Parker IM Fountain

[js0880]

Where can I find the Parker IM fountain pen for purchase online?

 

 

[JimStrutton]

Where can I find the Parker IM fountain pen for purchase online?

 

Try eBay, may be somebody selling them there, just do a search.

 

Jim

[lisa]

The IM is the same as the profile right?

 

If you're in the UK you can get it here:

http://cultpens.com/acatalog/Parker_Profil...untain_Pen.html

[js0880]

There's no US supplier? Otherwise I have to pay $40 for a $10 pen just because I ordered it from the UK.

 

 

 

The IM is the same as the profile right?

 

If you're in the UK you can get it here:

http://cultpens.com/acatalog/Parker_Profil...untain_Pen.html

 

[mr T.]

Is the Parker IM fountain pen (like the IM ballpoint) also "made in China"?

[Splicer]

Is the Parker IM fountain pen (like the IM ballpoint) also "made in China"?

 

Mine (a Profile FP) is stamped "Made in UK". Having it shipped to the US cost me maybe $12, but I haven't seen any Stateside.

 

Superficial review and comparison with Jotter FP and Vector FP here: http://splicer.com/2007/04/29/meet-the-parkers-part-i/

[mr T.]

Mine (a Profile FP) is stamped "Made in UK"

 

I also see that Parker uses the same nibs for all models. The IM is more like an upgrade of the Vector barrel. At least it is made in the UK and not in China. Don't like the idea of a Parker "made in China" because I don't want my pen made with slave labour or with child labour. Also don't want a pen produced in a for the environment negative way or in a way that doesn't respect basic social standards.

[brimtlgtr]

The IM (Profile in the UK) fountain pen is not available in the US, so I ordered them from the UK. I placed two orders through Cult Pens (someone else provided the address), ordering several at a time along with some ball points (I can't always use a fountain pen) to spread the cost of the shipping over the pens. My IM/Profile pens all say that they are made in the UK.

 

The IM/Profile fp comes with a medium nib; Cult Pens will send them to Parker-UK to exchange it for a fine nib for an extra handling fee (Parker does not charge extra for the swap). If you prefer a fine nib (like me), I strongly recommend paying Cult Pens to do it; dealing with Parker-US was dicey at times. I sent my first order to Parker-US, after it confirmed that it could exchange the nibs by sending the pens to Parker-UK. To make a long story short, it didn't go as smoothly as I expected. The time it took for my order was about three weeks (including a long holiday weekend in there).

 

When I factored in all of the costs (cost of pen, shipping, nib swap, exchange rate), I paid around $19 per pen. My local authorized Parker dealer sells the Reflex fp for around $15, so I think the $19-20 is a good deal. Converters are available, but you need to use the slide type. I ordered the twist type, but it doesn't fit properly.

 

The ball point is essentially the Vector XL in the US, but in updated (and more brilliant) colors. Again, the IM in this style is not available. A different style IM ball point (click) is available; I've seen it at my local OfficeMax.

 

In my dealings with Parker, I've been told that Parker does not plan to introduce the IM fp in the US. I've written them about it in the past, and I would suggest you do the same to let them know that you're interested in buying this pen right here in the US. In my letter, I mentioned that the IM would be a good starting pen for someone that is interested in fountain pens, and could lead buyers to purchase Parker's higher-end pens in the future. I also own a couple of Parker Sonnets (which are made in France).

 

As far as using the IM/Profile fp, I'm really happy with them, considering what I went through to get the fine nibs. For the price, I'd definitely recommend it... and definitely writing to Parker about bringing these stateside.

[Splicer]

As far as using the IM/Profile fp, I'm really happy with them, considering what I went through to get the fine nibs. For the price, I'd definitely recommend it... and definitely writing to Parker about bringing these stateside.

 

There will supposedly be a Parker Rep here at Flax's pen fair this weekend. I'll pester the rep about bringing the IM stateside. It's making me very angry but it seems as though the pen companies are packing up and leaving the US business behind.

 

Thanks for the tip about having cultpens swap the nib; I'm putting an order in with cultpens shortly and I'd rather have a fine point. Yes, it's basically an update of the Vector, but I liked the Vector plenty, and the Profile is heavier than my stainless steel Vector, which makes it better in my book.

 

Mr T: I completely agree. I'm all for free trade, but I also live in a country that has unions and laws regarding the wages and treatment of workers. If I would buy something made less expensive by the absence of those laws, why wouldn't I just lobby for the repeal of those laws locally? Because it would be wrong. If it's wrong here, it's wrong there too.

[falimar]

I don't know if you've ordered your pen from the UK but i've just stumbled across this website selling the fountain pen in silver in the US i believe as its in US dollars https://www.redfingerprint.com/Parker/Parker_I.M.2/page2

[afruba]

Is the Parker IM fountain pen (like the IM ballpoint) also "made in China"?

 

I saw this pen in a bookstore here in Aruba last week.

The sticker on the box says that it is "Made in China".

[krbmsw]

Pens_N_More is an eBay store here in the states that sells IM's.

 

Here's a link: http://cgi.ebay.com/Parker-IM-Shiny-Chrome-CT-Medium-Nib-Fountain-Pen-/390303354870?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5adfe48ff6

 

Free shipping. Decent prices. I honestly don't remember what I bought from them but I remember their service being pretty fast. Sorry for my vague memory but I hope it helps. By my rather mediocre sales job you might guess that I obviously have no affiliation.

 

-Keith

[Sasha Royale]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/230862622281?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

 

Parker IM fountain pen. Medium nib. $12.79, free shipping in US.

 

I don't know much about this pen, but I can risk thirteen bucks.

 

Compared photos. I think dimensions approx. LAMY 2000.

 

Tuesday, December 11, 2012, 7 PM

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/230862622281?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

Edited December 12, 2012 by Sasha Royale

[richardandtracy]

Sasha Royale, I reviewed the Flighter GT version of the IM here: https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?/topic/165102-a-wing-of-flighters/ in comparison with a number of other pens. I remain even more convinced that I was in 2010 that Chinese brands offer good value for money, particularly the 'Kaigelu' brand. The Kaigelu 365 seems to be inspired by the IM (OK, an IM rip-off) and may be worth considering either as an alternative or as an 'as well as' given that the BIN price is $6.88 : http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FOUNTAIN-PEN-KAIGELU-365-MEDIUM-NIB-NOBLEST-BLACK-SILVERY-K069-/251006145118?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a7121d25e . The nib is different (as used on the K356 Sonnet look alike), but the rest of the pen is very similar.

 

Regards,

 

Richard.

[studiohead]

Be careful as when I was in Shanghai earlier this year, I was offered a few fake Parker IMs so hard to say if the pen is real or not.

[wvbeetlebug]

I picked up a Parker IM FP at a local luggage store and it was $52. Yeah. I paid retail but so far I really like the pen. Plus it was a bday gift to myself. Even if its a fake, if it writes good, enjoy!

[Sasha Royale]

<!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Mine (a Profile FP) is stamped "Made in UK"<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

 

I also see that Parker uses the same nibs for all models. The IM is more like an upgrade of the Vector barrel. At least it is made in the UK and not in China. Don't like the idea of a Parker "made in China" because I don't want my pen made with slave labour or with child labour. Also don't want a pen produced in a for the environment negative way or in a way that doesn't respect basic social standards.

 

I get it.

There are many differing ideas, among many cultures. Some of those cultures

HATE my culture passionately. As a youngman, I dropped bombs on some of them, and was

prepared to do much worse. Since joining FPN, I tried to set aside those differences

in exchange for "common ground" over ink on the fingers. Maybe, someday, we will gain

something of true value, by remaining engaged, over "cartridges vs. pistons".

 

(Sorry, folks. I have bitter darkness in my background. Sometimes, it seeps out.)

 

*******************

BTW: When posted the notice of the "pens 'n more" Parker IM offer, there were 800

available. Afterward, there are 855 available. Am I a "Jona" to business ?

:ltcapd:

[PenMaster71]

http://www.jetpens.com/Parker-IM-Fountain-Pen-with-Gold-Trim-Medium-Nib-Black/pd/7585

 

Good ol' jetpens!

[Santak]

Parkers are expensive in Azerbaijan.

Parker I.M. costs 88$, and you can buy it for 50$ with discount.

Parker Sonnet Stainless Steel costs 165$, and you can buy it for 127$ with discount.

Parker Sonnet Gold costs 482$, and you can buy it for 420$ with discount.

Parker Duofold Costs 508$, and you can buy it for 444$ with discount.

Edited December 30, 2012 by Santak