FPN Admin Column

The link for the forum is not working.

Wim, it is not clear to me what all the bar graphs mean, and perhaps labeling each bar would help.

 

I'm guessing the red, green, gold, blue represent the actual % of those voting who have paid for their choice.

 

The charcoal on light gray 2nd bar is the 93% of those voting that is needed to place the order for any one pen.

 

The third bar with the medium gray on light gray with percentages 81%, 43%, 93%, 43% respectively, represents the "new" minimum that if reached would still allow that pen model to be ordered, but at a higher (yet unspecified) price.

 

It is not clear if that higher price for only reaching the 3rd bar would require those of us who did make payment to "pony up" an additional fee, or if this will apply to those deciding after the new 10 day cutoff results in subsequent payments at higher prices...having rewarded the 'early bird' payors.

 

It is also not clear if there is a combined project minimum for all pens total that must be reached before even a single pen could be made. In other words, if only the Passaporto reaches either the 81% or 83% thresholds, but none of the other models, would that allow at least the Passaporto to be made? That seems like the most likely scenario, unless people who voted suddenly are able to make payments.

 

PS) I think putting the center banner announcement today was brilliant. I would add: Did YOU order and pay for your FPN Pens yet? since what you need to call attention to is their making payment, and people may think that their vote was an order.

 

The red "Stop Press" post on the right was not at all a clear message. If you meant to say "Stop The Press" or "Stop The Presses" that is the correct English phrase, but it mainly relates to a newspaper holding the print run for a new breaking lead story.

 

"FPN Pen Project In Jeopardy" would have been the type of warning related to a non-printed project. Just my two cents, meant in the fondest and most supporting manner.

Presumably, people haven't ordered because 1. They can no longer afford it. 2. They can't make up with minds about which one they want (me :embarrassed_smile: ) or 3. They just forgot.

 

Excluding group 3, it is unclear to me how raising the price is going to encourage folks to order the pens.

 

For myself, I'll make up my mind by the 15th. (Passaporto or Model T? )

 

Thanks for the reminder.

The link for the forum is not working.

The link for the forum only works if you voted and/or paid for a pen.

 

HTH, warm regards, Wim

Wim, it is not clear to me what all the bar graphs mean, and perhaps labeling each bar would help.

 

I'm guessing the red, green, gold, blue represent the actual % of those voting who have paid for their choice.

Yes, correct.

The charcoal on light gray 2nd bar is the 93% of those voting that is needed to place the order for any one pen.

Yes, that is the number we are striving for.

The third bar with the medium gray on light gray with percentages 81%, 43%, 93%, 43% respectively, represents the "new" minimum that if reached would still allow that pen model to be ordered, but at a higher (yet unspecified) price.

So far, it looks that it only means an increase for the Modello T - that is the latest news on this.

It is not clear if that higher price for only reaching the 3rd bar would require those of us who did make payment to "pony up" an additional fee, or if this will apply to those deciding after the new 10 day cutoff results in subsequent payments at higher prices...having rewarded the 'early bird' payors.

The idea is to increase the price in 10 days time for new sales, not for existing ones.

It is also not clear if there is a combined project minimum for all pens total that must be reached before even a single pen could be made. In other words, if only the Passaporto reaches either the 81% or 83% thresholds, but none of the other models, would that allow at least the Passaporto to be made? That seems like the most likely scenario, unless people who voted suddenly are able to make payments.

Yes, this is about each individual model, of the 4 proposed. Once a model reaches its target number, it can in principle be produced.

 

Actually, there are quite a few people who only log in once a month or less, so this column and the emailing action which is underway, should at least remind people of their votes earlier.

PS) I think putting the center banner announcement today was brilliant. I would add: Did YOU order and pay for your FPN Pens yet? since what you need to call attention to is their making payment, and people may think that their vote was an order.

 

The red "Stop Press" post on the right was not at all a clear message. If you meant to say "Stop The Press" or "Stop The Presses" that is the correct English phrase, but it mainly relates to a newspaper holding the print run for a new breaking lead story.

"FPN Pen Project In Jeopardy" would have been the type of warning related to a non-printed project. Just my two cents, meant in the fondest and most supporting manner.

Your suggestion for the title is a very good one, I'll add that .

 

We tried to keep the title in the sidebar as short as possible - hence the abbreviation.

 

And thank you kindly, Sam. The project isn't in jeopardy yet, we just need people to pay a little faster.

 

Warm regards, Wim

Presumably, people haven't ordered because 1. They can no longer afford it. 2. They can't make up with minds about which one they want (me :embarrassed_smile: ) or 3. They just forgot.

 

Excluding group 3, it is unclear to me how raising the price is going to encourage folks to order the pens.

 

For myself, I'll make up my mind by the 15th. (Passaporto or Model T? )

 

Thanks for the reminder.

 

There also is the group who don't log in very often, option 4 .

 

The price increase is there for two reasons, namely to give people an incentive to order and pay now, and to cover any extra costs in case we are going for shorter production runs than planned initially.

 

Warm regards, Wim

I am still planning on buying a pen, but I will not be able to until close to the middle of July. I was aware of this when I voted. If the price goes up too much, I may not be able to get the pen at all. I don't recall a time frame on when the pens would have to be purchased by mentioned in the original posts, and when I voted didn't realize it would be so soon. If I were looking at the other two pens, my opinion would be different, but as it stands, I can't really justify spending much more on the passaporto (the one I voted for) than the current price, since it's small, c/c and steel nibbed, regardless of maker. Can you at least give us an idea of how much the price increase would be?

Hi raigne,

I am still planning on buying a pen, but I will not be able to until close to the middle of July. I was aware of this when I voted. If the price goes up too much, I may not be able to get the pen at all. I don't recall a time frame on when the pens would have to be purchased by mentioned in the original posts, and when I voted didn't realize it would be so soon. If I were looking at the other two pens, my opinion would be different, but as it stands, I can't really justify spending much more on the passaporto (the one I voted for) than the current price, since it's small, c/c and steel nibbed, regardless of maker. Can you at least give us an idea of how much the price increase would be?

If we get to 186 Passaportos, the price will stay the same. Less than 186, and the price will increase by about 4 € for the Chrome trim version, and 5.5 € for the Gold coloured version. That is excluding VAT, of course, if applicable.

 

The middle of July is fine, actually, that is in less than 10 days time anyway .

 

HTH, warm regards, Wim

It will be more than 10 days before I can buy, but still close to the middle And that's much better than I was expecting. With such a huge change in quantities being ordered I was expecting a much bigger price increase than that. I feel much better now. I was freaking out a little when the store first opened because I was worried they'd all be gone by the time I could get one. Thanks for the quick response.

I wasn't aware that voting actually entitled me to buying them. I was just picking the ones I thought looked best. I apologize for not reading the fine print/description more thoroughly, but I won't be able to afford one right away.

I wish to order the Modello T with mother of pearl @ 100 but after going to cart I get error msg that only for additional orders.

 

Help!

 

great pens and initiative. Kudos to Wim + the FPN store admins

 

Rgds

Dov

pls disregard my above posting. Works now!

 

query. I do not want to use DHL, they charge an arm and a leg for processing fees, act as customs brokers and FedEx, registered post or EMS preferable.

 

also regarding customs valuation on the envelope, can it be 35eu or $50 to avoid smacking me with additional 50eu customs and affiliated fees.

 

thanks in advance

D

Alas!

 

Here's another person other than myself.

I have no idea to buy all these pens when I've voted too. Simply I thought you FPN want to know which pen is more popular to us members. So I've got upset when I received an email from FPN urging me to make payment for those pens.

 

Surely you've "clearly indicated in the polls" that those voted must purchase, I know, but sometimes terms and conditions written in english is not easy to recognize for us Japanese.

 

Now, I fully understood the situation, and I know I have to purchase those pens I voted for.

But, if possible, I want to cancel some of the pens which is less far from cut off points for price change.

There are so many honourable FPNers around here, the situation with people not paying was clearly a misunderstanding. Please consider also that people who check the mobile version of the site will not be able to see the sidebars and other announcements. I had to sign on to my computer to make this response and get to the store, as I rarely log in to FPN and when I do, it's usually via the mobile site--and the store isn't visible via the mobile site.

 

I don't recall committing 4 months ago to buy a pen but since it appears I have, I will scrape up the funds to make this purchase. (Mmmm...new pen... )

I wasn't aware that voting actually entitled me to buying them. I was just picking the ones I thought looked best. I apologize for not reading the fine print/description more thoroughly, but I won't be able to afford one right away.

Thank you kindly for informing us of this, so that we are aware and can therefore take this into account. It appears there were others in the same predicament.

 

Warm regards, Wim

pls disregard my above posting. Works now!

 

query. I do not want to use DHL, they charge an arm and a leg for processing fees, act as customs brokers and FedEx, registered post or EMS preferable.

 

also regarding customs valuation on the envelope, can it be 35eu or $50 to avoid smacking me with additional 50eu customs and affiliated fees.

 

thanks in advance

D

Hi Dov,

 

Unfortunately that is not in our hands - we have outsourced that part. We opted for the most feasible and not too expensive option for most people, i.e., DHL. As to the invoice on the package - I'll have to ask what is possible. I will report back on this as soon as I know more, hopefully next week (which is still well before the manufacturing is done anyway).

 

Warm regards, Wim

Alas!

 

Here's another person other than myself.

I have no idea to buy all these pens when I've voted too. Simply I thought you FPN want to know which pen is more popular to us members. So I've got upset when I received an email from FPN urging me to make payment for those pens.

 

Surely you've "clearly indicated in the polls" that those voted must purchase, I know, but sometimes terms and conditions written in english is not easy to recognize for us Japanese.

 

Now, I fully understood the situation, and I know I have to purchase those pens I voted for.

But, if possible, I want to cancel some of the pens which is less far from cut off points for price change.

Please do contact me backchannel, via PM. We don't expect anybody to order 6 pens when they inadvertently voted for those, f.e.

 

Warm regards, Wim

There are so many honourable FPNers around here, the situation with people not paying was clearly a misunderstanding. Please consider also that people who check the mobile version of the site will not be able to see the sidebars and other announcements. I had to sign on to my computer to make this response and get to the store, as I rarely log in to FPN and when I do, it's usually via the mobile site--and the store isn't visible via the mobile site.

 

I don't recall committing 4 months ago to buy a pen but since it appears I have, I will scrape up the funds to make this purchase. (Mmmm...new pen... )

As long as you don't mind, ummm, even like it - that's great!

 

Warm regards, Wim

Thanks for the reminder e-mail -- I haven't been on much lately, did not notice the sidebar the few times I have been, and completely forgot about the poll! Anyway, order placed...

i imagine there will be an increase in the sales numbers over the next few days. will the colour bars be updated accordingly? thanks!

 

Edit: nevermind. I saw the recent post in the forum.

Based upon my understanding of the term Poll, based upon past FPN Polls and absent any statement clearly saying "This Is Not a Poll, but we are calling it a Poll", I voted for what I would consider purchasing. My understanding in the past was that a poll was taken, with the result the identification of a pen which was then offered for sale. That is the basis of my vote. I can not find a single definition of Poll as meaning an invitation for purchase. Polls are taken frequently in my experiance to gather information, and only to take information, not as part of a transaction. Also, I find it interesting that somehow taking a Poll, which might result in no pens being produced could somehow be misconstrued as a commitment to purchase not one, but however many pens might be able to be produced at whatever price the pen(s) might be available. Purchases are made at points of time based upon a variety of reasons including both the price of the purchase, the amounts of items purchased and the resources of the buyer. Perhaps I am simply applying my culteral standards, as when I am asked a question, even, would you be interested in purchasing something, I say yes and then begin the negotiation phase, not say no and then expect the sellor to begin the negotiation phase. In this instance somehow the polling of a population, and responding to that poll turned into a commitment to purchase without negotiation, not even with myself to calculate a decision, based upon the specifics of the item offered at the time of sale, its price, or my resources. Please do not use the term poll in the future when discussing an offer to purchase, because taking a poll is not commonly, or even uncommonly understood to mean that one has made a commitment to buy something.

Might some people think only those who voted can buy? Perhaps a little advertising on the board would open buyers who did not participate in the polls to buy?

I

Based upon my understanding of the term Poll, based upon past FPN Polls and absent any statement clearly saying "This Is Not a Poll, but we are calling it a Poll", I voted for what I would consider purchasing. My understanding in the past was that a poll was taken, with the result the identification of a pen which was then offered for sale. That is the basis of my vote. I can not find a single definition of Poll as meaning an invitation for purchase. Polls are taken frequently in my experiance to gather information, and only to take information, not as part of a transaction. Also, I find it interesting that somehow taking a Poll, which might result in no pens being produced could somehow be misconstrued as a commitment to purchase not one, but however many pens might be able to be produced at whatever price the pen(s) might be available. Purchases are made at points of time based upon a variety of reasons including both the price of the purchase, the amounts of items purchased and the resources of the buyer. Perhaps I am simply applying my culteral standards, as when I am asked a question, even, would you be interested in purchasing something, I say yes and then begin the negotiation phase, not say no and then expect the sellor to begin the negotiation phase. In this instance somehow the polling of a population, and responding to that poll turned into a commitment to purchase without negotiation, not even with myself to calculate a decision, based upon the specifics of the item offered at the time of sale, its price, or my resources. Please do not use the term poll in the future when discussing an offer to purchase, because taking a poll is not commonly, or even uncommonly understood to mean that one has made a commitment to buy something.

I do think that is a bit harsh. Of course a poll usually is noncommitting but in this case the polls description made it very clear that voting on the poll for the pen you want to buy means you will buy it too as there already had been in several threads a discussion on which pens would be put to the vote (as far as I remember). I understand that people forgot to pay or dont have the funds or didnt see the shop opened due to mobile fpn etc... but not properly reading a post and the whole thread has become such a huge problem. I do admit that it has happened to me before but in this case I thought the polling thread was very clear as there were several reminders that this would mean buying a pen. Also as this is an LE pen only produced once I totally understand and support the way it was done. As I read the poll and really wanted to buy a pen I voted but I didnt vote for the pens I would have liked a lot but couldnt buy. Why would one vote in a poll when one hasnt read the question properly??

I wasn't aware that voting actually entitled me to buying them. I was just picking the ones I thought looked best. I apologize for not reading the fine print/description more thoroughly, but I won't be able to afford one right away.

 

 

Exactly the same here. I wasn't aware I was ordering by voting. I also thought you were making up which one would be the FPN pen for 2011. I obviously didn't read the fine print good enough.

Sorry for the convenience but I didn't want to order one.

Thanks for the reminder e-mail -- I haven't been on much lately, did not notice the sidebar the few times I have been, and completely forgot about the poll! Anyway, order placed...

It's a pleasure, and thank you!

 

Warm regards, Wim