Best buy.

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Halling51

Member
Joined
Apr 19, 2009
Messages
25
Location
NORWAY
Hi.
Can anyone tell me where I can buy almost always "Best buy" or cheapest items for Penturning in USA?
I live in Norway and see there is a lot of shops but I can't figure out which one is cheapest average.
It is now one week and I'll be heading for the States and would love to get the info before I leave.
Maybe I bump into one of you over there?

Thanks in advance
Steinar.
 
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Steinar,
The problem that you will run into is that except of the ballpoint pen kits, each supplier tends to have their own designs so you can't just go to one supplier. Even in the ballpoints some supplier have "exclusive" items that you may want to look at.

For example if you are interested in Sierra kits, each of the major suppliers have a version. Some are cheaper than the others, but the platings can be the difference maker. The best combo is obviously the Gold ti/Black Ti and Platinum/Black ti, but Woodpenpro has a version that uses Black ti/chrome which is nearly as durable but much cheaper. But WPP isn't a major supplier.

When you get into the Rollerball/Fountain kits you run into the problem that some suppliers have exclusive deals to sell a certain kit in the US. decreases competition and prevents the price from dropping too much.

Your best bet is to let us know what you are looking for and we can point you in the best directions. We also periodically run group buys that will further reduce the prices, and some of us, like myself, have a standing open offer to drop shop packages for anyone outside the US that needs something from a US supplier that refuses to ship overseas.
 
Steinar,
I've had good luck with all of the suppliers I've tried, even the other membersof this group have had some outstanding offerings in the individual classifieds located under the forums heading at the top of the page.
Craft Supplies USA http://www.woodturnerscatalog.com/, has a complete selection and their customer service is unmatched. A big plus when your so far from the seller.
Arizona Silhouette http://www.arizonasilhouette.com/ has a very well stocked store, and Bill Baumbeck really goes the extra mile to take care of his customers.
Your pictures of your home and Norway look beautiful. My wife's parents are from Denmark, although I've never been to Scandanavia.
 
That is a difficult question to answer; but taking your question literally, the cheapest place is probably going to be PSI.

That being said, some of the comments above are certainly valid.

1. Certain kits or platings may be available from only one source. (Although close copies may be available from the competition.)

2. Cheapest is not always the best quality so it may not really be the "best buy."

3. No single seller is going to be least expensive on every item so if money is your sole criterion, it may help to shop around.

4. Both Berea and PSI have resellers that usually beat the prices of the parent company; but usually they sell online only and may not have as complete a selection as the parent company so visiting in person may not be possible.

Give us a little more detail about your intent and perhaps we can off a better answer.......nmost specifically, are you looking for vendors that have a physical shop that you can visit??
 
Steiner, my mother was born in norway, believe it was Thromjam {spelling} I believe it is located west of Oslo. I only wish I could have known more about her family. Carl
 
Best Buy...

Hi all. Thanks a lot for the answers.

First Carl. The city is Trondheim - 3rd largest city in Norway. Almost half just north of Oslo the capitol. And second I speak Norwegian as my main language. English is not that good. I need to do for the next month though.:smile:

I did not express myself good enough as I thought it might not be the propper question as there is so many suppliers on the net. That's confuse me a little. But to be continuing the question:
If I buy for $100 in a shop and send it to Norway it will cost me another 60 - 100 bucks via the custom here in Norway!!:at-wits-end:
When I am going to USA next week I want to find someone that can take the package and get rid of all papers and prices and send me as a personal package. This way I can buy 50% more and this is a lot for me to save.
I have asked the shops but many are not sending abroad. I do have US address to so I need to find out what to do.

The pen turners in USA have a hughe variety of pens and so beautiful made and here we are mostly stucked to the slim line pens. One can make a variety from these but where to find wood for it? Over the years I have made some pens. But after I went on Internet I see my pens are just nothing compare to the ones here on IAP and other places. I am doing many thing and now and then some pens between other woodworking things. When I do I want them to be different and nice.

I am going to visite 2-3 pen turners on my trip. Then I can also ask about this. The PSI made me angry the first time I tried to order. But after a phone call they ended up really nice and I am sure I will be buying more them. But all the time I need to think about the custom tax.
I will stop in Houston at WoodenWonder and in Tellico Plains in TN. I think those two have a lot to tell me. And I'll try to find one or two in Fargo and Minneapolis. Have to do something else then talking hobby on my trip too.

Have to run here - a few things to do before the flight.

Oh, the picture of my home was taken last winter and is no good. I live on a small "farm" after my father. The farm have been in the family since before 1850. I have made the barn to my workshop and you can find it on Lumberjocks.

Thanks and Carl - Jeg snakker godt norsk og er stolt av å være normann!
 
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maxwell_smart007 said:
There are suppliers in the UK that might be a good place for you to try - they're a lot closer to home than North American suppliers.
Click to expand...

The service from British mail is so poor that from USA is always faster! Don't ask me why - I really don't know.

But I will give it a chance one day.
 
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