Kickstarter episode

[lascosas]

I have never used Kickstarter before, but I was curious about a retractable pen that Endless Stationery is developing.  I am a big fan of their inks.  To find the campaign search "phantom fountain pen" on Kickstarter.  And here is my question...

 

Their goal is $10,000.  This is for pens costing as little as $39.  So lots of pens to make that goal.  Well, they made it in 10 minutes, and as of now, 6.5 hours after launch, they have raised $52,000 from 700 people.  Is this normal for Kickstarter pen campaigns?

 

 

 

[mke]

What is so special with this pen that people want to pay $39 - if you can get a Majohn A1 for half of it?

The nibs?

 

Btw., are they located in the US? And related to Endless Pens?

 

 

[lascosas]

I was willing to spend $39 for the pen plus one of their wonderful inks, and it is different from the Pilot VP/Majohn models.  They are located in Chennai India, not connected to Endless Pens except EP is an authorized dealer for ES.

 

But...do Kickstarter campaigns for fountain pens usually raise $85,000 USD!!!

Yes, that is the current total after 30 hours.  I mean that is very serious money for a plastic pen.

[Theroc]

On 11/20/2024 at 12:54 PM, lascosas said:

But...do Kickstarter campaigns for fountain pens usually raise $85,000 USD!!!

 

Not uncommon at all. The Ensso Bolt raised $169,277.

The Curva Pen, which is basically a $3 felt tip pen raised $47,499.

[lascosas]

Thanks for that info, Theroc.  It seems very strange to me, but an interesting insight into a world I knew nothing about. 

[Theroc]

36 minutes ago, lascosas said:

Thanks for that info, Theroc.  It seems very strange to me, but an interesting insight into a world I knew nothing about. 

 

700 (or more) buyers worldwide does not seem that strange to me.

Not all fountain pen Kickstarter campaigns are successful, to be sure. But when you have a reputable campaigner with an interesting product... things move fast.

 

[lascosas]

I think it is wonderful that 1,400 people have pledged $104,000 for a sweet little ink business in Chennai, it was just a surprise.  It would be fascinating to get a run-down of the countries where pledgees came from.  When this is all over (there are 28 days left in the campaign), I will ask them.