Pels Going Up 20-30%

[psychdude]

So, as per the Goulet's FB page, Pelikan is set to increase their prices approximately 20-30%.

 

Oy.

 

So, for your writing pleasure, I give you the contact page for Pelikan USA. I am in the process of writing a letter to the customer service rep for the USA, and hoping that if we can send a strong enough message of displeasure, perhaps they will reconsider. I do not actually expect that anything will change - who cares about such a small contingent? However, I am not the stand-idly-by type, so here's for those of you like me: http://www.pelikan.com/pulse/Pulsar/en_US.CMS.displayCMS.63062./contact-us

[MrsGouletPens]

I'm guessing the source of the increases is coming from Germany (the US is just passing it along).

 

I agree though, I think they are pricing themselves out of the market.

Edited June 6, 2012 by MrsGouletPens

[psychdude]

I noted in my email to Nancy that I knew it wasn't coming from the US, but as she is the closest rep, she would be receiving the email.

 

In my mind, Pel has now told the average user that they don't want us. They want to be a status symbol. I understand the economics enough to get the principle (I forget what it's called right now) that paying too much for something makes it more desirable. But it annoys me.

[myn]

Hmm, a 20% to 30% price increase will certainly close the Pelican market to me. Sad!

Edited June 6, 2012 by myn

[jra81]

I noted in my email to Nancy that I knew it wasn't coming from the US, but as she is the closest rep, she would be receiving the email.

 

In my mind, Pel has now told the average user that they don't want us. They want to be a status symbol. I understand the economics enough to get the principle (I forget what it's called right now) that paying too much for something makes it more desirable. But it annoys me.

 

This is an interesing thing. If one wants to become a status symbol does it happen simpy just increasing the price? If Bic Cristal cost $200 would it become a status symbol?

[kps]

You might think the past year's 20% increase in the US dollar would satisfy them.

[bluejay]

In Canada the prices are about 80-120% more depending on which store and the model. Even though US and Canadian dollar are next to each other. It's a joke that the pelikan prices are increasing. Let them increase, I don't need more pens. But I guess the resale of your pens will be higher.

Edited June 7, 2012 by bluejay

[psychdude]

This is an interesing thing. If one wants to become a status symbol does it happen simpy just increasing the price? If Bic Cristal cost $200 would it become a status symbol?

 

I wish I could find the exact term - maybe an economics major will help me out here. My understand is, essentially yes. However, it would have to be unique in some way (Pelikan is distinct. Bic makes something of everything when it comes to pens). Like, maybe one Bic did in tie-die with silver ink. Then, Bic could price it at $4000 and someone, somewhere would be willing to pay that price because a) it is one-of-a-kind, and b ) it is expensive, so it must be worth it.

 

Something to that effect, though I may have the specifics a little confused.

 

ETA: found it! "an increased price for a status symbol may actually increase its demand, rather than diminish it. A product which exhibits this phenomenon is known as a Veblen good."

 

Read more: http://www.investopedia.com/terms/s/status-symbol.asp#ixzz1x3MPeUXa

 

So, I have it a little off - it has to be a sort of status symbol to begin with...like expensive fountain pens.

Edited June 6, 2012 by psychdude

[topaz]

Well, there goes my plan to save up for the M600. If I'm going to spend over $20/ bottle for ink, I'd rather spring for those beautiful Pilot Iroshizuku inks. This makes me very sad because I do love Pelikans.

[Koyote]

This is an interesing thing. If one wants to become a status symbol does it happen simpy just increasing the price? If Bic Cristal cost $200 would it become a status symbol?

 

I wish I could find the exact term - maybe an economics major will help me out here. My understand is, essentially yes. However, it would have to be unique in some way (Pelikan is distinct. Bic makes something of everything when it comes to pens). Like, maybe one Bic did in tie-die with silver ink. Then, Bic could price it at $4000 and someone, somewhere would be willing to pay that price because a) it is one-of-a-kind, and b ) it is expensive, so it must be worth it.

 

Something to that effect, though I may have the specifics a little confused.

 

ETA: found it! "an increased price for a status symbol may actually increase its demand, rather than diminish it. A product which exhibits this phenomenon is known as a Veblen good."

Read more: http://www.investopedia.com/terms/s/status-symbol.asp#ixzz1x3MPeUXa

 

So, I have it a little off - it has to be a sort of status symbol to begin with...like expensive fountain pens.

 

Incidentally, if you want to see a photo of Thorstein Veblen, look a few inches to the left and a few inches up.

Edited June 6, 2012 by Koyote

[psychdude]

Ha!

[jar]

So when was the last increase?

 

Have material costs increased?

 

Have labor costs increased?

 

Have exchange rates changed?

[Uncle Red]

Rachel, correct me if I'm wrong but this is the second Pelikan price increase this year.

 

BTW, thanks for posting this Psychdude, it wasn't in the Goulet Communique today and I don't do FaceBook.

Edited June 6, 2012 by Uncle Red

[MrsGouletPens]

Rachel, correct me if I'm wrong but this is the second Pelikan price increase this year.

 

BTW, thanks for posting this Psychdude, it wasn't in the Goulet Communique today and I don't do FaceBook.

I didn't get news of it before I sent out the newsletter.

 

Yep, two in the last 12 months. The last Pelikan increase was effective 11/1/11. Before that was 2/15/11, and 1/1/10, I think, based on the dates on the old pricers I have.

[Jimmy James]

I don't think they're pricing themselves out of the market because the market is also moving with them. I imagine Montblanc is keeping pace with them, and I know Lamy is. If they consider those companies to be their peers, they're keeping pace.

 

As for me, this means the recent trend of no Pelikans and more Noodler's Pens, TWSBIs, Bexleys, and Edisons will continue.

 

I am somewhat sympathetic to the gold price increase part of this, but Pelikan needs to strongly consider downmarket steel nib versions of their piston fillers in the M600 and M800 ranges (if not the M1000 -- I can understand not doing that to your flagship). I'm with Brian Gray on the steel versus gold thing -- most of the time steel works just fine for me. Pelikan frankly may not be too sad at the loss of my business, though. Try getting them to sell you a cap for a pen whose cap has been broken and which was bought second hand.

Edited June 6, 2012 by Jimmy James

[ninjandrew]

It's absolutely ludicrous. They were already a fortune for crying out loud!

 

If high prices make them feel special, couldnt they at least create a subsidiary? Like Platinum/Nakaya?

[Silvermink]

Ack! Good thing I already have the most expensive Pel I (reasonably) want, my M1050.

[Ghost Plane]

Ditto. Guess I won't be adding to my M1000 line.

[pienaar]

This wont be the last price increase for European goods you see. Matter of fact I think it is just getting started.

[Zatara]

Did they say when they were planning on raising their prices?