So, is this unethical/illegal?

calpha

Golden Member
Mar 7, 2001
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My M$ft keyboard started acting up (only one key was the problem) so I submitted a web support incident. After about a week of troubleshooting, m$ft determined that the keyboard was faulty. In the end, it's just the left ctrl key that is sticky. Sometimes it doesn't detect the keypress. But other then that the kb works fine. But, I'm a coder, and the left ctrl key is as important as the space or delete key in my habbits, so the kb to me was unusable.

M$ft decided to replace the keyboard once it was determined to be broken. Unfortuantely, they're sending a new model keyboard out that I'm not going to use....I've tried them in store, and don't like them. I'm gonna sell the new one without opening the box. Just gonna stick with keytronic for now.

M$ft made no comments about what to do with my old one. They didnt' tell me to throw it away, nor do I have to send it back. So, as far as they're concerned I could still be using it as a backup keybaord or whatever. Do you think it's unethical to sell the old one as long as you advertise that A, it can't be serviced by M$ft for warranty replacement and B the left ctrl key is broken? I hate to just throw the kb away with one key acting up, but as it is, I got enuf generic kb's lying aroudn that I don't need another spare.

I am just pondering if in fact that selling the keyboard properly advertised would be wrong. I don't think so, as long as the buyer knows the left ctrl key sticks and that it's non replaceable. If there were more wrong with it then the ctrl key, I'd toss it, but it's the natural pro....a pretty expensive kb a few years ago. Besides, I'm pretty sure someone who knows how to fix keyboards could fix it themselves.......
 

amnesiac

Lifer
Oct 13, 1999
15,781
1
71
Can't you open up the keyboard and fix the key?

90% of the time stuck keys are caused by gunk / dirt in the keyboard. IIRC microsoft keyboards are membrane based too so maybe some crud just got stuck near the membrane and needs to be cleaned out.

I've only had one keyboard go kaput on me and that's because I spilled about 5oz of water on it.
 

nitsuj3580

Platinum Member
Jun 13, 2001
2,668
14
81
seems fine to me.

I can't see paying money for a broken keyboard but I've seen plenty of posts in the FS/T of people wanting to buy broken stuff

I'm sure someone will take it off your hands
 

NogginBoink

Diamond Member
Feb 17, 2002
5,322
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I don't see a problem with your plans at all.

As long as you properly describe the defects in the merchandise, sell it to whoever will buy it.
 

calpha

Golden Member
Mar 7, 2001
1,287
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If I knew how to fix them I would. I used compressed air to try and spray it out.....but htat didn't work. I agree, it's probably just gunk b/c nothing has ever spilled on it.

I might give that a shot anyway.....since it's replaced number one, and number two....opening it up voids the warranty anyway.
 

0roo0roo

No Lifer
Sep 21, 2002
64,795
84
91

sure sell it, as long as you can tell em they cnanot replace it as its serial number has already been rma'd. considering used keyboards are cheap and nearly worthless esp since its got a stuck ctrl key, u should just give it away. maybe a school can use it.
 

xchangx

Golden Member
Mar 23, 2000
1,692
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Just pop the key off with a screwdriver and clean it out, then pop it back on.

 

KingNothing

Diamond Member
Apr 6, 2002
7,141
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Originally posted by: her209
I don't think its unethical to give it away.

I don't think it's unethical to sell it all (properly advertised like he said) but I don't see why anyone would buy it either. Keyboards are ridiculously cheap.
 

Evadman

Administrator Emeritus<br>Elite Member
Feb 18, 2001
30,990
5
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Originally posted by: KingNothing
Originally posted by: her209
I don't think its unethical to give it away.

I don't think it's unethical to sell it all (properly advertised like he said) but I don't see why anyone would buy it either. Keyboards are ridiculously cheap.

Just because they are cheap doesn't make it right. Calpha is getting a new keyboard, and MS made the assumption that he would toss his old KB as that was why he was calling for a new one. It is certainly unethical, and probably illegal too. but so is trading mp3's and that stops no one :p
 

SSP

Lifer
Oct 11, 1999
17,727
0
0
Does Logitech have a similar RMA as MS? I got this kb as a gift, so just wondering if I can rma it if its broken. Thats a pretty cool policy when you think about it.
 

XZeroII

Lifer
Jun 30, 2001
12,572
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What is the old style? I have a MS natural keyboard with the diamond shaped arrow keys that I use as a spare. I hardly use it and it was hardly used before then (I upgraded to a wireless soon after). I might be willing to sell it if you are interested. It works fine and looks new.

edit: This is the keyboard I am talking about... http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/keyboard/nke_info.asp
 

Ylen13

Banned
Sep 18, 2001
2,457
0
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Originally posted by: Evadman
Originally posted by: KingNothing
Originally posted by: her209
I don't think its unethical to give it away.

I don't think it's unethical to sell it all (properly advertised like he said) but I don't see why anyone would buy it either. Keyboards are ridiculously cheap.

Just because they are cheap doesn't make it right. Calpha is getting a new keyboard, and MS made the assumption that he would toss his old KB as that was why he was calling for a new one. It is certainly unethical, and probably illegal too. but so is trading mp3's and that stops no one :p

Because Microsoft didn't request it back they are saying you can do whatever you want with your old keyboard. Here is the new one that we promise/required under warranty to give you and we don?t' want the hassle of dealing with bad keyboards. As for ethics question. Well I personally don't see a problem as he decides to use broken keyboard and sell a brand new one.
 

calpha

Golden Member
Mar 7, 2001
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Originally posted by: Evadman
Originally posted by: KingNothing
Originally posted by: her209
I don't think its unethical to give it away.

I don't think it's unethical to sell it all (properly advertised like he said) but I don't see why anyone would buy it either. Keyboards are ridiculously cheap.

Just because they are cheap doesn't make it right. Calpha is getting a new keyboard, and MS made the assumption that he would toss his old KB as that was why he was calling for a new one. It is certainly unethical, and probably illegal too. but so is trading mp3's and that stops no one :p

Actually, I think you're wrong. MS never made any assumption about what I'd do with my keyboard. They never instructed me to send it back, or to throw it away. They also told me that fixing the keyboard by removing the key would void my warranty. So, now that it's been replaced----the warranty is voided anyway---and if I can fix it, I will. This kb still sells for about $30 new if you can find it.

I asked them why they did't want it back and they said because they can't and don't fix them. If it's under warranty they just replace them. Logitech is the same way.
 

calpha

Golden Member
Mar 7, 2001
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Originally posted by: XZeroII
What is the old style? I have a MS natural keyboard with the diamond shaped arrow keys that I use as a spare. I hardly use it and it was hardly used before then (I upgraded to a wireless soon after). I might be willing to sell it if you are interested. It works fine and looks new.

edit: This is the keyboard I am talking about... http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/keyboard/nke_info.asp

Thanks, but htat's the 2nd model. The first model has the keys in the exact same location, but they are much bigger. Secondly, instead of legs on the top left and right of the keyboard (if you're looking at it typing on it) there's a bar if you will, that goes the entire area between middle and bottom.

No special keys on top.....

ANd most of all...this kb had the best tactile feedback of em all IMO.
 

fatbaby

Banned
May 7, 2001
6,427
1
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question: I have a microsoft natural keyboard elite, but it has a dell logo, but its still broken nevertheless. Am i elgible for service?

And btw, what do they ask of you? The product identification number?
 

calpha

Golden Member
Mar 7, 2001
1,287
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Originally posted by: fatbaby
question: I have a microsoft natural keyboard elite, but it has a dell logo, but its still broken nevertheless. Am i elgible for service?

And btw, what do they ask of you? The product identification number?

You're SOL. OEM Products do not qualify. Only direct MSFT products do, based on my experience....but go to support.microsoft.com....can't hurt to try.
ANd yes....they ask for the PID number.
 

calpha

Golden Member
Mar 7, 2001
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Originally posted by: fatbaby
question: I have a microsoft natural keyboard elite, but it has a dell logo, but its still broken nevertheless. Am i elgible for service?

And btw, what do they ask of you? The product identification number?

You're SOL. OEM Products do not qualify. Only direct MSFT products do, based on my experience....but go to support.microsoft.com....can't hurt to try.
ANd yes....they ask for the PID number.