Extremely disappointed with clickykeyboards.com

[iMav]

Just received my long-sought-after Model M space saver keyboard from clickykeyboards.com (~$130 + shipping) Website says they "carefully select, test, clean, and re-test all refurbished keyboards" before they make them available for sale. Apparently, mine did not get such treatment. Over half a dozen keys stick REALLY bad and several others simply will not register a key press. It's a disaster.

They DO have a 30 day return policy...however, I don't want to return it; I want it functional!

On the plus side, the keyboard LOOKS great cosmetically, so I am hoping I have some repair options available to me.

Has anyone here used Unicomp's keyboard repair service[/URL]? $30 seems like a fair deal if they can truly make my new baby as good as new. (I'm in Iraq, so this is likely going to be a 3-4 week turnaround)

I'd love to hear if anyone has any experience (good or bad) with both clickykeyboards.com and Unicomp. (One thing is for sure...I'm never giving clickykeyboards.com another dime)

 

[Markbnj]

I've looked at their stuff from time to time, since I really liked my old IBM clicky keyboard. Too bad they don't follow through.

 

[Zepper]

Why didn't you just buy a new one from http://www.pckeyboard.com in the first place? Silly to mess with ancient (in PC time), used mechanical devices. Order one from the link and return yours for refund - come out ahead on time and money.

.bh.

 

[imported_Baloo]

$130.00 for a keyboard?!!!! That's got to be a typo. And it's refurbushed?!!!!!

 

[iMav]

Originally posted by: Zepper
Why didn't you just buy a new one from http://www.pckeyboard.com in the first place? Silly to mess with ancient (in PC time), used mechanical devices. Order one from the link and return yours for refund - come out ahead on time and money.

Good idea. Except that they do not have the 84-key space saver Model-M's. Like this. Note the lack of a numpad. Unicomp/pckeyboard has some smaller keyboards without the numpads, but they are not buckling-spring. And their "space saver"-designated keyboard is simply a smaller footprint full-sized 101/104 keyboard...with numpad.

I think I will simply send this one back. It's just a bummer to have it finally arrive here in Iraq and end up being unusable. I DO like Unicomp and will likely order something else from them. Guess I'll just have to live with reaching over the numpad to get to my mouse.

Originally posted by: Baloo
$130.00 for a keyboard?!!!! That's got to be a typo. And it's refurbushed?!!!!!

No typo. These are rare. (that's not to say I still didn't overpay)

Heck, I spent around $260 for my blank keytop HHKB Pro. Worth every penny. (so much so I don't want to risk having it sent over here)

 

[Zepper]

There are several keyboards out there with left hand numpads just for the purpose of moving the mouse or trackball closer to the home row keys. But none have the mechanical keys. The closest you might find is the laptop style, X lever switches... There are compact keyboards with embedded numpads that also have the X lever switches. Just a few thoughts off the top.

Maybe this one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16823128020 .

And here is one with left-handed numpad. It has Alps mechanical switches which are second only to the original IBM switches. http://thelefthand.com/lefwinkey.html


A few more: http://www.fentek-ind.com/kblhusbss.htm



.bh.

 

[iMav]

Originally posted by: Zepper
There are several keyboards out there with left hand numpads just for the purpose of moving the mouse or trackball closer to the home row keys. But none have the mechanical keys. The closest you might find is the laptop style, X lever switches... There are compact keyboards with embedded numpads that also have the X lever switches. Just a few thoughts off the top.

Yeah, those won't do.

Maybe I can convince Unicomp to start making the space saver Model M's again? (not likely) Guess I'll just have to put the dream aside and go with the next best option...a full-sized clicky from Unicomp.

Or, I suppose if I went with their Endurapro, I could get the built-in trackpoint (which I absolutely LOVE on my Thinkpad) and not have to worry about reaching over to the mouse at all. Now there's a thought!

Anyone know if the trackpoint-clone on the Endurapro's have replaceable caps? (I'd hate to wear it out and then have to buy a new keyboard)

 

[Zepper]

Oh, and welcome to the AT forums.

I was editing the post just above yours while you were posting. Something there you might find usable.

.bh.

 

[iMav]

I called up Unicomp and spoke with Jim Owens. I inquired about having them repair my Model M mini. He said that it would be prohibitively expensive and that I'd be better off purchasing a new keyboard from them. I explained to him that I have a 84-key Model M "space saver" and that I did not believe they had a comparable keyboard for sale. To my delight, he said, "We used to sell those. Give me 24 hours to see if I can dig one up out of our warehouse."

I got an email from him last night stating that he DID, indeed, find one and would be shipping it out to me in the morning ($59 + shippping). So, needless to say, I am sending the the old one back to clickykeyboards.com for a refund.

The folks at clickykeyboards are refunding my money to INCLUDE the initial shipping costs. So, I'm just out the $7 it cost me to send it back. (not BAD! I shouldn't have been so hard on them...I was just extremely disappointed.)

So, $125 for a used Model M mini from clickykeyboards compared to $59 for a NEW one from Unicomp.

I'll make sure and takes pics when I get it. I'm unsure if this is a Unicomp-branded keyboard that they made for a while or if it is unsold IBM or Lexmark stock...all I know is that it is a new keyboard and is, supposedly, 84-key, buckling-spring, and numpad-less. I'll keep you updated.

 

[iMav]

It's here!

 

[jamester]

That's crazy - what incredible service from Unicomp! I'm glad you got your keyboard

 

[Zepper]

Sweet! Looks like they lacked a right arrow key, so they slapped a blank on there... Maybe you could put the one from your dead one.

.b.h.

 

[iMav]

No, I pulled the key cap off to show the plastic shaving. This keyboard is brand new, and fully intact.

 

[JEDIYoda]

excellent deal!!
I am glad things worked out for you!!!