Ted iin Michigan
Member
I don't do rants (very often at least) but this one has been sticking in my mind for a while now and I just have to get it out so I can move on.
Here goes: There are pen component sets out there for ABSOLUTELY anyone. Personally, I'm more of a traditionalist and I don't like the recent trending toward gadget or theme pens. But that's okay. Different strokes for different folk, right? But how do pen component set retailers (PSI in this case) set the prices for their offerings. They (PSI) have a really nifty new offering in their Icon pen component set. Cool, I think. It's different and VERY, VERY simple. Based on a BIC. But they cost about $7 a set!!!
WHY?!?!
A Slimline goes for about $2.20 if you buy them in bulk. With the Icon the refill is so simple - they just provide a Bic. You pull the refill out and stick it in the new pen. The tip is pretty much the same as a Slimline save for a slight modification to adapt to the Bic refill. There is no transmission. The only real new stuff is the end and the cap.
I get part of it. Anything new has startup costs that need to be recovered and the Slimline styles have been around for so long the makers can probably do them while they are sleeping. But more than three times the cost for a MUCH simpler pen? With fewer, less expensive parts?
It just ain't right, gang. It just ain't right.
Sorry for the rant. I feel better now.
Here goes: There are pen component sets out there for ABSOLUTELY anyone. Personally, I'm more of a traditionalist and I don't like the recent trending toward gadget or theme pens. But that's okay. Different strokes for different folk, right? But how do pen component set retailers (PSI in this case) set the prices for their offerings. They (PSI) have a really nifty new offering in their Icon pen component set. Cool, I think. It's different and VERY, VERY simple. Based on a BIC. But they cost about $7 a set!!!
WHY?!?!
A Slimline goes for about $2.20 if you buy them in bulk. With the Icon the refill is so simple - they just provide a Bic. You pull the refill out and stick it in the new pen. The tip is pretty much the same as a Slimline save for a slight modification to adapt to the Bic refill. There is no transmission. The only real new stuff is the end and the cap.
I get part of it. Anything new has startup costs that need to be recovered and the Slimline styles have been around for so long the makers can probably do them while they are sleeping. But more than three times the cost for a MUCH simpler pen? With fewer, less expensive parts?
It just ain't right, gang. It just ain't right.
Sorry for the rant. I feel better now.