Advice sought on marketing pens

[Empty_of_Clouds]

Nothing

[catbert]

Speaking as an online buyer with no pen-sales experience, showing the nib and other close-ups (such as these) helps a lot from an informational/reassurance standpoint. The current listing doesn’t have a nib shot and someone had to ask about the point size.

Not talking the product down is generally accepted marketing practice. These look like handsome examples of well-regarded pens at fair prices*. It has been clear for some time that they're not for you and you’re keen to be rid of them. That doesn’t mean someone else won't be glad to have them.

You may not recoup all your expenditure but every little counts towards the pen(s) you really want.

*Yes, they might be had on eBay for less, but without the trust and buying experience of Peyton Street, et al.

Not much - hope it helps. Good luck.

[nospam666]

Close up photos and writing samples?

[Sailor Kenshin]

Is the Sentinel a Touchdown-filler?

[Jon Szanto]

Yes, it is a Touchdown. A lot of people talk about the snorkel filling system as being all that, but I have heard from some quarters that the Touchdown is somehow better. Not sure exactly why though.

I'm not certain I'd say it is "better", thought it is certainly less complex, and can hold a bit more ink, IIRC. Certainly easier to do a restore on - less parts, etc.

[Sailor Kenshin]

Yes, it is a Touchdown. A lot of people talk about the snorkel filling system as being all that, but I have heard from some quarters that the Touchdown is somehow better. Not sure exactly why though.

The Snorkel strikes me as a bit creepy. I mean, this THING comes snaking out of the pen.

[Jon Szanto]

Yes, it is a Touchdown. A lot of people talk about the snorkel filling system as being all that, but I have heard from some quarters that the Touchdown is somehow better. Not sure exactly why though.

The Snorkel strikes me as a bit creepy. I mean, this THING comes snaking out of the pen.

Oh, STOP THAT! It is a miracle of modern engineering. You'd rather lift a lever and SQUEEZE THE GUTS OF THE PEN? Or open up the body of the pen and TWIST IT'S INTESTINE UNTIL IT SUCKS UP INK??

I will say this: when a Snorkel system is in good working order, there is no other way to fill a pen with ink that is as clean, save for popping in a new cartridge.

[Laura N]

Yes, it is a Touchdown. A lot of people talk about the snorkel filling system as being all that, but I have heard from some quarters that the Touchdown is somehow better. Not sure exactly why though.

I'm not certain I'd say it is "better", thought it is certainly less complex, and can hold a bit more ink, IIRC. Certainly easier to do a restore on - less parts, etc.

Well, I'd say it's better.

How about the satisfying "whoosh" sound it makes?! Plus the great name.

Touchdown!

[Jon Szanto]

Yes, it is a Touchdown. A lot of people talk about the snorkel filling system as being all that, but I have heard from some quarters that the Touchdown is somehow better. Not sure exactly why though.

I'm not certain I'd say it is "better", thought it is certainly less complex, and can hold a bit more ink, IIRC. Certainly easier to do a restore on - less parts, etc.

Well, I'd say it's better.

How about the satisfying "whoosh" sound it makes?! Plus the great name.

Touchdown!

Spoken like a true marketing flack. You people in the advertising department will never understand the sophisticated elegance of our newest filling system!

[Jon Szanto]

I guess I must be doing something wrong, as there has been no interest really at all. So I ask here. What can I do to turn this around?

To try to come back on topic, I think you are going in the right direction. The photos are a big improvement. It isn't as easy as it might seem to write good "copy" for an ad. If at all possible, the photos can do a lot of the talking. Then, as briefly but as completely as possible, describe each pen, including condition, nib size, filling system (if not apparent), and the like. Do not mention your own cost, or what doesn't suit you about the pen. Everything needs to be completely neutral or positive in your description, the only exceptions being to point out any obvious flaws or damage (scratches, brassing, etc). Be honest, but no need to be brutal, or to hide anything, either. Lastly, go through some eBay listings of similar pens, only looking at the "Completed Listings" to get a good idea of the current market.

You may have to sell them for a figure that is lower than what you purchased them for, that is just part of the way the world turns. Keep in mind that you bought them for that amount, and there may be someone else out there like you. To find those sales, you may have to take your time - offer them up for sale, take them down if they don't move, and try again a couple months later. If immediate funds are the goal, all you can do is put up a good ad in a number of places, and drop the price if they don't move.

Best of luck.

[carlos.q]

The ads that impress me the most have:

1. Good pictures (as many as possible)
2. Closeups of the nib (from the top and bottom)
3. Writing samples (shown against a comparison nib or some defined size line spacing or graph paper)
4. Honest descriptions (including flaws)

Christof, Piscov and Pomperopero over at FPN are good examples of sellers with excellent techniques.

Your pictures are getting better!

[tandaina]

Sometimes pens just don't sell.

I put them back in the cabinet and try again later. Sometimes it just isn't what folks are looking for.

[sloegin]

Sales have been lackluster recently, at least for me. That said, your prices are too high (the waterman's price is fine, perhaps even low).

[mhosea]

Sometimes I sell things, sometimes I don't. FPG does not represent much demand, I think, especially for vintage pens that are more valuable because they are less common. Take your Midnight Blue Parker 51. Is it worth what you paid? Probably. Richard Binder would move it from his tray in about 2 minutes or less at that price. But you or me selling here? Around here I expect to sell such things below market or not at all. I can go to eBay, but the final value fees are significant, so I'd rather sell here if I can--everybody wins (except eBay). Rick Krantz does pretty well, I think, but he sells below market, and he puts his ads on a few different sites.

Anyway, I do want to add that I think you need to be one of the celebrated restorers to sell the Sheaffer Touchdown at the asking price. Buying from one of those guys can be like driving a new car off the lot, absurd though it seems.

[Sailor Kenshin]

Yes, it is a Touchdown. A lot of people talk about the snorkel filling system as being all that, but I have heard from some quarters that the Touchdown is somehow better. Not sure exactly why though.

I'm not certain I'd say it is "better", thought it is certainly less complex, and can hold a bit more ink, IIRC. Certainly easier to do a restore on - less parts, etc.

Well, I'd say it's better.

How about the satisfying "whoosh" sound it makes?! Plus the great name.

Touchdown!

Spoken like a true marketing flack. You people in the advertising department will never understand the sophisticated elegance of our newest filling system!

Well...it IS almost Halloween....

[fountainpenkid]

I think your problem may be mostly that you paid too much in the first place--both the Parker and Sheaffer are rarely sold for more than $100 in most cases.

[jar]

Sell them for what you can get and consider any loss as a rental fee. None of your prices seem totally out of line but they are all pretty common pens and so may take awhile to sell.

[carlos.q]

Sell them for what you can get and consider any loss as a rental fee. None of your prices seem totally out of line but they are all pretty common pens and so may take awhile to sell.

This is very sensible advice.

[mhguda]

I've bought pens from people I don't know both here and on FPN (when the Classifieds was better) but never a pen in the price range you suggest.
My reason? well, if I don't know a person and buy a pen and the deal goes south, I won't be out a considerable amount of money. I always test the waters first, buying pens up to around $30 or so...
Once I've bought a few items and it all goes well, I can be inclined to risk a little more.
But to be very honest: I've never bought a pen from an online seller in that range of prices - if I spend that much it would be for a number of pens, and only after I'd done business with the person selling them enough times to get the feeling I can trust the person.
HTH.

[stub]

Uncommon color and a Farmersmums restore makes that Parker 51 worth it's price. I asked about it before and would have offered you something on it but I already have a fine point P51 and much prefer the medium, and I just bought a charming user grade '43 Vac 51 off here (Classifieds). But honestly. I would just keep offering that pen for $100. Someone will likely bite. Yes, you can buy 51s cheaper. And you might get lucky but Penfisher and Farmersmums restored pens are a cut above. I have a Farmersmums Aurora 88p that is really really nice. Hold out on that one. Someone is going to buy it.

The Sentinel is clean and a nice one but a tad high. I sold 2 last year for $70 (I think). I think I offered you something or asked about it long ago here or FPN and did not get a response.

The Waterman has me drooling. It too is a tad high (maybe) but when folks look at Waterman they mostly want the most flex possible or BCHR oens. The Red is the medium semi flex, I believe. I would actually love to give that puppy a home and would make you an offer right now but for personal reasons I have to curtail my pen related buying for a while. In fact, I am selling a few things. Why are you flipping the Waterman? Looks like an amazing pen.