Goulet Dropped Waterman?

[RonLyke]

 

 

Surprised to see that Waterman inks are no longer listed on Goulet's site.

[LizEF]

Yeah, I noticed that a couple weeks ago. Waterman don't seem to get a lot of press - presumably because they aren't coming out with a new ink every month - and I'd guess a lot of newbies therefore don't think to try it, and therefore their sales weren't that great.

[domzals1]

In their Instagram live stream a few nights ago, they eluded to Waterman dropping them because they didn't move inventory fast enough.

[white_lotus]

It would be interesting to know when Waterman last added an ink to their line.

[LizEF]

It would be interesting to know when Waterman last added an ink to their line.

 

I agree. Looks like the info will be hard to find though - googling was not quickly successful. It had to be before 2012 since that's when they changed the names, and there are no new inks since.

 

In their Instagram live stream a few nights ago, they eluded to Waterman dropping them because they didn't move inventory fast enough.

 

Ah, I love this kind of logic. "You're not selling enough, so we want you to sell none." (I know, there's probably some cost-factor which causes this to make sense to bean counters, but it sure seems irrational from this end, and if they keep it up long enough, soon they'll sell one bottle of Serenity Blue and one bottle of Mysterious Blue each year...)

[Olya]

In their Instagram live stream a few nights ago, they eluded to Waterman dropping them because they didn't move inventory fast enough.

 

Seems really weird.. So not enough is sold and you then drop a vendor, so that your brand is even less accessbile and overall even less is sold?

Anyone know a logic reason for a brand doing this?

How about they release some new stuff, bring back nice models from the past and do more ink wise, maybe people will then buy more.

[domzals1]

Ah, I love this kind of logic. "You're not selling enough, so we want you to sell none." (I know, there's probably some cost-factor which causes this to make sense to bean counters, but it sure seems irrational from this end, and if they keep it up long enough, soon they'll sell one bottle of Serenity Blue and one bottle of Mysterious Blue each year...)

Seems really weird.. So not enough is sold and you then drop a vendor, so that your brand is even less accessbile and overall even less is sold?

Anyone know a logic reason for a brand doing this?

How about they release some new stuff, bring back nice models from the past and do more ink wise, maybe people will then buy more.

Definitely can't understand the logic here, either, but Rachel definitely said that Waterman dropped them, not the other way around. Who knows!

[Cyber6]

Definitely can't understand the logic here, either, but Rachel definitely said that Waterman dropped them, not the other way around. Who knows!

 

 

Didn't Sailor dropped them too?... Can't remember why?.. It can't be because Sailor inks were not moving fast enough...

[Joane]

IMHO Waterman made a great mistake when they changed the evocative names and exotic imagery of their ink to vague-sounding abstract names indistngushable from many other brands. Over the years they also made their labels more and more bland, so as to have no visual impact on the shelf next to other brands. Waterman has a lot going for it: a safe ink, good flow, nice (if basic) colours, well designed bottle, and over a century of pen lore that could be used to enhance their ink line. But no marketing, no attempt at capitalizng on their illustrious career and no innovation with limited editions or new colours or exclusive lines like other brands have done, to adapt to the ink market of today.

 

I have no idea what the issues have been in this particular case but Waterman could sure do a lot to bolster the profile of its own ink in a market that has become quite competitive.

Edited June 2, 2017 by Joane

[lgsoltek]

 

 

Didn't Sailor dropped them too?... Can't remember why?.. It can't be because Sailor inks were not moving fast enough...

 

I remember it's because Sailor says distributors can carry their inks only if they carry their pens as well.

[domzals1]

I remember it's because Sailor says distributors can carry their inks only if they carry their pens as well.

Yes this is definitely it!

[Erik Dalton]

Big mistake by Sailor.

[ErrantSmudge]

Checking Goulet's website, it seems not only are Waterman inks missing, their entire line is gone too. Waterman doesn't appear in Goulet's brand list any more.

[Erik Dalton]

Maybe it's because the European dealers keep underselling our guys in the US.

[pajaro]

I have tried a lot of Waterman pens and inks. Personally, I have dropped using them. Too lazy to move them on.

[Margana]

Waterman has marginalized itself with limited offerings and poor marketing practices. However, WBBk and WFB remain on my list of favorite inks. They work well in all pens including my stubborn Carene and were my test inks for many years.

 

But lacking the flash and interest that goes with new products, it probably won't hurt a retailer to no longer carry the line. These days there are just too many brands and colors to carry everything and Waterman just isn't that important in the scheme of things.

[Olya]

Waterman has been as dormant as Parker has (save for the overhauled IM, Urban, Sonnet) and I notice to my astonishment that Rotring has also fallen way off the wayside.

All owned now by Newell. Coincidence? I think not.

 

Why buy three iconic pen brands and then not do anything with them and basically let them die a slow & disgraceful death?

[domzals1]

Florida Blue and Binder "Blurple" are two inks that I hope to always have on hand. They are no-nonsense and work in every pen in every situation. They definitely lack the pizzazz and glamour of other brands, but they serve a purpose for me.

[OCArt]

Bye, bye Waterman.

[Cyber6]

Why buy three iconic pen brands and then not do anything with them and basically let them die a slow & disgraceful death?

 

 

Conspiracy Theory... Maybe, just maybe .,... they bought the competition. Newell might have another brand they want to promote better