Mechanical Keyboard Sound Isn't That Simple
Figure 1: I couldn't think of a more literal way to represent this article if I tried... Looking back just a few years ago, there’s no doubt that the huge influx of people that joined the hobby at the peak of the COVID pandemic were drawn to keyboards by way of YouTube, TikTok, and other audio-visual content platforms. Even as the output from these content creators has waned in recent months, their collective impact and legacy on the keyboard hobby is rather firmly etched in the history books. As a result of all of their sound tests, build logs, and opinion videos, the message is clear to any new person joining the hobby: mechanical keyboards are all about the sound. Thock this, clack that. Whether it’s keyboards, keycaps, or even singular switches, seemingly everyone new to the hobby meticulously pores over each component of their keyboard not in an attempt to figure out how it will feel in hand, but how it will sound as they’re furiously grinding their way out from...
Mar 27, 2024
I think I remember $129.99... That corresponds with around 700 Massdrop users saving $50 each for a group savings of "$36,100.00". But you can see the manufacturer's actual retail price of $99.99 here:
iKBC New Poker II Mechanical Keyboard with Cherry MX Brown Switch, White https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MRC1O44/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_MC1Xyb1BVXT6A
Again, please tell me I'm wrong, and that the MSRP wasn't inflated by $30. That would mean our group savings are closer to $14,000, and we've been collectively misled to the tune of over $20,000.
If I'm wrong, totally happy to delete this message.
UPDATE: eBay Listing and Timeline
I was trying to figure out the timeline of iKBC's announcement of the $99.99 pricing and sale to general public, and discovered you can, right now, get the keyboards from iKBC on eBay for $99.99 in the US, and they promise free delivery in just 3 days. http://www.ebay.com/itm/iKBC-New-Poker-II-Mechanical-Keyboard-with-with-Cherry-MX-Switch-/272585122186?roken=cUgayN&soutkn=wReKyg
It looks to me like the eBay listing went live on March 10th (two days before the end of this drop). Again, I think this drop claimed a significantly higher MSRP than $99.99.
Again, guys and gals, if I'm getting it wrong here, please tell me.
I know Massdrop has a policy of not letting people back out of a drop because they've already committed an order to the vendor... But if the vendor did manipulate retail prices to prey on the enthusiasm of the Massdrop community, maybe this is a special case where a slap on the wrist is in order. I'm really glad iKBC is going to be offering the new Poker II to the general public at such a great retail price, but not feeling great about this Massdrop.