FPGeeks Podcast Episode #44

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Stipula, S.T. Dupont, Delta, TWSBI, and More!

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~ Show Notes ~
Video Broadcast of this Episode

Hosts: Dan Smith, Stephen Brown
Guest: Brian Gray of Edison Pen Co.

In this episode:
Stipula and Chatterly Pens Faceted Etruria Oversize
S.T. Dupont’s Second Empire Collection
Inkcyclopedia: Iroshizuku Momiji
Delta Fusion 82 Fountain Pen
Penna Vintage Online Magazine
TWSBI Economic Model
Azizah Asgarali’s Daily Carry

Contact Us:
Podcast Email: podcast@fpgeeks.com
Twitter: twitter.com/fpgeeks
Facebook: facebook.com/fpgeeks
Web Site: fpgeeks.com
Forum: fpgeeks.com/forum
Phone:  415-685-GEEK (4335)
- Our Mailing Address:
Fountain Pen Geeks
PO Box 728
Ankeny,  IA 50021
USA

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  • http://profiles.google.com/togotooner Todd Dolce

    It was interesting to hear about Stephen’s video regarding the value of a fountain pen. To Brian Gray’s point,…I always wondered why when we are talking modern day pens that are constructed primarily (nib and clip excluded) of “plastic” do we see price tags exceeding $400 or $500 on many them? That really seems insane to me. Yes,…I get that the gold nibs drive the price many times,…but I’m talking about many that are steel nibs.

    I’ve seen some beautiful pens,..don’t get me wrong,….and I love those unique looking ones that come around every so often, BUT….I would love to know the cost vs. sale relationship on them. I mean,…looking at it from a business stand point,..and really that is the best way to look at it,….what is the average cost of making one pen vs. the markup or price of retail.

    Totally understand that there are some costs involved,…but what are the profit margins on these things? What percentage of that hefty price tag is actually attributed to the nib? If a steel nib pen is costing more than 300 bucks,…where is the expense?

    Now,….custom pens obviously may be a different tune altogether,..I don’t know. Again,…these are just curiosity questions here. I’m not making any bold statements here nor am I implying that every pen manufacturer is out to rip everybody off,…I’m just wondering what the markup is on some of these bad boys that hit the market.

    I don’t have endless funds for such things as fountain pens,…though I probably could swing it for some of those middle range models….but I don’t. I’m often left scratching my head when I see a pen listing for $500.00 that honestly looks not much different than a another brand selling for $85. Makes me wonder,…are they using magic plastic? Some kind of rare gold for their nib found only in the jungles of the Congo? Or do they want me to pay for the privilege of buying their brand name? Who’s kidding who here?

    Design. It’s a struggle for many of us. What is the value that you place on design? When is a design worth $800.00 and when is it worth $200? It’s purely driven on taste and your wallet. It’s a struggle between the two on many occasions. I often wonder as an artist myself, how Brian Gray prices a design of one of his pens. He has pens that I wouldn’t spend $50 on based simply on my taste and how it does or doesn’t appeal to me. Yet he has others that knock me on my rear over the beauty that speaks to me emanating from their delightful appearance. How much of the cost of a pen is design, how much is material, how much is labor and how much is purely marketing? Not expecting answers here,..just thinking out loud.

    You guys are great and I have heard you call some of these manufacturers out on various occasions, so it’s nice to know that you at least police this for many of your listeners. Much appreciated.