Rollerball kits

[Chief Hill]

Have not seen much on this in this section of the forum but I would like to see WWW carry a variey of RB & FP kits like the Jr gents, statesmen, majestic types. Zen pen kits would be cool as well. Kits basically from CSUSA, or PSI. There is a huge amount of kits availble but mainly to the American public for ease of access. I would much rather do all my business with WWW seeing as I live in Canada. It's faster and much easier than ordering from all over North America.

And a bit of Pickguard color selection would be cool too. People are always looking for that.
How about that everyone? What types would you like to se WWW carry?

[Coysquibbly]

I would support this most definitely. I think it is awesome that we have a Canadian company that we can get pen kits from. There is such a large choice of kits out there, and although some of them are exclusives, there are still alot available. Lotus, Zen, Panache, just a few that I want to try.

To add a bunch of pens to inventory, would take an out lay of capital to buy enough to be able to sell them at a competitive price, but, in the end it would pay off. Perhaps www could buy one kit at a time and see if there is a demand. I'm in.

I have already got my next 12 months of orders written down.

Kevin

[Coysquibbly]

I would support this most definitely. I think it is awesome that we have a Canadian company that we can get pen kits from. There is such a large choice of kits out there, and although some of them are exclusives, there are still alot available. Lotus, Zen, Panache, just a few that I want to try.

To add a bunch of pens to inventory, would take an out lay of capital to buy enough to be able to sell them at a competitive price, but, in the end it would pay off. Perhaps www could buy one kit at a time and see if there is a demand. I'm in.

I have already got my next 12 months of orders written down.

Kevin

To all of our neighbors to the south. This last statement was in no way intended to be anti American. Its just postage from stateside sure adds up in a hurry. And buying through a Canadian company reduces that by at least 50%.
Truth of the matter is, if www buys other kits in large volumes, the will most likely come from the U.S. Win/Win

Kevin

[lockyer18]

and dont forget about those duty and brokerage fees that come up now and then.......they can disuade you as well

[Chief Hill]

and dont forget about those duty and brokerage fees that come up now and then.......they can disuade you as well

Yes that's for sure as well. You never know when they are going to happen either. It's like a suprise when the delivery arrives you don't know if the guy is going to ask for more money.

Why is it every time I need something for my shop/hobby's work stuff, it's all in the US? Why do large Canadians businesses like lee valley not have stuff like this availble?

Never really understood this. Seeing as I live less then 5 min from Detriot Michigan it makes me wish I had a US address to have everything sent there.

If that were the case I would tell all the canadians here to send their stuff there to the US go pick it up and then reship out of Canada. No tax, brokerage, heavy shipping fees etc. I should talk to some friends that live close there.

[Bigdaddy]

I'd like to see some coloured pick guard. I've checked on-line for a pick guard supplier in Ottawa... mostly checking guitar stores and I haven't located any that sell it.

The styrene is only available in black and white, it would be nice to have colours available..... to match with sport teams or family crest colours. I'm pretty close to dying popsicle sticks in order to get the colours I want... and they are about .06" which is perfect to sandwich between .03 styrene for my saw blade.

Steve in Ottawa

[dexter0606]

Pickguard material other than the standard BWB or WBW is hard to come by for some reason. I looked into through my local guitar store and they found no coloured stock.
The recent group buy on IAP had a supplier in California.

Just sayin'

Jeff

[Bellsy]

Ebay is loaded with it, but it's all to rich for my blood.

Group buys are your best bet for now I think.

Mr. Dave

[Chief Hill]

Ebay is loaded with it, but it's all to rich for my blood.

Group buys are your best bet for now I think.

Mr. Dave

Everything on eBay seems to be pre cut for guitar. I just want to see this stuff sold by the sheet.

[jaywood1207]

Yes that's for sure as well. You never know when they are going to happen either. It's like a suprise when the delivery arrives you don't know if the guy is going to ask for more money.

Why is it every time I need something for my shop/hobby's work stuff, it's all in the US? Why do large Canadians businesses like lee valley not have stuff like this availble?

Never really understood this. Seeing as I live less then 5 min from Detriot Michigan it makes me wish I had a US address to have everything sent there.

If that were the case I would tell all the canadians here to send their stuff there to the US go pick it up and then reship out of Canada. No tax, brokerage, heavy shipping fees etc. I should talk to some friends that live close there.

I have found with the duty that if you keep your order under $100 they don't touch it but that is sometimes hard to do depending what kind of kits you are buying. I have an order on the way that I know will come with the extra charges. :(

[Mack C. in Brooklin ON]

and dont forget about those duty and brokerage fees that come up now and then.......they can disuade you as wellHi Cory; I think you are generalizing too much with that statement.

Canada Post brokers packages from the US for a $5.00 flat fee. It's the couriers who are charging outlandish fees. Anything I purchase from the US I always specify USPS or I don't purchase from that supplier. I haven't been refused yet.

Duty is only paid on goods purchased in the US that were made in another country that isn't part of NAFTA. Most kits are made in Taiwan. I have never been charged duty on any kits purchased but not made in the US.

GST/PST are supposed to be paid on any shipment coming into Canada. You will pay it from WWW. Why do you think you shouldn't pay it for items purchased in the US. Of my last 10 orders from the US all over $100.00, I have only been dinged twice for handling & GST/PST.

As far as mailing costs from the US go, I have been charged a high of $19.00 (from HI), to a low of $5.01. My last 6 shipments from the US averaged $9.57 US. WWW charges through no fault of their what Canada Post charges $9.50.

This post is done with the best of intentions on my part. Certainly not meant to demean you in any way. It just bothers me when generalizd statements are used to back up a discussion or an opinion.:)

My last point .. I only order kits from the US that I like and are not available at any of the 3 retailers that I am aware of in Canada.

[Mack C. in Brooklin ON]

Have not seen much on this in this section of the forum but I would like to see WWW carry a variey of RB & FP kits like the Jr gents, statesmen, majestic types. Zen pen kits would be cool as well. Kits basically from CSUSA, or PSI. There is a huge amount of kits availble but mainly to the American public for ease of access. I would much rather do all my business with WWW seeing as I live in Canada. It's faster and much easier than ordering from all over North America.

[quote]And a bit of Pickguard color selection would be cool too. People are always looking for that. Hi Rob; I'm betting if you contacted Hewunch on IAP he'll still have some available.
http://www.penturnersparadise.ca/forum/showthread.php?p=26839#post26839

It ain't cheap though! I calculated mine to be about 25¢ a sq. in.

[Coysquibbly]

Hi Cory; I think you are generalizing too much with that statement.

Canada Post brokers packages from the US for a $5.00 flat fee. It's the couriers who are charging outlandish fees. Anything I purchase from the US I always specify USPS or I don't purchase from that supplier. I haven't been refused yet.

Duty is only paid on goods purchased in the US that were made in another country that isn't part of NAFTA. Most kits are made in Taiwan. I have never been charged duty on any kits purchased but not made in the US.

GST/PST are supposed to be paid on any shipment coming into Canada. You will pay it from WWW. Why do you think you shouldn't pay it for items purchased in the US. Of my last 10 orders from the US all over $100.00, I have only been dinged twice for handling & GST/PST.

As far as mailing costs from the US go, I have been charged a high of $19.00 (from HI), to a low of $5.01. My last 6 shipments from the US averaged $9.57 US. WWW charges through no fault of their what Canada Post charges $9.50.

This post is done with the best of intentions on my part. Certainly not meant to demean you in any way. It just bothers me when generalizd statements are used to back up a discussion or an opinion.:)

My last point .. I only order kits from the US that I like and are not available at any of the 3 retailers that I am aware of in Canada.

Those three retailers would be www Lee Vally and ?

Kevin

[Mack C. in Brooklin ON]

Those three retailers would be www Lee Vally and ?

Kevinpm sent.

[krenzr]

Getting back to the original posting, I notice this was passed around just over a year ago and died out quickly. My feelings are that Berea is a great base supplier that gives the turner great latitude to express his/her craft.

Having said that, I would emphatically support WWW if they were to expand to other suppliers, particularly in the premium kits. Great caution would have to be exercised by WWW to take on the new lines however. Please note, I mean no disrespect to the members here when I say: It's a simple rule, There is always support from the general masses until it's time to collect the money. The only people who would be on the hook is WWW.

Instead of jumping in completely, is there a way that WWW can test the waters. Some pretty good kits have been noted in this thread already. Would it be possible for WWW to contact the US suppliers to negotiate a potential deal on one or two styles then send it out on their weekly newsletter and see if any orders come through. If it is successful, do another one in the next month. A more informed decision can be made later whether to carry on or not.

I would also recommend a mini survey go out to the members and determine which kits would be favored the most.

I would rather keep my dealings with a limited number of suppliers if I could.

[Chief Hill]

Well at least were making some comments here now. Aside from all comments about fees, customs, brokerage. Etc. I simply would love to just click on WWW to do the majority of my buys. fast shipping, great cs, good hardware.

Thank you Mack for weighing in on your opinions, information personal, experieces etc as it's always helpfull. (now I know only USPS).

Now Maybe our wonderfull founders to weigh on on this and advise us of their thoughts. Maybe there is too much red tape to bring in lots more stock. But it will give some simple answers instead of us running off topic as to why buying from 15 different places all over North America is good or bad.

[lockyer18]

mack....a generalized statement?......dont know where this is comming from ...it was a fact......i dont spew out info without facts.... i had a personal experience in where i got charged these fees from the us ....so be it...as you look at my statement i did say they come up now and then...do it happen very often of course not....i too only use usps stay clear of the ups for the same reason as many....where did i say about not having to pay gst and pst.....i got dinged with around 30 bucks handling fee for 40 bucks of supplies.....if i could only find that damn reciept.....

[Mack C. in Brooklin ON]

mack....a generalized statement?......dont know where this is comming from ...it was a fact......i dont spew out info without facts.... i had a personal experience in where i got charged these fees from the us ....so be it...as you look at my statement i did say they come up now and then...do it happen very often of course not....i too only use usps stay clear of the ups for the same reason as many....where did i say about not having to pay gst and pst.....i got dinged with around 30 bucks handling fee for 40 bucks of supplies.....if i could only find that damn reciept.....Hi Cory; Your post sounded like a very generalized statement. If it was only once, it's not worth talking about unless you supply all the facts which you didn't. I would be very interested to know all the facts. It's never happened to me (duty and brokerage fees) in the past 20 25 years that I have ordered stuff from the US. But maybe Canada Post doesn't recognize NL as part of Canada.:)

[Coysquibbly]

Getting back to the original posting, I notice this was passed around just over a year ago and died out quickly. My feelings are that Berea is a great base supplier that gives the turner great latitude to express his/her craft.

Having said that, I would emphatically support WWW if they were to expand to other suppliers, particularly in the premium kits. Great caution would have to be exercised by WWW to take on the new lines however. Please note, I mean no disrespect to the members here when I say: It's a simple rule, There is always support from the general masses until it's time to collect the money. The only people who would be on the hook is WWW.

Instead of jumping in completely, is there a way that WWW can test the waters. Some pretty good kits have been noted in this thread already. Would it be possible for WWW to contact the US suppliers to negotiate a potential deal on one or two styles then send it out on their weekly newsletter and see if any orders come through. If it is successful, do another one in the next month. A more informed decision can be made later whether to carry on or not.

I would also recommend a mini survey go out to the members and determine which kits would be favored the most.

I would rather keep my dealings with a limited number of suppliers if I could.

Rob,

Now your talking. That is exactly what I getting at. I for one would put support this endeavor one hundred percent. Bill any thoughts?

Not many kits to choose from here in Calgary.

Kevin

[Coysquibbly]

Well at least were making some comments here now. Aside from all comments about fees, customs, brokerage. Etc. I simply would love to just click on WWW to do the majority of my buys. fast shipping, great cs, good hardware.

Thank you Mack for weighing in on your opinions, information personal, experieces etc as it's always helpfull. (now I know only USPS).

Now Maybe our wonderfull founders to weigh on on this and advise us of their thoughts. Maybe there is too much red tape to bring in lots more stock. But it will give some simple answers instead of us running off topic as to why buying from 15 different places all over North America is good or bad.

Chief,

We are on a roll now. I can almost visualize my next order of pens from www. (I said almost:D Emperor, Lotus, Zen, Panache, Ligero. Have not tried any of these yet, but would sure like to.

Any other kits that may be of interest? Anyone?

Happy Thanksgiving all,

Kevin

[lockyer18]

mack ...i got dinged 3 times with brokerage and duty charges out of 13 orders from the states..they were ups..which i now stay away from....hmmm if were not recognized as part of canada i should be allright with shipping from now on....:cool:....andchief ...i would love to try some of those new kits also.....i like buying from canada suppliers whenever possible...anyway...hopefully www gets some of these new kits we would love to try...usually billian is quite open to getting what we would like to see available....get a concensus and ask....i for 1 would def be in

[DaveC]

Hi Mack, While I have not dealt with brokerage fees via UPS I have heard that some have. I did have a shock not long ago when our wonderful Canada Customs charged me just under $8.00 extra on my order through the States. I was charged about $2.95 as they were designated KITS and and a $5.00 HANDLING FEE!. When I complained, I was told haughtily told that I was not even charged as much as I should have been and perhaps I would like to pay more. I simply don't shop across the line anymore.

I get my stuff mostly though Lee Valley as there is one here and it saves postage or from WWW. The best deal on slimlines though is KMStools.com. They are about $2.25 unless you get a free membership and they are $2.00 or less when on sale. They are pretty good quality but the rest of the pen kits they carry are crap.

Seems like some of our fellow Canucks are trying to dissuade us from shopping abroad.

Hi Cory; Your post sounded like a very generalized statement. If it was only once, it's not worth talking about unless you supply all the facts which you didn't. I would be very interested to know all the facts. It's never happened to me (duty and brokerage fees) in the past 20 25 years that I have ordered stuff from the US. But maybe Canada Post doesn't recognize NL as part of Canada.:)

[Mack C. in Brooklin ON]

[quote]Hi Mack, While I have not dealt with brokerage fees via UPS I have heard that some have. I did have a shock not long ago when our wonderful Canada Customs charged me just under $8.00 extra on my order through the States. I was charged about $2.95 as they were designated KITS and and a $5.00 HANDLING FEE!.Hi Dave; As I understand importing rules, as a Canadian we are still obliged to pay PST & GST. It appears that happens when an order is over a certain dollar amount. The $5.00 handling fee is really a brokerage fee and well below what any courier company charges to broker your package across the border..

[lockyer18]

im not getting into this one again...losing battle...lol:cool:

[r-ice]

lol all I want to say is I want any of those kits you guys talked about. I am about to make an order for something like the jr marshall or majestic or something.

[krenzr]

I just made an order directly from Penn State. They are shipping directly with USPS. There was a 25$ shipping and handling charge, will let you know any other charges when I receive the merchandise. Mack, tried to use your source back east, they do not have these specific kits i'm looking for. There is a place in Montreal that is carrying them, their price was twice that of PS. Even if I get dinged another 30$ from CC for taxes etc., I will still be 100$ ahead.

I think it's best to assess the entire picture and not get caught up with the small annoying pieces like the border crossings. As long as I have the best "Over All" value with good service, I'm happy.

[dexter0606]

Rob
I have found it easier dealing directly with a US supplier, such as PSI, rather than bugger around with middle men that never seem to be able to get what you need. I placed a $300 order with PSI a little while ago. USPS charges where $29. Should be in shortly. I'll keep you posted about any excess charges.
All this being said I still like to buy my stuff locally (from WWW) but sometimes customers request things I need to go elsewhere for.
Sorry Bill!!

[krenzr]

Rob
I have found it easier dealing directly with a US supplier, such as PSI, rather than bugger around with middle men that never seem to be able to get what you need. I placed a $300 order with PSI a little while ago. USPS charges where $29. Should be in shortly. I'll keep you posted about any excess charges.
All this being said I still like to buy my stuff locally (from WWW) but sometimes customers request things I need to go elsewhere for.
Sorry Bill!!

Thanks Dexter. I think I have to clarify my last entry. The comment was not intended to stir ill feelings to our local suppliers. There are times when you have to go elsewhere for products you normally get from your primary supplier (who for me happens to be WWW). Going across the border and dealing with customs is a part of that business. I am just saying, shop around. sometimes paying that added cost still keeps that purchase under the amount you may pay otherwise.

The kits I was looking for were special kits. I found only one supplier in Canada that carries them. I researched PSI and found they had a sale on (as soon as I saw their price, it made no sense to keep looking). I am not about to overlook this avenue because of my angst against Canada Customs and brokerage houses, even though I am probably going to have to pay some service to get it across the border. It just does not make good business sense.

The last point I would like to make to everyone comes in a form of a question. Who do you think ultimately pays for the duty on the items you purchase through WWW and LV?

I hope good business practice would say your customers.

Hows that for stirring the pot???

[dexter0606]

OK Rob
Just received my shipment this morning! Had to pay PST / GST on the value. Understandable. No duty or brokerage to speak of unless you consider Canada Post charging a $5 handling fee

[krenzr]

OK Rob
Just received my shipment this morning! Had to pay PST / GST on the value. Understandable. No duty or brokerage to speak of unless you consider Canada Post charging a $5 handling fee

That's great Dexter! It's right around what what i was expecting. If mine comes around the same charges, total shipping and handling should be around $30 then GST. I will let you know how mine comes out!!