picking new inks

[Nashtah]

Hello

What is the best way to select a new ink without being able to buy samples or see the ink in person? IF you know of a location to buy samples in China please tell me but as of right now the shipping of a sample makes the bottle look cheaper.
Second what is a good plan for inks which I don't like as I buy by the bottle?
As of now I buy my inks on taobao which is like ebay with out biding and 90% new.

Thanks for reading

Nashtah

[VertOlive]

I think the best website for looking at ink samples on the computer monitor is Goulet Pen Co. They have an extensive inventory and very good pages for each ink with a swab and writing sample. Here is the link: http://www.gouletpens.com/Shop_All_Bottled_Ink_s/1106.htm

Any inks you've bought and end up not liking can be sold on pen forums, given away, or auctioned on eBay.

Enjoy!

[tandaina]

Yup, Goulet Pens swabs are great. I also tend to do a Google search for reviews of an ink once I think I'm likely to buy it. That way I get more pictures and folks impressions of how it behaves. I've bought lots of ink this way, even in the US and haven't been disappointed.

[chojo]

I agree with Vert olive and tandaina, google is your friend. I use you tube a lot too,videos can give you a better idea than written reviews I think.

[serpent]

I think your biggest problem as you mentioned is the Shipping Cost. I would contact a vendor in Japan like BungBox e-mail them for shipping costs at: info at bung-box.com link to their site http://bung-box.com and ask for shipping quote. all their ink is custom Sailor and i'm pretty sure you'd be quite happy with any color you pick. they also do iroshizuko.

[ypsilanti]

I use online reviews and Goulet Swabs to compare inks I already have to inks that I'm interested in buying. That way I can see if a red ink (for example) is more orange-red or more brown-red than an ink I already know. Very helpful.