Buying New Fountain Pen: Can I Ask A New One?

[GJMekenkamp]

Hello everyone!

 

I am thinking of buying a new fountain pen (Lamy 2000, still doubting between F and M nib, but that's another topic).

 

The fountain pen store in my town sells the Lamy 2000. But last time I bought an fountain pen there I got one which was out of the package, and used as a tester. I believe one can test almost all sub 400 euro pens there.

 

But if I buy a fountain pen, can I ask/demand for a Lamy 2000 which is new in the box? It's not that I do not trust others handwriting with the pen, it's just that I do not like the idea of it being out of the package, used by I don't know how many others, which may have slightly damaged the nib. Plus the seller by default posts the cap. I don't like posting caps, it scratches the barrel.

 

Is it reasonable to ask a new pen in an unopened package?

 

Kind Regards,

Gert-Jan

[Tas]

Of course it's reasonable. A new pen should be just that.

 

It may be worth asking for a discount from the store if you really like that particular pen.

[ParkerDuofold]

Hi GJM,

 

Yes, of course; in fact, I would insist on it... especially if I were paying regular price or anything close to it, (within 15-20%). If the pen were used, I would only expect to pay 50-60% of the retail price, (or less). A discount of 10-20% on a BRAND NEW item is not unreasonable.

 

And as Tas said... a new pen should be just that... new.

 

Is it possible for you to purchase the pen elsewhere, from an online dealer, perhaps? Appelboom is supposed to have an excellent reputation and he's located in the Netherlands.

 

Be well and enjoy life.

 

 

- Anthony

 

 

EDITED to correct spelling of dealer's name.

Edited November 29, 2018 by ParkerDuofold

[ParkerDuofold]

Just to follow-up...

 

Congratulations on your choice of an outstanding pen.

 

 

- Anthony

[Bo Bo Olson]

A tester is a tester, and a new pen once you have decided should be tested also....but that one unless there is a problem is the one you take home.

 

As someone mentioned a tester is a used pen, like a demo-car, you should get that one cheaper....if saving money means more to you than a brand new never inked outside the factory pen.

 

Cash is a good reason to ask for a discount, in a credit cost you and the shop money....don't know about the Bank Card, costing him money...cost you money only when you are over drawn.

 

If you wax your pens you have no mars from posting.

Standard sized pens like a Pel 400/200 and medium-large pens (Pel 600/400nn) have best balance, posted.

Edited November 29, 2018 by Bo Bo Olson

[Parker51]

The problem you had is simialer to a problem which my daughter discovered when she was working for a major US Department store and which convinced her to never buy anything "new" at full price.

In her case it was clothing. She said that almost every dress, slacks or blouse they sold was effectively used because they were repeatedly tried on. She hated cleaning up after those who found it an amusing activity to spend hours with their friends trying on clothing. Now, I do not believe that those who use fountain pens spend hours trying every pen they can get there hands on and I would hope the merchant would stop that same type of behavior if it was to occur, but I don't know.

A good determiner is under what conditions are pens allowed to be tried. Under the watchful eye of a knowledgeable clerk, giving detailed instruction and advice, only dipped and then a few lines written on a pad provided by said clerk, or at the other extreme; a fully loaded with ink pen simply placed in a display in which any person, without instruction or supervision can do anything with.

[pajaro]

Hail yes.

[RudyR]

Pens that have been tested by others have cooties on them. Cooties die off only when the pen becomes a vintage pen.

 

Also, tested pens are subject to possible ham handed individuals that might distort the nib in some way (example, I let someone use my pen, I noticed the nib had been bent just so much to cause a noticeable nib warp). People who are new to fountain pens will write with them as though they are using ball points, thus excess pressure on the a nib not designed for such treatment.

 

Having worked in the retail sale of pens, I know from experience that pens are sometimes tested and then shelved without being flushed by sales personnel.

[Spelikan]

Pens that have been tested by others have cooties on them. Cooties die off only when the pen becomes a vintage pen.

 

 

This is my favorite thing I learned today. Shoot, this might win the Learned Thing of the Month.

 

(Thanks for the smile.)

 

 

~ S.

[UDog]

If you go to the grocery store and buy breakfast cereal, you would expect it to be in the box...unopened.

[praxim]

The writing was never so good after I dipped the conflake in ink.

[Calabria]

My philosophy is, look at the pen. Whether in a box or a tester, you want a perfect pen with a perfect nib. It doesn't matter if somebody else touched it.

[GJMekenkamp]

Thank you everybody for your replies!

 

To summarize: it's either a new one, or none at all!

[PAKMAN]

Yup I prefer a new in box too.

[bass1193]

The writing was never so good after I dipped the conflake in ink.

[ParkerDuofold]

The writing was never so good after I dipped the conflake in ink.

 

Hhhhmmmm... you should try Kelloggs All-Bran... it never lets you down... 1000 writing twigs in every box.

 

 

- Anthony

[ParkerDuofold]

...To summarize: it's either a new one, or none at all!

Hi GJ,

 

There you go!

 

Be well... and enjoy your NEW pen.

 

 

- Anthony

[SpecTP]

well.. new is not un-tested. I will insist on a new pen out of the box, but I will dip ink it and test it to make sure it writes to my satisfaction before I take it home.

[alexwi]

Hi,

 

I had bad luck with the two Pilot Metropolitans I had ordered (I ended up never using the F and had to smooth the M's nib), but I really like this pen, so my third one was a tester. I tried it at the store and said "I want this one" and they looked at me as if I were crazy, but I got "this one" and am very happy with it.

 

On another occasion, I bought a Sonnet after I tried the Parker rep's, and should've insisted on getting her pen instead. Mine was nice, but not as nice as hers.

 

I would buy any pen that looks OK and writes the way I like, with or without them cooties ;-)

 

I believe that, as a customer, you're entitled to get a brand-new pen, but being that these are pens and not iphones, you should still test it before leaving the store, preferably having it inked, as opposed to just dipped.

 

alex