Wanted: IBM SSK -- TaoBao?

[Hypersphere]

I am in the market for an IBM Model M Space Saving Keyboard (IBM SSK) in excellent condition. I have seen references to TaoBao saying that they seem to have many of these for sale at very low prices. I have no idea about buying from TaoBao in terms of security and shipping to the USA. What are the caveats? What about customs issues? Thanks.

[Halvar]

Sure, just join our mini TaoBao groupbuy, plenty of SSKs up for grabs: http://deskthority.net/marketplace-f11/ ... lit=taobao

(No, sorry, I'm only trolling.)

There are professional "TaoBao agents" that offer the service to proxy buys from TaoBao for westeners. I have no experience with this, maybe someone else can recommend one.

[Muirium]

So much pain! So few SSKs! (Zero, actually.) That group buy was just not meant to be.

Buying from Taobao (via an agent, as Halvar correctly points out) is more like buying through a foreign equivalent of eBay that you can't fully interact with, than the Amazon-style experience it may seem. You really have to watch out, and the low prices are more of an idealistic fairytale than you may actually wind up with.

The US is a pretty good place for picking up SSKs. You guys have a lot more of them over there (in every condition) than we do. Dig around!

[Hypersphere]

Hi Muirium! And thanks for the _caveat emptor_! I thought the TaoBao scene was too good to be true, but if anyone should know, it would be some fellow Deskthorians (Deskthoritarians?).

Whereas there are still Model Ms aplenty in the USA, the Model M SSK supply has dried up. I am quite keen to find 1-3 of them to replace the conventional Model Ms at each of my workstations.

This all started b/c of a shoulder injury, which prompted a search for a more ergonomic placement of the mouse. In recent weeks, I have scoured the net doing research on keyboards, joined forums, purchased several new keyboards, and started modifying them (just keycap replacements thus far). Very early in this process, I became obsessed with keyboards, and now I see no end in sight. Thus, although I have convinced myself that the best keyboard for my serious work is the IBM Model M SSK, I know I will still be adding others to my collection even if I manage to find 3 Model M SSKs.

[Muirium]

The SSK is definitely the Model M most in demand. (Don't get started on Industrials, let alone Industrial SSKs!) It has that enticing combination of scarcity, collectibility and honest to goodness practicality. Better, more motivated hunters than me can track them down. Matt3o has his sights locked on one, in the US, right now; and he even found two new in box SSKs that were quite gorgeous and as costly as you'd think! If I had the means, one of them would be mine, and I'd have written off half its value already by using it as my main keyboard!

Bagging an SSK, or three, isn't as simple as buying a Filco or a Topre. It's not even as easy as picking up a microTRON. But it is well within the realm of the possible. Easier than bagging a DataHand! You just have to stick at it, and get to know who might have a hot lead.

[Hypersphere]

Thanks again. I am not very good at tracking things down. I look forward to any help I can get from other Deskthority members! Still looking for that elusive IBM Model M SSK....

[smknjoe]

Here is one New In Box on ebay. One hour to go.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/221250813183?ss ... 1423.l2648

and another in good shape

http://www.ebay.com/itm/161063407595?ss ... 1423.l2649

[Hypersphere]

Thanks! Will definitely take a look.

[smknjoe]

...and another http://www.ebay.com/itm/261246829981?ss ... 1423.l2648

[Muirium]

See what I mean about you guys having loads more of them? Buying an SSK here is an even higher priced affair, thanks to customs and international shipping.

Now grab one!

[Hypersphere]

smknjoe,

Thanks again for pointing out some IBM Model M SSKs for sale!

[Hypersphere]

See what I mean about you guys having loads more of them? Buying an SSK here is an even higher priced affair, thanks to customs and international shipping.

Now grab one!

Muirium,

Thanks for the advice, which I have now taken. I seized the night and won the auction last night for the NIB SSK! It should ship soon. It cost a fortune, but I have rationalized it in several ways. For example, a silent edition HHKB costs more, and although some contemporary high-quality boards cost a lot less, I would end up doubling, tripling, or quadrupling the price by purchasing new keycaps. Case in point: my plan for the FC660M requires 3 sets of keycaps in order to get the required shift key and full two-tone color scheme. In contrast, I should be able to use the IBM SSK right out of the box with no mods needed (although eventually I will think of something).

It is a bit ironic that my favorite full-size Model M keyboards are the ones with part number 42H1292 made by IBM in Greenock, Scotland in 1996 and 1997. I have two of these, and they just feel a bit better to type on than my 1391401 models made in the USA. I do have to watch the "R" keys on my 42H1292 models, however, as they have a tendency to burr.

[Muirium]

Good stuff! Remember to take some pictures of the NIB SSK as you lift it from the box, and show them off at the SSK Club. It'll never be any more NIB than when you first lay hands on it. Still, it's worth it for core tools of the trade! No need for an extensive cleanup or teardown first.

Greenock's just a few hours drive from where I am in Scotland. But the US is the place to actually find an SSK!

[Peter]

It's a bit like buying a un-stamped British Guiana 1c magenta and putting it on a postcard, isn't it ??

[Halvar]

No, it's like opening a 1990 Bordeaux that a good sommelier has kept in his cellar for 23 years to make it really expensive.

[Peter]

Kinda depends on from witch side of the road, doesn't it ?
Trust me, just like all 1990 Bordeaux-wines aren't great - Neither where all 1990 keyboards !
Just like today, most of them sucked big-time !

[Muirium]

Fortunately, this is not wine. It should be just fantastic.

[smknjoe]

Glad I was able to help rich! These have been popping up almost weekly on ebay recently. If you are patient you can get the used ones for about $150.

That NIB was pricey but as long as your are happy price isn't a huge deal. As for keeping it NIB, no way! The whole point of getting NIB is to make sure it's not been used by some wanker, lol.

Someone posted a link to their ebay auction for one that was in sort of rough shape, crappy pictures, and they want $250. That's WAY overpriced for one like that.

[Hypersphere]

Looks like I might be all set with SSKs for a while with the NIB and two others that became available shortly thereafter.

[Peter]

Actually, if you look at eBay-auctions, NIB 'standard' Model M's are rarer than NIB SSK's !

[snoopy]

I want a NIB Industrial SSK

[Muirium]

And a pony!

[Halvar]

I want an Official Red Ryder Carbine-Action Two-Hundred-Shot Range Model Air Rifle!

[Hypersphere]

For that, you must drink your Ovaltine. You can get some cheap on TaoBao.
Should we now consider this thread closed? We seem to have come full circle, and then some.

[smknjoe]

Post some pics in the SSK club thread. I want to see that NIB bad boy along with any others you have aquired.

[Muirium]

Yes, keyboard porn please!

[Hypersphere]

smknjoe and Muirium: Okay, per your requests, I have posted a pic of my NIB SSK in the SSK Club thread. I might post elsewhere as well in order to pose a new question about the IBM Model M SSK.