I'm also down for a group purchase. I've been casually looking for one of these kits for at least a year now.
Yeah, but there will be quite a few of these coming in.... whoever the group purchase goes through will have to answer some questions for customs.
I ended up getting this one http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=4476973957. I decided to go for broke an get the 1250 yuan package that includes the XDK the power cables, av cables, a 320g gig harddrive loaded with games, and PNET ability. I brokered this through yoybuy.com which promptly gave me a quote for the total of $234 insured. Yoybuy purchased the XDK soon after I sent them the money through paypal, and they are keeping me updated with how things are going. I would definitely recommend yoybuy based on my experience so far.
I never had faith in the chinese for these kind of things, the guy I work for even said, the chinese have everything and know alot, and leach alot, but mostly get you alot of stuff very cheaply. Guess he proved me right
Well, I finally purchased one of these devkits along with a PAL copy of Panzer Dragoon Saga through Yoybuy.com. I had to purchase the more basic 890 yuan package (which comes with an AC adaptor and AV cables), so I may not be able to go on Partnernet. :/ The women I held a conversation with was very friendly and did an excellent job answering all of my questions. Just like insurpation, I had a great experience with them. As for the price, it came to $180.54 for the XDK and Panzer Dragoon Saga with insurance on both! Even if the console doesn't have Partnernet, that is not too bad at all.
Mine should arrive within 5-20 days. Hopefully this estimate is closer to the 5 day mark I'll take some pics and post them once it shows up at my doorstep.