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Best Online Pen Stores For An Australian?

RyanM

By RyanM
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RyanM Rare

RyanM

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Hey guys,

I'm a big fan of Fountain Pens, and regularly go online to buy them. My only problem is shipping costs, and the time taken, as I live in Australia!

I live in Brisbane, and have found that retail stores which sell pens, (The pen shoppe, Pen and Paper, Dymocks, Myer and David Jones) charge quite a lot more for these pens than they are worth! But when I go online, sometimes I have to wait up to two months for a pen purchased in (for example) the USA.

Does anyone know of a pen store online which is relatively cheap, and can ship quickly to Brisbane? The only one I have found is Peter's of Kensington, and their selection of pens is very limited.

Thanks guys!

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arcadeflow Extremely Rare

arcadeflow

Posted
Posted

I live in Brazil and I have the same problem, if not worse. I prefer to order from Japan and Europe. eBay is always an alternative, but some stores have decent shipping charges like Fontoplumo, The Writing Desk and TigerPens. If you have to wait 2 months it is probably the slow customs/mail of Australia. In my experience, it doesn't take that long for things to ship out of the "States", it is probably the delivery inside your country. But you can try a faster shipping rate from these sites. Since you are in Oceania, Asia is your best bet, so buying from Rakuten Global or J-Subculture.

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dcwaites Donor Pen

dcwaites

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For Japanese pens

Engeika, as already mentioned (become a member for extra discount)

Melpens

Ebay Vendors like cerisiersjaponais amongst others

 

For Chinese pens

Jewelrymathematics

comeon1788

amongst many others.

 

I have bought from all of these vendors and have been very impressed with the pricing and service. But they are only a few of the good, reliable vendors out there.

 

With the expensive pens, tracked shipping to Australia is normally in the 4~7 days range, but the inexpensive Chinese pens with free untracked shipping go by surface mail and typically take about 3 weeks. But then, who wants to pay $15 for a $10 pen?

Edited by dcwaites

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“Them as can do has to do for them as can’t.


And someone has to speak up for them as has no voices.”


Granny Aching

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MCWB Rare

MCWB

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Well I guess it depends on what pens you're after. The only reason you'd be waiting two months is if the item is not in stock, which is exactly the same as at a local B&M store. Pretty much any pen I've ordered from the US or Europe has been delivered to my door within 2 weeks, as long as it's been in stock. If you want faster than that there's always FedEx/DHL/etc, but that's less cheap...

 

FWIW I have had good dealings with Judd's Pens and Pipes, Dennis at La Couronne du Comte, Bryant at Chatterley Luxuries/Pentime, and plenty more, especially on Ebay.

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Jamerelbe Antique

Jamerelbe

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If you're looking for Australian based webstores there's JustWrite (www.justwrite.com.au) - they sell Diplomat, and a couple of other "big-name" brands, but tend to specialise in Chinese and Indian pens at the moment; also Notemaker.com.au, papertrader.com.au (both based in Melbourne), plus Bookbinders Online (Qld), who sell a limited range of pens, plus Pilot Iroshizuku inks. I've dealt with all of these guys bar Bookbinders, and found their service pretty good. Prices aren't always competitive with international sellers, but if you keep an eye out for specials and sales you can do pretty well.

 

I've also bought from Goulet Pens, Anderson Pens and Straits Pens (in Singapore), but with the weaker Australian dollar overseas purchases are getting a bit pricier...

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James Bacon Dipped Only

James Bacon

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If you are looking for older Pens, I can recommend The Pensmith.co.au - I bought a lovely Conway Stewart, apart from the keen price, the service, promptness and most of all call was excelllent. Older pens though.

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Newjelan Collectors Item

Newjelan

Posted
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Larrypost.com.au are good for Lamy & Faber Castell pens, as well as De Atremis inks, Leuchtturm and Daycraft notebooks. Their service is excellent and they occasionally have some great bargains.

 

I agree that notemaker.com.au are also good.

 

penandink.com.au have a good range if a little pricey and I think they're based in Qld.

 

I buy other brands of pens and ink mainly from Cult Pens in the UK (cultpens.co.uk) as their range is brilliant, service outstanding (4 business days from ordering to receipt in Melbourne) and the £10 fixed rate shipping is a great incentive to buy more (and spread the cost).

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ohlookitsliann New

ohlookitsliann

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For Japanese pens and inks, getting them from Japan directly is the best option.

 

http://shop.j-subculture.com

http://www.engeika.com

Ebay for Japanese sellers

 

For others, shipping out of UK and some parts Europe is cheaper.

Agreed! i live in australia too and pretty much everything here is overpriced, try Bureaudirect (they have 10 percent off every month, thewritingdesk for more luxury pens, mass drop for group buys, or if you really need to, try pen chalet.

hope this helps :)

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trulylefty Near Mint

trulylefty

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Check out Rozmenko on Ebay. S/he has quite a bit of what seems like new old stock. Including a few things I want but don't make sense because of the shipping from Australia.

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parnesh Vintage

parnesh

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Posted

Check out Rozmenko on Ebay. S/he has quite a bit of what seems like new old stock. Including a few things I want but don't make sense because of the shipping from Australia.

 

Guido is a great guy. He used to be the local rep for many Italian companies and is pursuing other interests. Great price and service!

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