Online Pen Shopping In Canada

[pengineer]

Hello,

 

I am new to this site but I have been using fountain pens for some time.

I have always had cheap plastic pens and I am looking to buy a nicer one, nothing really expensive, but maybe around the $50 mark give or take.

I currently have a parker pen and although it is a cheap pen I am very happy with it, I would like a nice, heavier, metallic pen, but nothing flashy or very shiny.

My problem is that I am currently living in Newfoundland Canada, and that I cannot find a pen shop here. I havn't had much luck looking at online pen shops either, as most of the ones I'm finding are from Europe, Australia, etc....

 

I was hoping someone might be able to recommend a good pen which might suit me, as well as know how I would go about buying it.

 

Thanks

 

JC

[txinsk]

JC,

 

I live in Saskatchewan. First anyplace from the states will be easy at the $50 mark. Just let it ship USPS. If it goes Fedex or UPS, I would wager money that the price doubles in customs after all the various fees. For Canada, I have ordered from and been to stylus fine pens in Edmonton and recommend them. The penRX site is Ontario. Stylo is another site. I am sure there are more, but this will get you started.

 

Rick

[easirois]

The only true pen shop I know of in Atlantic Canada is in Halifax. Small store off Spring Garden. It's called Duly Noted. The have diamine and noodler's inks. They have a bunch of Lamy pens. The Lamy Al-star is made of aluminum. I don't know if they carry anything else other than Moleskin notebooks. I was only looking for inks when I went in the shop last summer. We are heading back in May for the long weekend and hope to get a better look at things.

 

I got a TWSBI pen last summer. Not metal, but it's been quite good and holds a lot of ink. I can go a couple of weeks one one fill. Mine is an XF nib. You can find them on eBay now.

 

Check the following site: http://www.marcuslink.com/pens/stores1a.html I think it has most of the pen stores from across Canada.

 

Hope that helps.

 

Kind regards,

Eric

[Halden]

The only online Canadian retailers I know of are Stylus Fine Pens in Edmonton and Nota Bene from Montreal.

 

I got some pens from The Writing Desk in the UK and their shipping was much more reasonable than many US retailers.

 

As far as the pen goes My top three in the 50$ range are The Lamy Safari, lamy Al-Star and the TWSBI

[The Royal Pen]

Try www.stylos.ca. They are based in Quebec, and they sell Noodler's for $20, but the prices on their pens are alright.

[The Royal Pen]

Sorry, the link is www.stylo.ca! I might mention www.stylos.se? They've got free shipping to here!

[emerson]

Hello, JC.

 

I remember a small shop on Water Street in St John's that carried pens, but I assume it's gone by now.

 

I've been to Duly Noted in Halifax. They have a very limited range of LAMYs. There was a good shop in Barrington Place, long gone now. Check out the group antique shops on Agricola [and in St John's]; they sometimes have Parker 51s. An aerometric model would be in your price range, and a fine writer.

 

Nota Bene is a wonderful shop. Eclectic mix of products, good advice, responsive service. Prices are [relatively] steep, however.

 

Overall, I have found better deals and service at UK and US dealers. That's unfortunate.

 

David

[The Royal Pen]

Hello, JC.

 

I remember a small shop on Water Street in St John's that carried pens, but I assume it's gone by now.

 

I've been to Duly Noted in Halifax. They have a very limited range of LAMYs. There was a good shop in Barrington Place, long gone now. Check out the group antique shops on Agricola [and in St John's]; they sometimes have Parker 51s. An aerometric model would be in your price range, and a fine writer.

 

Nota Bene is a wonderful shop. Eclectic mix of products, good advice, responsive service. Prices are [relatively] steep, however.

 

Overall, I have found better deals and service at UK and US dealers. That's unfortunate.

 

David

Do you happen to remember the name of the store? I could see if it still is open?

[Rufus]

I've had little succes in finding dealers in Canada and now buy my pens, both vintage and modern, almost exclusively from dealers in the USA. I've bought from FPNers in Canada, however, from time to time. As someone else has noted, if you buy from the USA be sure to specify that you want it shipped by the United States Postal Service, as the courier companies, Fedex, UPS, etc will hose you with brokerage fees. One other thing to be aware of is that if you buy a pen from outside Canada you might have to pay PST & GST in which case Canada Post will levy a $5 handling fee. For my purchases coming from the USA I find that if the package is shipped by Priority Mail or Registered Mail I'll have to pay PST & GST, but if it comes by First Class Airmail I won't havew to pay; unfortunately many vendors won't ship by First Class Airmail as it can't be tracked or insured.

[canucklehaed]

I'll add my two cents worth. I live in Edmonton and am a fan of Stylus. I usually buy my ink there but for pens I usually order online. For your price range you could try Pengallery (www.pengallery.com) or melpens (www.melpens.com). Both stores are in Malaysia. Both ship via Fed Ex and arrive in ~48hrs after shipping. Great customer service and great prices. They both carry Lamy's etc. Fed Ex will usually send you a bill for duties a few weeks later. I will also second the advice of Halden and buy a TWSBI (google search for their eBay store). The Diamond 530 is a fantastic pen and ~$40. Shipped via USPS. Good Luck!

 

PS As for pen choices: Lamy Safari, Lamy Al-Star, TWSBI Diamond 530

Edited February 3, 2011 by canucklehaed

[ukiya]

The only online Canadian retailers I know of are Stylus Fine Pens in Edmonton and Nota Bene from Montreal.

 

I got some pens from The Writing Desk in the UK and their shipping was much more reasonable than many US retailers.

 

As far as the pen goes My top three in the 50$ range are The Lamy Safari, lamy Al-Star and the TWSBI

 

+1 for The Writing Desk in the UK. Their shipping is the lowest I've seen, and their prices are very fair. I buy all my ink and pens there. I always receive shipment within 2 weeks.

[nightwing]

 

+1 for The Writing Desk in the UK. Their shipping is the lowest I've seen, and their prices are very fair. I buy all my ink and pens there. I always receive shipment within 2 weeks.

 

Might I ask about the customs fee when ordering from The Writing Desk?

[Halden]

 

+1 for The Writing Desk in the UK. Their shipping is the lowest I've seen, and their prices are very fair. I buy all my ink and pens there. I always receive shipment within 2 weeks.

 

Might I ask about the customs fee when ordering from The Writing Desk?

 

 

I haven't been dinged for customs on any Writing Desk orders, I suspect because they send via first class mail and not priority post.

[bigstick]

I've had good relations with HisNibs.com who uses the mails, and with jetpens.com. And several good experiences (and none bad) buying from FPN members. Have fun!! My faves are Stylus in Edmonton and Nota Bene in Montreal. His ecommerce page is a bit antique, but you can always phone Nota Bene and place an order that way. They have LOTS of stock that never appears in the web catalogue, like pens and inks and a wide variety of paper products.

[Silvermink]

I got some pens from The Writing Desk in the UK and their shipping was much more reasonable than many US retailers.

 

+1 for The Writing Desk in the UK. Their shipping is the lowest I've seen, and their prices are very fair. I buy all my ink and pens there. I always receive shipment within 2 weeks.

 

I like TWD as well - haven't bought any pens from them, but I've made a couple of ink orders and they were always quick and easy and the shipping is, as mentioned, very reasonable.

[nightwing]

 

+1 for The Writing Desk in the UK. Their shipping is the lowest I've seen, and their prices are very fair. I buy all my ink and pens there. I always receive shipment within 2 weeks.

 

Might I ask about the customs fee when ordering from The Writing Desk?

 

 

I haven't been dinged for customs on any Writing Desk orders, I suspect because they send via first class mail and not priority post.

 

Thanks - I shall have a look at them.

[Black Rose]

Sorry, the link is www.stylo.ca!

They have a good deal on Lamy Safari's right now, but the shipping charges eat up the savings.

[Rufus]

The customs tariff/duty for bringing fountain pens into Canada, other than those being imported from the USA or Mexico and manufactured in the USA or Mexico or Canada, is 7%. I bought a new Conway Stewart (UK manufactured) from the The Writing Desk in the UK and was dinged 7% duty and GST but not PST...you can't win them all.

Edited February 3, 2011 by Rufus

[Silvermink]

I think I've only had duty and/or GST charged once or twice, but it's something you should be prepared for and then be happy if you don't get charged rather than not expecting it and being annoyed when you are.

[The Royal Pen]

Sorry, the link is www.stylo.ca!

They have a good deal on Lamy Safari's right now, but the shipping charges eat up the savings.

I've noticed that slot of Canadian pen stores have high shipping prices. You're better off ordering from our lovely neighbours in the UK or US!

Edited February 3, 2011 by The Royal Pen