I would like to keep the whole project between $150-200.
What happened to the 150-200 price range? What are we looking at for a full kit now? Like $450 without shipping? I followed this project from the very start and it sucks to see something that started off as a fun, affordable project deviated into a profit making group buy as soon as interest started to pick up along the way. Was really interested at one point but probably no longer anymore.
It's fine that you aren't interested since there is already plenty of interest :3 Funder originally listed that price estimate before contacting manufacturers. Parts were more expensive than expected. Prices in this buy are based on the fact that I am only allowing 30 people to participate so quantity for production will be low. Why am I limiting it? Because I have other things I need to focus on such as my job. I also want to make sure that I have the time to closely inspect all boards to make sure they're okay to send out. To get boards out to winners in a timely manner after looking at them myself and packing them all, I have to limit how many people enter. If you read through the end of the IC, you'll see that funder was originally not planning to do a GB because he cannot put aside the time to do so. I offered to run a buy for him as a favor to help get some boards out to the public because I know waiting for an unknown amount of time sucks for those who really wanted to get the board.
I don't know where you're getting the number $450 unless you plan to order double aluminum bottoms but the kits range from $220-305 before shipping. I'm sorry that you're not happy with the prices for such a limited group buy, but this was the highest amount of slots I could reasonably do and these were the prices that were given for that quantity.
Just want to say, I love the color names =)
They're lovely names! Funder thought of them <3
Yea I see your point now. Good luck with the GB regardless.
Tbh I felt the same way at first like this is way too expensive for such a small board, but as I look at it more and more (and after realizing that the first PCB is *not* an additional $40), I realize now it's quite a fair price. Plus, it looks awesome. Hopefully I get lucky and can get my **** together to pay for it
Thank you for expressing your opinion and feelings. It's good you've actually quoted my message from March. As you can see it's been
6 months since that message. As most up-and-comers I was feeling optimistic and at that time was thinking "Oh this will be a simple DIY kit". At the very first week or so (IC was posted 16th March) I hadn't even received a quote yet alone done any real calculations about how much a thing like this would cost with all taken into account (my time, customs, packaging, shipping expenses etc.).
Calling out that this is a "profit making group buy" is plain nonsense and the prices are clearly nowhere near $450. I'd have to add that physical size of a board is not of essence when it comes to the pricing as TMO50 is still a three part construction and demands the same time and manufacturing complexity than any other board. $220 to $305 for a complete small run custom board that's unique, has a lot of PCB features (RGB components aren't cheap) and made out of high quality materials with a multitude of options to choose from... I don't have time to fact check but you'd have to agree that these prices are on the low end of custom, premium material, small run keyboard GBs.
I would still like to thank you for the support and hope you understand. Kelly's an angel and I'm extremely thankful for the time and effort she's putting in to make this happen for you guys. Good luck to you all and may RNGesus shine upon your entries!