scotian12
Member
A few months back someone posted a new pen which they said was the quality of a statesman pen and looked similiar to it. Could someone tell me what this kit is and who sells it. Thanks Darrell Eisner
I would not put the Triton in the same class as the Jr. Statesman. I would consider it to be in the same category as a Baron or Sedona. To me it is a cheap imitation, the lower barrel is too short and the design lacks the detail that the Statesman has. Just my opinion and you know what people say about opinions...
I would not put the Triton in the same class as the Jr. Statesman. I would consider it to be in the same category as a Baron or Sedona. To me it is a cheap imitation, the lower barrel is too short and the design lacks the detail that the Statesman has. Just my opinion and you know what people say about opinions...
One of my customers did a side-by-side sales comparison with the Jr. Statesman. He reported that the Triton outsold the Jr. Statesman at exactly the same price. So, while we may have any number of opinions---try a side-by-side sales comparison and let your customers decide for you how much the "difference" is worth.
FWIW.
I would not put the Triton in the same class as the Jr. Statesman. I would consider it to be in the same category as a Baron or Sedona. To me it is a cheap imitation, the lower barrel is too short and the design lacks the detail that the Statesman has. Just my opinion and you know what people say about opinions...
One of my customers did a side-by-side sales comparison with the Jr. Statesman. He reported that the Triton outsold the Jr. Statesman at exactly the same price. So, while we may have any number of opinions---try a side-by-side sales comparison and let your customers decide for you how much the "difference" is worth.
FWIW.
As to the plating, please explain to me what 22kt gold is, relative to "Upgrade gold". They are both alloys, so WHY is 22kt superior, in your esteem?
The other plating is chrome vs. "platinum". Again, I have no idea what "platinum" is, but I know chrome is durable.
We do offer both on our website, so I really have no pony in this parade. (4th of July reference!!)
Giddyup! :biggrin: I have not had good experience with "upgrade gold" having experienced significant wear in a short amount of time. I have not had this problem with 22k gold yet (not saying it won't happen though). I do know that if I were to buy a piece of jewelry I would definitely buy platinum over chrome and 22k over "upgrade gold". I use this same logic when it comes to platings on pens. If I expect to receive a premium price for my pen then I will offer a premium product. I agree that chrome is very durable, but "Platinum" (aka rhodium) just has a very elegant (expensive) ring to it.
I have grave concerns about all the claims made by our suppliers (my own included).
This is one reason why: What does "rhodium" have to do with white gold jewelry? A. Rhodium is also a precious metal. In fact, it's about ten times costlier than gold! ...
Making it $15000 per ounce, currently.
You BELIEVE it is in our pens, in any meaningful amount??
Giddyup! :biggrin: I have not had good experience with "upgrade gold" having experienced significant wear in a short amount of time. I have not had this problem with 22k gold yet (not saying it won't happen though). I do know that if I were to buy a piece of jewelry I would definitely buy platinum over chrome and 22k over "upgrade gold". I use this same logic when it comes to platings on pens. If I expect to receive a premium price for my pen then I will offer a premium product. I agree that chrome is very durable, but "Platinum" (aka rhodium) just has a very elegant (expensive) ring to it.
So far as I know (you may certainly correct me!!) the only reference to 22kt gold is in the centerband and on the ends of the pens--NO wear spots. So we will never know if it is durable---very smart placement, and it is the same with the Triton, chrome version--no wear points are using the gold.
BTW, I agree that the Triton centerband does not look as nice---but I BUY pens to sell. That's why the "comparison" on the retail counter makes sense to me.
David I'm with you, I sell perceived value and when talking to my customer they see more value in Rhodium than chrome. Which sounds better to the customer
"We use the finest platings as all the silver looking plating is rhodium one of the hardest and shiniest of the platinum family"
or
"This pen is chrome plated".
A few months back someone posted a new pen which they said was the quality of a statesman pen and looked similiar to it. Could someone tell me what this kit is and who sells it. Thanks Darrell Eisner
You are free to believe whatever you want. The articles I read indicate that the price swings wildly from 5 to 25 times the price of gold.
The price of titanium--to make TiGold does not seem to encounter huge swings, but our suppliers have nearly doubled the price of those kits "due to cost increases". So, if you think they "absorbed" a 25x markup on rhodium---you are more gullible than I.
As I said, I believed "Iridiium and Germany"--fool me once, shame on you................
Believe what you wish. We have both available to provide the penmaker the choice---
You are free to believe whatever you want. The articles I read indicate that the price swings wildly from 5 to 25 times the price of gold.
The price of titanium--to make TiGold does not seem to encounter huge swings, but our suppliers have nearly doubled the price of those kits "due to cost increases". So, if you think they "absorbed" a 25x markup on rhodium---you are more gullible than I.
As I said, I believed "Iridiium and Germany"--fool me once, shame on you................
Believe what you wish. We have both available to provide the penmaker the choice---
I understand what you are saying Ed, but this statement COULD be the key to keeping prices "low". If the price swings often, then the plating companies could be buying only when the price is low... Certainly they have enough stock on hand that they are not forced to buy when prices are at their peak.
A few months back someone posted a new pen which they said was the quality of a statesman pen and looked similiar to it. Could someone tell me what this kit is and who sells it. Thanks Darrell Eisner
The post I believe you are referring to was in regard to the Marksman which is an assembly manufactured from stainless steel. The quality is higher than that of the Statesman because it is manufactured by us here in the USA. The assemblies will be available sometime in early August. I will be happy to answer any other questions that you may have. I have posted an update entitled "Marksman update..." but much to my dismay, it was posted under the business classified section , but that's ok.
You are free to believe whatever you want. The articles I read indicate that the price swings wildly from 5 to 25 times the price of gold.
The price of titanium--to make TiGold does not seem to encounter huge swings, but our suppliers have nearly doubled the price of those kits "due to cost increases". So, if you think they "absorbed" a 25x markup on rhodium---you are more gullible than I.
As I said, I believed "Iridiium and Germany"--fool me once, shame on you................
Believe what you wish. We have both available to provide the penmaker the choice---
I understand what you are saying Ed, but this statement COULD be the key to keeping prices "low". If the price swings often, then the plating companies could be buying only when the price is low... Certainly they have enough stock on hand that they are not forced to buy when prices are at their peak.
You do recall seeing the pictures of the little "huts" where, we are told, these components are manufactured. I have not seen pictures of the plating facilities---but I would not leap to the conclusion that they have a stockpile of rhodium, titanium, gold, copper (required for any plating), etc.
I'm really not trying to be argumentative. I simply feel the "rules of business" that we have grown accustomed to in the USA have made us very "gullible" on the world stage. Some day I am afraid someone will test these kits and open a whole new "can of worms".
For me, honesty is the best policy---so I will tell my customers, "I honestly don't KNOW what the plating is---here is what I have been told". But, I am NOT a plating expert--
That suits MY ethics and I can sell it--YMMV!!
You are free to believe whatever you want. The articles I read indicate that the price swings wildly from 5 to 25 times the price of gold.
The price of titanium--to make TiGold does not seem to encounter huge swings, but our suppliers have nearly doubled the price of those kits "due to cost increases". So, if you think they "absorbed" a 25x markup on rhodium---you are more gullible than I.
As I said, I believed "Iridiium and Germany"--fool me once, shame on you................
Believe what you wish. We have both available to provide the penmaker the choice---
I understand what you are saying Ed, but this statement COULD be the key to keeping prices "low". If the price swings often, then the plating companies could be buying only when the price is low... Certainly they have enough stock on hand that they are not forced to buy when prices are at their peak.
You do recall seeing the pictures of the little "huts" where, we are told, these components are manufactured. I have not seen pictures of the plating facilities---but I would not leap to the conclusion that they have a stockpile of rhodium, titanium, gold, copper (required for any plating), etc.
I'm really not trying to be argumentative. I simply feel the "rules of business" that we have grown accustomed to in the USA have made us very "gullible" on the world stage. Some day I am afraid someone will test these kits and open a whole new "can of worms".
For me, honesty is the best policy---so I will tell my customers, "I honestly don't KNOW what the plating is---here is what I have been told". But, I am NOT a plating expert--
That suits MY ethics and I can sell it--YMMV!!