So... Who Got There Noodlers Flex Pens Today?

[Surf Monkey]

It's interesting that the orange one seems to be the least popular. When I went to buy mine the orange was the first one that caught my eye. It was also the only one left in stock, so win/win.

[MrsGouletPens]

Thanks again guys, for your support and understanding! You guys are the best.

 

We're getting out the orders in the order they came, for the most part. Needless to say, there were a lot in the first hour! We should be caught up by the end of the week. If you need your order more urgently, let us know and we'll see what we can do.

 

Another update on our server (for those interested)... we had our web host move our site to another server (we're still semi-dedicated, but I guess they gave us a little more breathing room) and they said the load times are better already. So I'm hopeful that will help in the future, not that we should ever had a release this big again!

[the knize]

I managed to get Lapis Inferno and Coral. Wanted to go for a demonstrator, more because I like to see the ink level that the particular look of this demonstrator, but was afraid of getting shut out of any flex nibs at all! Not sure I care about which colors I got at all. Would like to have gotten one of each, I suppose, but was afraid of not getting to check out in time even for that!

 

My experience was similar, but I could not remember my password for check up, which slowed me up.

 

I, too, bought a bunch of other stuff at the same time. I bet it was a huge sales day for Brian and Rachel, aside from the flex nibs! They deserve a great sales day.

 

I too ended up with multiples, instead of just one, of everything I was purchasing except the flex nib pens. Rachel corrected it within hours, and refunded to PayPal, which was unnecessarily great customer service on what had to be a hectic day and what was surely my fault!

 

Kind of fun to have this kind of land rush!

[Ladynib302]

It's interesting that the orange one seems to be the least popular. When I went to buy mine the orange was the first one that caught my eye. It was also the only one left in stock, so win/win.

 

I so agree with you! I picked it because it jumped out at me as being one that looked uniquely different; many of the reds and blues start to look a bit alike visually. I just wish I had tried to order the Apache Sunset ink like some said they did to go in this color pen; oh well. Next order; Did you see the Goulet's comment that more colors are expected in 3 to 5 or 6 weeks? Hope you enjoy your pen.

[Loratw619]

Wow, I'm embarassed that I'm so late responding to this thread, but as you can imagine, it's been quite the day! As I type, we have just a handful of pens left in the Vulcan's Coral and Poltergeist Pumpkin but will likely sell out by morning. Thank you to everyone who chose to give up their time, endured the server issues, and chose to support our little mom & pop business. We really, really appreciate it, and all the love and support you're giving us here too.

 

We posted a blog post and video tonight to discuss some of the issues we faced today (as well as apologize to those who were upset about the web issues or how quickly we sold out of specific colors) - it's here for anyone who wants to view it.

 

I want to address a few things brought up in this thread. First, the server issues. WanderingAuthor is dead on with his observations and deep vast knowledge of how servers work. We are paying for the best possible hosting plan and ecommerce package that we can, short of paying ridiculous amounts of money to have our own custom site developed and independently hosted (which is scary, because who would support it ongoing? I'm only somewhat technically savvy). It is a goal of ours, someday, to develop our own site, but for now, our current solution is the best I've found. We are on a semi-dedicated server. The issues today were simply server overload. As someone mentioned, yes, it does use AJAX calls. Every time someone refreshed their page, or clicked the 'Add to Cart' button, it bogged down the server. I had to manually put the pens in stock from the backend at 1:00, and my page hung... I didn't even get a confirmation on my end that they were in stock until around 1:10. I spent over an hour on the phone with our web hosting tech support trying to get them to see what was going on and do whatever they could to speed it up. I think once the initial rush was over, it got better (by 1:30 or so). I know there were some login/checkout issues for a few minutes too, but I think by 1:45 or 2:00 those were resolved too.

 

We do want to apologize to anyone who had technical difficulties on the site. With the number of people we had, and I'm sure everyone refreshing and trying to update their carts all at once, it was just more than our server could handle. It was equally frustrating for us, and I really do sympathize.

 

I also want to apologize to those who especially wanted a clear pen. Our wait list for those literally started back in January after the last run, and we were lucky to have ANY at all for sale (you'll notice no other retailers have them). Unfortunately, there were about 8-10 times as many people on the wait list for those as we had available. I have no idea when more clear ones will be made, but we immediately called up Noodler's and told them they MUST make more! The people have spoken! LOL.

 

The clear pens sold out in a matter of minutes. The Lapis Inferno sold out in probably in an hour or so, and the Cardinal Darkness just sold out in the last hour (so about 12 hours). The other two are probably going to sell out soon too.

 

The good news is, we are told more flex pens will be available in about 3-6 weeks, in all new colors again, and in very large quantities. I don't think we'll ever have a 'landrush' this big again, because these pens should be made available in greater numbers and much more frequently (than a 5 month gap!), maybe even to the point to regularly have in stock (wouldn't that be something?)!

 

So again, we really appreciate all of your support, and please know that we are doing EVERYTHING we can to provide awesome customer service and the products that you want at good prices. I will do everything I can to make sure our website is functioning optimally, and we welcome all of our feedback and suggestions for improvement. We also appreciate your patience as it will probably take us the better part of this week to catch up from all these orders. We appreciate your patience. I hope Brian survives!!!

 

And this below.... is hilarious. Rest assured, we buy our bubble wrap and blue shrink wrap by the multiple pallets! They come to us on freight trucks and we can literally measure the rolls in miles. :roflmho:

 

NEW YORK, June 6 (Reuters) - U.S. packaging suppliers, all up and down the East coast, have been inundated with large quantity orders for bubble wrap and blue plastic film. The source of all of these orders is a small independent vendor who has experienced a rush of orders for a hitherto obscure item. Suppliers are asking team members to put in overtime hours to meet the demand.

 

Further updates as the situation warrants.

[Goncharov]

Thanks again guys, for your support and understanding! You guys are the best.

 

We're getting out the orders in the order they came, for the most part. Needless to say, there were a lot in the first hour! We should be caught up by the end of the week. If you need your order more urgently, let us know and we'll see what we can do.

 

Another update on our server (for those interested)... we had our web host move our site to another server (we're still semi-dedicated, but I guess they gave us a little more breathing room) and they said the load times are better already. So I'm hopeful that will help in the future, not that we should ever had a release this big again!

 

I received my “Your package is departing” e-mail this morning. Fantastic!

 

Just to be clear, my prior comment on the slowness of the server was an observation and not a complaint – and I think that I’m far from alone there. I expected that I would be competing with quite a few people to get my click in first.

 

Looking now, you appear to be sold out completely.

If you don’t mind me asking, just how many Noodler’s flex pens did you shift in the last 25 hours?

[Loratw619]

Thanks again guys, for your support and understanding! You guys are the best.

 

We're getting out the orders in the order they came, for the most part. Needless to say, there were a lot in the first hour! We should be caught up by the end of the week. If you need your order more urgently, let us know and we'll see what we can do.

 

Another update on our server (for those interested)... we had our web host move our site to another server (we're still semi-dedicated, but I guess they gave us a little more breathing room) and they said the load times are better already. So I'm hopeful that will help in the future, not that we should ever had a release this big again!

 

 

I have never posted here before, so please forgive the mistakes. I just wanted to add yet another very satisfied customer's voice to the thread.

 

Yes, I did have some issues ordering, but to me they were totally expected and completely understandable. Truth be told, I'd already pre-ordered from another site and really didn't need more, but I returned to Goulet almost as a show of support because of the excellent service and competitive pricing I had found there previously. (You guys have definitely added to my new found addiction!)

 

Another thing that keeps me coming back is the fact that you post honest reviews on some of the products you carry. Your videos and blogs don't try to hide what you see as a product's short falls, so whether I share your opinions or not, I find it easy to respect that kind of integrity. Basically, you do business like it should be done...with a degree of honesty and enthusiasm that just isn't commonplace these days.

 

In the end, I was able to get not only the blue flex pen I couldn't find elsewhere, but another for a friend. So don't beat yourselves up over server problems. You don't have to be a computer geek to understand rush hour traffic, and this was probably more like rush hour at the Super Bowl. Just keep doing what you've been doing. That'll keep me and probably droves of other people coming back. Kudos to you both!

[MrsGouletPens]

I received my “Your package is departing” e-mail this morning. Fantastic!

 

Just to be clear, my prior comment on the slowness of the server was an observation and not a complaint – and I think that I’m far from alone there. I expected that I would be competing with quite a few people to get my click in first.

 

Looking now, you appear to be sold out completely.

If you don’t mind me asking, just how many Noodler’s flex pens did you shift in the last 25 hours?

 

We sold out completely in about 13 hours from when we first listed them. We won't share how many, but it was our biggest batch ever! We feel very very blessed. Now working hard on packing up orders!

 

Can't wait to see what the next colors are! Nathan hinted at even doing some colored demonstrators down the road.... he mentioned doing a pink one, I would LOVE that! We'll let you know as soon as we know anything specific.

[Surf Monkey]

I so agree with you! I picked it because it jumped out at me as being one that looked uniquely different; many of the reds and blues start to look a bit alike visually. I just wish I had tried to order the Apache Sunset ink like some said they did to go in this color pen; oh well. Next order; Did you see the Goulet's comment that more colors are expected in 3 to 5 or 6 weeks? Hope you enjoy your pen.

 

Apache Sunset is awesome ink. Highly recommended. I have my mustard yellow Vanishing Point loaded with it right now and even though it's not the easiest ink to read, I tend to reach for it over many other pens because I like writing with it so much.

[Zenadier]

My confirmation email said my order was placed 06/06/2011 at 01:13PM EDT and I got the email stating it was packaged and ready to go Tue, Jun 7, 2011 at 5:43 AM PDT.

 

Makes me wonder if they got any sleep

[myyrkezaan]

Thanks again guys, for your support and understanding! You guys are the best.

 

We're getting out the orders in the order they came, for the most part. Needless to say, there were a lot in the first hour! We should be caught up by the end of the week. If you need your order more urgently, let us know and we'll see what we can do.

 

Another update on our server (for those interested)... we had our web host move our site to another server (we're still semi-dedicated, but I guess they gave us a little more breathing room) and they said the load times are better already. So I'm hopeful that will help in the future, not that we should ever had a release this big again!

 

Since you mentioned it, I need mine badly (I'm needy), so just put it on the transporter.

[joelchan]

I ordered a vulcan coral !

[Cyanide]

My confirmation email said my order was placed 06/06/2011 at 01:13PM EDT and I got the email stating it was packaged and ready to go Tue, Jun 7, 2011 at 5:43 AM PDT.

 

Makes me wonder if they got any sleep

 

They probably didn't...my package is already in Ashland, Virginia! I bet ya 5 bucks I get it tomorrow - Ashland's only 3 hours away from Raleigh, NC.

[Cyanide]

Wait...all new colors?

 

Can you give us any sort of clue/hint, Mrs. Goulet?

[Zenadier]

My confirmation email said my order was placed 06/06/2011 at 01:13PM EDT and I got the email stating it was packaged and ready to go Tue, Jun 7, 2011 at 5:43 AM PDT.

 

Makes me wonder if they got any sleep

 

They probably didn't...my package is already in Ashland, Virginia! I bet ya 5 bucks I get it tomorrow - Ashland's only 3 hours away from Raleigh, NC.

 

I wouldn't take that bet. I used to live in Fuquay-Varina and remember how quickly things from surrounding states arrived.

[Emoo]

Aaaahahahaha I keep getting notifications in my email about this thread and every time I get excited that maybe it's my "order shipped" email from the Goulets. XD Gogogo you awesome people!

[ravantra]

I didn't realize I needed or wanted one! I got caught up in the excitement and ordered one! Oh no I've joined the sheeple...:roflmho:

[orfew]

I didn't realize I needed or wanted one! I got caught up in the excitement and ordered one! Oh no I've joined the sheeple...:roflmho:

Yes, you are a baaaaad person. LOL

[MrsGouletPens]

Wait...all new colors?

 

Can you give us any sort of clue/hint, Mrs. Goulet?

 

I would if I had any! Nathan's talked about a pink demonstrator, and various other swirly colors... but I have NO idea what will be in the next batch. He hasn't said. Sometimes we don't know until the distributor gets them.

 

I'll share when I know anything!!

[TexasBSA]

I was able to get a Cardinal and a Lapis! Rachel must be Supergirl or something, because I had some problems with the site, and within the hour she emailed me, and worked it out. This is the best customer service I have ever received. Keep up the fantastic work!!! I will definitely be buying from you again! Please get some rest. I saw their video today explaining the issues. It was over the top. Thanks for caring!