Any thoughts about Fountain Pen Hospital?

[lawdr]

the one in NY(Warren St.)?

I was wondering why their prices are much lower than the regular prices. They told me that full warranty is included. Any thoughts?

[aunt rebecca]

The FPH is a a very reputable, old line brick and mortar pen store. I have dealt with them for 40 years. they are honest and honorable. They use to do my pen repairs, now i use others because i found their pen repair prices high--but they also, for free, taught me how to change an esterbrook sac. nice folks--i have also bought on line from them and received the same great service. :bunny1: :bunny1: :bunny1: :bunny1:

 

 

 

edited for a typo

Edited April 4, 2006 by aunt rebecca

[lawdr]

The FPH is a a very reputable, old line brick and mortar pen store. I have dealt with them for 40 years. they are honest and honorable. They use to do my pen repairs, now i use others because i found their pen repair prices high--but they also, for free, taught me how to change an esterbrook sac. nice folks--i have also bought on line from them and received the same great service. :bunny1: :bunny1: :bunny1: :bunny1:

 

 

 

edited for a typo

thanks, that's my impression too after reading some reviews. But how could they sell a $450 retailed pen for $365 only? Do they just get less profit than the other stores?

[Stylo]

thanks, that's my impression too after reading some reviews. But how could they sell a $450 retailed pen for $365 only? Do they just get less profit than the other stores?

FPH is a reputable shop, but I don't find their prices particularly low. Is the $450 you mention the Manufaturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP), sometimes also called "list price?" if so, almost no retailer sells at those prices. I just visited their site to confirm that their prices aren't exactly low. What other stores are you comparing them to?

[lawdr]

thanks, that's my impression too after reading some reviews. But how could they sell a $450 retailed pen for $365 only? Do they just get less profit than the other stores?

FPH is a reputable shop, but I don't find their prices particularly low. Is the $450 you mention the Manufaturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP), sometimes also called "list price?" if so, almost no retailer sells at those prices. I just visited their site to confirm that their prices aren't exactly low. What other stores are you comparing them to?

I was just comparing to the the online stores that are authorized mont blanc dealer. Could you let me know how you checked out the prices via online? I think they don't list their prices online. You need to request them via email. no?

[Roger]

thanks, that's my impression too after reading some reviews. But how could they sell a $450 retailed pen for $365 only? Do they just get less profit than the other stores?

FPH is a reputable shop, but I don't find their prices particularly low. Is the $450 you mention the Manufaturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP), sometimes also called "list price?" if so, almost no retailer sells at those prices. I just visited their site to confirm that their prices aren't exactly low. What other stores are you comparing them to?

Exactly, Stylo. The example cited is only an 18.9% discount. More typical discounts in the industry start at 20% and can go much higher depending on the piece.

 

FPH isn't the least expensive place to buy a pen (special sales excepted), but they are trustworthy and comfortable with which to deal, especially if you can get there in person.

[lawdr]

thanks, that's my impression too after reading some reviews. But how could they sell a $450 retailed pen for $365 only? Do they just get less profit than the other stores?

FPH is a reputable shop, but I don't find their prices particularly low. Is the $450 you mention the Manufaturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP), sometimes also called "list price?" if so, almost no retailer sells at those prices. I just visited their site to confirm that their prices aren't exactly low. What other stores are you comparing them to?

Exactly, Stylo. The example cited is only an 18.9% discount. More typical discounts in the industry start at 20% and can go much higher depending on the piece.

 

FPH isn't the least expensive place to buy a pen (special sales excepted), but they are trustworthy and comfortable with which to deal, especially if you can get there in person.

Could you let me know other stores that are cheaper and that also include the manufacturer's warranty?

Edited April 4, 2006 by lawdr

[petra]

Actually I have called around to compare prices on a couple of Montblanc models, and FPH usually offers very competitive prices on MB's.

 

For the vendors who sell MB pens, I think in general they just don't discount them very much. Probably enough demand that they don't have to.

 

Curiously, I have never gone to a Montblanc boutique to ask about prices. I wonder if the boutiques offer any discount at all? Does anyone know? Since they're usually in fancy malls, I assumed they sell pens at full list price.

 

Petra

[lawdr]

Actually I have called around to compare prices on a couple of Montblanc models, and FPH  usually offers very competitive prices on MB's.

 

For the vendors who sell MB pens, I think in general they just don't discount them very much. Probably enough demand that they don't have to.

 

Curiously, I have never gone to a Montblanc boutique to ask about prices. I wonder if the boutiques offer any discount at all? Does anyone know? Since they're usually in fancy malls, I assumed they sell pens at full list price.

 

Petra

All the MB boutiques I went to were selling the pens at the full list price.

 

BTW: there are some online stores like jomashop that offer big discounts for certain models, but they don't include the manufacturer's warranty and the models are limited.

Edited April 4, 2006 by lawdr

[Elaine]

BTW: there are some online stores like jomashop that offer big discounts for certain models, but they don't include the manufacturer's warranty and the models are limited.

Now that sounds fishy to me!

[Stylo]

If you are looking at MB, they have various requirements that their retailers must follow in order to qualify as a authorized dealers. I can't help you much with MB. But for other brands, there are many retaielrs out there. For example, Penhero.com has a list of 50+ of them. You can spend "some time" browsing through if you would like If you want more specific recommendations, it will always help to tell what particular pens you are looking at.

[daveg]

A rule of thumb for retailing is a 100% markup. If they can keep costs down, 20% off MSRP is quite achievable. Markups tend to be much higher on luxury items but so are the costs of running a store.

 

Some luxury goods manufacturers punish dealers who discount so you sometime get kind of a "black market" for their goods.

[Roger]

Could you let me know other stores that are cheaper and that also include the manufacturer's warranty?

I won't name names here. To do so would favor those names to the detriment of many who would escape my current memory.

 

Watch the "Marketplace" on this board and the equivilent section of the Rambling Snail board. Very useful, also, is the Green Board on the Pentrace system and mailing lists such as fptalk and Zoss.

 

Those venues are populated by both individual sellers who mostly sell already owned pens and online vendors who are authorized dealers for one or more manufacturer's pens and obviously offer the warranties with their sales. Brick & Mortar stores sometimes do online sales, also.

 

Get your antennae up and you will pick up on the favored places to buy certain brands. It won't happen in a few days, but if you have enough interest, you won't mind the time required on your part.

 

Happy hunting!

[playpen]

Having just visited this wonderful shop yesterday and purchasing a considerable number of items, I can say I had a marvelous experience. Everyone was great, polite, helpful etc. I totally loved the experience. One of my purchases was the Namiki Falcon with a fine nib. I enjoyed drawing with it and am thrilled with it. I must say however, the price on my bill was 6 dollars above the price quoted by the salesman AND I saw this exact pen online - free delivery for twenty dollars less. I was not thrilled to see this and I will be careful when visiting the store again. As a popular ad in this town proclaims, be an educated consumer....or as they say...buyer beware!

Everything considered though, go visit the store. You won't be sorry!

[antoniosz]

FPH is a reputable shop, but I don't find their prices particularly low.  Is the $450 you mention the Manufaturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP), sometimes also called "list price?"  if so, almost no retailer sells at those prices.  I just visited their site to confirm that their prices aren't exactly low.  What other stores are you comparing them to?

Exactly, Stylo. The example cited is only an 18.9% discount. More typical discounts in the industry start at 20% and can go much higher depending on the piece.

 

FPH isn't the least expensive place to buy a pen (special sales excepted), but they are trustworthy and comfortable with which to deal, especially if you can get there in person.

Roger and Stylo, I dont think that you are fair What "industry standard" are you talking about?

You can not compare online stores and brick and mortar stores. There are very few if any brick and mortar stores that offer systematically a 20% discount. I agree that the green board and the marketplace offer good opportunities, but there are "layers" in the FP market:

 

- full retail (or more) "boutiques" (MB, Paradise Pen etc.) (no discount)

- regular brick and mortar (like FPH)

- deep discount brick and mortar (like Pam Braun)

- online stores

- pen boards

- ebay

 

Cost goes down in this order but each one of them offers a different service.

[playpen]

Where is Pam Braun located?

[antoniosz]

Where is Pam Braun located?

Metro Detroit (see also http://www.oscarbraunpens.com/)

[Jlgreer]

Very Reputable and they stand behind the products they sell. Having lived in Manhattan I used to get my ink and supplies there as a kid. When purchasing a new pen I almost always buy from them.

[randyholhut]

I haven't had any dealings with FPH, although I cruise their Web site regularly.

 

Their prices are higher, but no one has mentioned the one big reason why they are high — they are in New York, one of the most expensive cities in the world.

 

Unless you're buying stuff from sidewalk vendors or flea markets, there aren't many bargains to be had in NYC. The rents and other expenses for a store in the city account for the bigger overhead and the higher prices for everything, not just pens.

[Apollo]

I've ordered from Fountain Pen Hospital a couple of times and they're very reputable and you find some good sales on discontinued pens sometimes, plus I always look forward to getting their catalogue.