Is it possible to get free fountain pens for reviewing?

[hahahaha123]

If it is, what companies are likely to do so? And how and where should I ask them? I'm specifically interested in Lamy's pens, but any would do quite well.

[Ghost Plane]

You can but ask. Not many companies are as friendly as the J. Herbin/Exaclair/Exacompta/Clairefontaine contingent.

[antigone]

Right. Maybe Porsche will send you one a couple of their cars for review as well.

[dcwaites]

I think you would need to show that you were a published reviewer, held in high regard in that community, and that you had an ongoing relationship with a reputable publication.

 

In my experience of reviewing software, the samples are sent to a magazine, who then farm the review out to one of their regular contributors. I assume it would be the same in the pen world.

 

 

[bardharlock]

Right. Maybe Porsche will send you one a couple of their cars for review as well.

 

If he works for Car and Driver magazine and their related television show, maybe so.

[antigone]

Right. Maybe Porsche will send you one a couple of their cars for review as well.

 

If he works for Car and Driver magazine and their related television show, maybe so.

 

And of course Car and Driver keep all the cars they are reviewing. Because the manufacturer has so many of them anyway and the magazine people did ask so politely. They even started giving out compact cars to the cleaning ladies for christmas, but they prefered riding their unicorns.

Maybe we're living in different worlds.

[BerneseMtDogEatsArco]

Perhaps it might be more feasible to wait until a pen comes around at a good price, picking it up, reviewing it, then trading it of again if you find it's not a fit?

[DAYoung]

I don't see why pen companies wouldn't send a few free samples to well-regarded magazines or freelance reviewers. It works with books, often with comparable prices.

 

I'm not saying it happens. I'm just pointing out its plausibility.

 

But, as DCWaites says, you'd have to show that your written word is worth the expense (i.e. you're well regarded and able to reach a large or loyal audience).

[jleeper]

Oh, goodie, something else to add to the marketing costs for the FP companies...(and ultimatly the price they sell to us.)

[bardharlock]

Right. Maybe Porsche will send you one a couple of their cars for review as well.

 

If he works for Car and Driver magazine and their related television show, maybe so.

 

And of course Car and Driver keep all the cars they are reviewing. Because the manufacturer has so many of them anyway and the magazine people did ask so politely. They even started giving out compact cars to the cleaning ladies for christmas, but they prefered riding their unicorns.

Maybe we're living in different worlds.

 

LOL, I never said they get to keep the review cars. I guess we are living in different worlds. Yours seems to be the realm of hyperbole.

[HenryLouis]

If the opportunity came up I'd totally do it...

[WRob]

Or why not just try pens out in a pen shop and write about them as you're doing so? If you can find a friendly place I guess they'd let you do it...

[Pen2009]

A freebie is hard to come by... Especially now. I subscribe to a "pay to play" concept.

[Ghost Plane]

Or buy them, review them, then sell them to someone else.

[hehiheho]

You can but ask. Not many companies are as friendly as the J. Herbin/Exaclair/Exacompta/Clairefontaine contingent.

 

Does this mean that J. Herbin/Exaclair/Exacompta/Clairefontaine do give free paper for reviewing? I would be very interested.

[bgray]

Try a pen show.

[Pendragon]

If it is, what companies are likely to do so? And how and where should I ask them? I'm specifically interested in Lamy's pens, but any would do quite well.

Why on earth would a pen manufacturer send you a pen? What is in it for them? If you can come up with a good answer to those questions, you just might get your review pens. That is why paper companies often send samples upon request. The sample cost vs. potential benefits ratio is favorable to the paper mill.

 

It might be best to target smaller, less known pen brands. Those pen makers have smaller advertising budgets and more to gain from a good review. Just a thought...

 

Right. Maybe Porsche will send you one a couple of their cars for review as well.

I almost scored a gleaming new Lincoln Town Car for review just by asking, and I was only kidding when I asked. It turned out all one had to do is pay for insurance and gas, and also have the technical expertise to file useful regular reports (the company made fuel injection system components for Ford). Had I been a permanent employee, the car would have been mine for a year. It never hurts to ask.

[kazoolaw]

I can.

 

 

If you will send me your pens, I will write reviews.

 

P-L-E-A-S-E?

 

gary

[biffybeans]

Many companies have a marketing budget that allow them to provide product to be tested and reviewed. I do believe that it is somewhat helpful to provide them with information on where you will be reviewing the product. Provide blog links (reader stats are also helpful) to sample posts to show that you have the ability to present a review in a professionally objective manner - or subjective if it's done in a way that shows while it may be a good product, it's just not suitable for your own personal needs. Reviews of products that fail to meet user expectations should be handled in a tactful manner.

 

The worst that will happen is that they will say no, or you just might not hear from them at all.

 

PS - don't be greedy. Ask for one product, write the review, show them the link, then ask for another different product.

[professionaldilettante]

You'd might be able to do it if you were a vendor, and could reach a large target audience, but if you're a sclub like me, nope. I wouldn't hold my breath waiting, especially for big fish. You'd might be able to convince companies for really small fry at first.