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LAMY Al-Star Fountain Pen
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LAMY Al-Star Fountain Pen
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Product Description
With the same shape as the popular LAMY Safari, the LAMY Al-Star Fountain Pen comes with the same cartridge convenience in an aluminum body for a change in style. The portable design is finished off by a postable cap with a pocketclip, an ink level window to keep an eye on your reserves, and a triangular grip made of tinted transparent plastic that allows you to see the ink flowing through the feed Read More
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keyboard_arrow_downkamandi
42
Jan 13, 2017
As others have noted, price is at least nearly $10 more than amazon. Why would I do this? Dammit Massdrop, I would rather support you, but you make things very difficult.
kamandi
42
Jan 31, 2017
I have never in my life received a knockoff product from amazon. I will continue to stand by my assertion that amazon gives me more value than massdrop does for some products. This is one of those products.
RyanPopoff
122
Popov Leather
Mar 16, 2017
kamandiThat's totally fair, I'm not saying all Amazon pens are fakes but a lot of the reviews say otherwise.
Even if they are fake and you can't tell, what does it matter?
Even if they are fake and you can't tell, what does it matter?
FourLetters
41
Nov 18, 2014
DO NOT BUY THIS. This product is very susceptible to scratches and dents, and is not suitable to just carry around. It will look like trash after a month. The cap won't sit on well either, and it falls out of your pocket very easily.
Dynamiklol
499
Nov 22, 2014
Who the hell keeps a fountain pen in a pocket with their keys or wallet? It's meant to be in your chest pocket.
bmcginn
20
Nov 22, 2014
DynamiklolI keep my Kaweco Sport in my front pocket with chapstick, work keys (2), and usually one other item. I have carried my twsbi, karas kustoms ink, and aluminum bodied rollers with it as well. This is due to not having a chest pocket all the time and they do not spend all day there except my kaweco. The only issue I have every had is ink creeping on the nib.
MiraCole
94
Jun 9, 2017
Thank you, Massdrop, for this opportunity to pay a premium price for a readily-available product, and as a special bonus, offering us an opportunity to pay $2.75 to wait over a month to receive it! Amazon is offering me this pen, shipped, in my hands in 2 days, with an actual exchange and return policy, for 18% cheaper than what you're asking me to pay. Why would ANYONE join these drops? We need to stop supporting these drops that are over market prices with over a month lead time. It's not a custom product, it's not a special edition; it's a retail product for a higher-than retail price. Unacceptable. This took me 18 seconds to find on google (Al-Star, Same Day/Next Day/2-Day prime available for $25.73): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002YQF69I/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_dp_T2_AfRozbFMBJ62Y
Sparkle
15
Jun 10, 2017
Look, if you're comparing prices to Amazon and bitching about prices, you're getting the price at Amazon BECAUSE Amazon has sellers selling fake goods that can undercut dealers. A fake can be priced significantly less and that's why you're finding goods so much cheaper on Amazon: it forces legitimate sellers to lower their prices to participate in Amazon's marketplace, which has significant volume. This a trade off that many businesses feel they have to make. It's why I don't buy specialized goods from Amazon. I'm inadvertently destroying the profit margins of businesses that I want to exist.
You stated above that people could buy fakes and return them to Amazon as if that were a totally fine business model that does not hurt anyone. However, at some point, someone will purchase and keep a fake, thinking it's legitimate. Which does defraud people and hurt businesses' ability to profit. At the end of the day, what you are saying--whether you accept it or not--is that it's okay for people to purchase fake goods.
Out of curiosity, MiraCole, where exactly do you think CBP does it job? Strictly at the border? Just because something makes it to someone's apartment or a warehouse in Queens or Brooklyn doesn't mean it's here and no longer their concern. How do you think they find out about imported fakes? A part of finding counterfeit goods is finding "already imported" counterfeit goods and tracing it back to the source that imported it into the states. Online sellers are one place they check.
You stated above that people could buy fakes and return them to Amazon as if that were a totally fine business model that does not hurt anyone. However, at some point, someone will purchase and keep a fake, thinking it's legitimate. Which does defraud people and hurt businesses' ability to profit. At the end of the day, what you are saying--whether you accept it or not--is that it's okay for people to purchase fake goods.
Out of curiosity, MiraCole, where exactly do you think CBP does it job? Strictly at the border? Just because something makes it to someone's apartment or a warehouse in Queens or Brooklyn doesn't mean it's here and no longer their concern. How do you think they find out about imported fakes? A part of finding counterfeit goods is finding "already imported" counterfeit goods and tracing it back to the source that imported it into the states. Online sellers are one place they check.
MiraCole
94
Jun 11, 2017
SparkleI'm ignoring most of your post because it's 1) probably the most economically ignorant thing I've ever read and 2) so ridiculously stupid to post something like that on a site like this.
What I will say is that when I worked at CBP, we operated as intended and authorized under the law, to secure the United States' borders against illegal imports and to register legitimate items and sources for rights holders who wanted to establish and limit legitimate streams of commerce. What we didn't do was deal with items that had already been imported illegally, except, of course, when acting as agent for the OIPR.
JonasHeineman
5987
Dec 18, 2014
Okay, here's the latest news:
Orders began shipping today for anyone who did NOT add a Z24 Converter to their order. This group should expect to receive tracking info very soon if you don't already have it.
The converters are on backorder and have been delayed in transit. They are due into LAMY early next week, when they will be shipped next-day air to our warehouse. Once they arrive, all remaining orders will be processed immediately.
We're doing everything we can on our end to expedite this process, but I know it's frustrating. Thanks for your patience, we'll post another update when the converters are heading to the warehouse.
Orders began shipping today for anyone who did NOT add a Z24 Converter to their order. This group should expect to receive tracking info very soon if you don't already have it.
The converters are on backorder and have been delayed in transit. They are due into LAMY early next week, when they will be shipped next-day air to our warehouse. Once they arrive, all remaining orders will be processed immediately.
We're doing everything we can on our end to expedite this process, but I know it's frustrating. Thanks for your patience, we'll post another update when the converters are heading to the warehouse.
iam13islucky
8
Dec 26, 2014
JonasHeinemanThe lack of replies are disheartening. We want to know where our converters are!
Love_That_Sound
17
Oct 9, 2015
The $30.02 isn't really a great price. Amazon has that if not better on most colors and sizes.
Pixel
33
Oct 10, 2015
Love_That_SoundYeah along with shipping, Amazon is basically on par. Massdrop is only marginally better, but I guess that I'm just not seeing the value on many drops because I have Amazon Prime.
GonzoTGreat
756
Oct 13, 2015
Love_That_SoundIndeed.
Depending on your color/nib preference and whether or not you have an Amazon "Prime" account, there may be better deals elsewhere.
[EDIT from 10/18/15: When the link at the bottom was first posted, the price was $25 for the pen. Like many Amazon price fluctuations This was a "blink and you miss it" deal. Except for limited quantity drops or drops with additional, lower-priced points, Massdrop honors their price for the duration on the drop.]
In the past, this drop has been a good deal and, if your preferred selection is not available elsewhere, it may still be. In addition to the link at the end of this post, I saw prices that approached $35 or more. Also, keep in mind that many of the pens from Amazon don't come with the option to throw in a $4 converter (which is a pretty good deal).
Just more food for thought.
Cheers.
Fine print: periodically edited - significant changes to content are noted, affiliations - if any - are clearly indicated, opinions are mine.
http://www.amazon.com/LAMY-Al-Star-Fountain-Purple-L29M/dp/B002YQ69BM/ref=pd_sim_229_6?ie=UTF8&refRID=0JS79852G11NZX89SF6M&dpID=21eUD6jGViL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_
Depending on your color/nib preference and whether or not you have an Amazon "Prime" account, there may be better deals elsewhere.
[EDIT from 10/18/15: When the link at the bottom was first posted, the price was $25 for the pen. Like many Amazon price fluctuations This was a "blink and you miss it" deal. Except for limited quantity drops or drops with additional, lower-priced points, Massdrop honors their price for the duration on the drop.]
In the past, this drop has been a good deal and, if your preferred selection is not available elsewhere, it may still be. In addition to the link at the end of this post, I saw prices that approached $35 or more. Also, keep in mind that many of the pens from Amazon don't come with the option to throw in a $4 converter (which is a pretty good deal).
Just more food for thought.
Cheers.
Fine print: periodically edited - significant changes to content are noted, affiliations - if any - are clearly indicated, opinions are mine.
http://www.amazon.com/LAMY-Al-Star-Fountain-Purple-L29M/dp/B002YQ69BM/ref=pd_sim_229_6?ie=UTF8&refRID=0JS79852G11NZX89SF6M&dpID=21eUD6jGViL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_
NoThankYou
87
Dec 26, 2014
Massdrop intentionally does this. All the time. I am returning this pen to make a statement - stop lying to your consumers.
That update about converter cartridges coming into the warehouse was fabricated.
Consumers should not find out about partial shipments as they open their packages. That is disrespectful, and extremely shady. I spent $35 on a pen and now feel like I got the short end of the stick in a bait-and-switch drug deal.
A major reoccurring theme with Massdrop is the "well, we can't do anything about it, so we might as well just not tell you guys" mentality around the updates of items that are not meeting their expected shipping dates or are lacking secondary/tertiary items.
It needs to stop.
That update about converter cartridges coming into the warehouse was fabricated.
Consumers should not find out about partial shipments as they open their packages. That is disrespectful, and extremely shady. I spent $35 on a pen and now feel like I got the short end of the stick in a bait-and-switch drug deal.
A major reoccurring theme with Massdrop is the "well, we can't do anything about it, so we might as well just not tell you guys" mentality around the updates of items that are not meeting their expected shipping dates or are lacking secondary/tertiary items.
It needs to stop.
dms525
78
Dec 28, 2014
Explicitly accepting responsibility for the shipping error is nice.
<rant> From the customer's perspective, shipping a multi-item order in more than one package is not unusual. What was not acceptable was the long delay in communication and assurance that the items missing from the first shipment would be forthcoming.
At this point, it is apparent that shipping our pens without the ordered converters was not planned. I raised questions about this as soon as I got a shipping notification, while Jonas was saying the converters were not yet in your hands. It took you way too long to respond to the multiple expressions of concern. Hopefully, you have learned something and will modify procedures to prevent reoccurrence of this sort of thing.
Again, the moral of the story is: We all make mistakes. Rapid recognition of them, candid communication and expeditious error correction engender positive customer feelings. The appearance of stonewalling breeds negative customer feelings. </rant>
P.S. You still haven't said if you have received the converters and, if not, when you anticipate getting them.
<rant> From the customer's perspective, shipping a multi-item order in more than one package is not unusual. What was not acceptable was the long delay in communication and assurance that the items missing from the first shipment would be forthcoming.
At this point, it is apparent that shipping our pens without the ordered converters was not planned. I raised questions about this as soon as I got a shipping notification, while Jonas was saying the converters were not yet in your hands. It took you way too long to respond to the multiple expressions of concern. Hopefully, you have learned something and will modify procedures to prevent reoccurrence of this sort of thing.
Again, the moral of the story is: We all make mistakes. Rapid recognition of them, candid communication and expeditious error correction engender positive customer feelings. The appearance of stonewalling breeds negative customer feelings. </rant>
P.S. You still haven't said if you have received the converters and, if not, when you anticipate getting them.
JonasHeineman
5987
Dec 29, 2014
Hi @NoThankYou,
Thanks for the reply, but there's no need to apologize. Your frustration is totally justified, and if you felt mislead then it's our fault for not providing transparent and timely updates.
We'll continue to work on eliminating issues like this as much as possible, and to respond quickly and clearly when mistakes happen. Your feedback helps us to do both of these things.
Beyond that, members' high expectations for the quality of products and service Massdrop offers is both the most rewarding and most challenging aspect of being a part of the community as an employee, and one that I appreciate very much.
I will work with @Mark and our Customer Support team to make sure the converters are delivered ASAP and keep you all updated in the process. Thanks again for your patience, and also for using the discussion to help us resolve this for everyone.
Thanks for the reply, but there's no need to apologize. Your frustration is totally justified, and if you felt mislead then it's our fault for not providing transparent and timely updates.
We'll continue to work on eliminating issues like this as much as possible, and to respond quickly and clearly when mistakes happen. Your feedback helps us to do both of these things.
Beyond that, members' high expectations for the quality of products and service Massdrop offers is both the most rewarding and most challenging aspect of being a part of the community as an employee, and one that I appreciate very much.
I will work with @Mark and our Customer Support team to make sure the converters are delivered ASAP and keep you all updated in the process. Thanks again for your patience, and also for using the discussion to help us resolve this for everyone.
Fugacity
9
Jan 13, 2017
At $31.95, this drop is more expensive than most other sites, with far longer shipping. This is a phenomenal pen, but a horrible deal.
AlexGk
143
Keyboard Club Member
Feb 16, 2015
writeonUnfortunately I don't think the seller would find economically wise to do such a thing. Dealing with Massdrop involves the certainty of a large number of products sold in a single order, in exchange for a discount. Lamy limited edition fountain pens, and this year's CopperOrange seems to be particularly liked, have always sold out. Now consider that sellers tend to apply a higher price tag to limited edition Lamys, something that I honestly don't like when it is done while a certain limited edition pen is still being sold by Lamy itself, which applies the same price of standard ones as long as they are in production (p.s.: I might understand a little increase in price, justified by the need of extra shipping fees for the sellers in order to get hold of these limited edition pens as soon as possible). Now, consider these two facts, and you'll have a good idea why I don't think we'll se the CopperOrange here.
By the way, I highly recommend this pen. I bought it a couple of weeks ago to use it with Diamine Autumn Oak, as they're similar in color. The images doesn't do justice to the real thing! If you can find it where you live, buy it. It's already becoming a bestseller!
rdominick
44
Nov 18, 2014
You're kidding, an aluminum thing can get scratched by harder, sharp metal things? What is this world coming to?
I carry much nicer fountain pens than an AL-star in my pocket all the time, but I put them in a pen holster first. It seems prudent to take at least minimal care of nice things.
I carry much nicer fountain pens than an AL-star in my pocket all the time, but I put them in a pen holster first. It seems prudent to take at least minimal care of nice things.
kravlin
79
Oct 14, 2015
I'm kinda curious as to why they're selling bottles of ink with a cartridge pen.... :(
I could use extra cartridges, but I don't need bottles of ink.
I could use extra cartridges, but I don't need bottles of ink.
GonzoTGreat
756
Oct 16, 2015
Regardless of one's opinion of the (lowest) price for the pen, I would strongly recommend adding on the Z24 converter if you are already ordering the pen. $4 is a great price for the converter, there is no additional shipping charge and you get the converter with the pen. You still get a cartridge with your order.
The Z24 is actually a very nice and easy to use converter. It has side "nubs" that help it stay in place (when installed in the pen) securely. The seal is good, the twist mechanism is easy to use and, for a converter, the capacity is very reasonable, IMO (about 1ml).
Cheers.
The Z24 is actually a very nice and easy to use converter. It has side "nubs" that help it stay in place (when installed in the pen) securely. The seal is good, the twist mechanism is easy to use and, for a converter, the capacity is very reasonable, IMO (about 1ml).
Cheers.
kravlin
79
Oct 17, 2015
GonzoTGreatYep. already got one for my Lamy Safari and I'm picking up one with it this drop :)
Just think it's silly not to offer cartridges as well
Just think it's silly not to offer cartridges as well
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