Why Did They Stop Making Ions?

[MTPAPA121]

Does anyone know why they discontinued the Ion pen? because that was my favorite pen ever. i have 4 Brand new ones still in the shipping box that im waiting to open untill the ion im using now gets really old and i have 6 more on the way from cross right now. so is there a story behind it or no?

[jmkeuning]

Four months ago? Five?

 

I do not recall exactly when, but I think that Cross was closing them out at $7 a pop at the end there.

[rminj]

Does anyone know why they discontinued the Ion pen? because that was my favorite pen ever. i have 4 Brand new ones still in the shipping box that im waiting to open untill the ion im using now gets really old and i have 6 more on the way from cross right now. so is there a story behind it or no?

 

Don't know but I have one of the early ones and I must be honest; it has not held up like a typical Cross pen such as the metal century.

It does still write well but blue rubber grip part from day one has warped and lifted off the pen. After serveral years now the rubber is

discolored and hard. I surmise that the all chrome ones without an all rubber grip part fair better. Still a good writer, I keep in

my coat pocket, but doesn't lool like much now.

 

I do hear you though..to become comfortable with a pen and then they stop making it..always a problem.

 

 

[MTPAPA121]

Does anyone know why they discontinued the Ion pen? because that was my favorite pen ever. i have 4 Brand new ones still in the shipping box that im waiting to open untill the ion im using now gets really old and i have 6 more on the way from cross right now. so is there a story behind it or no?

 

Don't know but I have one of the early ones and I must be honest; it has not held up like a typical Cross pen such as the metal century.

It does still write well but blue rubber grip part from day one has warped and lifted off the pen. After serveral years now the rubber is

discolored and hard. I surmise that the all chrome ones without an all rubber grip part fair better. Still a good writer, I keep in

my coat pocket, but doesn't lool like much now.

 

I do hear you though..to become comfortable with a pen and then they stop making it..always a problem.

Yaim tryin to buy up all the ions i can get while there still available.... i also just bought a Cross Tech 3 Yesterday for $25 at amazon.com. are they any good?

[Doug C]

I believe it is due to the fact that 1) they sell Ion knockoffs in places like Staples and other office supply places, and at one time Cross was actually selling Ions at the same places. Didnt make much room for the pen sellers (there is another text somewhere in here about Cross's screwed up marking policies and how they hurt their brick and mortar stores by competing with them online). They change leather goods every 6 months, introduce stupid products like eyeglasses and cheapie watches, and it just does damage to the name.

 

As with Sheaffer, a great company with no direction, and no sense of history that they could truly parlay into a marketing sucess if they had a decent marketing arm.

 

Just my perspective..

[Maja]

Hmmm, I was talking about this with the local Cross rep a couple of months ago, but I forgot what he said the reason was, for the discontinuation. I have an Ion myself and it's a neat little rollerball....

[snowbuzzard]

(there is another text somewhere in here about Cross's screwed up marking policies and how they hurt their brick and mortar stores by competing with them online).  They change leather goods every 6 months, introduce stupid products like eyeglasses and cheapie watches, and it just does damage to the name.

 

We have several Cross pens here (Townsends, Apogees and even the ubiquitous Ion) that we are quite pleased with. However I tend to agree with you Doug, about their marketing strategy. Someone there needs to wake up.

[brh]

I, too, am saddened by the loss of the Ion. My back-up pen, always on my keychain. They don't hold up too well, though. As was already mentioned, the rubber on the grip is pretty junky. It gets really gross after a while, starts peeling away in layers and getting really soft and discolored. And the mechanism on my first one completely died - point won't retract. But I have yet to find a suitable replacement... Sigh....

[jmw19]

My local T.J. Maxx has a pile of Cross pens and pencils, including three-packs of Ions for $7.50. They all seem to come in the same three colors (in fact, it looks to be this set). I thought about picking some up, but I have too many ballpoints and gel pens already. My wife was along, too, which may have played a small part, too...

 

Granted, every store seems to have different items, but it would be worth checking if you have a T.J.s nearby. I looked through the pile, hoping for a fountain pen or two, but no such luck.

 

Best,

Jon

[MTPAPA121]

My local T.J. Maxx has a pile of Cross pens and pencils, including three-packs of Ions for $7.50. They all seem to come in the same three colors (in fact, it looks to be this set). I thought about picking some up, but I have too many ballpoints and gel pens already. My wife was along, too, which may have played a small part, too...

 

Granted, every store seems to have different items, but it would be worth checking if you have a T.J.s nearby. I looked through the pile, hoping for a fountain pen or two, but no such luck.

 

Best,

Jon

ya i just spent all my money on my stock pile of ions but if i had any more money id goto TJ max and grab some more