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Opinions - Best Place (Price) To Purchase A Pilot Vp


dunivanb

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Decided that I want a "awesome" pen at work and at home.

 

At work, I am using a lamy 2000, love that pen, its understated and that makes a big difference to me as a young attorney.

 

At home, that is a different story. I am designing a bauhaus office and would really like to pick a different pen from this decor.

 

My goal is to find the best price on a pilot VP, in matte black. May become a everyday carry, may not (that's my first fp - counterfit :( safari).

 

Can anyone help or recommend? I love Goulet and Jetpens, but I am not above saving a few bucks.

 

Mods, please move if needed.

 

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The lowest prices I know for these are from certain Japanese eBay dealers, "engeika" is one. That's if you are willing to get an alloy nib rather than the 18k ones sold by US dealers; you should get the pen for perhaps $85 to $90 plus another $13 or so for shipping. Also make sure you note whether they're sending you a converter or not, and which one. Both the CON-20 and CON-50 will work. The alloy nibs are made by Pilot and are good quality, but just not sold in the US that I know of.

 

If you want the 18k nib, you probably won't save much money, if any, going that route.

 

EDIT (And actually, I just checked Engeika's eBay store, and he no longer carries them, but there are other eBay sellers who do.)

Edited by ISW_Kaputnik

"So convenient a thing it is to be a reasonable creature, since it enables one to find or make a reason for everything one has a mind to do."

 

- Benjamin Franklin

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From my experience, I recommend Pen Chalet.

 

If you use a coupon, you actually get 10% discount. (Easily found, online) You can wait for some kind of special event such as easter, then there will be 15% discount.

I ordered fine nib, but it's the least scratchy Pilot F in my collection. I do not know if they tweak the nib before shipping, though. I haven't had any issues with them and they ship free over $50. I've heard that their customer service is great, too!

 

Oh btw, I got my VP for $119 including shipping (which is basically free).

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I bought mine from Rakuten. Paid $70 including postage.

 

Edit - steel nib

Edited by deepak23

A lifelong FP user...

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I've gotten a few VPs from Amazon. My matte black was bought new for $107 because they were on sale at that time for whatever reason, but another good way to go is through their "Warehouse deals" which are basically returned items that are discounted. They list the condition of the item (like new, very good, good, etc) and it still has the Amazon return policies and such. I only buy things this way if they are like new or very good, but it can be a great way to save a decent chunk of change. I would not buy a Lamy 2k off Amazon because of the nib inconsistency issues, but every Pilot nib I've tried has been stellar so I don't worry about it.

Fountain pen blog | Personal blog

 

Current collection: Pilot Vanishing Point, TWSBI Vac 700, Kaweco Al Sport, Lamy Safari, Nemosine Singularity

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I'm a huge fan of Pilot VP so I think you're making a great choice. One caution: search FPN for current experiences with the matt black finish. When it first came out I recall many complaints that it easily got scratched, beat up, etc.

 

Another variation on black for the VP would be either the lacquer black, with silver trim or the black carbonesque with silver trim. The carbonesque has more of a textured feel to it. True, neither would have that uber-modern 'tactical' look; but I've never seen complaints about these finishes. Of mine, two are the lacquer finishes; one is the carbonesque (in my case blue) finish -- it does have an interesting tactile feel. The fourth is a chrome finish. Two are F nibs; two are M nibs. Love all of them. Reliable as all get-out, smooth writers, and the retractable nib is great and convenient.

Moshe ben David

 

"Behold, He who watches over Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps!"

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I too can recommend Pen Chalet.

 

With a 15% holiday discount, I paid $119.00. The pen came in the standard case with a converter, cartridge, cartridge cover and booklet - and has written beautifully since day one.

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