Best Price For A Visconti Homo Sapiens?

[DevonReviewer]

Evenin'

Apologies for a somewhat crude topic, but to get down to brass tacks, this is all about money!

 

I have lusted after a Visconti Homo Sapiens for many years now, I think it had just been released and was one of the first pens I noticed when my interest in pens was rekindled... guess I liked to technology; the material and the fill system, the look...

 

Anyway, I seems somewhere near affordable when I first saw it... sometimes available for significantly below £300, but not so much now....

 

Am I looking in the right places? I just found out the pricing secrets of Delta through Marte Modena, is there a way of picking up a cheap HS? Do they show up at pen shows at discount? Are there any retailers that will negotiate a deep discount?

 

As i say, apologies, this is simply about money!

Best regards,

Chris

[Mulrich]

The best prices I found were through eBay, I think between $350-400 for a new pen.

[Joe in Seattle]

I bought here from Speerbob @ $406.

[Joe in Seattle]

PS There's nothing wrong with looking for a reasonable price. Else, how could we afford 56 bottles of ink?

[Lam1]

Regina Martini used to have auctions in which the HS went for 240-280 euros, since I bought mine I didn't pay attention to see if she still auctions them, but perhaps it is worth looking into her website.

[DevonReviewer]

Thanks for the advice all.

 

Regina Martini used to have auctions in which the HS went for 240-280 euros, since I bought mine I didn't pay attention to see if she still auctions them, but perhaps it is worth looking into her website.

 

This is certainly around the price that I would buy without too much dilemma, also being within the EU I would not have to worry about 20% VAT! Sadly they only have a pair of pens (?) albeit currently at 599 euros.

 

Will continue the search!

Best regards,
Chris

[Tas]

From a happy customer:

 

http://www.penbox.co.uk/homo.sapiens.htm

[katanankes]

Thanks for the advice all.

 

 

This is certainly around the price that I would buy without too much dilemma, also being within the EU I would not have to worry about 20% VAT! Sadly they only have a pair of pens (?) albeit currently at 599 euros.

 

Will continue the search!

Best regards,

Chris

 

Actually quite the opposite. If you buy from within the UE there is no way for the seller to discount the VAT (unless you are a business, but then it is your responsibility). Martini adds 19% VAT to all UE customers. Of course you wound not worry about import duties and VAT added by HMCE.

Edited February 9, 2016 by katanankes

[Lemony Cricket]

Does it have to be new? Would you prefer Midi or Maxi size? Bronze Age or Steel Age? What about nib material -- palladium or gold?

 

All these criteria affect the price so it would be useful to know them.

[DevonReviewer]

Does it have to be new? Would you prefer Midi or Maxi size? Bronze Age or Steel Age? What about nib material -- palladium or gold?

 

All these criteria affect the price so it would be useful to know them.

 

Defiantly new, maxi, palladium nib... slight preference to bronze age!

[DevonReviewer]

From a happy customer:

 

http://www.penbox.co.uk/homo.sapiens.htm

 

Thanks, looks to be the best UK price?

[DevonReviewer]

 

Actually quite the opposite. If you buy from within the UE there is no way for the seller to discount the VAT (unless you are a business, but then it is your responsibility). Martini adds 19% VAT to all UE customers. Of course you wound not worry about import duties and VAT added by HMCE.

 

I didn't realise the posted price didn't include the VAT rate of the host country? If it does nothing further is applied at purchase or as it enters the UK.

[Bill P]

In my experience, some EU vendors include the VAT in the posted price, some add it on later at the end of the transaction once they see the delivery address.

[DonLeone]

550 euros at local B&M shop. Man if I look at all the prices listed here, you'd think I overpaid... except the pen didn't work and I'm on store warranty and they deal with all the shipping back stuff.

 

Seeing how stuff gets lost in my mail... -my- mail in particular, the 550 was a bargain.

[freeboy]

sure you know there are two sizes

 

I have see nteh smaller FP for under 300 and the larger for just over 400

 

Good luck.. the pen just never worked for me .. wanted to want it ...

[Lemony Cricket]

For your preferences, I'd say that offer from Penbox (or any other around GBP 300) is quite reasonable.

 

The cheapest I saw it go lately is GBP 170. But it was used, medium size, and with a gold nib. For new, oversize and palladium nib the price could quickly jump to GBP 300+, I believe.

 

Unfortunately, I know of no secret super cheaper option. I'd love to see prices at pen shows being discussed, though. I haven't been to one yet, but am really interested in knowing how those prices compare to online prices.

[Susanna]

In my experience, some EU vendors include the VAT in the posted price, some add it on later at the end of the transaction once they see the delivery address.

 

EU vendors should always include VAT in posted prices. At least, here in Italy it's mandatory (if you show prices to European customers).

[rofl]

I have seen a new one for 2600 RMB in Taobao from shipping from China.

[gsgill112]

Hi,

I am getting the HS Dark Age with the 950 pd nib M for about 539.54Euros (41600 INR) and the seller is willing to give me an ink bottle for free. Do you think it is a good price or shall I wait for a better deal.

 

OR

 

another deal the seller made is to buy the HS Dark Age for 674.43 Euros (52000 INR) and get either a Pilot Custom 74 Black (Broad) or a Visconti Mirage Night Blue (costed on their website for 11500 INR OR 149.15 Euros) and an ink bottle for free

 

any guidance ?

 

Regards,

GS Gill

[Bilbo_Swaggins]

I paid near to 900 Aud (~550 Eu) for my Maxi Bronze from a storefront.

 

I would buy it again. However I would give one piece, do not buy this online. Try it out before you buy it, this will incur a greater cost but is worth paying the slight premium. Face to face interactions and market care by a sales person is worth it when purchasing something of this level.

 

edit: cost conversion

Edited October 1, 2019 by Bilbo_Swaggins