What's happening over at Amiga On The Lake? (AOTL)

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arnljot

arnljot

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So, I was not planning to make this thread, but I hinted to it in another thread.

In 2020 I bought two Romulators off them.

One caught fire, they asked me to send it back but never gave me the RMA info or return address. After a few emails they ghosted me and stopped replying.

I should have done a charge back claim on my card. I regret now that I didn't.

New Reply to your Order Message *** This is an automated message, please do not reply *** Amiga On The Lake LLC has sent you a message about your order. Message: Hi Arnljot, We're working to determine how to proceed with helping you. The Romulator may not be repairable based on the damage shown in your provided photo. We'll get back to you ASAP. Best regards, -Jeff Yoder
Click to expand...
 
arnljot said:
So, I was not planning to make this thread, but I hinted to it in another thread.

In 2020 I bought two Romulators off them.

One caught fire, they asked me to send it back but never gave me the RMA info or return address. After a few emails they ghosted me and stopped replying.

I should have done a charge back claim on my card. I regret now that I didn't.
Click to expand...
Thanks for sharing. I know a couple of years ago this company had a lot of flack over the Kipper2K keyboards not being sent out. They do sell A1200.net cases etc.. But as they are based in the U.S. then it will mean higher custom rates and import taxes coming over the pond…
Be interested to see if anyone else has to say on this store.
You haven’t mentioned about Retrorewind.ca which are based in Canada.
 
And, also:

I really do encourage all kinds of feedback in this thread, I want it to be a collection of honest experiences - good, bad, neutral, meh and exceptional.

And do remember that experiences are subjective. Even if you're unhappy with a shop, someone else are entitled to their opinion that it's the retro kingdoms saviors.

Even though I'm not happy with them, I'm sure someone else are - and that's fine by me - I'm happy for them
 
A few years ago when AmigaOS 3.1.4 was first released, for some reason at the very beginning it was only possible to get the A4000T ROMs from this reseller. I place the order for AmigaOS 3.1.4 and ROMs that were supposedly in stock, but as I recall it took some weeks for them to be shipped out, which time I was enjoying a three week holiday in Florida.

When I get back from holiday there is a postcard waiting from the courier that said the item had been returned to the post depot for collection. I went immediately to collect the item but was told they only hold onto items for so many days and it had been returned to the sender earlier that day. I send a email to Amiga On The Lake and apologised for what happened, I asked them once the item was safely returned to only partially refund me for the items minus postage, I thought this was reasonable as it didn’t seem fair to see them out of pocket.

A week or two passes and Amiga On The Lake never botherd getting back to me, I can see from the tracking that it had been returned and signed for at their address. I decide then that I have really have no alternative but to open up a PayPal dispute, a few days pass and I notice a update to the dispute that Amiga On The Lake had provided proof of delivery using their own address! I escalate the case and PayPal sides with me, it wasn’t two minutes after I got the notification of refund that Amiga On The Lake finally respond with a torrent of abuse. I have seen a few items since that I would liked to have ordered, but never again after that.
 
I did order from them in 2019, received my items, no cause for complaint. But then watched the keyboard mess happen and I would never use them now!
 
I use to order from them since they were US based and so was I but after they totally mishandled the Kipper keyboards, I just spend the extra money at overseas companies. I hate to be gaslighted by anyone and they just did that to everyone who were waited to buy those kipper keyboards. They told everyone that they would be sold on their sight soon as they have caught up with the orders. They stated on their blog they had a ton of parts and everything they required to build them. Well out of the blue they all of sudden stated they don't have enough PCBs and have to order more (no surprise) and it is going to take a while. I wanted to know at the time was who they were having make these boards for it to take forever to make them. Well forward almost two years of nothing they appear to say the guy who was in charge of producing those keyboards has up and quit because of health problems and they have a new partner. They not came forward with any new information about the keyboards which is no surprise but I do not do any business with them anymore.
 
I wanted to order a kipper2k keyboard from the but after 3 years of check I don’t bother anymore. They used to sell x5000 motherboards but no more. If for some miracle they do take more orders for the keyboard I would likely order one due to monopoly supply, but reserve the right to cancel/dispute if they don’t deliver, otherwise I don’t even bother looking at them. The keyboard fiasco has hurt them financially due to their own mishandling of it. It is too bad.
 
Oh wow, the keyboard... I reached out to AOTL in 2022 to ask about the keyboard that I paid for in 2019. They told me they were going to have it built and shipped by June 2022, but offered a refund if I wanted that instead. I took the refund.
 
The monopoly on the kipper2k keyboards and the fact that they haven’t delivered much other than empty promises on that front really makes me mad. If they can’t build and sell them, they should let someone else license them.

I bought an A5K from them years ago and everything was good, but I noticed very shortly after they completely stopped supporting anything NG Amiga. There must be some drama going on down there.

The blog update of “hey one of the guys left and we have a new guy now” is fascinating but lacks any real substance, particularly when they don’t mention the elephant in the room, the kipper2k keyboards. Like, seriously, I just don’t understand the keyboard issue. They should be honest with themselves that they can’t deliver on it and negotiate with someone else to pick up the licensing of it.

If they fold, what happens to the kipper2k license? Is it back to kipper2k to figure out what to do next? If so, I hope they fold.
 
Well kipper indicated they have not paid him. I put a lot of this on his shoulders as he agreed to an exclusive deal with a company who cannot deliver. It is very sad. Yeah I too was going to buy a x5000 mobo from them but then poof the dropped the product as they apparently had a beef with AmigaKit/AEon who also sold the board.
 
I pre-ordered and paid for a Kipper2k KB back in June 2019. And some time in the middle of 2020 AOTL announced they were about to "carry out and ship orders placed in Sept. 2019". What? Why do they carry out later orders prior to earlier ones? So, I became angry and asked AOTL for a refund if they won't handle my order first within 2 weeks, since it should have been my turn first.

Mr. Yoder of AOTL apolgized and replied on 7. Oct. 2020:
> > I'm sorry that you feel the way you do and I can't blame you. It's taking me way too long to get these keyboards built and shipped. But despite that, I'm determined to fulfill all the pre-orders before the end of this year. Your keyboard order wasn't forgotten. It's in line with all the others to be built as I get through the enormous pile of invoices chronologically. Since I can't meet your expectations for shipment of your keyboard I'm refunding the $235.58 USD as you requested. <<

This means, if AOTL ever carried out their Kipper2k keyboard orders , I would have finally gotten mine between 7. Oct. and 31. Dec. 2020 (if AOTL told the truth and whatever Mr. Yoder meant by"chronologically" - forward or backwards in time ? ;)
But, I had obviously imposed too much pressure on AOTL, that they had cancelled and refunded my order before I even had a chance to say: "Wait! No need to cancel my order anymore when you are about to deliver A1200 KBs within 2 months time anyway."

Did anyone in this forum ever get one of those desired grey/white or black Kipper2K keyboards from AOTL?

What can you all tell about the other "KA59 - Mechanical keyboard for Amiga 1200" made by RastPort
and which can be pre-ordered at Alinea Computer in Germany at www.amiga-shop.net ?

Unlike Kipper2K you can not only choose keycap colors of your KA59, grey/white or black, but also
3 types of diferent cherry-switches for each KB color (red/blue/brown) - making 6 possible versions.
At Alinea you don't need to pay in advance, you can put yourself on a waiting list by e-mail and pay only once
they say your KA59 keyboard will be ready for delivery. I am on their waiting list since last summer.

When I asked two months ago they said they did not get any deliveries by RastPort in recent months.
But last year they said a few KA59 keyboards were dropping in regualarly every 1-2 months and
delivered to their customers.

Still, neither you nor Alinea the seller can ever know about RastPort's priorities in production.
Will they first produce for those who ordered grey/white or black keyboards? And of these, first those
with red, blue or brown cherry switches? So, which pre-order of which date and which KB version is being
dealt with first is a matter of chance both to the seller and customer.

Are there any happy KA59 mechanical A1200 RastPort keyboard owners here?
Looking forward to read your experiences.
 
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I too have been waiting on the RasPort keyboard but it seems to be a vaporware tease like the kipper keyboard. Both unobtanium. There is a UK reseller and the RasPort guy said keyboards would be delivered Jan/Feb of 2024 - a date since gone and past. Too bad as it looks really nice.
 
On Friday I have ordered ROM 3.2.2 for A4000T and Linux on USB for X5000, got it delivered today.
Prior to ordering I've exchanged a few emails to make sure things listed as available are indeed on stock and shipping could be instant.

I am very satisfied with the service quality of AOTL, plus detailed, prompt communication and a quick delivery.
 
Aeberbach said:
Anyone that wants a replacement keyboard should grab one of the keycap sets that steveed had made: https://www.amibay.com/threads/amiga-mx-style-keycaps-pcbs.2446001 - keycaps are the only thing that are remotely difficult. The PCB design is free and it is very easy to make, likewise the 3D printed supports.
Click to expand...
I actually ordered 4 sets of the keys because I had enough of AOTL B.S., if you watch their video the put out back in 2019 there was warnings that there was some big problems... ie they stated they had all the parts including springs... Aaa the mech key caps have the springs inside so why did they have to order springs? They have been lying to everyone for some time the last whopper was telling everyone they miscounted the PCBs and had to order more and it would take some time... ya go pack sand I had enough of that crap!
 
Concerning mechanical keyboards for the A1200 waiting for my KA59 KB from RastPort continues. Unlike AOTL I would not call it a lost hope yet. At least people at RastPort seem to be alive and kicking and answered my e-mail this week.. I have decided to share the questions and answers here and you can all draw your own conclusions:

> 1. How is production of KA59 A1200 keyboards going at the moment?
Production is continued.

> 2. How many KA59 keyboards are produced or completed and shipped per month in each version?
Sorry, I won't answer this question.

> 3. Have you got a certain priority in production, regarding colour of keycaps (e. g. grey/white keycaps first, black
>ones later) or the type of cherry siwtches?
There is no priority other than logistic reasons.

> 4. When would you say, will my type of KA59 keyboard (as spiecified on top of this miail) be shipped to
Amiga-Shop/Alinea computer?
> 5. How many pre-orders have you got to handle yet, for the KA59 type want?
> (black keycaps, German layout, brown Cherry MX switches?
These two questions have to be left without answer. Sorry.

While delivery times and the number of completed keyboards is still uncertain, the RastPort team seems
to be working on KA59 KBs yet and did not tell anything contradictory so far. Let's keep our thumbs pressed. :sneaky:
 
attic636 said:
Concerning mechanical keyboards for the A1200 waiting for my KA59 KB from RastPort continues. Unlike AOTL I would not call it a lost hope yet. At least people at RastPort seem to be alive and kicking and answered my e-mail this week.. I have decided to share the questions and answers here and you can all draw your own conclusions:

> 1. How is production of KA59 A1200 keyboards going at the moment?
Production is continued.

> 2. How many KA59 keyboards are produced or completed and shipped per month in each version?
Sorry, I won't answer this question.

> 3. Have you got a certain priority in production, regarding colour of keycaps (e. g. grey/white keycaps first, black
>ones later) or the type of cherry siwtches?
There is no priority other than logistic reasons.

> 4. When would you say, will my type of KA59 keyboard (as spiecified on top of this miail) be shipped to
Amiga-Shop/Alinea computer?
> 5. How many pre-orders have you got to handle yet, for the KA59 type want?
> (black keycaps, German layout, brown Cherry MX switches?
These two questions have to be left without answer. Sorry.

While delivery times and the number of completed keyboards is still uncertain, the RastPort team seems
to be working on KA59 KBs yet and did not tell anything contradictory so far. Let's keep our thumbs pressed. :sneaky:
Click to expand...
What I cannot beleive with AOTL is they claim they bought all the keys, springs??? and other parts to make these keys boards. So what company do you know of that spends that kind of money for all the parts for the keyboards lets everything just sit there. They are not making any money from it.
 
They
attic636 said:
Concerning mechanical keyboards for the A1200 waiting for my KA59 KB from RastPort continues. Unlike AOTL I would not call it a lost hope yet. At least people at RastPort seem to be alive and kicking and answered my e-mail this week.. I have decided to share the questions and answers here and you can all draw your own conclusions:

> 1. How is production of KA59 A1200 keyboards going at the moment?
Production is continued.

> 2. How many KA59 keyboards are produced or completed and shipped per month in each version?
Sorry, I won't answer this question.

> 3. Have you got a certain priority in production, regarding colour of keycaps (e. g. grey/white keycaps first, black
>ones later) or the type of cherry siwtches?
There is no priority other than logistic reasons.

> 4. When would you say, will my type of KA59 keyboard (as spiecified on top of this miail) be shipped to
Amiga-Shop/Alinea computer?
> 5. How many pre-orders have you got to handle yet, for the KA59 type want?
> (black keycaps, German layout, brown Cherry MX switches?
These two questions have to be left without answer. Sorry.

While delivery times and the number of completed keyboards is still uncertain, the RastPort team seems
to be working on KA59 KBs yet and did not tell anything contradictory so far. Let's keep our thumbs pressed. :sneaky:
Click to expand...
They also claimed their reseller in the uk - retropassion I think - would have stock back in Jan of this year and that did not happen. Another Amiga drama situation. Clearly they are unable to meet demand and have insufficient resources/capacity to build their product lines. I would love to order a RasPort keyboard. OTOH the exclusivity deal with kipper and AOTL was foolish. Another supplier lacking capacity to deliver, yet capacity to accept money.
 
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