what wellington is saying, warranty or not, is that your site policy is "returns for exchanges only" (right?) and that the keyboard even in pristine state still has the problems. an exchange would not help him.
Yes, wellington is saying an exchange would not help him, however, I've already told him I would take return of the board...if he had not voided the warranty. Wellington's evaluation of me being a salesman with a pitch is patently incorrect. I pride myself on my integrity. I'm a skeptic and a consumer just like everyone else. *This* is my angle. And I'm a very difficult distributor for Diatec because of all the questions I ask and changes I pursue. Feel free to villianize me, I'm above it and I won't react to it, but don't forget, I make things happen.
My policy of keyboard "exchange only" is for 1 reason:
Sanitation. How do I clean a keyboard someone else has used? How do I insure it doesn't have infectious pathogens on it or fingernails and midnight snacks deep within it? I've seen live bugs among colonies of dead bugs within keyboards that have been on a shelf for 5+ years in a closet feeding off of in-board detritus. And I've seen multiple studies that report keyboards being one of the top 3 dirtiest most germ infested places in our homes and offices; worse that toilet seats.
Essentially I cannot resell returned boards as new, and with the high-end nature of the boards I sell, I have to do something to stem the tide of used boards that I'd have on hand were I to allow it. Ever test-driven a Ferrari? Yea, me neither.
This is not to say I don't or can't make exceptions. Anyone that wants to have a respectable conversation with me can contact me at any time:-D
i mean, i am glad i didn't buy a zero b-stock, the price is awesome, but having issues at that speed (even though i am not there yet) is kind of unacceptable for a high-end keyboard on ELITEkeyboards.com.
At what speed? Do you type 115WPM? Have you ever seen someone typing that fast? It's approaching a blur, so it is very hard to say what causes a mistake at those speeds. When someone or a machine that types at or above such speeds wants to do some respectable statistical analysis, then we can sit down and compare error rates and begin to discuss whether an obvious issue exists or necessitates further inquiry. From what I understand well above 115 is no problem for this board, so I'd love to see trials from someone that can do significantly better. I don't even type at 115, otherwise I'd do it myself right now just to compare notes with someone else that claims an issue at that speed.
it isn't an easy thing to solve, of course, the people here would rather you take the keyboard off the site to avoid confusion, or perhaps put up a "WARNING..." message. but from a seller's point of view, everything sold everywhere is a decision of the consumer. not every product out there is perfect and people are expected to do their own research. you are not selling knock-offs or defective items... just an item that has a known issue.
I really need serious proof to make claims of this nature.
now filco, on the other hand, is certainly to blame for the printed keycaps (come on, could be laser at least for a board this expensive) AND the zero issue.
i just hope my caps don't wear... but i think i know why they do (quickly) for some people. i wash my hands, type lightly. when i play games, i keep my fingers in place. i see other people take their gritty fingers from right after eating something salty, for example... and then RUB it into the keys, SLIDING their fingers all over.
the only reassuring thing is that the blank keycaps are there. after finding all this out i am glad they do NOT have the 'coating', one less thing to wear away! the board might be better initially with the coating and printed caps, but after time it looks worse. i almost with there were glossy plastic caps so that they didn't get shiny over time, too.
Blame? Diatec has invested quite a bit into a proprietary printing and coating process that is unique to the industry. The fact that I've only ever seen and heard about ONE photo of one key that exhibited anything approaching the classification of "letter wear" is testament to the success of this process. Defects, of course, do occur. This isn't a sales-pitch, it's just statistics. Find me some other FILCO boards with worn lettering if you'd like to make me think otherwise:)
Lasered keys might actually be cheaper, but I personally don't think they look as nice or feel as smooth as the Diatec printing process. Additionally, price is about more than just materials and manufacturing process, but as I mentioned, I'm a pushy distributor, and I'm always working to get what I want, don't shoot me yet...
