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Yellow Toledo On Massdrop Attacked


jmccarty3

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Recently, Massdrop offered the large yellow Toledo with sterling binde. There were only a few pens available, and the discount was not that great, so there were no takers.

 

What got my attention was the viciousness of the comments directed at those who might purchase an expensive pen. You might have thought they were sans-culottes storming the Bastille or Bolsheviks out for the blood of the Tsar. Their attitude seems to be, "If I can't afford it, nobody should buy it." I'd hate to see their reaction if they encountered one of the Make-e versions. You can bet that Massdrop won't be offering anything this nice anytime soon.

 

Envy is a very unattractive thing.

 

http://i.imgur.com/k5vRZ1h.jpg

Rationalizing pen and ink purchases since 1967.

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Hmm, no takers? Maybe like me they just don't like a yellow Toledo.

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There were some who didn't like the color, but most of the discussion was of the class warfare type. The discount wasn't much, so I suspect serious buyers could find the pen elsewhere for less. Personally, I like all the Toledos, although the only one I own is from the original LE M900 black/vermeil numbered series.

Rationalizing pen and ink purchases since 1967.

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You do have a point, but why push it? Me - if I had the cash, no telling how much I'd spend. Ya gotta wonder what some of those people you speak of would do if they won the lottery.

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I love the look of this pen. Got to see it in person once but couldn't afford it. I'd love to own one someday. I really don't understand what all the mass drop bad vibes were about.

PELIKAN - Too many birds in the flock to count. My pen chest has proven to be a most fertile breeding ground.

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THE PELIKAN'S PERCH - A growing reference site for all things Pelikan

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From the picture it looks nice. Personally I would have to see some detailed close-ups before making a decision, if I had the discretionary funds to make such a purchase. As such I do not want to spend that kind of money on a pen, nor am I going to condemn those who choose to make such a purchase

Regards

 

Jeff

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Hmm, no takers? Maybe like me they just don't like a yellow Toledo.

I think Pelican has manufactured more of these than the market demand.

I further think that even as a modern Pelican the Toleddo design occupy a rather tiny market segment.

 

As far as the other issue, that has always been with us, and it always will, and discussing it over the centuries seems to have been a waste of time. IMHO.

YMMV

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Recently, Massdrop offered the large yellow Toledo with sterling binde. There were only a few pens available, and the discount was not that great, so there were no takers.

 

What got my attention was the viciousness of the comments directed at those who might purchase an expensive pen. You might have thought they were sans-culottes storming the Bastille or Bolsheviks out for the blood of the Tsar. Their attitude seems to be, "If I can't afford it, nobody should buy it." I'd hate to see their reaction if they encountered one of the Make-e versions. You can bet that Massdrop won't be offering anything this nice anytime soon.

 

Envy is a very unattractive thing.

 

[image]

 

I believe these nay sayers forget or intentionally overlook the reality of their own spending.

 

$40 for a bottle of ink is ludicrous, but spending $350 on getting one's hair done every 5 weeks to keep the grey away isn't (to each their own). $1,000 for a FP is outrageous, but $2,500 on a purse that can't event fit a wallet is reasonable (this one used her rent money to buy it). Someone who spent the same level of money on video games and related items, as I on my fountain pens, thinks I'm crazy. When I broke down the numbers of what we both spent, he laughed. "I guess we all have our hobbies, huh?"

 

The people on Massdrop may complain about the expensive fountain pen they can not afford, but I'm sure they've made their own exuberant purchases, purchases that extend beyond the price of the Yellow Toledo. However, some would sooner critique others spending than look at their own habits and as such cannot be reasoned with. ​I also believe that the semi-anonymity of the internet makes it easy for people to criticize without themselves being scrutinized over their purchases or looking at the level of debt or spending habits. When these people lash out, I think they're really lashing out at themselves on some level, else why would one shame or comment on someone elses life choice that does not directly affect their own?

 

I'm proud that I can afford to spend $350 on inks alone in one week if I wanted to (just did). Why critique that? My money. My life.

 

However, I make sure I have all my bills covered. Not only that, I lead a particular life style and have made binding choices that has allowed me to spend more freely than some in my tax bracket, but it (as with everything) has it's own drawbacks, though I'm reconciled to it.

 

 

Thanks for bring up the issue! B)

Ink, a drug.

― Vladimir Nabokov, Bend Sinister

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I saw the pen on massdrop, but I didn't read any comments. My impression is that most of the people who use massdrop are Gen X. As such, they would spend $1400 on a fountain pen, but they would spend $4000 on a gaming PC or to go to Las Vegas for the "Electric Daisy Carnival". And they would complain about people who do spend $1400 on a fountain pen.

"One can not waste time worrying about small minds . . . If we were normal, we'd still be using free ball point pens." —Bo Bo Olson

 

"I already own more ink than a rational person can use in a lifetime." —Waski_the_Squirrel

 

I'm still trying to figure out how to list all my pens down here.

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I didn't keep up with that thread, mostly because wasn't interested in a Toledo (whar Stresemann, whar? That's what I want) and the nature of the comments.

 

It's weird though, because Massdrop does have its fair share of overpriced stuff, especially in the audiophile area ... why did they take exception to this pen?

 

-k

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Didn't see any of the comments, but hey a pen like this while very nice is way out of my budget. But there are others who have more discretionary income and if they so choose to use it by spending $1400 on a pen more power to them. I thought it was very cool of Massdrop to even offer a pen at this price point.

Brad

"Words are, of course, the most powerful drug used by mankind" - Rudyard Kipling
"None of us can have as many virtues as the fountain-pen, or half its cussedness; but we can try." - Mark Twain

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It is just a matter of priorities if you ask me. some people simply fail to realise that what is important to them, might not be so important to someone else.

 

I drive a cheap but quality car and normally dress with cheap clothes. I keep my laptop for 3-4 years, my cell phone is 3.5 years old and I have a cheap tablet. But I do like to buy a nice suit, nice leather shoes and expensive shirts from time to time. i like dressing nice in formal occasions. And I do spend the occasional money on fountain pens. Other people prefer to spend their money on the latest expensive Apple stuff, they need an ipad to check their email, expensive cars (whose maintenance costs even more than the purchase), jeans that cost 150Euros a pair and so on. I dont judge them, I also expect they dont judge me as well. The good thing with the free market is that everyone can make his own choices. it is a good thing to be free...

 

The yellow colour is not appealing to me, but I would buy a 910 Toledo in another colour anytime, if I felt I had the resources for it. For now I feel I cannot afford it, there are other priorities in my mind at the moment. But I am not going to be mean with those who can.

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It is a very weird world. I just spent a large sum amount for a Cartier pen (well, at least it is a large sum amount to my salary) because it is the least flashy Cartier, which i could bring to a meeting without worry people staring at my pen and think i'm showing off while i could satisfy my ego that i'm writing with a Cartier pen.

 

I saw the yelloo Toledo on Massdrop, almost droolling to death but finally hold back myself. It is way over my budget for a pen, and i don't think could use it everyday without attract attention. Lucky for me, if they offer a Red or Black Toledo at somewhat lower price, i definately jump into it. I know the red is bright and shiny, but i love it.

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I'm pretty happy that I find the Toldeo unappealing, because I can't possibly afford it. That being said, and my own bolshie leanings admitted to, this seems like an odd thing to get all heated up about-- the Massdrop reductions are never going to turn a $1400 item into a $140 one.

 

Now, being a low-wattage bolshie, I'm also going to suggest that this is less of a redistributionist sentiment being expressed than a pivot-of-universe one; there's an AWFUL lot of "X doesn't appeal to or benefit me, so why does it even exist?" in the world these days, and it seems to be well spread across all economic divisions.

Ravensmarch Pens & Books
It's mainly pens, just now....

Oh, good heavens. He's got a blog now, too.

 

fpn_1465330536__hwabutton.jpg

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I believe these nay sayers forget or intentionally overlook the reality of their own spending.

 

$40 for a bottle of ink is ludicrous, but spending $350 on getting their hair done every 5 weeks to keep the grey away isn't (to each their own)? $1,000 for a FP is outrageous, but $2,500 on a purse that can't event fit a wallet is reasonable (this one used her rent money to buy it)? Someone who spent the same level of money on video games and related items as I on my fountain pens thinks I'm crazy. When I broke down the numbers of what we both spent, he laughed. "I guess we all have our hobbies, huh?"

 

The people on Massdrop may complain about the expensive fountain pen they can not afford, but I'm sure they've made their own exuberant purchases, purchases that extend beyond the price of the Yellow Toledo. However, some would sooner critique others spending than look at their own habits--can't reason with these people. ​I also believe that the semi-anonymity of the internet makes it easy for people to criticize without themselves being scrutinized over their purchases or looking at the level of debt they have. When these people lash out, I think they're really lashing out at themselves on some level, else why would one shame or comment on someone elses life choice that does not directly affect their own?

 

I'm proud that I can afford to spend $350 on inks alone in one week if I wanted to (just did). Why critique that? My money. My life.

 

However, I make sure I have all my bills covered. Not only that, I lead a particular life style and have made binding choices that has allowed me to spend more freely than some in my tax bracket, but it (as with everything) has it's own drawbacks, though I'm reconciled to it.

 

 

Thanks for bring up the issue! B)

I just got done having this same conversation at work the other day, when asked how much my pen cost(Lamy 2000) and why I carry so many pens(11). I simply asked how much they have spent on their car, and automagically we came to agreement. B)

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That and the Yellow is ugly.

 

:wub:

Looking for a cap for a Sheaffer Touchdown Sentinel Deluxe Fat version

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Luckily you have the ability to speak your opinion freely without being shouted down.

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Post edited by Moderator to remove quote, as that post has been hidden from this thread.

I completely disagree with your "feeling", as I'm sure you'll disagree with mine: Calling this post "political" seems, to me, to be an exaggeration. Though I imagine it's unintentional.

 

Reading the comments on Massdrop about the costly Pelikan does, at first read, feel rather hostile towards those who can afford it, those who buy it and those that produce it. However, this thread brought forth a discussion that expounded beyond the disapproval of purchasing an expensive pen and into a common occurrence with most fountain pen enthusiasts: The "one-sided", "reductive and snide" remarks about the way we choose to spend our own hard-earned wages on fountain pens.

 

The overall feel of the thread has been been one of frustration and commiseration over others who tell us the spending on our hobby is essentially stupid, but their excessive spending on items more expensive than a $1,000 FP is, somehow, beyond reproach (regardless of whether or not they can afford it). Ultimately, this is a matter of one adult telling another adult how to spend their money (whether online or in person) and shaming them over purchases they do not approve of, though be it none of their business. I find that extremely invasive.

 

No mud has been tracked in, but when I feel I have to be decidedly choice with my words in reply to another member, I feel the ground around this thread begin to soften.

 

If this thread gets suspended, it'll likely be due to it going down a heated digression, not for political nuances that one must strain to see.

 

That and the Yellow is ugly.

 

:wub:

I disagree, AGAIN! :D

 

It's a rockin' pen and I love yellow. :P

Edited by dcroe05
Removed quoted material for reasons stated in post.

Ink, a drug.

― Vladimir Nabokov, Bend Sinister

Instagram:
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i too disagree with what the mass drop people were saying but I wish we did not have to resort to name calling. No need for it here on FPN.

Edited by cellmatrix
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That's all I was saying. Apparently powers that be found differently. I am surprised to say the least but not the hill I want to die on.

 

So back to your regularly scheduled program.

 

 

 

i too disagree with what the mass drop people were saying but I wish we did not have to resort to name calling.

Looking for a cap for a Sheaffer Touchdown Sentinel Deluxe Fat version

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