Inky T O D - Would You Buy Your Ink From A Vending Machine?

[amberleadavis]

So, I was wandering around an antique store and found this:

 

 

 

http://sheismylawyer.com/She_Thinks_In_Ink/Inked_Today/slides/20140528_142210.jpg

 

If I had a place to put it, I'd probably buy it, because darn this so Amber. It's the cost of 4 TWSBI 580s. Hmm... maybe I could fill it with TWSBIs.....

 

But back to inks

 

Anyway, I've seen iPods available from vending machines even here in Las Vegas.

 

http://cn.cbsimg.net/cnwk.1d/i/tr/fpngallery/ipodvending/Image00001_small.jpg

 

My first thought was NO. I wouldn't buy ink from a vending machine.

 

But wait, I've bought sodas from vending machines. Coffee is nasty from a vending machine, but I've done that too. How is this any different from buying online? We don't have any independent ink sources any more.

 

Okay, I'm game. I want an ink machine.

 

What sort of inks would you include? Where would you put it? And would you also vend FPs?

 

Tell me all about it.

[Lorna Reed]

I would not buy ink from a vending machine. I don't use them. I don't use automated tills in shops either. I would rather wait in a queue to be served by a person, than serve myself straight away at an automatic till.

[amberleadavis]

I agree, I don't use the self check out stands either, but I can't buy inks from a local shop other than the MB boutique which is inconveniently located.

[brunico]

The pen machine must have a rotary grinder that starts up automatically like those shoe shine machines, so I can italicise the nib before use. And maybe an ink machine that dumps powder into your recycled bottle before dripping water into it from a nozzle. Someone else can clean the slop tray.

 

Great find, and BUY...MORE above an array of pens that looks like a hypnotist's spin wheel!

[Komitadjie]

If they had one for the Diamines? Cripes, I'd be broke every time I walked past it!

[wallylynn]

will the ink drop down like the snapple bottles?

[mikeschu]

I'd probably buy ink from a vending machine once, but hopefully it would be cartridges. Perhaps they do something like this in Japan already.

 

will the ink drop down like the snapple bottles?

 

Perhaps, or it could be like those wine dispensers that require stored-value cards.

[Pentulant]

I'm not 100% sure that I'd buy an ink from a vending machine - but I am 100% certain that I'd be more likely to buy ink than a salad from a vending machine. Buying food from machines has always grossed me out just a bit

[dcwaites]

will the ink drop down like the snapple bottles?

 

Now there's a thought. Perhaps the JustWrite people could stock it with Toucan Inks in 30 ml pouches?

[white_lotus]

I can imagine being at the train station or airport and realizing I've left my pen at home I'd be at my wits end until I spotted that Vendorama.

 

I googled a bit and found pics of one that did dispense cartridges for 10¢. Don't know if all of them were like this, but one is shown dispensing Scripto pens.

 

Too bad there's no pens in that display Amber Lea.

Edited May 29, 2014 by white_lotus

[TSherbs]

heck yes!

[Zilknitha]

We could do with one of these at college, it would be really handy. However, it would depend on the what the ink company is and the range of colours. I would definitely try this out as it is a great idea.

[proton007]

The utility of a vending machine requires the product to be in high demand in areas which cannot be served by a shop.

 

FPs aren't that high in demand, neither are inks.

 

On the contrary, you have to search for FP inks nowadays, even the common stationary shops don't stock them anymore.

 

If I'd attended university in the 50-70s I would've liked to have a 24x7 supply of inks and the vending machine would fit the need.

 

For the present era, I'm afraid, the product and the vending method are just incompatible.

[erpe]

We could do with one of these at college, it would be really handy. However, it would depend on the what the ink company is and the range of colours. I would definitely try this out as it is a great idea.

Way back in the 70's when I was in grammar school, we had these in every classroom, we all used fountain pens, most elementary and high-schools still do, and the ink was supplied by the local Pelikan dealer. There was a Lamy bottle too, only stupid me had to use Parkers and bring my own ink

BTW, these jars are still available from Pelikan, Lamy and Schneider, about 4 to 5 Euro's for 100.

Edited May 29, 2014 by erpe

[martinbir]

I like the idea, it has real possibilities.

 

A wide range of base ink colours could be stored in concentrated form so you pick your colour from a chart, and the right mix is added to a bottle of water. Just like paint mixing in the DIY sheds.

 

Just imagine, one in every branch of Staples!

[erpe]

A wide range of base ink colours could be stored in concentrated form so you pick your colour from a chart, and the right mix is added to a bottle of water. Just like paint mixing in the DIY sheds.

 

Great idea, instant ink, easier to carry on board a plane too and you can control the color a bit with the dilution. Who cares about quality consistence?

[lapis]

No. I'll stick to online orders. Saves on bike tours, subways, standing in line, bunged up ink box corners, and enables bulk prices.

[Algester]

buying fountain pen inks... vending machine... sounds like something Japan would do... but again Japan is like the land of vending machines... umbrellas, news papers, oppai buns, raincoats, beverage, gadgets... maybe who knows all I know if bottled inks it would be like a crane system

[twdpens]

The Japanese love vending machines and any product that can be sold that way probably is already! Perhaps one of our Japanese members can offer some information?

 

Martin

 

edit: cross post with Algester

Edited May 29, 2014 by twdpens

[CaptainBA]

When I was in Hong Kong, I saw a hilarious vending machine in a outdoor bus depot. The machine was selling HP ink cartridges for your printer. I mean I guess if one is in a pinch to print something it's a life saver but it seemed silly.

 

If that machine was fountain pen ink, it would have been equally out of place and it would have similarly attracted me. I would have probably bought some ink too. I think people underestimate the value of an impulse buy.