Pilot Pens From Japanese Retailers

[caslon]

Just noticed that all Pilot pens have been scrubbed from Pen-Room on Rakuten.

Also saw some sites that had wildly different prices on 743 depending on the nib.

Are they trying to make us only buy from US retailers?

Or are they raising prices across the board?

 

G

 

[nekomuffchu]

The USD is weakening against the Yen which may explain the fluctuations.

 

For Rakuten, you could also try Voice. One retailer I would recommend is Quill Tokyo Pen Shop, Yasukazu san's nib tuning is worth paying retail.

[JunkyardSam]

After discovering that imported Pilots are nearly half the price of US sold Pilots --- I used that as an excuse to buy a bunch of them quickly. (I have a perhaps unfounded fear that someday they won't be so easy to obtain.)

 

If you're looking at 743s ---- I've been ordering through "cerisiersjaponais" on eBay. I purchased two 743s through him in the last few months. Both orders required customization (different nibs and body color) and he handled that with ease.

 

Most importantly -- the pens were incredibly well packaged including additional bubble wrap inserted into the pen coffin. So the pen isn't jostled or rubbed during shipping. Nice attention to detail!

 

I paid $214 and then $218 for them... and that was with express shipping. Each took a week to arrive from Japan to Seattle area. I'm happy enough with his service that I look to him first for my purchases.

Edited March 27, 2017 by JunkyardSam

[ManofKent]

I had an excellent experience with pisuke2005 on ebay. With Rakuten I usually order through zenmarket and have yet to have a problem with anyseller.

[caslon]

Thanks Sam,

 

Can't seem to find them on ebay by searching for that name.

 

 

G

[rutherfordr]

After discovering that imported Pilots are nearly half the price of US sold Pilots --- I used that as an excuse to buy a bunch of them quickly. (I have a perhaps unfounded fear that someday they won't be so easy to obtain.)

 

 

I have to admit I did the same thing -- I managed to fill my collection with Pilot pens last year, and now I'm busy trying them all out.

[JunkyardSam]

Caslon -- you can access his username here: http://www.ebay.com/usr/cerisiersjaponais

 

Or his storefront here: http://stores.ebay.com/cerisiersjaponaisblossom/

 

On a similar note I was eyeing a Pilot Custom Heritage Pencil to go with my PCH91s & 912... They were ~$45 on Rakuten. Then I waited and could only find them on eBay for ~$120. Then I waited and now I just can't find them at all.

 

I'm learning that in this scene -- if you want something and you see it at a good price you have to move fast.

Edited March 28, 2017 by JunkyardSam