After having used my Parker "51" primarily for the past 20+ years, I finally discovered buying pens on ebay and then this forum about 3 months ago. Since then, I've gone from 2 pens to......I haven't counted them lately. And I think it is at least partly all of your fault. If people here had been less generous about sharing their knowledge, less inclined to accept newbie members and less enthusiastic, then I probably wouldn't have bought nearly so many pens.

So, my conclusion is that you are all culpable for me spending so much money on pens and ink. Therefore, in keeping with current American culture whereby someone else is responsible for an individual's actions and deeds, I hereby demand restitution for my out of pocket costs incurred, plus damages. I know there are some lawyers on this FPN. Please contact me so that we can work out a lawsuit, and maybe even a class action lawsuit which would include others that are similarly afflicted.

OldGriz's photo of some of his collection on another posting encouraged me to photograph of my young collection.

Ron

count me in on the class action suit. Ron, with enough people the plaintiffs might clear enough to buy a bottle of ink, and the lawyer who represents us will probably clear enough for a Lominchay pen (just kidding to all the baristers out there, I have a fair idea of how tough your job is)

french

I vote that RonB turn all his pens with the caps facing the same direction. "Taint fittin" to keep those lovely pens looking unkempt.

Ahh, but that's how I'm trying to keep track of which ones have ink in them and which ones don't! I buy them, then try them out to make sure they work, then at some point I need to flush some out so they don't dry out.

I'll try to work on a new system since it bothers you, Andy!

Ron

You forgot about the custom nib part, too. We've totally got you hooked on cursives and are going for stubs next - bwahwhawhawhah!

I, too, was a victim and have gone to the dark side! :ph34r:

Well, as long as you have a system and it isn't pure slovenliness (I use this word on my 16 yr-old son frequently) then I'm OK with it. Thank you very much for taking my fatuous opinions into consideration!

He said sarcastically................ ignoring conventional spelling

:doh:

You're right, Kelly! I am into different nibs now. Another issue to add to the lawsuit. I never heard of them until I got to this site!

Ron

count me in on the custom nib part of the class action too. Now we can add Dillon and Mr. Binder to the list of defendants!

french

Hook, Line, Sinker! :bunny1:

Enjoy them all - wonderful collection, Ron. I hope they bring you a much happiness

I think I'll have to put my name down for the class action as well. Many of the pen brand I now own or have owned since finding FPN are brands that I hadn't heard of prior to FPN. I think renumeration is in order at least for these, and for the psychological adjustments I've had to deal with in watching myself become an accumulator, dare I say "collector," of pens. I think we might also need to consider some sort of support group for those under similar duress ...

Rob, now you know how I feel... I came on this site a poor uneducated pen turner looking for acceptance...
LOOK WHAT THEY DID TO ME....

The problem with this will be that everyone who is in the defendant list will also be in the plaintiff list . The best way to cure your problem is to remove the guilt. The pens remind you of your guilt, so just pack 'em all up and send them off for safe keeping. Since no one knows where Beautancus is, it's about as safe as you can get. (PM me for my shipping address)

Far too many 51's there Ron, and then there's that nice stash of Esterbrook, and that nice green vac....

I blame the guy that started ebay. He's mostly to blame.

Best-
Brian

:ph34r: i too feel the force :ph34r:

Now start counting your money, as you won't see much of it again

heehee , cant wait

Isn't that the truth.

Brian, I have three more Esterbrooks coming in the mail. One of them (in copper) is for my daughter who loved the one I have. I did start out with the "51"s which is why I have more. Then Tom and some others started writing about how wonderful the Sheaffers were, so..... I bought some great ones through Joe Dinora and others here on the Marketplace.

Ron

Count me in on the class action....but hey...at least we've got "class".

Oh Yeah! to that, we all got CLASS!!

Can't see the problem me? So Ron likes the odd FP and a "51" to boot, why is this a problem, don't understand?

Jim

Count me in on the suit too. I went from a 149 and a couple Lamy Safaris to having several Esties, Sheaffers, Pelikans and a really great Conway Stewart #15 amongst others.

I'm also waiting on a Dani Trio raw ebonite Densho!

It's all this forum's fault.

Yeah, that's it. :ph34r:

That's the same story that happened to me. I had been collecting school pens since I was a kid (like $1-$5 pens), and a couple others, but suddenly after discovering ebay and this site around the same time, I have spent waaay too much on pens.

However, your photo made me feel better, as I haven't got it as bad as you. I only have ONE vac, two Esterbrooks, ONE Pelikan 400, ONE Cross Verve, three sonnets, and four snorkels, and three sensa Meridians, and a Conklin Crescent, and a Safari, an Al-star, a couple of Heroes, a Wality....and...a lot of Watermans but those are older, really, I swear, and...(Potty Mouth) maybe I have got almost as bad...

Luckily, my wife looks at me with the evil eye now when another pen comes in the mail...so the guilt is definitely working to slow me down...

Yes, you do seem to have it almost as bad!

And my wife also looks at me in a funny way when I get a new pen. She wants to know when I will have enough. Hah!

Ron

I tell my wife i'm collecting them for my son when he grows up and needs a bit of brass.Is she really gullible or is she just letting me think she is.

Excuse me i've got to go and iron her trousers.

she just lettin you think you is!

I used to try to conceptually justify some of my pen purchases as "investments" - and in a sense they are, since they can be resold, though for less than you paid - but sometimes you lose money when you invest! Right?

I know what I would say

I keep reminding my wife that as far as a hobby goes, FP's are far cheaper than sports cars or girl friends. I also bribe her by giving her a pen every now and then.

Since she has already proved she is the most tolerant woman in the world (by sticking with me) I'll just keep pushing my luck.

Y'all can vouch for me when she signs onto FPN as "inky pinky."

Andy

Andy, I don't know if its a good idea to have your wife on the forum. Then she will know about all the pens you are buying, all the pens you are thinking about buying, etc. I know it is safer for me if my wife doesn't read this forum.

Ron