Ink Samples From Goulet Pens

[AndWhoDisguisedAs]

Is it me, or does anyone else have an issue with how chintzy Goulet Pens is with their ink samples?

 

I like their videos, broad product selection, and their packaging, shipping, and customer service are all first rate. But every time I purchase ink samples, I am disappointed. The company says their ink samples are 2 ml which comes to right below the sample label. To my eye, it looks like less. It feels like they're doling out elixir instead of fountain pen ink designed to excite me and get me to purchase ink bottles.

 

So, if it's me, let me know. I can handle the truth.

 

But, if it isn't me, feel free to sound off. And I'm eager to hear about alternatives.

Thanks everyone!

[blINK]

I always get at least 2 fills from their samples. I do the ink drop and I'm very happy with it. I know some of the other online retailers do 3ml, but I tend to like to try different inks so I like the 2ml samples.

 

On edit - of course the number of fills obviously depends on the capacity of your pens.

Edited December 28, 2015 by blINK

[DrDebG]

In defense of Goulet, each sample I have ever gotten from them is exactly 2 mls - no more no less. For me, that is enough for 3-4 fills and to determine if I ever want to buy that ink. I don't do Ink Drop because, quite honestly, I do not care for Noodler's inks. But I still buy ink samples from them occasionally.

 

A fellow FPNer told me about Vanness Pens who sell ink samples of 5 mls of some of their inks.

 

And, Ink by the Ml sells 5ml samples, or as much as you want. http://inkbytheml.squarespace.com/ Recently, however, they have been closed. But you leave an email. Davs is a fellow FPNer, and has many inks that you can not get at Goulet (I.e. KWZI, Callifolio, etc.).

[thygreyt]

2ml is a great sample size... 5 would be way too much!

[sirgilbert357]

I've ordered my fair share of samples from Goulet. To be honest, I *have* gotten some that were ever so slightly below the "2ml" line on the vial. But, I've also gotten a few that were a bit over. Either way, there's still plenty of ink there to decide if you want to buy a full bottle or not -- and that's the whole point of getting a sample.

 

I've had more than a few that I wrote less than a page's worth and then dumped it -- the ink in the pen AND what remained in the vial. I still feel like I got what I paid for, even if I hated the ink. Its not worth it to re-sell to someone, so what else is there to do with it? There's still the utility of the cleaned out ink vial, waiting to be used for some other purpose...

[MKB]

First time I received a few, it didn't look like a lot in the vial. That was until I started filling converters and pens. Definitely plenty to sample the ink and then some. It was a while before I ordered my first bottle.

[dk76]

Can't you measure it with a syringe or something? Just to ease your mind or raise your ire?

[DaveBj]

^{In past social-media correspondence, the folks at the GPC stated that they sell 2-ml samples, and they gave the reason why, altho I don't remember what that reason is. My point is that they do what they say they are going to do. I wouldn't mind getting more, but when I get a Goulet sample, I know what I'm getting and how much I'm paying for it. I'm satisfied with that.}

[Sailor Kenshin]

I've ordered my fair share of samples from Goulet. To be honest, I *have* gotten some that were ever so slightly below the "2ml" line on the vial. But, I've also gotten a few that were a bit over. Either way, there's still plenty of ink there to decide if you want to buy a full bottle or not -- and that's the whole point of getting a sample.

 

I've had more than a few that I wrote less than a page's worth and then dumped it -- the ink in the pen AND what remained in the vial. I still feel like I got what I paid for, even if I hated the ink. Its not worth it to re-sell to someone, so what else is there to do with it? There's still the utility of the cleaned out ink vial, waiting to be used for some other purpose...

 

Mix it? Donate it? PIF it?

 

I've had inks I hated in certain pens, only to discover it needed a different pen, and then it was wonderful. De Atramentis 225 Years The US Constitution wanted to be in a TWSBI 580 B and nothing else.

[inkstainedruth]

Admittedly, it is sometimes hard to get more than one fill out of a 2 ml sample -- it all depends on how big a nib. If I'm using one of the Noodler's Konrads, I'm lucky to get more than one, because they have a reasonable fill capacity, and fairly large (#6 size) nibs. But one fill is often enough for me to decide whether I like an ink or not.

Yes, some places carry larger samples for the same price, but they don't necessarily have the selection of brands or colors (you should see my "inks to try/buy" spreadsheet and the vast number of places that don't have anywhere near as many brands -- and some places don't carry samples at ALL). Current count of ink retailers is around 20 (but that includes the FPN exclusives, and a couple of group buys). And there are an awful lot of colored-in boxes that say "N/A" in big black letters in many columns under the retailers' names....

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[Randal6393]

Goulet vials are enough for a fill in most pens. Rarely have I felt that I needed more of an ink before making up my mind to buy or not. On the other hand, I try inks from Goulet samples often when I am needing a new ink and not sure what to get.

 

My most recent foray into blacks resulted in buying three new blacks, Waterman, R & K Salix and Scabiosa, to replace my old Noodler's Black. Also tried a few blues and decided to stay with Montblanc Royal Blue for the time being. So I would say the samples program is working to Goulet's and the consumer's benefit.

 

Also resulted in my avoidance of Noodler's Apache Sunset as being too light for a writing ink (but would recommend it to any illuminator or artist).

 

Enjoy,

[amberleadavis]

I found 2 ml to be perfect for testing. I know within 1/2 a fill if I don't like an ink, then I take another 1/2 fill to decide if I like it. I know if I feel the need to finish the fill, that I really do like the ink. Also, the remainder I use for tests.

 

Now, 2ml is NOT enough when I love the ink.

[sirgilbert357]

Mix it? Donate it? PIF it?

 

I've had inks I hated in certain pens, only to discover it needed a different pen, and then it was wonderful. De Atramentis 225 Years The US Constitution wanted to be in a TWSBI 580 B and nothing else.

 

Well...yes, there is that. Getting to a post office is ridiculously difficult for me though, so yeah, not likely...

[Danny Kaffee]

Is it me, or does anyone else have an issue with how chintzy Goulet Pens is with their ink samples?

 

 

Every sample I've ever gotten from GPC has been 2 ml. I find that amount to be just right for determining if I like the ink.

[I like mango cheesecake]

If it's just below the 2ml line then that would mean about two drops of ink which would get you probably a sentence or two more writing. At most with a F nib maybe a paragraph. Are we that critical about how much we get?

[Danny Kaffee]

Are we that critical about how much we get?

 

It would so appear. This has been one of the more unusual threads I've read recently.

[Shaggy]

I don't know if the OP's post deserved the level of vitriol and sarcasm heaped on him. (some if which I notice gas been deleted or edited out)

Edited December 29, 2015 by Shaggy

[AndWhoDisguisedAs]

Thank you everyone. Humbly, I stand corrected.

[Abner C. Kemp]

I've never had a problem with the Goulet sample vials. That said, it is worth noting that Anderson Pens offers 3 ml. samples for the same price on certain inks. If I'm looking to stock up on ink samples, I generally find myself ordering from Anderson just because, why not take the extra ml.? I also like that Anderson Pens offers a Montblanc. But, whenever I order from the Goulets (which is way too frequently) I always add ink samples. For me, 2 ml. is more than enough to figure out whether to not I like an ink. If I'm getting a 5 ml. sample it's because I know I like the ink but would never use it enough to justify a bottle (planning on grabbing a 5 ml. sample of Apple Glory at some point).

Edited December 30, 2015 by Abner C. Kemp

[PS104]

The Goulets are providing a significant service for the FP community by providing these samples.

When you think of the time, work and logistics of making these samples and mailing them out it is a lot of work.

I agree with the other respondents, if you can't tell within a refill or two wheather you like the ink or not maybe you haven't done your homework by reading reviews on FPN and then sending off for a sample of the ink that is of interest to you.

Do you have any criteria for ordering a sample of a particular ink? Or is it just a random?