The Esterbrook Forum Estie Loaner Program

[bphollin]

For any who care, I shipped the red J in a Cardboard Coffin, all rights reserved with bubble envelope, Field Notes Brand memo book, and two very lightweight goodies from FL to CA with delivery confirmation for south of three smackers. Money well spent!

[alc3261]

As of 7/27/12, the following pens are available for tester loaning;

 

Green SJ, Medium 2668 nib

Blue LJ, 9556 F or 9550 XF nib (Borrower to specify which nib)*Currently out on loan*

Copper J, 2556 F nib

Esterbrook M2 with either a 9284 or 9550 XF nib

Copper J, 9556 F

Green SJ, 9048 *On Loan*

 

For Estie Testing within the continent of Australia, A Silver SJ with a 1551 and 2668 nib (Loanee may choose which nib to try.)

 

Bruce in Ocala, FL

 

I would be happy to loan out in the UK, I've got about 10 Esties with various 1***, 2*** and 9*** nibs - mainly fine or medium? (I could also supply an ink sample with it?)

Edited August 6, 2012 by alc3261

[OcalaFlGuy]

As of 7/27/12, the following pens are available for tester loaning;

 

Green SJ, Medium 2668 nib

Blue LJ, 9556 F or 9550 XF nib (Borrower to specify which nib)*Currently out on loan*

Copper J, 2556 F nib

Esterbrook M2 with either a 9284 or 9550 XF nib

Copper J, 9556 F

Green SJ, 9048 *On Loan*

 

For Estie Testing within the continent of Australia, A Silver SJ with a 1551 and 2668 nib (Loanee may choose which nib to try.)

 

Bruce in Ocala, FL

 

I would be happy to loan out in the UK, I've got about 10 Esties with various 1***, 2*** and 9*** nibs - mainly fine or medium? (I could also supply an ink sample with it?)

 

Alc3261 why don't you select say 2 different sized Esties and two different width nibs (or 3 or 4) as potential loaners and I will specifically add them to the list as UK Only Loaners.

 

Much thanks from us all! :clap1:

 

Bruce in Ocala, FL

[melissa59]

Boy, when the post office gets things right, they really get it right!

I received Brandon's Estie today. That was FAST!

 

I also received a couple little vials, a real tough hard-to-crack type. I can use one of the vials to send ink out if the borrower is so new that he/she does not have ink safe for a fountain pen.

 

ALC3261, I can't speak for Bruce, but I'm sure he'll think it's awesome that you've agreed to be a UK lender! I know I think so, even though your offer does not surprise me. I've noticed that you are extremely kind and generous to members of FPN. Since this site does not have hugging smiling faces, I'll just send you this one instead:

[alc3261]

As of 7/27/12, the following pens are available for tester loaning;

 

Green SJ, Medium 2668 nib

Blue LJ, 9556 F or 9550 XF nib (Borrower to specify which nib)*Currently out on loan*

Copper J, 2556 F nib

Esterbrook M2 with either a 9284 or 9550 XF nib

Copper J, 9556 F

Green SJ, 9048 *On Loan*

 

For Estie Testing within the continent of Australia, A Silver SJ with a 1551 and 2668 nib (Loanee may choose which nib to try.)

 

Bruce in Ocala, FL

 

I would be happy to loan out in the UK, I've got about 10 Esties with various 1***, 2*** and 9*** nibs - mainly fine or medium? (I could also supply an ink sample with it?)

 

Alc3261 why don't you select say 2 different sized Esties and two different width nibs (or 3 or 4) as potential loaners and I will specifically add them to the list as UK Only Loaners.

 

Much thanks from us all! :clap1:

 

Bruce in Ocala, FL

 

I will sort out the most appropriate sizes/nibs - got a few 1555s to avoid in general I think (too thin!!), but otherwise I'm sure I can sort out 3 or 4 good possibilities.

[alc3261]

1343509720[/url]' post='2418439']

The freebie stuff is for Priority postage only. They won't let you use it for other than Priority. The cheapest Priority is $5 and that's only in the U.S. That is more than we should be paying to send an Estie out.

 

Bubblewrap envelopes (6 x 9) are only .74 at our Walmart, at the PO the same envelope is about $1.25. In quantities of about 8-10 at Walmart they will get down to about .60 each (and should be able to take a round trip travel or two).

 

If I didn't want to use the (in)famous pizza box triangle mailing tube, the next lightest option would probably be the clear plastic pen mailing tubes but those also run $1.25 each Vs FREE for the cardboard tubes. PVC tube weight isn't a cost/weight issue EXCEPT for mailing overseas where it's really too heavy for our use for this purpose.

 

Bruce in Ocala, FL-honestly, there's not much chance you can "out cheap" me...

 

I normally use 6" lengths of polypropylene pipe (22mm diameter I think) for sending pens. A 1meter length from eBay, the seller cut it up for me - cost inc postage £1.

[ElaineB]

Bruce, is there any chance I might be able to borrow the copper J with 9556 F nib? It's on the list but I'm not sure if it's up to date for tonight. Thank you so much for this. I've always wanted to try out an Esterbrook.

 

Elaine

[OcalaFlGuy]

I sent a message to the owner of that pen. Stay tuned Elaine.

 

Bruce in Ocala, FL

[OcalaFlGuy]

Since it's been a week now and no magical solution to the overseas shipping situation has presented itself, I feel it's best to make the following general statement.

 

To our prospective Estie borrowers outside the United States;

 

Due to recent postal increases in the U.S. that were not fully understood when we started this, detailed in this thread, https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?/topic/226827-minor-estieville-loaner-program-plot-complication-international/ even the absolute minimum overseas postage exceeds that of a pen shipped within the U.S. by approximately 50%. Worse yet, just the type of mailing tube used and the packing it's enclosed in will cause the postage to deviate from $3.78->$6.00 Each Way. This compares to less than $3 each way in the U.S. no matter which tube is used.

 

Regardless, we would still be glad to lend you a pen for testing.

 

It is my suggestion that you work with your Lender person who has the pen matching the one you wish to try and Before the pen is mailed, agree between the two of you on the postage to be reimbursed. Hopefully a compromise will be reached that best provides for Both safe shipping and as low of a "Loaner fee" as possible. Your Lender should provide you with an Actual shipping weight in advance of the pen being mailed for you to help you determine your return postage. They should also inform you in advance of the U.S. postage From them that you should Paypal GIFT back to your Lender. This way, a Lendee can know before the pen is mailed how much the total "Loan fee" for them will be and no one will be unpleasantly surprised. (Lenders, once you know how you will pack your pen, and it's packed weight, the USPS site has the postage calculator for the International First Class package rate.)

 

Also, it should be reiterated that no one is profiting from the Lender fee, it's only to get the pen back to it's Loaner owner and reimburse them for just what they are out of pocket for sending it out.

 

Lenders should know that IF they package a pen for mailing in a manner that causes the postage to rise dramatically higher than the easily attainable minimum rate of $3.78 (From the U.S.) they risk having it being too expensive for a Lendee to justify paying for just a pen Loan.

 

Regretfully, this issue was a little too complex for there to be an easier answer to. Our apologies for that. Hopefully this will be a workable solution, it just requires a bit more Pre-loan communication between the Lender and Lendee.

 

Thank you and all our Lenders for your patience and flexibility in working through this minor plot complication.

 

Bruce in Ocala, FL

Edited August 7, 2012 by OcalaFlGuy

[mhguda]

Awesome.

Thanks for trying, it's a pity it's turned out to be so complicated. Also, the time in transit may be a dealbreaker. I'm still waiting on the pen to arrive... Will post as soon as it gets here.

[OcalaFlGuy]

Esterbrook Loaners Available as of 8/8/12

 

Green SJ, Medium 2668 nib *On Loan*

Blue LJ, 9556 F or 9550 XF nib (Borrower to specify which nib)*On Loan*

Copper J, 2556 F nib

Esterbrook M2 with either a 9284 or 9550 XF nib

Copper J, 9556 F *On Loan*

Green SJ, 9048 *On Loan*

 

Pens residing overseas for in country loan only; Postage for these pens may be

noticeably lower than pens sent from the U.S.A.

 

Austrailia-Silver SJ, with either a 1551 M or 2668 M

The United Kingdom-Green J 2556, Copper SJ 2668 (Either can come with a 1555 too) NO LOANER POSTAGE FEE on these two UK only pens!

 

The Esterbrook Forum

Edited August 8, 2012 by OcalaFlGuy

[Hex]

I had a chance to try GClef's flexie Estie today and I am in love. It is a heck of a pen with a beautiful nib, a 9788. I tried it in parallel with a Geha with a lightly flexible nib and I like the Estie far better.

The nib is smooth and seems easy to flex without too much pressure. I wonder if he wants to sell it.

[MyDarnSnakeLegs]

Hi All,

This is a fantastic idea. I'd really like to try out a J with either a Fine or Med nib. Is that Copper J 2556 available?

Word,

Mike

[OcalaFlGuy]

Mike, the owner of your desired pen has been messaged. Please stand by.

 

Bruce in Ocala, FL

[MyDarnSnakeLegs]

Solid.

[whitedot]

Hey, Bruce!

Could I - very stealthily - borrow the Red J when it's ready?

It looks gorgeous, and the line seems to be just right!

 

Hi White Dot. I think you made a good choice! She's a pretty one, isn't she?

It will probably be a week before I can get her in the mail. Just today, Brandon dropped her off at the pen airport (Post Office) with a one-way ticket to my place 'cause I'm going to the be the red J pen sitter. :-)

 

When I get the package I'll readdress it and send it your way.

 

I'll send you a p.m. so we can finalize the details, OK?

 

Hi Melissa,

 

I've sent you a PM. Regrettably I find oversea postage costs would set me back a bit too much. Perhaps if I waited and saved up instead I might find an affordable J to purchase.

[OcalaFlGuy]

Esterbrook Loaners Available as of 8/10/12

 

Green SJ, Medium 2668 nib *On Loan*

Blue LJ, 9556 F or 9550 XF nib (Borrower to specify which nib)

Copper J, 2556 F nib *On Loan*

Esterbrook M2 with either a 9284 or 9550 XF nib

Copper J, 9556 F *On Loan*

Green SJ, 9048 *On Loan*

Red J, 2668

 

Pens residing overseas for in country loan only; Postage for these pens may be

noticeably lower than pens sent from the U.S.A.

 

Austrailia-Silver SJ, with either a 1551 M or 2668 M

The United Kingdom-Green J 2556, Copper SJ 2668 (Either can come with a 1555 or 2314 B too) NO LOANER POSTAGE FEE on these two UK only pens!

 

The Esterbrook Forum

Edited August 10, 2012 by OcalaFlGuy

[OcalaFlGuy]

 

Hi Melissa,

 

I've sent you a PM. Regrettably I find oversea postage costs would set me back a bit too much. Perhaps if I waited and saved up instead I might find an affordable J to purchase.

 

When you get your Estie, and the next one after that, we would certainly love to have you as an in-country Estie Loaner person for Hong Kong/China.

 

Bruce in Ocala, FL

[dcpritch]

The Blue LJ was returned to me today in great shape and is ready to be loaned out again. I have a 9550 F and a 9556 EF nib and the borrower can specify which nib they'd like to try.

 

I recommend anyone who wants to borrow a pen review the borrowing guidelines set forth at entry #1 on the first page of this thread.

 

Bruce, next time you update the list you can mark the blue LJ as available.

Edited August 10, 2012 by dcpritch

[MyDarnSnakeLegs]

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Al_Mv36RWmU/UClvJ4mpKlI/AAAAAAAADH0/JDHRzmDffSM/s400/CC5321A9-3DA1-4433-A0B2-564736EB586C.JPG