thepenworld.com

[subbu68]

In my quest to get more of Indian FPs,  came across an online seller www.thepenworld.com operating out of Chennai. 

 

The price for orders from outside India seemed to be good and shipping cost (for me to UAE) reasonable. I sent them message over their portal, Whatsapp number given on the website as well as email with a question or two. No response whatsoever. 

 

Has anyone dealt with them? If so were they cold like this? 

[K Singh]

Have never bought anything from them so no idea. Some members did share similar experience as yours in contacting them, in the Indian pen group few months ago. 

[subbu68]

1 hour ago, K Singh said:

Have never bought anything from them so no idea. Some members did share similar experience as yours in contacting them, in the Indian pen group few months ago. 

If you read the "Our Story" on their website, it gives an impression they are so enthusiastic about pens and would quickly respond. But it is a sad story for me.

[uaexemarat]

I ordered from them some years ago, but I didn't get them shipped directly to the UAE. Also once more recently.

 

Didn't try to contact them either. But I did get the things I ordered.

[subbu68]

5 hours ago, uaexemarat said:

I ordered from them some years ago, but I didn't get them shipped directly to the UAE. Also once more recently.

 

Didn't try to contact them either. But I did get the things I ordered.

The responded today. 

 

Good to know they sent out your order. Their prices are encouraging but was thinking I'd be double taxed if shipped to UAE - GST in India and VAT here for the import.

 

Though exports are GST exempted in India, perhaps not yet a mechanism for visitors to claim back for their purchases when exiting India or these retailers to exempt buyer from abroad paying GST.  Could have saved 18% GST that is substantial if one orders a few high end pens. 

[lascosas]

Months ago I send them an email asking if they shipped internationally.  No response, but then a couple of months ago they sent an email announcing that they were now shipping internationally.  I tried to place an order for several Krishna inks but could not see how to pay with other than India payment methods, so sent them an email.  They responded immediately explaining that you had to go to a further screen in the checkout process before Paypal became an option.  I went back and placed the order, received immediate confirmation.  It arrived in California by UPS in under a week.  Extremely well packaged. 

[subbu68]

12 hours ago, lascosas said:

Months ago I send them an email asking if they shipped internationally.  No response, but then a couple of months ago they sent an email announcing that they were now shipping internationally.  I tried to place an order for several Krishna inks but could not see how to pay with other than India payment methods, so sent them an email.  They responded immediately explaining that you had to go to a further screen in the checkout process before Paypal became an option.  I went back and placed the order, received immediate confirmation.  It arrived in California by UPS in under a week.  Extremely well packaged. 

That's a good feedback. 

 

If buyers abroad got exemption from GST in India like in EU, UK etc. the prices could go down by 18%!! 

[lascosas]

I wouldn't get too excited about a discount.  My memory was that the Paypal price was much higher than the listed price.  When I ordered from Kanwrite a few months ago they listed out the various charges, and Paypal charged 6.5%.

[subbu68]

1 hour ago, lascosas said:

I wouldn't get too excited about a discount.  My memory was that the Paypal price was much higher than the listed price.  When I ordered from Kanwrite a few months ago they listed out the various charges, and Paypal charged 6.5%.

It's not discount - getting doubly taxed. Once in India and then in UAE.  I do remember my friends buying Indian watches in UAE and carrying them back since there was a good saving. Exports from India were not charged the local excise duty and sales tax so were cheaper to buy here.  I believe even now exports are exempt from taxes and duties there. 

 

I found Kanwrite and Vazir stores don't convert their Indian prices to USD at official rate. They add another 8 to 10 USD on top of price in Rupee that is quoted with the tax. I couldn't understand that. But these guys at thepenworld.com are converting Indian price at official rate. That way they are cheaper by about 10 USD per piece. 

 

Since I have a chance to go to India at least once a year, it is worth buying while in India and carrying it back. The savings in shipping and import VAT I have to pay in UAE I can buy another pen😉