Best online retailer?

[Philip1209]

The online stores all differ so much in what they offer that it is hard to pick one favorite. I love isellpens.com for their price, but their selection is is small compared to some of the other stores. I like Pendemonium too- they have some unique items and inks (like legal lapis), but they commonly are out of stock on items, and their prices can be beaten on some new pens. For new pens, I go to isellpens. For pen-related stuff, like paper and ink, I go to pendemonium.

[jot]

I purchased a NEW pen from a well now internet independent dealer. It arrived DOA and would not fill with ink. Called him and was told to send it to the manufacturer for repair.

 

So the money I saved on the discounted price, because he was no longer carrying the line, was consumed by mail, insurance and the standard repair fee.

 

Other than RB, Pendemonium, Pam Braun & Dillon, I will not purchase NEW pens from independents. It is not worth it with some of these small guys. The larger stores will generally repair replace when there is an issue. Honestly with vintage (used) I expect issues to bring to my standards. Would rather be surprised there are none then there being some.

 

I would suggest taking that into consideration when making a purchase.

 

Which dealer was this? I don't particularly see a need to intentionally withhold the name of the company. If they're providing poor service, I say let it be known so the rest of us don't end up in the same situation.

Edited June 24, 2008 by jot

[Atlas]

I purchased a NEW pen from a well now internet independent dealer. It arrived DOA and would not fill with ink. Called him and was told to send it to the manufacturer for repair.

 

So the money I saved on the discounted price, because he was no longer carrying the line, was consumed by mail, insurance and the standard repair fee.

 

Other than RB, Pendemonium, Pam Braun & Dillon, I will not purchase NEW pens from independents. It is not worth it with some of these small guys. The larger stores will generally repair replace when there is an issue. Honestly with vintage (used) I expect issues to bring to my standards. Would rather be surprised there are none then there being some.

 

I would suggest taking that into consideration when making a purchase.

 

Which dealer was this? I don't particularly see a need to intentionally withhold the name of the company. If they're providing poor service, I say let it be known so the rest of us don't end up in the same situation.

 

You are correct. This is how the retail system works. Bad service should be repaid by letting others know about it. Good service should be repaid by letting others know about it. Recommending stores you like while withholding the names of stores you don't like is actually a disservice. This is why comparison shopping websites, ebay, and others have ranking systems so that good service is rewarded and bad service is punished.

[Stylo]

I purchased a NEW pen from a well now internet independent dealer. It arrived DOA and would not fill with ink. Called him and was told to send it to the manufacturer for repair.

 

So the money I saved on the discounted price, because he was no longer carrying the line, was consumed by mail, insurance and the standard repair fee.

 

Other than RB, Pendemonium, Pam Braun & Dillon, I will not purchase NEW pens from independents. It is not worth it with some of these small guys. The larger stores will generally repair replace when there is an issue.

 

Is that an assumption you are making or is that generally true? Most retailers of any type of goods will refer you to the manufacturer for this type of problem.

[JakobS]

I have shopped at Pendemonium, Pear Tree Pens, Swisher Pens, Pam at Oscar Braun, and all of them have provided excellent service. And I highly appreciate the quick answers to emails from Sam and Frank at Pendemonium, James at Pear Tree Pens, and Pam. These are the three I go to first for a pen, paper or accessory I am interested in. Pam is amazing, I had heard of her quick shipment of pens and awesome prices and when finding her price on a Lamy Studio Stainless Steel to be below any price I could find anywhere else, and I looked at almost 99% of online retailers, I was amazed. I ordered on a Friday afternoon or Saturday and got it that Monday, I basically was mailing the check and receiving the pen at the same time. With Pam you wont have time to "Wonder when my new pen is going to get here?", that you would in dealing with any other retailer.

 

If you are concerned over security, Pam also accepts money orders which is in fact what I used, having left my checkbook at home while at college, they are full of watermarks and security features beyond a simple check and are widely trusted at post offices, banks and other financial institutions.

 

Isn't a big point of fountain pens to sit back and enjoy the writing experience? To celebrate each word as a unique and individual creation, to escape from the 'I want it now" materialism that so pervades this world, and to begin to see the beauty in the small often ignored objects in our lives? Hmm...thats why I love them so much!

Edited June 25, 2008 by JakobS

[dvorak]

I've used most of the folks already listed, and I wanted to add in my two cents.

 

James at Pear Tree Pens is one of the best online vendors (of anything, not just pens). I bought a pen from him and I made a mistake in the transaction and got the wrong pen. James was eager to put it right, and did. Actually, he did a little more than he should have, offering to pay all the postage for the various exchanges. I could not take advantage of him like that, he'd already given me a square deal on the pen in the first place.

 

Brent

[Stylo]

I must say that we are pretty lucky. Unless I missed something, most of the many vendors mentioned in this thread are good. They bring different things to the table: some have great prices for certain brands, others are better priced for other brands, some tweak your pens, etc. I have yet to experience a bad deal from any of them. I have purchased from Pam Braun, Richard Binder, Dennis Bowden (Parkvillepen), Swisher, and altmanluggage. And by all the comments I have seen over they years, many of the other vendors also get consistently praised.

 

Pam and Dennis have actually even been very accommodating with requests to check out and test in specific ways pens I wanted to buy.

[mdoering]

The Dolcevita Oversize arrived from Pam at Oscar Braun's yesterday morning. The pen(in it's giant box with accoutrements) was well packaged and arrived in perfect condition. I will definitely be doing more business with Pam in the future.

[GreenVelvet]

I have had outstanding experiences with Pam Braun (Oscar Braun), His Nibs, Pendemonium, Pear Tree, Temecula Pens and Swisher Pens. All give extra effort to make buying from them pleasant.

 

Of the above I've only dealt with Pear Tree Pens and Temecula Pens (on eBay) and both were fantastic. They're my top two sources now, plus JetPens for the cheap Japanese stuff.

[SteadyHand]

Pam from Oscar Braun Pens is No.1 !!!

 

+1 for Braun. I have only had positive experiences with Pam and there is nothing like the personal attention you get from them.

[thibaulthalpern]

Pam from Oscar Braun Pens is No.1 !!!

 

My experience buying from Pam was great. She was very patient with my numerous queries and requests.

 

She even sent my package overnight even though I told her there was no hurry. Because one of the inks I ordered was back ordered for a couple weeks.

 

I know! I'm amazed at Pam/Oscar Braun too. They ship before they even receive payment! I wonder...they must have been burned somewhere along the way--i.e., someone must have ordered a pen and never paid for it. I guess they just learn not to trust that particular customer?? I'm waiting for my Sailor Sapporo EF nib which should be arriving...TODAY! Which also rhymes with YAY! ;-)

[thibaulthalpern]

[deleted] :-)

Edited September 17, 2008 by thibaulthalpern

[thibaulthalpern]

Because of the older check/money order policy, I hesitated for my first purchase. I wanted the protection CC companies offer. But I went ahead first with a small order and she is now the first place I look for purchases. She is not really an online retailer. She has a website where she posts prices for her "specials." [...]

 

That's right. She's not a typical online retailer. In fact, for most pens it seems that you have to directly email her and she'll email you back the price. Her website isn't good for browsing pens but once you know what you want, just email her and ask her what she has to offer.

[thibaulthalpern]

[deleted] :-)

Edited September 17, 2008 by thibaulthalpern

[enricof]

Anything in Europe?

 

I got very good experiences with Isellpens and Hisnibs (and I tempted to contact Pam for my next expensive pen, a M1000), but:

• Euro is going down, so paying dollar prices is not SO convenient.
• Italian Customs (with delays, taxes, duties, and so on) are killing me.

Thanks - Enrico

[RevAaron]

I vote for Pendemonium and Swisher! Great folks, attention to care, good turn around, and cheaper than most shipping. Pendemonium being out of stock so often is a drag, but the problem is worse lately than I've ever seen it. Best part, dirt cheap regrind of pens you buy from them- can't lose with that!

[GreenVelvet]

Am I the only one who finds Pendemonium's and especially Swisher's websites to be clunky and difficult to navigate? I am a bit of an information architecture snob, and this frames (Potty Mouth) drives me nuts. I will pay a few dollars more for a more streamlined browsing experience - because it saves me time.

 

So - I go to PearTree Pens, and eBay.

 

I've thought about ordering from both Pendemonium and Swisher, but each time I go to their websites, I end up leaving in fits of frustration because the site design and structure just drives me batty. And then people recommend them highly, and so I visit their websites, and the cycle repeats.

 

Am I just cyber-fussy?

 

[thibaulthalpern]

Am I the only one who finds Pendemonium's and especially Swisher's websites to be clunky and difficult to navigate? I am a bit of an information architecture snob, and this frames (Potty Mouth) drives me nuts. I will pay a few dollars more for a more streamlined browsing experience - because it saves me time.

 

So - I go to PearTree Pens, and eBay.

 

I've thought about ordering from both Pendemonium and Swisher, but each time I go to their websites, I end up leaving in fits of frustration because the site design and structure just drives me batty. And then people recommend them highly, and so I visit their websites, and the cycle repeats.

 

Am I just cyber-fussy?

 

Yes, you're right that Pendemonium and Swisher are quite clunky. I used to be in the information field myself too (not professional but actually majored in it and did a coule projects with it). But, I don't let that bother me much. I can still find what I want. Now, the really bad website is Ujuku's ;-) They're just horrible. But again, I still buy from them and like their service