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April 21, 2006
Buying pens on the cheap
We were shocked today when we walked into a W.C. Penfold's store in Bourke Street to discover that the Uni-Ball Jetstream rollerball pen that we raved about below was on sale for ... $5.13. That's a pretty hefty mark-up, given that the RRP is just $4.30. Even the Carlton newsagent where we made our most recent purchase was cheaper, at $4.60.
So we did a bit of a search, and came up with a place at Ferntree Gully which sells cheap pens over the Internet. It has them for $3.39 (inc. tax). You get a 5 per cent discount if you buy 12, and local delivery costs $6.60. We've ordered 20. If you can find a cheaper source, let us know. We do SO resent being ripped off!
Posted by cw at April 21, 2006 04:45 PM
Comments
I have seen in many staff rooms at Chambers "Staff will not be reimbursed for any purchases at W.C.." Some years ago I purchased a pkt of paper 25 sheets (not copy paper) and paid $7 odd.
Sitting on the bus bored, I peeled off their price sticker and saw a Suggested Retail Price (SRP) of $3.25. Mistake? Off the bus and lo and behold the art shop had exactly the same for just under $3.00. When I spoke to them (W.C.) the next morning about the pricing error, I was told by the Store Manager that it was a SRP but their price was $7 odd and I chose that product at that price and their price sticker was over the SRP sticker.
The staff room notice has appeared in many more rooms since.
Posted by: Duncan Alexander at April 21, 2006 07:18 PM
C'mon Jetstream, time to advertise on this trusty blog!!!!!!
When I encounter one I'll give it a burl. Must say my 20 y.o Mont Blanc has served me well though.
P.S. When [& where] will we be seeing the restaurant reviews?
Posted by: Stuart at April 21, 2006 08:05 PM
Well, if you're doing it for single malt whisky (whiskey?) http://www.bleedingedge.com.au/blog/archives/2006/04/bulk_buy_your_t.html then you can do it for pens, too!! :)
Posted by: Newman at April 21, 2006 09:26 PM
Hehehe... My pens are still cheaper at Office Works than at The Pen Store
Posted by: Stephen at April 22, 2006 12:27 AM
I am always on the lookout for the better pen, and have found one that has served me well and has become my new *standard* writing device. Reading about your experience inspired me to gush over my happiness with my pen. Then I noticed - we are both on the same page, ie my pen is the same brand and model!
S
Posted by: Steve at April 27, 2006 08:47 AM
Yeah! A nice pen. But did anyone else take the pen from the rack. Look at the exposed silver end [very much like the like writing end to my eye] thinking that it was a retracter & start twisting what one quickly realised was the cap when no tip appeared. Poor design methinks.
Posted by: Stuart at April 28, 2006 04:28 PM
You're right, Stuart. Apparently one customer returned hers to the store, citing the fact that "it doesn't work". She didn't realise that it was like a fountain pen, and you had to take the cap off.
However, it IS a nice pen. And we've managed to source some of them at an even cheaper rate. If anyone would like to buy them, let us know. They cost $3.20 each (inc. tax), plus hopefully cheaper postage than on that site we mentioned.
Posted by: cw at April 28, 2006 06:16 PM