Fellow New Zealanders, where do you buy your pens & inks etc.?

[FieryPhoenix]

Despite its beautiful landscapes and fresh air, living in New Zealand has its disadvantages.

 

Where do you buy your pens, inks, inkwells etc.? I mostly buy my pens online or when I go overseas.

 

In Auckland, I only know of Whitcoulls, Paper Plus and the Mont Blanc boutique store on Queen St., but their range is small. Sometimes I might find something in a shop called Upstairs Antiques in Queens Arcade on Queen St. I've recently discovered Passion for Paper, on its website it says it sells pens & inks. I'll go and have a look soon. Europens used to have a store, but now it only sells its pens online. Although shipping within NZ is less expensive than shipping from overseas, but I find their prices a little too high.

 

Are there any pen shops here?!

Edited July 25, 2008 by FieryPhoenix

[PrawnBoy]

I to am in the same predicament as you. I too only know of the stores you listed. Whitcoulls Queen Street seems to have the biggest selection in NZ that I have seen (still pretty small).

 

I bought my Pelikan 400NN (and sadly passed up a 51 vacumatic) from Upstairs Antiques. I am having some trouble contacting Europens via e-mail (I would like to inquire about a new Pelikan nib/repair). I have spoken to them on the phone before and was given instructions for sending pens to them for repair. I wrote the instructions down but have forgotten what I wrote them on.

 

I emailed Pelikan Artline New Zealand yesterday asking about Pelikan stockists/repair but have not heard back from them yet.

 

For paper I go to Zany (www.zany.co.nz) where they sell Rhodia and Clairefontaine.

 

When I go to the Gold Coast later this year I hope to buy a new pen (or two!) and some Noodler's Ink.

 

Fingers crossed FieryPhoenix that we learn about some secret pen shop hidden in Auckland somewhere!!!

 

 

[Mr.Rene]

I'm in the same boat but in Chile...

Rene.

Edited July 26, 2008 by Mr.Rene

[JohnW]

It is inded problematic here in NZ. I went into Warehouse stationery a couple of weeks ago and tried to buy some blue Quink (I had just run out) and the store manager looked at me as if I was mad and told me that wasn't sold anymore. It is tho' as I found some in Capital Office Supplies of Lambton Quay (Wellington) which has a small range of pens and some inks. Kirkaldie & Stains (Wellington) has a good range of upper-end pens and a few inks, and Whitcoulls has a (limited) number of pens and Waterman inks. That seems to be about it.

 

I am looking for a cheap FP to use at work (like my $15 Osmorid that just gave up the ghost after 22 years of hard use - not a bad run) as pens are at risk of "walking" in the office and I don't want to lose a good one. At the moment I am using Pilot V series at work (from Office Max) but, while they done cost that much (circa $8) they seem to run out of ink very quickly. Do any NZers have recomendations for Pens/ Inks in NZ (and better still wellington)?

[Hugh200au]

while I'm in Australia I have bought of the "Trade Me" auction once, and now keep an eye on it. Some good vintage items on it at times

and generally people who want to sell to other Kiwis. Somebody mentioned the Gold Coast, Pen and Ink have a good supply of noodlers and pens ( strange given the name....)

Regards Hugh

[QuarkVI]

I've just started the whole FP collecting thing and so far I haven't even found a shop in Palmerston North with a fountain pen in stock. Will be checking Whitcoulls this week. An art shop was able to order in inks but that is all so far. Had a look at europens but they have been away for the Christmas break till last week.

 

Found a stationery shop (can't remember its name), of sorts, next to Whitcoulls in Westfield Mall(Lower Hutt) that had some Lamy pens and ink, Safari was the usual NZ$45 but they wanted NZ$90 for the AL-Star, ink was NZ$13. They mentioned they were able to order in other Lamy products.

 

Finally put in an order with The Writing Desk in the UK and the pens worked out a lot cheaper with our exchange rate, postage etc. than any other way I could find to get them (local, USA and other online). Also they have a greater range of inks than I think anyone here would have.

 

Don't mind buying online for inexpensive pens e.g. Lamy Safari but would really like to try a Pelikan M200, M215 before actually deciding to buy one. So at the moment just sticking to anything inexpensive that gets good reviews and taking a punt on some odds and ends on trademe.

[Splicer]

If you can get addresses for these shops, please take a minute to add them to the fledgling Pen Shop Directory at http://www.penshops.info/ Thanks!

[QuarkVI]

Popped into Whitcoulls on Broadway in Palmerston North today and was quite surprised by the selection of fountain pens they had in stock:

 

1] A few Lamy Studios, AL-Stars and Safaris, including a Lime Safari, and some other Lamy pens

2] A selection of cheaper Parkers e.g. Sonnet, Frontier

3] A selection of sub NZ$150 Waterman's, I only recognised the Hemisphere.

[Zany]

Hi All,

 

We are a small, fairly new business in NZ called Zany; based in Auckland but we do have a website (www.zany.co.nz) Not everything is on the site but we are working on it!

 

We have a small range of pens (Lamy, Faber Castell, Online..) which will grow with time. We also stock inks from J Herbin (both flacons and cartridges)

 

We are the NZ agent for Clairefontaine-Rhodia and stock, or can source anything from this range.

 

While we don't do everything we are keen to help so if you need anything drop us a line and we'll see what we can do!

 

I've just started the whole FP collecting thing and so far I haven't even found a shop in Palmerston North with a fountain pen in stock. Will be checking Whitcoulls this week. An art shop was able to order in inks but that is all so far. Had a look at europens but they have been away for the Christmas break till last week.

 

Found a stationery shop (can't remember its name), of sorts, next to Whitcoulls in Westfield Mall(Lower Hutt) that had some Lamy pens and ink, Safari was the usual NZ$45 but they wanted NZ$90 for the AL-Star, ink was NZ$13. They mentioned they were able to order in other Lamy products.

 

Finally put in an order with The Writing Desk in the UK and the pens worked out a lot cheaper with our exchange rate, postage etc. than any other way I could find to get them (local, USA and other online). Also they have a greater range of inks than I think anyone here would have.

 

Don't mind buying online for inexpensive pens e.g. Lamy Safari but would really like to try a Pelikan M200, M215 before actually deciding to buy one. So at the moment just sticking to anything inexpensive that gets good reviews and taking a punt on some odds and ends on trademe.

 

[Chazzozz]

When I go to the Gold Coast later this year I hope to buy a new pen (or two!) and some Noodler's Ink.

 

If you get the chance to work your way up to BrisVegas while there I highly suggest The Pen Shoppe. They've got two shops in downtown Brisbane, and stock a very wide range of inks and pens. Online orders are also welcome http://www.pensdeluxe.net/, but shipping is not the cheapest.

 

I've been to the Brisbane Arcade location a couple of times and the staff are extremely friendly and helpful.

[kiwipen]

The big problem in New Zealand is that Pen Shops have been made unprofitable by the customers who came in to try pens and then went and bought online. The Kiwi mentality of cheapness has caused this vacuum and so don't complain Pen Lovers you have brought it on yourselves. Now you just have to imagine what a pen feels like, you have to go to forums like this to gain some insights into pen craft and penmanship. You have to put up with no service and a dwindling pen business which means a smaller and smaller range and very few quality pens in the country... So don't cry for me Argentina... Buy an airfare and go to Australia where a few pen shops grimly hang on....in five years time don't expect to see much except in London, Paris and New York.. in 10 years .........?????

[timread]

Well there is a new penstore in Auckland called Pens and Gifts. I decided to start up in retail pens again after returning to NZ in 2001. It took a couple of years to re-establish capital etc. but all is well up here at 368 Queen St. We stock Lamy,Cross,Waldmann (real nice!) Parker Diplomat and OMAS...and inks etc.

 

I do notice some people saying the ranges in NZ are reduced and that's the fault of people buying on the internet. Having worked in export in Europe for a decade that's not all the reason but some of it. We are a small market!!! real small and cannot sustain the brands we once did as Europens in the 90's. The volumes are against us.Also distributors need to make money too and in the case of some of the major brands that has meant "rationalising" lines...or as I see it taking the fun bits out. The other way around it is using the same import calculations they use on other items or traditionally used. In this internet age that dosnt work.

 

What I came back to was a pen market that offers no excitement...had I remained here I would of gone the internet way too! If you go car shopping and every yard has the same two brands and the same models you still buy a car (you need one) but there is no satisfaction in the decision you made...it was made for you. No fun in that!

 

The big change in NZ though is retail space...like housing its just prohibitive and way out of balance with wages. This is why you see malls full of food and clothing shops...and the same retail chains. That is the way to survive e.g. put 30-60 shops together and import containers at high margins from China etc. On Queen St ,Ponsonby, Newmarket the retail rates are bizarre. Ever wonder why there are so many coffee shops? A cup of coffee costs 13-28 cents to make yet is $3-4.50. Now that's a margin!...and no pen company ever achieved that at any level. Retailers calculate on yield per square meter...a pen cabinet no longer yields enough.

 

Technology is a cutter too...pens are not a working tool now in many environments. Sad fact but true. This has also done for the book industry in NZ.

 

If you want a pen shop in NZ then you need to support the one you now have...I cant offer you 20 different brands but we have a lot of experience and can help you make the right decisions with what we do have...and help you avoid some obvious traps in others. Personally I like the idea of buying on the internet in some cases...Ive seen some rteal bargains online...Ive spoken to some who just didn't get what they thought they would.

 

 

[Tritonus]

Hi there, I am not in New Zealand but I visited Auckland last year on a holiday and visited the beautiful town of Devonport. As I was browsing through the shopping arcade, I came across a store that stocked fountain pen friendly paper such as Rhodia pads (I bought a pad), some fountain pens (I forgot which ones but I think they were Lamy and another less well-known German brand) and a good range of J.Herbin and Lamy inks . The shop reminded me a little of Notemaker here in Melbourne (but on a smaller scale). Here is the link to the shop:-

http://www.fitzgeraldtaylor.co.nz/index.html

 

Cheers,

Ron

Edited October 3, 2014 by Tritonus

[Newjelan]

Well there is a new penstore in Auckland called Pens and Gifts. I decided to start up in retail pens again after returning to NZ in 2001. It took a couple of years to re-establish capital etc. but all is well up here at 368 Queen St. We stock Lamy,Cross,Waldmann (real nice!) Parker Diplomat and OMAS...and inks etc.

 

Good luck with your store. Do you have an extensive web site and also ship to the South Island? Auckland is a long way, haven't been there for 10years and it remains low on my travel priority list. Edited October 4, 2014 by Newjelan

[inkeverywhere]

 

QUOTE (PrawnBoy @ Jul 25 2008, 06:57 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

When I go to the Gold Coast later this year I hope to buy a new pen (or two!) and some Noodler's Ink.

 

If you get the chance to work your way up to BrisVegas while there I highly suggest The Pen Shoppe. They've got two shops in downtown Brisbane, and stock a very wide range of inks and pens. Online orders are also welcome http://www.pensdeluxe.net/, but shipping is not the cheapest.

 

I've been to the Brisbane Arcade location a couple of times and the staff are extremely friendly and helpful.

 

 

I buy at this shop on a regular basis and just love going there, the atmosphere and the staff are excellent (no connection to the business other than a customer). A place where I can spend a great deal of my time and well worth a visit if in Brisbane.

 

Greg

[CrunchiBiscuit]

When I buy pens and ink I first look at New Zealand suppliers to see if they have them (always online though) at a reasonable price with reasonable or free postage (depending on how much you buy). I also consider the convenience factor - that if I buy from a New Zealand supplier I can usually get the item(s) a bit quicker than from overseas. I have got ink from Inkt and depending on what you spend you can get free postage. Found them to be good and quick.

 

Recently have been buying ink from Australia as with the exchange rate, the bank fee and postage, it is often cheaper than getting it locally. Does depend on who you buy from though as some have a flat rate of $18 Aus to send to NZ no matter how small the purchase. Often though I buy from England as they have a quick turnaround, they have what I am looking for (pens and ink you can't get in NZ) and more often than not they are cheaper even with postage and exchange rate than NZ. I get some items from The Writing Desk and Cult Pens and will be getting some pens and ink shortly from the Pen Chalet as with the exchange rate (US$) and postage it is around equal or a bit less to buying here (though lately US postage rates to NZ have gotten so huge you just about end up paying the purchase price or more again just for the postage).

 

I have also bought stuff from Goulet Pens with good service and quick turnaround. Most things I buy from the US are items I can't source anywhere else and I usually have them sent to me via YouShop with NZ Post as it works out cheaper but it can take a week or two longer depending on the time of year.

 

I really like Sailor pens so try to source these out of Japan. Buying them in NZ is prohibitive based on price but have found that the price of Iroshizuku ink at NZ$15 over there ends up costing as much as it costs in NZ to get it by the time you pay postage,etc, so your $15 bottle ends up being nearly NZ$40.

 

Anyway, that is my 2cents worth of rambling. Going online soon to buy a Sailor Fresca Blue pen from the US......

[Cryptos]

That is not even remotely true about Iroshizuku ink prices from Japan. If you go through - picking at random j_subculture - a single bottle of Iroshizuku ink would cost about NZD25 to buy and ship here. This price dips a little per unit if ordering more than a single bottle. Same goes for Sailor inks too.

 

On eBay it can be even cheaper. My last purchase of Sailor ink came to NZD32 for two bottles including shipping. That's a pretty good deal for us!

 

I buy Rhodia paper in my local University bookshop. They also sell some Herbin, Waterman and Parker inks - small range though - and the usual Safaris.

 

Everything else I get overseas. Japan is by far the best place to buy based on shipping alone.

[CrunchiBiscuit]

I haven't tried J_subculture - will look into that. I found out about that a while after I made my first ink purchase and have not been inclined to do more since then. Last time I got some it cost me $38 with the postage from a shop via ebay. Guess I got ripped off.

 

I get Clairefontaine paper from uni bookshop at Canty Uni. Last lot of paper I got from Cult Pens and spend was enough to get free shipping.

[oneill]

Despite its beautiful landscapes and fresh air, living in New Zealand has its disadvantages.

 

Where do you buy your pens, inks, inkwells etc.? I mostly buy my pens online or when I go overseas.

 

In Auckland, I only know of Whitcoulls, Paper Plus and the Mont Blanc boutique store on Queen St., but their range is small. Sometimes I might find something in a shop called Upstairs Antiques in Queens Arcade on Queen St. I've recently discovered Passion for Paper, on its website it says it sells pens & inks. I'll go and have a look soon. Europens used to have a store, but now it only sells its pens online. Although shipping within NZ is less expensive than shipping from overseas, but I find their prices a little too high.

 

Are there any pen shops here?!

TRY JINHAOPENSAUSTRALIA on ebay they have a great affordable choice of one of the best cheap pens available on the internet tell him Bryan sent you he will pick out the best seller from his very large and fabulous list.Trust me. oneill if he cant. have one of my huge collection of Jinhaos;se

[Conradandhispens]

I must agree, I love new zealand but the range of pens is fairly bad.

Now it depends if you are looking for modern or vintage.

Vintage I have had great luck with, I have got several parker 51s, a duofold, a conway stewart 15 and a waterman 52 all for under 50 dollars.

 

Modern pens I like too shop online usually from ebay as long as you know what you know what pens are fake overpriced ect, you can get some real bargains. Another great place too look at which is in auckland is fitzgerald taylor, they have some nice pens such as the usual lamy safaris but also some more expensive pens like the pilot vanishing point. Whitcolls have some pretty nice pens as well. I don't realy collect modern pens so there is probably more places that I don't know of.

 

I hope this helps in some way or another!

Edited February 19, 2019 by Conradandhispens