Hi Everyone,

I've been reading up on the Piccadilly notebooks and wouldn't mind trying out one (or two, or three ) but cannot find any at either the full-fledged Borders or the smaller Border Express/Waldenbooks shops. I live in Southeastern Massachusetts; anyone find a Piccadilly around here?

Thanks,
ScottT

Just read about the Piccadilly notebooks yesterday in a review at Blackcover.net. In the review he mentions buying them direct from the Piccadilly website. Read the Blackcover review, there is a code for a 15% discount.

Rick

Actually I did read the review, which helped the interest level about the notebooks.

However as I just wanted to try one, the cost of shipping just one, or even two, is way too high to justify.

Which is why I am looking for them at Borders.

So, if anyone knows a spot in Eastern MA that has them, I'd be much obliged.

Thanks,
ScottT

I live in the Atlanta area and it seems that some Borders have them and some don't, so maybe they haven't rolled out to all the outlets yet. From what I've learned, they are being stocked on the bargain/discount shelves, which in most Borders that I've been to are just outside the entrance doors. I picked up three large ones the other day for $4.99 each. They are probably on the bargain shelves outside so as not to compete too directly with Moleskines, which are stocked inside.

Yikes, that is expensive shipping. And even more expensive to Canada as the only option is UPS; on top of the shipping costs UPS charges you with a "customs fee" that is somewhere around $35. Guess I won't be sampling these notebooks. Too bad they don't use the USPS.

Rick.

The Borders near me had them in the back near the gift area where the have all the cheap pens, bookmarks, and assorted bric-a-brac.

Hi All,

Thanks for the info!

I just got back from Borders, where I was all set to pick up a Moleskine with my handy 30% off coupon. I got sidetracked while parking (the mall also has a Target) and I grabbed the last Markings journal, very nice with a magnetic closure instead. I did visit the bargain section at Borders (always do!) and got a couple of their standard bargain journals, noting they are now made with recycled paper. We'll see how they take ink.

I will keep my eyes open and shout out when Piccadilly debuts in MA; I did get an email from Piccadilly (I had sent them one requesting any info about stock in Eastern MA) and was told they are available at the online store and from Borders, but they didn't know which Borders, as it has to do with Borders' own distribution list.

Thanks again,
S

Scott,

I found mine in the "bargain" section of Borders, near the front of the store. One of my local Phoenix, Arizona stores has a dedicated "paper stuff" section with notebooks and stationary. I asked after the Piccadilly brand. It took the clerk awhile, but she found them in the bargain racks.

So far, I have seen every variety but the ruled "medium", which is equivalent to the Large Moleskine. Sometimes they will have their mediums and pocket-sized apart from the really large notebooks. I have sampled about four different Borders in this megalopolis.

Good luck!

Chris

Scott/Chris:
I got mine off the net. wwwpiccadillyinc.com is the place. Prices good, staff very helpful. Quick response to my Email and short delivery time. I too, couldn't find them in store in Albuquerque or on net in Borders Store. Good luck, Jim

Jim,

As soon as I get the paycheck together, I'll probably be doing so as well, and taking advantage of their discount for buying in bulk. It's good to know they're professional with their website.

Chris

I also ordered from the website, using the Black Cover discount, getting the small and medium ruled, and a journal and a spiral notebook as well. The spiral was medium-ruled, and went to my cubicle-mate. Delivery was much faster than I'd expected, packed securely. I'm still using Ar-Pharazon's books for my journals, but I may try the small book for hospital notes for Soren.

I went to the Borders at Union Square in SF to look at these in person because I was curious. I have a theory that they're made by the same company that makes Moleskine, like Gap, Old Navy and Banana Republic (premium vs. discount brand name). That Borders had the large (7x10) in ruled and plain. The medium (5x8) in ruled. The pocked 3 x5 in plain. Notable differences were in the elastic bands. Very loose. The texture of the paper, kind of waxy. The large size was HUGE and heavy, seemed like it would be awkward to write on if you wanted to use both sides of the page. The 5x8 seems a little narrow to me in the width. The 3x5 too, like it was slightly smaller than Moleskine. For the price it's a good deal, but it's not the same. I'm still voting for my Utrecht black sketchbooks or now, the Earthwise Recycled Composition book.

So can anyone report on these books' fountainpen friendliness? I am tempted to order a few for delivery to Aus but haven't seen a report on how the paper stands up. They are very well priced especially with the 15% off.

Some feathering with Lamy 2000 XF filled with Standard Brown and later filled with Zhivago. It's not tooooo bad, though.

In Hawaii, I found them at Borders at Windward Mall.

I found some large lined and unlined Piccadilly notebooks at the Borders in Eastchester, NY. When I called to ask if they had any, the jamoke who answered the phone said no. I checked anyway. They didn't have any at the Borders on 2nd Ave in Manhattan.

Joel

I just bought three. One large plain notebook at the Borders in North Canton, Ohio and a large and medium ruled notebook at the Borders in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio (no Tommy Boy jokes.) The large notebooks were 5.99 each and the medium one was 4.99. They were all steals.

On a side note, if anyone is looking for a great book to read in time for Halloween, World War Z by Max Brooks is absolutely fantastic.

John

I was just at borders yesterday (in cerritos, ca) and picked up 3 each of the medium unlined and small lined journals. A bit excessive, I know. The medium were 4.99 each and the small ones were 3.99 each and located in the bargain section. overall a pretty good deal, I think.

I found the Piccadilly notebooks at the Borders in Manassas, Virginia. They were in the bargain section, near a few other journals.

I initially just bought the blank pocket notebook, and settled down with a cup of coffee in the cafe to test a few pens. I must say I was skeptical, but was truly impressed by the results.

My luck with Moleskines and fountain pens has been touchy at best. Unless I'm using an extra fine nib, there is bound to be bleed through, even in my driest writers. The Piccadilly paper, however, took ink wonderfully, even from my wet Parker "51" and Esterbrook. There is some show through, but certainly no bleed through at all. The notebook reminds of the first Moleskine I bought, before the rumors of irregular paper and lowered quality began circulating. My Moleskine brand planner, for instance, often smears or bleeds through, but the Piccadilly will not when using the same pen and ink.

There are some minor differences between the Moleskine and Piccadilly lines, for instance the Piccadilly does not have a reinforced back pocket (pocket is there, but is made solely of cover stock). The Piccadilly's page ribbon appears to be of higher quality, as does the elasticity of the closure band. Unlike the Moleskine, the Piccadilly lacks a personal information page in the front cover.

As a sign of good faith in the company, I picked up an additional two plain pocket notebooks and 3 plain medium notebooks. I suspect I'll be using these rather than the Moleskines for some time, but time will tell.