I've been collecting fountain pens for about 20 years, and when I first started playing with them, I felt like I needed to buy/rescue every pen I ran across, especially the unloved vintage pens. Yes, they needed repairs. Yes, some of them were "ugly" or not modern snazzy pens. Now that I'm in my 70s, I realize I need to start divesting pens, but don't really know how to go about it. I really appreciate your comments about how and where you sell yours. I have a much easier time buying pens (still!) than shedding them. But I seriously need to come up with a plan to start selling off the ones I haven't used in over a decade and then begin to implement that plan. It feels overwhelming. I haven't been inclined to sell parts of my collection off en masse to a buyer yet though. I like your method. Thanks for a thoughtful video.
Wow! Your collection sounds really interesting, and a true reflection of you. And you're not alone when you say buying is easier than selling! Good luck with whatever you choose to do with your pens!
Thank you for this video. I appreciate seeing that you sold a Lamy Al Star, a TWSBI 580, and a Pilot Prera. That is very encouraging. All the pens I want to sell are in this range, and I wasn't sure anyone would buy them. I'm also so impressed with your cataloguing skills (along with your neat, tiny writing)!
Thank you for sharing your reasons and process. I love that you’re curating your collection with such intent. You did a great job keeping close to your goal. It’s all about the net effect
Excellent video! I found it really useful to clarify in my own mind how to evaluate my pens and from that which ones to dispose of, which to keep and which to seek out. I sold my first pen late last year because I found I just did not enjoy the writing experience it gave, despite its almost iconic status amongst the fountain pen community. Once over that I think I'll find it easier in future to dispose of pens - your video has helped a lot in my decision-making. Thanks!
I bought the honey melomel and I keep it inked with Pelikan Rose Quartz, with an Estie 1.1 stub nib on it, it's perfection for me. Thank you!! ❤ You're so right that selling a pen you don't love is the right thing to do because someone out there will love it, and then the pen gets love and everyone is happy!
It was very helpful to hear your process and decision masking for selling pens. I need to start doing it, too. It would be interesting to hear you discuss how you determine the selling price of your pens; not necessarily the actual price but the factors you consider. Thank you
Thank you SO MUCH for this video!!! Just HEARING someone say, "Just because I sold it, doesn't mean it's a BAD pen, it's just not for me." I KNOW that I don't "need permission" but just HEARING someone say that, really makes me feel better! 🤓 Thanks for taking time time to tell us all about your pens that came in and were sold. Now I feel that I can go explore!!! Cheers!!!
OMG: When you said and I can just hear Simone going: Of course, you have a google doc. - I'm not telling you at all what I thought just seconds before. LOL. You know me too well, Karyna.
I have a number of pens I'd like to get rid of, but currently I hang on to everything. Because I got rid of a group of 16 pens I was no longer using, and now I regret it, because my approach to drawing has come full circle, and I want to use them again. And of course they are no longer for sale. So now I have a little box labelled "Retired" that sits on the shelf, holding the pens I've quit using. Because you never know. Rather, I never know.
Very true, you never know. After this video, I have realized I don't have any regrets from the pens I've sold this year. But I also don't want to hold on to anything "just in case". It's a balancing act, for sure.
Hi Karyna! I loved this video. Truly appreciated your analytical thoughts process. Just curious, are you in a profession that utilizes alot of numbers? Financial analysis? Accounting?
Lucy is so cute! I know what you mean about pens not being for you! I've tried a few pens which I'm curious about and some of them just didn't work for me so I decided to sell them just to fund this quite expensive hobby lol. Cause it makes me sad that the pens are just stored in a box instead of being used.
Fun. Interesting to hear your curating stories. I got the same 3776 on Fountain Pen Day and was disappointed when I found has too much feedback for my taste.
I'm impressed with the speed of your turnover. I am too attached and feel like I need to test them out for a long time to get to know them. I sold one only because I had two of the same pen. 😅
Thank you! And not everyone is like me - I'm like this with stationery as well, not just pens. I'm very quick to destash if it's no longer serving me, and so far, I haven't had any regrets!
Thanks for sharing your process and thinking in actively curating your collection! Really appreciate the selling tips as I've found it much, much trickier to sell pens than to acquire them! I was doing a mental tally as you went along and reached your same conclusion: you planned to only purchase 12 new pens but by the end of the year, you were only 13 up so pretty close! I noticed that you sold a goodly number of primary manipulation pens. I know they were (still are?) all the rage but they don't do it for me, either. I like some of Jonathan Brooks more solid resins and tried to order one of his pens back when it was only ~ 1 year wait...which became >2 years so I gave up. It seems to me he's more in the business of making blanks for other makers -- and kudos to him -- than pen making per se.
Glad this was helpful! And yes, Primary Manipulation is all the rage but it can vary so much. There are other blanks of his I like more, and there are so many makes who have much less of a wait time but also do great work!
I mentioned at the beginning of the video that you can sell them through your account on Instagram, through VirtualPenShow on Instagram, through the subreddit group r/PenSwap, or through Facebook.
None of these pens have a flex nib. It’s not one I generally go for. Vintage pens have some of the best flex nibs but if you want to get a modern flex nib, check out Peyton Street Pens - they sell Jowo #6 nibs that are flex that you can put into a pen that has a Jowo #6 housing
I always wonder where you and others sell your pens. Thanks for the video. I need a pen that makes my hand feel like it's wrapped in bubble wrap. I gotta get rid of some of mines. 💜
I know! I was so torn about what to do because your pens mean so much to me. But don’t worry - I get to see the pen occasionally since I gave it to a friend locally, who truly appreciated your work!
Great question. When thinking of selling price, I think of the condition plus the current market value and I normally go 80% of what I bought it for plus shipping. I don’t add the Goods and Services fee on top of that so I absorb the cost myself. Everybody does it differently. But I don’t sell pens to make a profit. Most of the time, I lose 10-20% of what I originally paid to pay shipping, fees, etc.
I appreciate that you talk about a pen just not being right for you, but it might be the right pen for someone else. Because it is interesting.. I love the Benu Euphoria. So that is what is so great about fountain pens. There is a pen for everyone. And for me, the Lamy 2000 will never be in my collection, I would never get that pen. It's not attractive and I really don't like hooded nibs
It's also why I like reviewing objectively but still honestly. I don't want to be completely negative about something because there may be someone else that loves that thing and be completely offended by what I've said. It's so wonderful that there are so many types of fountain pens out there to suit all of our different needs!
I think you would have enjoyed the Platinum 3776 in Medium and most likely the Soft Medium would have been perfect for you. In regards to the Pilot 743 I agree, they are very boring (now they have the Verdigris that looks much nicer than the other colors available), I opted for the black one because if I have no choice, I prefer a classic black pen over a boring red pen, and I think you would have liked the Fine-Medium or Medium nib better. BTW, I love your smily paper clip 😅
I've been collecting fountain pens for about 20 years, and when I first started playing with them, I felt like I needed to buy/rescue every pen I ran across, especially the unloved vintage pens. Yes, they needed repairs. Yes, some of them were "ugly" or not modern snazzy pens. Now that I'm in my 70s, I realize I need to start divesting pens, but don't really know how to go about it. I really appreciate your comments about how and where you sell yours. I have a much easier time buying pens (still!) than shedding them. But I seriously need to come up with a plan to start selling off the ones I haven't used in over a decade and then begin to implement that plan. It feels overwhelming. I haven't been inclined to sell parts of my collection off en masse to a buyer yet though. I like your method. Thanks for a thoughtful video.
Wow! Your collection sounds really interesting, and a true reflection of you. And you're not alone when you say buying is easier than selling! Good luck with whatever you choose to do with your pens!
Thank you for this video. I appreciate seeing that you sold a Lamy Al Star, a TWSBI 580, and a Pilot Prera. That is very encouraging. All the pens I want to sell are in this range, and I wasn't sure anyone would buy them.
I'm also so impressed with your cataloguing skills (along with your neat, tiny writing)!
Yes, all those pens are sellable for sure! Good luck!
@@KarynaLovesToPlan Thank you!
Thank you for sharing your reasons and process. I love that you’re curating your collection with such intent. You did a great job keeping close to your goal. It’s all about the net effect
Thank you so much for this! Yes, the net effect!
Excellent video! I found it really useful to clarify in my own mind how to evaluate my pens and from that which ones to dispose of, which to keep and which to seek out. I sold my first pen late last year because I found I just did not enjoy the writing experience it gave, despite its almost iconic status amongst the fountain pen community. Once over that I think I'll find it easier in future to dispose of pens - your video has helped a lot in my decision-making. Thanks!
I bought the honey melomel and I keep it inked with Pelikan Rose Quartz, with an Estie 1.1 stub nib on it, it's perfection for me. Thank you!! ❤ You're so right that selling a pen you don't love is the right thing to do because someone out there will love it, and then the pen gets love and everyone is happy!
I am so glad that you love it! It was meant to be!
It was very helpful to hear your process and decision masking for selling pens. I need to start doing it, too. It would be interesting to hear you discuss how you determine the selling price of your pens; not necessarily the actual price but the factors you consider. Thank you
Thank you SO MUCH for this video!!! Just HEARING someone say, "Just because I sold it, doesn't mean it's a BAD pen, it's just not for me." I KNOW that I don't "need permission" but just HEARING someone say that, really makes me feel better! 🤓
Thanks for taking time time to tell us all about your pens that came in and were sold. Now I feel that I can go explore!!! Cheers!!!
Glad that this was helpful!!
OMG: When you said and I can just hear Simone going: Of course, you have a google doc. - I'm not telling you at all what I thought just seconds before. LOL. You know me too well, Karyna.
Best comment of the video. 😂😂😂
Happy holidays to you and yours Karyna. Thanks for sharing your fountain pen journey over the last year.
All the best for 2024, and happy writing.
Happy holidays, Michael!
I have a number of pens I'd like to get rid of, but currently I hang on to everything. Because I got rid of a group of 16 pens I was no longer using, and now I regret it, because my approach to drawing has come full circle, and I want to use them again. And of course they are no longer for sale. So now I have a little box labelled "Retired" that sits on the shelf, holding the pens I've quit using. Because you never know. Rather, I never know.
Very true, you never know. After this video, I have realized I don't have any regrets from the pens I've sold this year. But I also don't want to hold on to anything "just in case". It's a balancing act, for sure.
It's nice to see your pretty smile! Thanks for always sharing great info. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Aww thank you! 😘
Loved this video! I learned so much 😊
Glad this was helpful!
great video for the end of the year, thanks for sharing
Thanks for watching!
You are a pretty woman with a cute sense of humor, i enjoyed your video. I hope you have a merry christmas and blessed new year. 😊
I love the two pens that I bought from you last year.
I'm so glad that you love them, Faye!
Hi Karyna! I loved this video. Truly appreciated your analytical thoughts process. Just curious, are you in a profession that utilizes alot of numbers? Financial analysis? Accounting?
No actually, I work as a supervisor in a contact centre. But I do love spreadsheets!
Lucy is so cute! I know what you mean about pens not being for you! I've tried a few pens which I'm curious about and some of them just didn't work for me so I decided to sell them just to fund this quite expensive hobby lol. Cause it makes me sad that the pens are just stored in a box instead of being used.
Fun. Interesting to hear your curating stories. I got the same 3776 on Fountain Pen Day and was disappointed when I found has too much feedback for my taste.
I wanted so much to love it but it was just too toothy!
So, I was prompted by you to try the 3776 out again, and I rather liked it. Have ina-ho in it. I'll keep using it and see how it turns out.
I'm impressed with the speed of your turnover. I am too attached and feel like I need to test them out for a long time to get to know them. I sold one only because I had two of the same pen. 😅
Thank you! And not everyone is like me - I'm like this with stationery as well, not just pens. I'm very quick to destash if it's no longer serving me, and so far, I haven't had any regrets!
Thanks for sharing your process and thinking in actively curating your collection! Really appreciate the selling tips as I've found it much, much trickier to sell pens than to acquire them! I was doing a mental tally as you went along and reached your same conclusion: you planned to only purchase 12 new pens but by the end of the year, you were only 13 up so pretty close!
I noticed that you sold a goodly number of primary manipulation pens. I know they were (still are?) all the rage but they don't do it for me, either. I like some of Jonathan Brooks more solid resins and tried to order one of his pens back when it was only ~ 1 year wait...which became >2 years so I gave up. It seems to me he's more in the business of making blanks for other makers -- and kudos to him -- than pen making per se.
Glad this was helpful! And yes, Primary Manipulation is all the rage but it can vary so much. There are other blanks of his I like more, and there are so many makes who have much less of a wait time but also do great work!
Couldn't agree more. I've enjoyed pens from Hinze, Gravitas, Edison, etc
@@KarynaLovesToPlan
So helpful!
Very helpful video! I also have some pens I’d like to sell soon. Where do you sell yours or where is a good (safe) place to sell them online?
I mentioned at the beginning of the video that you can sell them through your account on Instagram, through VirtualPenShow on Instagram, through the subreddit group r/PenSwap, or through Facebook.
❔Question for you. Which of these pens have a flex nib? I want to practice calligraphy.
None of these pens have a flex nib. It’s not one I generally go for. Vintage pens have some of the best flex nibs but if you want to get a modern flex nib, check out Peyton Street Pens - they sell Jowo #6 nibs that are flex that you can put into a pen that has a Jowo #6 housing
@@KarynaLovesToPlan thank you so much!!😊
I always wonder where you and others sell your pens. Thanks for the video. I need a pen that makes my hand feel like it's wrapped in bubble wrap. I gotta get rid of some of mines. 💜
Glad this was helpful!
But the PM1 was so pretty!!! 😢. I’m glad it went to a good home tho!!
I know! I was so torn about what to do because your pens mean so much to me. But don’t worry - I get to see the pen occasionally since I gave it to a friend locally, who truly appreciated your work!
Feels like a timeline of our friendship. So many memories! 😂
You have been there through every decision!
If you are interested in reselling fountain pens and mechanical pencils rotring snaford papermate let us know we have many brands
Thanks! I have had good success with selling on my own!
Do you add the fee that Paypal takes onto the price of your pen that you sell?
Great question. When thinking of selling price, I think of the condition plus the current market value and I normally go 80% of what I bought it for plus shipping. I don’t add the Goods and Services fee on top of that so I absorb the cost myself. Everybody does it differently. But I don’t sell pens to make a profit. Most of the time, I lose 10-20% of what I originally paid to pay shipping, fees, etc.
If I were to ever sell any of my Edison or BENU pens (my two favorite brands) you could take that as a sign of the apocalypse! 🤯
😅 I said that about one or two that were sold…
I appreciate that you talk about a pen just not being right for you, but it might be the right pen for someone else. Because it is interesting.. I love the Benu Euphoria. So that is what is so great about fountain pens. There is a pen for everyone. And for me, the Lamy 2000 will never be in my collection, I would never get that pen. It's not attractive and I really don't like hooded nibs
It's also why I like reviewing objectively but still honestly. I don't want to be completely negative about something because there may be someone else that loves that thing and be completely offended by what I've said.
It's so wonderful that there are so many types of fountain pens out there to suit all of our different needs!
I think you would have enjoyed the Platinum 3776 in Medium and most likely the Soft Medium would have been perfect for you. In regards to the Pilot 743 I agree, they are very boring (now they have the Verdigris that looks much nicer than the other colors available), I opted for the black one because if I have no choice, I prefer a classic black pen over a boring red pen, and I think you would have liked the Fine-Medium or Medium nib better. BTW, I love your smily paper clip 😅
Thanks for the input! I did try (very briefly) a Medium and a Soft Fine but it still wasn’t for me.