Seconded, a good decision. Don't be their bitch.
Thirded, would prefer a Filco or import a Unicomp
hmm ok, black it is. cba with all that messing around really.
Fair enough, post a pic if you decide to put the white keycaps on. I don't think it will look that bad. I've seen much worse e.g. some crazy 'chessboard' i.e. black and white configuration before (gives me a massive headache)!
Why are the keycaps so expensive? I have seen a set for £75 without the number pad keycaps
, I can buy a full keyboard for less than the plastic caps that must cost about £1.00 to make
There are several reasons why keycaps can be expensive on mechanical keyboards. The plastic could be made out of different material and different etching methods used to deploy lettering on the keyboard.
Also, some of the most expensive sets are of high quality non-shiney and non-yellow and 'double shot' moulded and are of novelty value, for example from a used/old original Cherry keyboard.
Keycaps can be made from different plastics: ABS, POV, POM and PBT.
Secondly the labeling techniques are different: double-shot moulding, laser etched or pad-printing. Generally speaking double shot are most sought after.
Each combination will have their drawbacks which you can read about
here however the most sought after keycaps rendering that price would have to be either novelty value/limited batches of custom keycaps, for example clear key caps where you can actually see the switch. Since you have not mentioned abnormalities then I would assume it would be because they are ABS/Double-shot as opposed to the standard (Filco are ABS)/pad-printed.