[IC] Orange Alps Apple IIGS keyboard 658-4081 group buy

[Vanilla]

OFFICIAL group buy thread: https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=71722 (pending approval of topic)
Spreadsheet of participants/ progression: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1l51aOkxIvlRdGYxHTw5-cpxLc1Tb1la66UiRGZf-dWA/edit?usp=sharing

This is for *USED* *AS-IS* keyboards. Important points are in bold.
Odds are on the buyer's side though as these are pretty robust boards. I've personally bought 7 various Apple ALPS mechs sold "as-is" from varying locations and conditions and they've all worked perfectly even the one that had its case compromised by USPS.

I ended up buying one of these off ebay via the great finds subforum.  Original thread here: https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=71477

Picked it up and this happened:

So I ended up getting this one and upon picking it up locally as they are literally just down the street from me. It turns out they have a decent sized crate with approx. 20+ of them for quite some time and they ended up putting it by the wayside as they didn't know about the griffin imate to test them with.
Their supervisor wasn't there when I went to pick mine up but from the looks of it and what the employees were expressing, there's a good chance I can start a groupbuy due to my close proximity to them. Probably for a better price too considering they've been around for awhile and there's no need to trans-ship or taxes as they accept $cash$ in person. If you're interested let me know via PM, otherwise you'll find them on ebay as they're planning to do soon*.

They all appear pretty clean with only some yellowing of the case and spacebar for reasons mentioned above. Otherwise, the keycaps are in great condition. Switches are *not* gritty.
Yes these are ex-school district. Newark Unified School District to be exact. But they are by no means abused or used to the ground. The one I bought worked perfectly as is. I could test them all given I have time.

They are engraved on the back with school district information and inventory and some have been written with sharpie on the back as well with school district asset related information.
There are a few cables but most are without cables. But it's common knowledge that you can use a s-video cables in place of ADB cables.

It didn't occur to me in the excitement of one of the employee's showing me the trove of them to take a picture of them until the last minute but they're in the container on the ground:

Show Image

The one I got:

Show Image

They are *all* in this condition. None of them are missing caps.

There's been some interest already expressed. Any other takers?


There are definitely not enough cables for every keyboard, probably only a handful! ASSUME you will not receive an ADB cable. Said ADB cable can be substituted with any S-video cable however.
You will need a griffin iMate to use the keyboard with a modern computer.


Currently, there are:
6 SMK monterey white left - there is still time to get one of these last minute before I make payment to the supplier

0 orange ALPS boards left - all have been spoken and paid for!


Changes: $17 per board
$13.52 - USPS priority (1 - 3 days) for 1 board
$15.80 - USPS priority (1 - 3 days) for 2 boards (maybe 3*)
+Group buy fee: $3 for 1 board, $5 for 2 boards (to cover the unforeseen considering I am selling these at cost!)
+PAYPAL FEES (buyer pays!)
CONUS only. Transshippers ok.

[/b][/u]

PLEASE NOTE: I am doing this completely for the team; I do not gain from any of this.

Post updated 5/15/2015 10:13AM PST - collection UPDATE

[Vanilla]

Update: I was just able to reach the person in charge of pricing and selling them and they are indeed willing to cater to a groupbuy and willing to lower the price from the flat $18 I paid provided there's enough buyers.

[FrostyToast]

If we don't get enough buyers I can buy two... 
I would buy two but I would feel guilty getting two from a limited buy.

[Vanilla]

For the time being there's no limit, as the crate seemed to be double stacked with them like binders. At the moment I'm waiting for them to get back to me with the final count.
Also, first come first served. I'll start a google doc come time.

I still have to go to the USPS to work out shipping when I have the time.

[nubbinator]

I'm in for two.

[Vanilla]

UPDATE: There are 26 up for grabs.

At the moment of edit, interest has been expressed for 5 possibly 6 of them.

There is no per person limit at the moment.

[sethk_]

In for one!

[RoflCopter4]

Damn it all I bought one of these off eBay just a little while ago. My timing sucks.

[njbair]

Orange Alps at $18 each? I'm in for two.

[Heliosphere]

I'll take one, why not?

[unoab]

I'll take one, why not?

That's the spirit and kinda what dragged me in too, ha ha.

and a link to the deskthority wiki for some more information on these:
http://deskthority.net/wiki/Apple_Desktop_Bus_Keyboard

[Vanilla]

Update interest has been expressed for 13 of the 26; possibly 14 of the 26.

Requesting to move thread to group buys. It's happening guys!

[njbair]

I'll take one, why not?

That's the spirit and kinda what dragged me in too, ha ha.

and a link to the deskthority wiki for some more information on these:
http://deskthority.net/wiki/Apple_Desktop_Bus_Keyboard

GeekHack: Why Not?

[derezzed]

How good are orange Alps?  I might be in for at least one board if they are superior to Matias tactile switches.

edit:  Put me down for one board, as it looks like you will have no problems finding a taker if I bow out. 

[FrostyToast]

I'll take two.
Way too greedy to resist this offer!

[engicoder]

I'd be in for 2.

[njbair]

How good are orange Alps?  I might be in for at least one board if they are superior to Matias tactile switches.

I believe they are generally considered second only to blue as far as clicky Alps go, but somewhat easier to come by.

[nubbinator]

How good are orange Alps?  I might be in for at least one board if they are superior to Matias tactile switches.

I believe they are generally considered second only to blue as far as clicky Alps go, but somewhat easier to come by.

Orange are tactile, not clicky.  They're quite nice.  They can be click modded too.  I prefer click modded Orange to Blues.  They have a nicer register to me.

[Vanilla]

Interest has been expressed for 17 of the 26. 9 left.

I will draw up and share a better organized google docs spreadsheet once this gets moved to group buys. So you guys can make sure I noted your interest correctly from the replies & PM's I've been receiving.

[FrostyToast]

I hope I can get in once this actually launches. 

[Vanilla]

I hope I can get in once this actually launches. 

As mentioned before, I am doing this first come, first served.
There'll be a waitlist if they all get spoken for.

Everybody who has expressed interest whether in this thread or via PM has been noted and their respective quantities desired earmarked considering at the moment there's still some left.

[FrostyToast]

I hope I can get in once this actually launches. 

As mentioned before, I am doing this first come, first served.
There'll be a waitlist if they all get spoken for.

Everybody who has expressed interest whether in this thread or via PM has been noted and their respective quantities desired earmarked considering at the moment there's still some left.

Nice to know! 

[wakko]

I'd be interested in one. Thanks.

[Vanilla]

Hey guys, I'm still in talks with the source of the boards in regards to price. Also finalizing some things but the group buy thread should be up this weekend or next week; probably the prior.

I'm essentially doing this "for the team" and learned recently that I've been taking packing material for granted over all these years! I'm planning to pack in the boards with crumpled up newspaper.


At the moment 18 out of the 26 have had interest expressed on. 8 left prospectively.

[mattyIce]

In for one.

Thanks!

[CPTBadAss]

Just saw this. I'm interested in one.

[Yoe]

Is shipping to Sweden possible? I wouldn't mind getting my hands on one or two of these.

[Vanilla]

Is shipping to Sweden possible? I wouldn't mind getting my hands on one or two of these.

It's not going to be cheap at all.

[Vanilla]

Down to the last 5.

[Yoe]

Is shipping to Sweden possible? I wouldn't mind getting my hands on one or two of these.

It's not going to be cheap at all.

Hmm… probably not :/ I'd better pass on this one. Tempting, though...

[theanyday]

I'm down for 1.

[SL89]

if only iMates were not thrice the price of the keyboard 

[Vanilla]

if only iMates were not thrice the price of the keyboard 

It's only a one time purchase though! Your key to rainbow apple logo'd ALPS goodness!

Keep your eyes peeled at garage sales, thrift stores, and swap meets.
imates were a common item when apple went into the colorful powerpc G3 era when apple went from daisy chaining ADB to USB peripherals.

[Vanilla]

In preparation of creating the official group buy thread in the respective subforum, I've managed to double check my PM's and this thread for interest expressed by members toward acquiring one or multiple of this board. From that, I've managed to compile up a spreadsheet with googledocs to help me and everybody who's interested here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1l51aOkxIvlRdGYxHTw5-cpxLc1Tb1la66UiRGZf-dWA/edit?usp=sharing

Participants listed will be notified with final instructions soon.

The price of the boards will be $17 each + USPS flat rate shipping (2 boards will ship for the same price) + paypal fees
I will finalize shipping prices tomorrow.

[njbair]

In preparation of creating the official group buy thread in the respective subforum, I've managed to double check my PM's and this thread for interest expressed by members toward acquiring one or multiple of this board. From that, I've managed to compile up a spreadsheet with googledocs to help me and everybody who's interested here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1l51aOkxIvlRdGYxHTw5-cpxLc1Tb1la66UiRGZf-dWA/edit?usp=sharing

Participants listed will be notified with final instructions soon.

The price of the boards will be $17 each + USPS flat rate shipping (2 boards will ship for the same price) + paypal fees
I will finalize shipping prices tomorrow.

Nice work. Soon the orange Alps will be mine!!!

[Vanilla]

Went to the post office today and ran into some slightly bad news. Please read below:

Shipping will be over the $12.65 anticipated. The board is just one column of keys and an edge too long to fit in the medium flat rate box. So close, I know.

After holding up the line, me and the nice post office clerk lady came to the conclusion that the next best alternative to ship 1 board is $13.52 on the scale with online discount.
For 2 boards, the large flat rate board game box which is the same price as the large flat rate box of $15.80 with online discount.


I will be posting the official group buy thread and sending out confirmation PM's later today. If you're on the spreadsheet posted above, keep your eyes peeled on your GH inbox and email!

[njbair]

Went to the post office today and ran into some bad news. Please read below:

Shipping will be over the $12.65 anticipated. The board is just one column of keys and an edge too long to fit in the medium flat rate box. So close, I know.

After holding up the line, me and the nice post office clerk lady came to the conclusion that the next best alternative to ship 1 board is $13.52 on the scale with online discount.
For 2 boards, the large flat rate board game box which is the same price as the large flat rate box of $15.82 with online discount.

Boy, I'm glad I'm in for two. It's just like my momma used to tell me, "son, always buy two keyboards. You'll save a ton on shipping and end up with two keyboards."

[rsadek]

Exciting count me in!

[jdcarpe]

It's just like my momma used to tell me, "son, always buy two keyboards. You'll save a ton on shipping and end up with two keyboards."

Troof

[Vanilla]

Derp I just realized I typed 15.82 INSTEAD of 15.80 for shipping 2 boards! CORRECTED in prior posts & OP!

[nubbinator]

Went to the post office today and ran into some slightly bad news. Please read below:

Shipping will be over the $12.65 anticipated. The board is just one column of keys and an edge too long to fit in the medium flat rate box. So close, I know.

After holding up the line, me and the nice post office clerk lady came to the conclusion that the next best alternative to ship 1 board is $13.52 on the scale with online discount.
For 2 boards, the large flat rate board game box which is the same price as the large flat rate box of $15.80 with online discount.


I will be posting the official group buy thread and sending out confirmation PM's later today. If you're on the spreadsheet posted above, keep your eyes peeled on your GH inbox and email!

Have you checked out the regional boxes or the  secondary versions of the boxes that you can sometimes only find online?  Sometimes those allow for cheaper shipping.

I was actually expecting the $16 shipping, but just seeing if you might still be able to do cheaper.

[Vanilla]

Went to the post office today and ran into some slightly bad news. Please read below:

Shipping will be over the $12.65 anticipated. The board is just one column of keys and an edge too long to fit in the medium flat rate box. So close, I know.

After holding up the line, me and the nice post office clerk lady came to the conclusion that the next best alternative to ship 1 board is $13.52 on the scale with online discount.
For 2 boards, the large flat rate board game box which is the same price as the large flat rate box of $15.80 with online discount.


I will be posting the official group buy thread and sending out confirmation PM's later today. If you're on the spreadsheet posted above, keep your eyes peeled on your GH inbox and email!

Have you checked out the regional boxes or the  secondary versions of the boxes that you can sometimes only find online?  Sometimes those allow for cheaper shipping.

I was actually expecting the $16 shipping, but just seeing if you might still be able to do cheaper.

Believe me when I said I held up the line, I did. The line went out the door!
Irony would have it that none of the boxes would fit! The keyboard is 15 inches long.
And if I were to modify the shape of those boxes, the package would be metered as weighted rate producing the same price for 1 board as above.
I tried regional flat rate box C with the board resting sideways on the walls of the box but I used better judgement and didn't want to risk it as the corners would not be adequately protected and old ABS does not take kindly to shock. I learned this the hard way with another apple board that had its case shattered.

[Vanilla]

Official group buy thread has been posted pending approval:

https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=71722

Confirmation PM's with further instructions for participants will be sent out shortly after approval of topic above.
If your name is here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1l51aOkxIvlRdGYxHTw5-cpxLc1Tb1la66UiRGZf-dWA/edit?usp=sharing you will be notified via geekhack PM!

For newcomers there are 2 left for grabs! Afterwards there will be waitlist positions for spots that people above have given up.

[Vanilla]

Keeping you guys in the loop, we have an issue that's unfolding as finishing preparations are taking place over on the suppliers side.

Apparently there are 8 units that are the newer model A9M0330. Which may use either ALPS salmon or ALPS orange. I am waiting for the suppliers response as I suggested for them to pop keycaps off to check for me.

[jacobolus]

The Made in Taiwan A9M0330 type are white SMK switches and double-shot keycaps. The Made in Japan 658-4081 type are orange Alps + dyesubs.

[njbair]

Hmm interesting. If salmon, I actually wouldn't mind one of each, get to try out both that way.

[Vanilla]

The Made in Taiwan A9M0330 type are white SMK switches and double-shot keycaps. The Made in Japan 658-4081 type are orange Alps + dyesubs.

Hmm I was going off the deskauthority wiki. I just sent an email to the supplier for them to specify which.

The supplier has gotten back to me and those 8 boards are NOT orange. I am waiting for specifics after replying them.
As for priority of ALPS orange, what do you guys suppose I do? 1st come 1st serve w/ no limit or limit 1 ALPS orange board each? I am leaning toward fairness and spreading the wealth of the find and limiting 1 ALPS orange board each.

Regardless of whether we accept the non-orange ALPS boards, pricing is not affected.

[njbair]

The Made in Taiwan A9M0330 type are white SMK switches and double-shot keycaps. The Made in Japan 658-4081 type are orange Alps + dyesubs.

Hmm I was going off the deskauthority wiki. I just sent an email to the supplier for them to specify which.

The supplier has gotten back to me and those 8 boards are NOT orange. I am waiting for specifics after replying them.
As for priority of ALPS orange, what do you guys suppose I do? 1st come 1st serve w/ no limit or limit 1 ALPS orange board each? I am leaning toward fairness and spreading the wealth of the find and limiting 1 ALPS orange board each.

Regardless of whether we accept the non-orange ALPS boards, pricing is not affected.

If jacobulous is right, getting white Alps also means getting doubleshot keycaps. That's a pretty good trade-off. And white Alps are not bad at all. I have a board with clicky white Alps and I like them a lot.

Really, though, if there are enough orange for everyone to get at least one, start with that. Any extras can be raffled off to folks who are in for a second board. Of course, if someone wants to back out of their second board instead, that should be allowed. Seem fair?

[Vanilla]

The supplier got back to me. They are apparently SMK monterey whites. Tactile, non-clicky.
To confirm with jacobolus, these particular SMK made ones come with double shot keys.
http://deskthority.net/wiki/SMK_Alps_mount

Picture provided by supplier:

[njbair]

Vanilla go ahead and change one of mine to a white. I don't mind getting one of each.