Looking For A Good Online Pen Store In Ontario (Canada)

[iduncant]

Hi Everyone,

 

I'm very new to the forum here, and fairly new to fountain pens.

 

I've been buying from Goulet pens because of his amazing selection and top-notch customer service (if you see this Brian, your store is truly the best I've seen)

 

Does anyone know of any decent online fountain pen retailers located within Ontario? Shipping costs coming up from the states are a bit high.

 

Thanks in advance for the help!

 

Duncan

[Chris S]

I don't know of any in Ontario, but Stylus in Edmonton has great selection and customer service.

 

No affiliation, just a satisfied customer.

 

http://www.stylusfinepens.com/

[Paul Raposo]

Not in Ontario, but in Quebec, you have

 

Stylo

Edited September 15, 2012 by Paul Raposo

[Strang]

I've used Stylus in Edmonton a few times. They ship quickly and are reliable to deal with.

[myn]

I've certainly not seen any online other then for this one http://www.peelpenshop.ca/ - If you only want vintage pens and refills *sigh* I think there is a serious lack of online pen stores in this country of ours.

[stefanv]

Where in Ontario are you?

[Pelikan_FP]

iduncant,

 

There is definitely a lack of online stores based in Canada unfortunately. Aside from the ones already mentioned, I would also suggest you ask your local store to see how much they would be willing to special order in certain items on your behalf. My local brick and mortar store (in Nova Scotia) has been very accommodating to my requests with out gouging an arm, leg, and kidney for their service as well.

[anthonyjpv]

The one problem I'm noticing about these sites mentioned, is the prices are considerably higher than the available options online. Yes the shipping costs are higher, but seems like it's offset by a more expensive product.

Solution: Buy in bulk, make the most of that shipping cost!

[tinta]

Not exactly an on-line store, but I have had a good number of shipments from Laywine's in Toronto.

Their web-site does not list all the fine products they have, but you can call them up.

Their friendly staff know their products.

 

We communicate the old fashioned way:.......by telephone & I give them my VISA number (or a cheque), the goods are safely packaged & sent.

Edited September 15, 2012 by tinta

[macjager]

I would second dealing with Peter at Laywine's, also Stylo is pretty quick in shipping, and informing you when something is backordered

 

George

[kps]

Does anyone know of any decent online fountain pen retailers located within Ontario? Shipping costs coming up from the states are a bit high.

Unfortunately for Canadian vendors, shipping from the US is often cheaper that shipping within Canada. For example, a pen box, 1"×3"×6" and under half a pound, can ship by regular mail from California to Ontario for $4.05. To mail the same package within a city in Ontario costs $10.01.

[tinta]

Shipping inside Canada though, evades that pesky Canada Customs.

[Paul Raposo]

Shipping inside Canada though, evades that pesky Canada Customs.

This is the reason I try to buy within Canada whenever possible. The last two pen items I received from outside Canada were opened by CBSA and inspected. I've been receiving packages for decades and this year is the first time my packages have been opened by customs.

Edited September 15, 2012 by Paul Raposo

[tinta]

I am convinced that they have a "wheel of fortune" at the Border. Over 60.00 USD usually raises the eyebrows, then the process begins.

 

Usually, when I get dinged, the package isn't even opened. The Customs adjusters seem to go only by what's stated on the declaration form.

 

Lately I have been lucky, but I must not get smug.

[Astrea]

Does anyone know of any decent online fountain pen retailers located within Ontario? Shipping costs coming up from the states are a bit high.

Unfortunately for Canadian vendors, shipping from the US is often cheaper that shipping within Canada. For example, a pen box, 1"×3"×6" and under half a pound, can ship by regular mail from California to Ontario for $4.05. To mail the same package within a city in Ontario costs $10.01.

 

It's apparently due to the fact that all packages within Canada have tracking numbers, while the ground/air mail options to the US don't. Still, I wish Canada Post would realize that their pricing system discourages Canadian vendors and consumers. I sometimes wonder why they don't offer a cheaper, non-tracked package option within Canada.

 

What I do to minimize shipping expenses is keep a wish list of all the inks/pens that I want to buy, and buy them all at once (from one retailer) every few months or so to take advantage of combined shipping.

 

And, I also try to buy ink in store if it's available, as there are some nice ink and pen stores in downtown Toronto. While ink is more expensive in Canadian stores compared to the online retailers, sometimes the shipping from US to Ontario is even more expensive because of its weight.

[Surnia]

Shipping inside Canada though, evades that pesky Canada Customs.

This is the reason I try to buy within Canada whenever possible. The last two pen items I received from outside Canada were opened by CBSA and inspected. I've been receiving packages for decades and this year is the first time my packages have been opened by customs.

 

Same here actually, I've had no issues from the Goulets up until my recent order; I got dinged for $25 by customs on a $130 order. I plan on appealing it though; as it was mostly Noodler's products and I'm hoping its covered by NAFTA. I just need to get a reply from CBSA on the specifics about what qualifies under NAFTA, and if Nathan's pens are covered by it as well (they're manufactured in India, but if he hand tunes them...).

 

If this works out, this might be a great way to get around custom's charges for orders containing Noodler's items!

[raging.dragon]

Does anyone know of any decent online fountain pen retailers located within Ontario? Shipping costs coming up from the states are a bit high.

Unfortunately for Canadian vendors, shipping from the US is often cheaper that shipping within Canada. For example, a pen box, 1"×3"×6" and under half a pound, can ship by regular mail from California to Ontario for $4.05. To mail the same package within a city in Ontario costs $10.01.

 

It's apparently due to the fact that all packages within Canada have tracking numbers, while the ground/air mail options to the US don't. Still, I wish Canada Post would realize that their pricing system discourages Canadian vendors and consumers. I sometimes wonder why they don't offer a cheaper, non-tracked package option within Canada.

 

What I do to minimize shipping expenses is keep a wish list of all the inks/pens that I want to buy, and buy them all at once (from one retailer) every few months or so to take advantage of combined shipping.

 

And, I also try to buy ink in store if it's available, as there are some nice ink and pen stores in downtown Toronto. While ink is more expensive in Canadian stores compared to the online retailers, sometimes the shipping from US to Ontario is even more expensive because of its weight.

 

Couriers (UPS, Fedex, Purolator, etc.) might actually be cheaper than Canada Post for shipments within Canada or from Canada to the US.

[tinta]

It is true that couriers may be less expensive within Canada, but rural service with some companies really sucks.

If I'm not at home to receive Purolator, I have an 80 + km round trip to Barrie, to retrieve the goods at their depot.

With today's gas prices....................

[paultyler_82]

Wow... I guess we are lucky on one thing down here. Still, even with all parcels being tracked, their prices don't make too much sense; it only costs 70 cents to add tracking to parcels here in the States. Then again, our Post is going bankrupt so perhaps Canada Post knows better. Seems however, that your Customs Service is as wacky as ours. The US Customs most recent operation of importance pertaining to packages and persons inbound from Canada related to smuggling of... Kinder Eggs. Yes folks, thank heavens that the US Customs is there to protect all of us from the 'evil' of chocolates containing a toy surprise. :roflmho:

[iduncant]

Where in Ontario are you?

 

I'm living in Hamilton but work in Toronto, so I commute daily

 

iduncant,

 

There is definitely a lack of online stores based in Canada unfortunately. Aside from the ones already mentioned, I would also suggest you ask your local store to see how much they would be willing to special order in certain items on your behalf. My local brick and mortar store (in Nova Scotia) has been very accommodating to my requests with out gouging an arm, leg, and kidney for their service as well.

 

I couldn't agree more! there is a serious lack of online stores here. And moreover it's not for a lack of distributors. I've been doing some research and every major company seems to have a Canadian distributor.

 

Not exactly an on-line store, but I have had a good number of shipments from Laywine's in Toronto.

Their web-site does not list all the fine products they have, but you can call them up.

Their friendly staff know their products.

 

We communicate the old fashioned way:.......by telephone & I give them my VISA number (or a cheque), the goods are safely packaged & sent.

 

Thank you for the suggestion, I will look into laywines. I haven't dealt with them before but i will check it out.