRiS]

SP will do custom molds for $500 per key.

So we need to get say, $3 from 166 people and we are in business. I'm sure there are some that would be willing to donate more to get the mold. Maybe someone start a running donation "group buy" for this purpose. I'm sure there are a couple hundred people with Leos that want to be able to get custom keys including that spacebar.