A Group Buy is a method where payments are collected upfront for bulk orders with manufacturers. As a result, the time between placing an order and receiving the product may vary, often taking several weeks or months.

A Pre-Order is where the product has already entered production and we have paid the manufacturer for the product prior to making it available for purchase. This might be after a Group Buy for the same product or something on its own.

Amendments can only be made while the Group Buy is open for orders. Once it closes, no changes can be guaranteed. Pre-Orders can be amended whilst assigned stock is available, and before it arrives at our workshop.

Refunds are rare but may be considered on a case-by-case basis, with a 7.5% restocking fee for international orders.

You can check the status of all Group Buys on our [Updates] page. This resource is updated with all the latest information we have, as soon as we get it.

If a Group Buy fails to meet its MOQ, you will receive a refund for that product. This usually takes place within 4 weeks of the Group Buy closing and we will drop you an email to confirm as well.

The nature of Group Buys and Pre-orders mean that all timelines are estimated and it is very common for a product to be available earlier or later than expected.

I provide real-time updates for all Group Buys and Pre-Orders on our Notion tracker, allowing customers to track progress and stay informed.

Occasionally, unexpected issues arise that may cause delays. For the most up-to-date information, please refer to our [Updates].

If you don't want to wait for a Group Buy, check out our [In Stock] range which will ship straight away :)

Due to the nature of Group Buys and Pre-Orders, refunds are generally not available. However, in certain extenuating circumstances, refunds may be considered at my discretion for both active and closed Group Buys.

If a refund is approved, a 7.5% restocking fee will apply to cover costs incurred from our payment providers for international customers.

If you feel that the product you received does not meet the original specifications or arrives damaged, you may be able to return it.

Please email jae@prototypist.net to arrange this.

Please note that if a refund is granted, it may affect your ability to participate in future Group Buys.

We aim for the highest quality in all our products, but some minor imperfections may be unavoidable:

• Marks on the inside of metal keyboard cases (such as anodization hook marks) are not considered QC fails.
• Small imperfections on PCBs, including slight colour differences, do not affect functionality and will not be replaced.
• Plastic cases may develop minor cracks or marks around fasteners, but if the integrity of the case is unaffected, this is not a QC failure.

If unsure if your issue qualifies, you're always welcome to get in touch via jae@prototypist.net, please include photos of the issue and your order number.

Renders are used as visual representations to give an idea of how a product may appear. Due to differences in rendering techniques, screen
settings, and colour interpretation, the final product may show slight inconsistencies compared to the original render.

If these differences are considered within acceptable tolerances, all orders will be fulfilled as planned. However, if colour discrepancies exceed these tolerances, we may offer refunds or exchanges at our discretion, based on stock availability.

In cases where refunds or exchanges are offered, we will notify affected customers via email and present options to ensure a fair resolution.

You can check the status of all Group Buys on our [Updates] page. This resource is updated with all the latest information we have, as soon as we get it.

It’s requested that you do not combine Group Buys, Pre-Orders, and In-Stock items in one order.

If you do, your entire order won’t ship until all items are available.

In some cases, the order may be cancelled outright. Orders stored for more than four weeks may incur a £1 per week (plus VAT) storage fee.

In Stock orders made on weekdays before 2pm will generally ship the same day. Orders after 2pm will ship on the next working day. Often orders are dispatched within 1 working hour. Orders placed on Saturdays, Sundays, or holidays will be processed the next working day.

Over 99% of in stock orders are collected by Couriers the same day when ordered before 2pm, or next working day if after 2pm.

Yes!

Select "Collection" at checkout, and once your order is ready, you can collect it during our working hours (Monday to Friday, 9 am to 4 pm).

Please email jae@prototypist.net to confirm your expected arrival time/date to confirm collection will be available.

You can find our location on [Google Maps]. We are based in West Yorkshire.

We accept all major credit and debit cards (with CVV), Apple Pay, Google Pay, and ShopPay. PayPal is not accepted.

No, we cannot mark down the value of your order for customs.

Customers are fully responsible for any import fees, customs duties, and courier charges. This does not apply to customers in the UK and EU, where these fees are calculated at checkout.

Please be aware of the import fees applicable in your country before placing an order.

If you use a forwarding address, we are unable to insure the package, as our shipping providers do not support third-party deliveries for insurance purposes. Orders sent to proxy addresses cannot be insured, so please avoid using a proxy unless you accept these terms.

Simple - you pay all your VAT and duties (where applicable) at checkout. That's it. No import fees later on, no surprises, its the same as ordering from inside the EU from the customers perspective.

Refunds & returns

We want you to be happy with your order, and we’ll always work with you if something goes wrong. This policy sits alongside your statutory rights under UK law and does not affect them.

- You can cancel your order for In Stock items within 14 days of receiving your goods.
- Once you’ve told us you want to cancel, you have 14 days to send the items back.
- We’ll refund you within 14 days of receiving the returned items (or proof of return), including the cost of our standard delivery option (except for overseas customers). Faster / upgraded shipping is not refundable.

To qualify for a return, items must meet all of the following:

- In original condition and packaging.
- Switches and keycaps must remain factory‑sealed and unopened (for hygiene and inspection reasons).
- Keysets that have been mounted and switches that have been used, lubed or tuned are treated as used goods and are not eligible for returns.
- Keyboard PCB's Plates or other items once used are not eligible for return. For PCB's any soldering or insertion of switches will mean they can not be returned.

Unless the item is faulty, you are responsible for return shipping costs. For overseas customers (not including UK or EU a re-stocking fee of 7.5% will be applied)


- If an item arrives faulty, damaged or not as described, contact us as soon as possible (within 30 days of receipt).
- Where appropriate, we’ll offer a repair, replacement or refund.

In addition to the conditions above, the following are normally non‑returnable:

- Custom, bespoke, special‑order or made‑to‑order items.
- Used / modified parts (including mounted keysets, installed or tuned switches, opened switch packs where usage prevents re‑sale as new, soldered PCB's, keyboards that have been assembled).
- Perishable items such as coffee or food products, once opened.

- All refunds are processed in GBP. Any difference due to exchange rates, bank fees or card charges between purchase and refund is the customer’s responsibility.
- For EU customers: if you selected “Duties and Taxes Paid” at checkout, those amounts are paid to the relevant authorities and cannot be refunded by us if you return your order, or if it is returned because it was not collected / delivered. You can contact your local authorities to retrieve these funds.

To initiate a return or report an issue:

- Email: **jae@prototypist.net**
- Include your order number, photos (if something is damaged/faulty) and a brief description of the issue.

Sometimes large orders are shipped in multiple packages. Check the packaging labels for tracking information. If an item is missing, email us within 14 days of receipt, including a photo of the contents.

Replacements will be processed within 3 working days where we still retain stock. If no stock is available a replacement will be manufactured for you and timescales provided where possible. If we are unable to provide a replacement we will provide a refund.

We photograph every order during packing to help us identify issues like this prior to delivery.

Please email us within 14 days of receiving your order with a photo of the issue. If the damage occurred during shipping or due to a quality control issue, we’ll
arrange a replacement or refund. DOA PCBs have a 30-day warranty, but once you’ve soldered the PCB, we can’t offer a replacement.

For Group Buys / Pre-Orders see our relevant section.

For In Stock orders we can cancel the order as long as the order has not been packed and labelled. Please note, as we dispatch orders extremely efficiently (average time from order to dispatch during working hours is under 2 hours) we may not see a cancellation request by email before your order is dispatched; if you urgently need a cancellation please call Jae on +447843244701.

For overseas orders that are cancelled there is a 10% re-stocking fee applied due to fees and costs from our payment providers for handling the international transactions.

Items provided free of charge through discounts, giveaways, codes, offers or otherwise are exempt from replacement for aesthetic purposes, unless functionality is also compromised.

Prizes / gifts cannot be exchanged for other products, cash, gift cards or store credit.

Yes, log into your account to update your address, then [email us] with your order number(s) and proof of address change (such as a utility bill). Address changes may incur additional shipping charges, and cannot be made for Group Buy orders that have already reached the warehouse.

Note: Changing your address on your account page will not update orders made previously to that update. Please follow the process above.

We aim to respond within 3 business days. If you haven't heard back after that time, feel free to send another email.

No. Our shipping rates are pulled directly from UPS and Royal Mail, and are the best rates we can offer at this time.

Please remember, shipping rates are not based on the value of the item, but the cost to transport the item.

We are based in West Yorkshire, United Kingdom. You can find us on [Google Maps].

Bent pins are normal and can occur during manufacturing or shipping. You can carefully straighten them and still use the switches.

The standard base kits are across two trays stacked together. Try looking for the finger holes on the sides of the white trays to locate the second tier.

Discount codes that require input are available at our discretion. If you fail to input the code at checkout and complete a purchase, we cannot apply this at a later stage. We do not allow returns or cancellations to purchase at a lower price if an offer code was available at the time of your purchase and not used.

No.

If you have re-sold any item purchased from Prototypist Keyboards, or are a purchaser of an item on the aftermarket, I am unable to offer a warranty or any after sales support.

Replacements and support are only available to the original owner whilst they own the product initially.

Once the item exchanges hands that support is no longer available.

This includes items purchased on services such as eBay and vinted or other vendor sites.

We are not insured for Business to Business sales, nor do we offer wholesale terms.

Items purchased from us are expressly for direct customer usage only. Customers may re-sell independently on the aftermarket, but companies may not.

Sometimes the shipping cost with UPS can change between the Group Buy and date of shipping. Where this happens we may need to address it in one of a few ways

• If there is a shortfall PT will cover up to a 20% difference, if its greater than that we will invoice you for the additional amount and email you to let you know.
• If the shipping cost has dropped we will refund you the difference.

Where a chargeback has occurred we do not allow customers to continue ordering from us due to the increased risk of fraud, and nature of the ways chargebacks impact the business.

Please always email jae@prototypist.net to discuss your concerns prior to issuing a chargeback, as we want to help and are unable to after a chargeback has been issued.

Please note that there is a small chance any customisations selected may not be charged for at checkout due to a Shopify Platform issue.

Where this occurs we will bill you for the additional costs after the Group Buy closes.

GIFT CARDS ARE VAT FREE - This may display in cart/basket but will be removed at final checkout. VAT will apply for UK and EU customers when the gift card balance is used at checkout as normal.

Gift cards will be issued by e-mail immediately after order and payment clearance (except where you have it sent to a third party on a certain date). There are no refunds available on gift cards once checkout has been completed.

Orders can be made for any product with Gift Cards, including Group Buys and Pre-Orders. Please bear in mind that orders for Group Buys and Pre-Orders will ship later on once the product is available. In Stock orders will be shipped within 3 working days, just like a regular order will be.

When you place an order with a gift card, it cannot be cancelled or amended. There are no returns on Gift Card orders except where items are faulty and cannot be replaced under warranty.