Hero's Safari Clone

[Pickwick]

Two things on this thread really bother me.

 

1. The number of participants who can't wait to get their hands on this Hero copy of the Safari;
2. The way in which so many justify Hero selling a copy based on Lamy's pricing and their own experiences with Lamy nibs.

IMO, if Lamy pricing and/or quality have opened up an opportunity for a competitor in the niche occupied by the Safari, all to the good. But that competitor -- in this case Hero -- should offer up its own product rather than just a roughly (based on the reviews cited in the thread) copy that appears to use the major design elements of the Lamy. Hero has taken the dishonest approach by so blatantly copying the Safari. That is what is wrong with the situation.

 

And for those who excuse Hero's approach because China does not recognize IP or because 'Hero can't spend the money to do its own product' or 'Hero can't spend the money to do its own marketing' -- I don't buy it. Not in these modern times. Maybe 10 or 15 years ago. But now, I have sufficient respect for China's technological abilities that I do believe they can design their own product if they so choose. And if initially the pen was intended for the domestic market, they can market it there at local costs. They've chose the lazy way out -- to utilize the product image already developed by Lamy. I cannot respect that. Nor anyone who supports them (meaning from outside of China especially!) by buying this product or distributing it.

Well, you've made your point. No one is compelled to buy the pen, and if no one does, then I've no doubt Hero will cease to manufacture it. But all the time they have sufficient customers willing to buy then they will continue to do so.

 

Remember, the manufacturer is not in control, the consumer is and has the freedom to boycott the product.

[TSherbs]

 

Here's a point to think about. We on FPN actually pay attention to details. The broader public doesn't. <snip>

I can't agree with this premise. I see no grounds to think that we are special or more discerning consumers than anyone else. From my observations, many persons here buy virtually everything that their budgets can afford, indiscriminately, even duplicating models, colors, whatever their needs, avarice, whims, desires suggest. The Chinese pen threads are FULL of persons who collect models by the fistful (I am one of them). Even this thread has a wide spread of opinion. Thank G-d for the variety of creatures on this planet, and in this forum!

[proton007]

I see the discussion ending in the following ways:

• Hero is a copycat company with no original ideas. I'm not buying their stuff.
• Hero is an evil company that doesn't have the right to exist.
• Hero should be sued for violation of design patents and copyrights.
• All users of Hero products should be publicly shamed for their lack of integrity and patriotism.
• All users who dislike Hero should advertise Lamy and its offerings as much as they can.

The only plausible scenario is the first one.

 

Add the fact that International products are highly marked up in a lot of Asian countries. You can buy 3 Heros for the price of a single Lamy.

[Pterodactylus]

Add the fact that International products are highly marked up in a lot of Asian countries. You can buy 3 Heros for the price of a single Lamy.

 

This is is simply not true (at least for Europe).

I can get a Lamy Safari for less than 15 € (which is a good price for the product).

This shabby Hero clone is (including shipping) not cheaper.

 

IMO Lamy is a company worth to be supported as they still manufacture their (high quality) products in their home country and do not try to outsource to Far-East (in opposite to some others where you pay western prices for eastern manufacturing).

 

There is not a single reason I can imagine buying this questionable Hero clone.

[proton007]

 

This is is simply not true (at least for Europe).

I can get a Lamy Safari for less than 15 € (which is a good price for the product).

This shabby Hero clone is (including shipping) not cheaper.

 

IMO Lamy is a company worth to be supported as they still manufacture their (high quality) products in their home country and do not try to outsource to Far-East (in opposite to some others where you pay western prices for eastern manufacturing).

 

There is not a single reason I can imagine buying this questionable Hero clone.

 

Let me repeat my quote:

Add the fact that International products are highly marked up in a lot of Asian countries. You can buy 3 Heros for the price of a single Lamy.

[Pterodactylus]

Ok, got it, here it seems the other way arround get two Lamy originals for the price of the copy.

[Sailor Kenshin]

In the USA, a Lamy Safari costs anywhere from $25-40.

 

The Hero Summer Colors now sells for $12.

 

The Hero hasn't stopped me from buying the annual LE Safari color. I buy and use both.

[Penoholic]

Makes me laugh to see these rip off's,but then again they do write pretty well for that price point!

[ExcaliburZ]

I live in Shanghai and the Lamy Safari from a Lamy kiosk is ¥160+. Last night I eat dinner for ¥16. Burger and fries from Burger King is ¥30. The copy exist because even the entry level pens from these company's is still not entry level. China has high import taxes to keep the prices of foreign brands much higher then local ones. Even Twsbis are more expensive in China.

[jptech]

I live in Shanghai and the Lamy Safari from a Lamy kiosk is ¥160+. Last night I eat dinner for ¥16. Burger and fries from Burger King is ¥30. The copy exist because even the entry level pens from these company's is still not entry level. China has high import taxes to keep the prices of foreign brands much higher then local ones. Even Twsbis are more expensive in China.

 

I beg to differ. That is cheaper than everyone else pays.

 

At the current rates, that is $24.45 USD. A safari from a Lamy kiosk here sells for $32 or ¥193. Also, your Burger King is less expensive than here in Miami (Burger King's global headquarters)

 

I'd say your problem isn't one of import taxes, it's one of economic disparity. Even my Hero Summer cost me $18 or ¥109.

[Dr.Slackware]

Jerks. I'm not going to buy a single Hero pen again.

[Sailor Kenshin]

All the more for me.

[aawhite]

It is unbelievable that a pen company like Hero would resort to making a "poor" copy of a well known pen. Their "Parker 51" look alike is very much tolerated because they have been manufacturing them as their staple pen for some time now, and Parker 51 is no longer in production.

 

The other Chinese pen companies are slowly coming up with original designs, and here we have Hero doing just the opposite.

Edited January 27, 2014 by aawhite

[Sailor Kenshin]

It is unbelievable that a pen company like Hero would resort to making a "poor" copy of a well known pen. Their "Parker 51" look alike is very much tolerated because they have been manufacturing them as their staple pen for some time now, and Parker 51 is no longer in production.

 

The other Chinese pen companies are slowly coming up with original designs, and here we have Hero doing just the opposite.

It's not all that 'poor' a 'copy.' They are lightweight, reliable, wet writers, and people on this thread have explained the different circumstances leading to production ofnthe Summer Colors.

 

They are not sold or labeled Safaris. That would be a different story.

 

If you dislike the concept, no one's making you buy.

[WirsPlm]

Jerks. I'm not going to buy a single Hero pen again.

The only jerk here is Lamy's Chinese distributor, who ticked off the Taobao seller so much that the seller commissioned the Hero Summer Color pens. Lamy has got to be kicking themselves for signing with their distributor, because whoever it was has caused a huge mess.

[jptech]

The only jerk here is Lamy's Chinese distributor, who ticked off the Taobao seller so much that the seller commissioned the Hero Summer Color pens. Lamy has got to be kicking themselves for signing with their distributor, because whoever it was has caused a huge mess.

 

The Lamy pens are not overpriced in china as I demonstrated. They are the same price if a little cheaper.

[inotrym]

May I ask a question?

 

How can people be so mad that the Safari got cloned and still all cool that the Sonnet, the Starwalker and numerous others were too?

Baoer 79, 388, Kaigelu pens etc are praised and recommended here on FPN, aren't they? Still, no thread for the devil Baoer and Kaigelu companies and no honest and loyal users swearing that they will never buy a pen again from those jerks...

 

It's kinda buffling..

[scrivelry]

You can patent a mechanical factor, for a period of time. Design is a different issue entirely. It is commonly done, and has been commonly done for years, that clothing styles are knocked off, for example. Mumerous people have pointed out that they are not labelling this the Safari. If you do not want to buy it, you do not have to, but it's not really a shocking situation.

 

If the argument is against buying anything from China, that's a different argument. I am not saying there are not valid arguments about buying things made in a number of countries. If that is the reason to avoid this pen, then it's a reason to avoid all pens made in any of those countries, all components, and any other consumer goods you may want to purchase. It's a different argument.

 

T

[nomadhacker]

You can patent a mechanical factor, for a period of time. Design is a different issue entirely. It is commonly done, and has been commonly done for years, that clothing styles are knocked off, for example. Mumerous people have pointed out that they are not labelling this the Safari. If you do not want to buy it, you do not have to, but it's not really a shocking situation.

 

If the argument is against buying anything from China, that's a different argument. I am not saying there are not valid arguments about buying things made in a number of countries. If that is the reason to avoid this pen, then it's a reason to avoid all pens made in any of those countries, all components, and any other consumer goods you may want to purchase. It's a different argument.

 

T

 

Just to add, they do have such things as design patents (some other countries have a similar thing called registered designs). It's more specific (and interpretive) than a functional patent. They last for a term of 14 years -- at least in the US. So even if Lamy had one of these, the term would have expired.

[TSherbs]

Hero is offering the same style pen in more colors. That is why I am interested. I want them to match the color of the ink. I am thinking of the purple Hero cuz I have big hands, the pen is biggish, the pen is purple (I lack a purple pen), the line is wet, the price is low, the reviews are good enough. Supply meets demand. Bingo.