Experiences With Ordering Sailor From Engeika

[Inknoob]

Hi. Next week i will place an order on Engeika (my first). I was wondering what was the experience with some of you ordering Sailor or other pens in general from Engeika. Did they arrive writing well? Is it possible to ask for Engeika to inspect the pen?

[Doug C]

I have ordered a number of things from Tazio and not had a problem, with one exception. I ordered a Sailor KOP and it was perfect. I did have one order that for some reason, just never came. He didn't charge me and the last I saw it was still out on his site.

 

His communication is a little spotty though, and you'll hear differing opinions on FPN.

[mirosc]

I've had good experiences, but there's a thread here on FPN with people that had some problems.

My pens were all originally packed so he couldn't inspect them.

[Drawing61]

I've ordered several Sailors from him and they have all been perfect. I had a problem with an ink order that never arrived but he refunded my money without question.

[Inknoob]

Sounds really good guys. What are the chances of getting a bad Sailor? Is it true all their nibs get at least a minor inspection from Sailor?

Edited January 30, 2015 by Inknoob

[dkim87]

I have 2 Sailors from Engeika and they turn out just fine. I do not believe that Taizo "inspects" the pens before shipping it out. He most likely ships whatever he received from the big 3 and their inspection process. I have no clue if Taizo is well-skilled in tuning nibs, so having him inspect it won't necessarily make the pen any better.

 

As for if sailor inspects their pens, well nearly all companies inspect their products. It is a matter as to what is their standard for quality. Of all the sailor pens I have they are perform well. That is not to say that they are buttery smooth or whatever other terms you want to place on it, but they perform like a good fountain pen ought to, with their own "Sailor feel".

[Inknoob]

I have 2 Sailors from Engeika and they turn out just fine. I do not believe that Taizo "inspects" the pens before shipping it out. He most likely ships whatever he received from the big 3 and their inspection process. I have no clue if Taizo is well-skilled in tuning nibs, so having him inspect it won't necessarily make the pen any better.

 

As for if sailor inspects their pens, well nearly all companies inspect their products. It is a matter as to what is their standard for quality. Of all the sailor pens I have they are perform well. That is not to say that they are buttery smooth or whatever other terms you want to place on it, but they perform like a good fountain pen ought to, with their own "Sailor feel".

Thanks for that. Well, from all the replies seems like Sailor + Engeika should be a pleasant experience.

 

I'm just a bit paranoid from my experiences with Monteverde pens. Hard starting, not exactly 'smooth,' etc.

[PabloAU]

I happily buy from Engeika for two reasons: price, and availability of Japanese models difficult to find elsewhere. Both of my two Sailors have needed work out of the box to perform to my expectations, and while I have been able to tweak them myself, it's not something I'd recommend so someone inexperienced. IME Engeika isn't the place to go for attentive service.

 

Consider buying from nibs.com (no affiliation, just a happy customer) if you want assurances on how the pen will write. John will inspect and test, and where required adjust and smooth a pen to your preferences before shipping it. This service is at no additional charge, although their list prices would be expected to be higher than Engeika's - value for money IMO compared to the frustration and cost of sending to a nibmeister afterwards should your pen fall below your expectations.

[Water Ouzel]

I've only ordered Platinum and Pilot pens from Engeika so far. All arrived in perfect condition within a reasonable amount of time following order and payment. Sailor's next on my list, though.

[lgreen]

I ordered an ebonite KOP with broad nib from him last year and it arrived in perfect condition and worked beautifully straight out of the box. I think his service was fine especially when you consider the price you are paying...

[Jeff_H]

I placed one order with Engeika and it wasn't a great experience and it took 3 months to get the pen I originally ordered. The communication was terrible. I ordered a 1911 L Naginata-Togi in rhodium that I was told was in stock. Then after about 3 weeks I was told it wasn't in stock, but I could have one with gold trim. Ok I said, send it. A week later a regular 1911 with M nib arrived. It was scratchy as hell, way more than a misaligned nib.

 

Sent that back and waited and waited, no communication. Then out of the blue a Pro Gear Naginata Togi with gold trim arrives. Again, not what I ordered. This nib was very scratchy and poorly aligned. I sent an email to them and returned it. I received an email January 6th that said he would get the correct pen out to me very soon. That was the last I ever heard from them. Ever. I sent several emails with no reply. The last week of January, finally, my black Sailor 1911 w/ Naginata-Togi MF nib shows up. Thank goodness this one was perfect right out of the box. Writes like a dream.

 

I had just about given up on ever buying a Sailor anywhere but nibs.com, because the first two were so bad. Perhaps my experience was not the norm. I did finally get the pen I ordered...3 months later. Honestly, I've found better prices on Rakuten market and much better service. My last order there, I kid you not, I ordered on a Sunday morning, they invoiced me around noon on Sunday, I got a shipping notice later that day and my package arrived on Wednesday. From Japan to Texas, Sunday to Wednesday..... incredible.

 

Lots of folks have great luck with Engeika, maybe I just got unlucky.

Edited February 2, 2015 by Jeff_H

[Inknoob]

Quick update: placed an order on a sailor realo pro gear in fine 24 hours ago. It has already shipped and is on its way to east coast U.S.

 

I was tempted to buy the pro gear 2 realo for only $25 more however, I had to wait 3 weeks for it.

 

Wish me luck on a great sailor nib!

Edited February 3, 2015 by Inknoob

[KamenRitter]

Good luck with your purchase.

 

Got a Sailor Saibi Togi Pearl Red from Engeika. As it is, the pen can be described as Sailor's specialty nib, and it works really well out of the box. Shipped within days, and arrived within a week from the payment date. Also a Platinum Century 3776 UEF, with quite the same speedy delivery, thanks to Japan's EMS service and cheap prices.

 

YMMV, though.

[juacal]

I ordered an ebonite KOP with broad nib from him last year and it arrived in perfect condition and worked beautifully straight out of the box. I think his service was fine especially when you consider the price you are paying...

It was the same with my KOP green mozaique.

[mongrelnomad]

I've ordered loads from Taizo. I had one experience where my 823 arrived with a bent nib: he replaced it without question. His communication can be a bit hit-or-miss (and it isn't always easy to know whether something is in-stock and ready to ship or whether he must order it from his suppliers), but you get the ordered item, and he stands behind his sales.

 

Recommended.

Edited February 3, 2015 by mongrelnomad

[Inknoob]

Just curious, I'm assuming orders are delivered by USPS right?

Edited February 3, 2015 by Inknoob

[Jeff_H]

Just curious, I'm assuming orders are delivered by USPS right?

Orders are sent Via EMS Japan, but handled and delivered by USPS once in the States. My experience is 4 days fro shipping in Japan to my door in Texas. EMS Japan is by far the best foreign postal service I have ever seen.

Edited February 4, 2015 by Jeff_H

[Inknoob]

Orders are sent Via EMS Japan, but handled and delivered by USPS once in the States. My experience is 4 days fro shipping in Japan to my door in Texas. EMS Japan is by far the best foreign postal service I have ever seen.

I agree, so far it seems ridiculously fast. Does the tracking number stop updating once it leaves Japan?

[Jeff_H]

No, it will continue to update via the USPS tracking site. I wouldn't be surprised if USPS already shows the same tracking info the EMS site does. The tracking number remains the same and USPS just picks up and uses the number issued by EMS Japan. I would guess your tracking number is 2 letters, 6-7 numbers and ends with the letters JP.

[Earthdawn]

Orders are sent Via EMS Japan, but handled and delivered by USPS once in the States. My experience is 4 days fro shipping in Japan to my door in Texas. EMS Japan is by far the best foreign postal service I have ever seen.

 

Yup... 4 days to NY as well

 

Amazingly fast.