A Surprise At Staples

[Charles Skinner]

I went with "She Who Must Be Obeyed" today to Staples office supply. When we go to Staples, I always look to see if they have any real fountain pens for sale. I might have seen a couple about five years ago, but can not remember seeing one in a long time. The last time we were in there, I saw two bottles of Parker black ink, way down on the bottom shelf. And from the looks of the paper boxes, they seems to have been there a long time. ---- TODAY there was only one bottle still for sale! The price marked was $10.20. So, I guess that proves that there is a real fountain pen user somewhere within a radius of about ten miles! But, like I used to be, he or she likely is in that "black ink" only club, to which this poor earthen vessel once belonged!

 

C. S.

[Kolyd]

I bought a bottle of Serenity Blue from John Lewis around a month or two ago. In this shop the ink also sat on the bottom shelf, they sell Serenity Blue or Intense Black - sad to report that my purchased bottle was the only one gone

That, or they re-stock them rather quickly. Like they have a nice sections for FPs but people only seem to look and never buy! A skill which my wallet I wouldn't mind having

Although I'm glad you are not alone! I'm sure one day this person will discover the whole wide world of inks

Have a nice day!

[Orpilorp]

Now I feel like going to Staples and slipping perprinted notes into the little boxes of ink, telling people there is a pen club in town.

[Mannyonpil]

I went to the local Staples some time ago and found there were two bottles left of Parker black left. I bought one. Maybe you saw the one I left behind.

[tamiya]

The last time we were in there, I saw two bottles of Parker black ink, way down on the bottom shelf. And from the looks of the paper boxes, they seems to have been there a long time. ---- TODAY there was only one bottle still for sale! The price marked was $10.20. So, I guess that proves that there is a real fountain pen user somewhere within a radius of about ten miles! But, like I used to be, he or she likely is in that "black ink" only club, to which this poor earthen vessel once belonged!

Don't get too excited... I used to buy black Quink to refill my HP DeskJet/Deskwriter cartridges it's cheaper than printer ink even the generic refills, 2oz does 3-4 fills.

 

These piezo carts were used in many other fax & copy machines other than HP DJ/DWs too.

 

Have gone thru heaps more Quink via syringing ink into carts than expended thru a nib & FP feed - schoolboy ink fight shenanigans included!

[chromantic]

When we go to Staples, I always look to see if they have any real fountain pens for sale. I might have seen a couple about five years ago, but can not remember seeing one in a long time.

C. S.

 

They usually have a display of FPs around Chrstmas (Nov/Dec), one or two brands, possibly Cross and an off-brand, then they're gone til the next year. Should be putting them out soon.

[PS104]

I too have had similar experiences at Staple insofar as finding a couple of bottles of ink on the bottom shelf and no fountain pens in sight. I'll check that out during the holiday season. To be fair Staples cannot stock shelves with items that only a marginal number of people would be interested in. If an item is in their catalog/online it can be ordered at one of their in-store kiosks and it will be delivered to your home. They may also have an in-store pickup option.

[chromantic]

In store, it's seems down to the Sheaffer Caligraphy and a $30 Cross Aventura. On-line there's a broad selection of Monteverdes, Conklins, Deltas, Pilot Metros, Schmidts and the odd Parker Sonata, Lamy Safari and a few Faber Castels. Even the Pilot Varsities only seem to be available on-line. They also have Monteverde ink in bottles.

[PAKMAN]

Our Staples has the occasional FP usually a Cross, Parker Quink Black is usually on the shelf.

[nigelg]

It looks like the bricks-and-mortar UK arm of Staples is soon to be "phased out" according to this report.on the BBC website. Seems there was also a failed $multi-billion merger between Office Depot and Staples in the US.