Is It Just Me Or Is The Lamy 2000 Black Amber Way Overpriced?

[Roppleton]

It's going to be $590 to someone.

 

There's such a huge price range within fountain pens that I'm indifferent to the cost of this anniversary addition pen. Not the most expensive pen I've come across, certainly not the ugliest nor most banal either.

See the thing is though it may not be the ugliest pen youve come across, the issue is that its supposed to be a special le 50th anniversary pen. I can say that a few of us hoped that it would be unique, not an old pen with a new paint job.

 

And while it is not the most expensive, the problem is that its a 250 dollar pen ( if even that, the stainless steel 2000 also felt a bit overpriced) that is selling for 590 cause of the tag "limited edition: and a new color, which I personally have a huge problem with.

Edited July 8, 2016 by Roppleton

[Flounder]

In a certain sense, this sure puts the 'limited' in 'limited edition. Arf arf!

[haruka337]

See the thing is though it may not be the ugliest pen youve come across, the issue is that its supposed to be a special le 50th anniversary pen. I can say that a few of us hoped that it would be unique, not an old pen with a new paint job.

 

And while it is not the most expensive, the problem is that its a 250 dollar pen ( if even that, the stainless steel 2000 also felt a bit overpriced) that is selling for 590 cause of the tag "limited edition: and a new color, which I personally have a huge problem with.

I understand, however, it's not unusual even beyond the fountain pen world. All one can do is shrug and walk on by and, if the next person fancies it, let them have at it.

[max dog]

It looks nice, but I think it would have been better received if there were no similar looking stainless one previously released that cost so much less. A different colored one (dark red, burgundy, charcoal etc) in makarolon, at a more reasonable cost would have been a better idea.

[katanankes]

Anniversary and limited edition... of course it is overpriced. I am more amazed by the boring finish, the stainless steel was at least something different.

[perfaddict]

My main issue is the meaningless name. Something may have been lost in translation.

 

In my experience, the premium people are willing to pay is not an economic measure of value, so the edition may be expensive in absolute terms, but not overpriced. 5,000 people in the world will get some satisfaction purchasing/possessing the pen.

[TheRealMikeDr]

It looks nice, but I think it would have been better received if there were no similar looking stainless one previously released that cost so much less. A different colored one (dark red, burgundy, charcoal etc) in makarolon, at a more reasonable cost would have been a better idea.

 

Egg-zactly.

 

I *may* have been able to deal with the price had the pen been compelling - it's nice looking but not "50th anniversary" special in my opinion. Why not at least give it a two tone nib - plus maybe some sort of highlights on the body to jazz it up a bit.

 

That said - the pen has always been known for keeping the same design throughout the years - maybe the good people at Lamy think that making it in limited numbers will be enough for the collectors and the few oddball regular folk who feel compelled to participate in buying one.

[mulrich]

Or just wait for a couple years when the inventory still hasn't sold and retailers are unloading the pen on clearance. I can paying more than a steel 2000 but the steel can be had for about $230. In my opinion this pen doesn't warrant a premium of over 100% of the steel's street price.

 

If the anniversary is ever discounted by a similar percentage I might (small chance) talk myself into it.

[Doug1426]

Perhaps all of us are missing something obvious. Could it be that, well, maybe dull and boring is the new kapow?! I mean, kapow does carry a 200% markup, right?

 

Well, anyway, it's good to be in such good company amongst all of us.

[spaceink]

Two words: opportunistic mediocrity.

 

Would be prouder using a more thoughtful Safari.

[inkeverywhere]

Extemely under whelming to mark the 50th anniversary of such an iconic pen. I would go as far as saying I prefer the look of my two Makrolon pens.

 

 

Greg

[scratchofapen]

Uh, if you look at the typical Lamy design i think there was no chance for something flashy, and that is ok-it would have violated the baseline......

Anniversary pen, special edition= high price, that also is sort of ok, as it is normal.

But that thing to me is simply boring and uninspired.

[Roppleton]

Extemely under whelming to mark the 50th anniversary of such an iconic pen. I would go as far as saying I prefer the look of my two Makrolon pens.

 

 

Greg

Completely agree, the makrolon is cool because of the next generation material and the brushed look. This looks like a glorified lamy studio.

 

Perhaps all of us are missing something obvious. Could it be that, well, maybe dull and boring is the new kapow?! I mean, kapow does carry a 200% markup, right?

 

Well, anyway, it's good to be in such good company amongst all of us.

Seems like lack of creativity and imagination is the new kapow that carries a 200% markup.

 

 

Egg-zactly.

 

I *may* have been able to deal with the price had the pen been compelling - it's nice looking but not "50th anniversary" special in my opinion. Why not at least give it a two tone nib - plus maybe some sort of highlights on the body to jazz it up a bit.

 

That said - the pen has always been known for keeping the same design throughout the years - maybe the good people at Lamy think that making it in limited numbers will be enough for the collectors and the few oddball regular folk who feel compelled to participate in buying one.

Their design has been constant, and since the anniversary celebrates that design, its only reasonable that it looks like a normal Lamy 2k, but its ridiculous how they never did anything else with the aesthetics besides a paint job. Celebrate the design, but enhance the aesthetics to match the legacy, seriously...

 

Anniversary and limited edition... of course it is overpriced. I am more amazed by the boring finish, the stainless steel was at least something different.

Exactly, you would expect an elevated price like this for a special edition worthy of the name and the prestige.

[pepsiplease69]

Is the price high? Yes. Is it overpriced? Not if people pay it. If the price is too high...do not buy it. Companies can charge whatever they want for their products, if they price themselves out of their market that is their problem.

Not a lot of people here are chiming in with enthusiasm that they want to buy this pen at this price, lining up on a wait list to snag it the minute it comes out. I'm definitely not.

 

I think it's kind of splitting hairs whether the "price is high" or it's "overpriced". To most people they both essentially allude to the same thing.

[Runnin_Ute]

This price tag would have made more sense at a lower unit count. Say 500 for example.

[J85909266]

I'm let down by every single thing about it.

 

The Name: Black Amber - makes no sense

The Material: Stainless Steel - too heavy for many users, already been done in the same model, and and completely boring

The Finish: Matte Silver - looks the same as coating that can be found on a Pilot Metro, who cares?

The Price: 500+ Dollars - yeah, no

 

I'll bet this one collects dust in boutiques.

[ele]

This pen is wholly fails to convey the thoughts behind the original 2000--an approachable (too expensive), usable piece (too heavy for most long writing sessions) of highly functional (the former, as well as its lack of ink window) art it is not. They would have been much better off having someone at the forefront of industrial design today commemorate it by designing a new pen with current design thoughts, or having a makrolon pen in another color, perhaps.

Edited July 12, 2016 by ele

[pkoko]

Why didn't Lamy make a pen with same Makroon material just different color (Brown, Grey, Blue, etc)? And charge $100 extra for it.

[mulrich]

Why didn't Lamy make a pen with same Makroon material just different color (Brown, Grey, Blue, etc)? And charge $100 extra for it.

This would be too easy, no challenge. If you to really show your stuff you get peopel to buy soemthing that makes no sense at all.

[martinbir]

Generally, I don't join in with choruses; preferring to post when I have something original to say, but ...

 

I absolutely love my 2000 and had been looking forward to the Jubilee edition for months. But what a disappointment!

No doubt all 5000 will sell but not to me, a repainted 2000M is not much of a celebration