Fountain Pens

[George883]

How many of you have customers that buy fountain pens? What percentage of your sales are FP? Thanks

 

[cutncreatewoodsmithing]

How many of you have customers that buy fountain pens? What percentage of your sales are FP? Thanks

I sell them regularly to my customers. It's all dependent on wood used and pricing for our shop. I'd say Fps, account for only about 10% of our sold pens each month.

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[George883]

I sell them regularly to my customers. It's all dependent on wood used and pricing for our shop. I'd say Fps, account for only about 10% of our sold pens each month.

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Thanks. There's a small neighbored show next month near me and I was wondering if I should have a FP or two for the show.

 

[socdad]

If you are using thr Jr Gent components you can add a lower nib section to your inventory and offer to convert any of the 'new' style Jr Gents rollerballs to a FP.

 

[jalbert]

99%

 

[Bryguy]

Fountain pens are my first love and how I got into this hobby in the first place, but the market is small. I just finished a 2 day art tour and sold loads of rollerballs and ballpoints. I put out three FPs and sold the cheapest one. As a fountain pen enthusiast I am loathe to sell a FP to someone who hasn't owned one before. I would rather customize the pen to meet the customer's needs regarding weight, thickness and nib preferences. usually, if some one asks me about fountain pens and hasn't previously owned one I let them know about Birmingham pens which has inexpensive pens to get them started. FP collecting is an addiction but not fr everyone and I think it is important that they know what they are getting into. (I am now retired and don't write much anymore, my collection of over fountain pens sits sad, alone and unused

 

[DrD]

I too love fountain pens and turn them 2 or 3 to one over roller balls or ball points. I rarely sell any at craft shows. Fountain pen buyers are not, in my experience, impulse buyers. Many fountain pen buyers will want to write with any pen they are considering, meaning you should have ink and fine writing papers immediately available. After testing they may request the nib be tuned a bit if they feel it is "scratchy" or the ink flow isn't consistent. This of course means you 1) need to know how to tune a nib, and 2) have the necessary "tools" available to do so.
Having said all this, there is the occasional buyer who will walk up and just buy one that you have on display, but in my experience that has been rare.
I find, as many fountain pens owners have found, that writing with a fountain pen is a joy, not just a perfunctory task.

 

[crokett]

100% of my pen sales over the last 3 months have been fountain pens. Of course, I haven't sold many, haven't had the time to restock inventory or devote much time to promotion. I agree that fountain pen buyers are generally more discerning and know what they like.

 

[dogcatcher]

I had one good customer that bought most of my fountain pens. He taught me a lot about selling FP's, in his own words, don't try to sell them, they have to sell themselves. The older generation remember them as part of the past, the newer generations need to be educated about them, there is little in-between. The older generation like myself either hate them or have a nostalgic love for them I like to make them, I love to write with them, but no way would I daily carry one. They are like a fine watch, if I am dressed up, a FP might make it into my pocket. But in jeans, shirt and my boots, an old style wood pencil is better.,

 

[Swagopenturner]

AS much as I love the look and feel of a FP, almost all of my sales are RBs. Only about 1% of my sales are FPs.

 

[DrD]

Well said dogcatcher, well said.

 

[bmachin]

If you are interested in selling fountain pens to people who like fountain pens bear this in mind: fountain pen aficionados, geeks, whatever you want to call them are not generally drawn to kit pens. There are, in my view, two reasons for this. First, kit pens are relatively very heavy. Second, most kit pens have metal sections which just don't have as nice a feel as ebonite or alumilite.

If selling to fountain pen geeks appeals to you, learn to make kitless pens efficiently, learn to tune a nib, and have a few in your display.

Bill

 

[George883]

Thank You all. I really don't know a thing about FP except that years and years ago I had one and it leaked and ruined a shirt and suit coat. I've only turned about 75 or so pens and I'm still working to perfect my skills. I'll worry about FP in the future.