BIC and Papermate: No More Refills?

[WriteAway]

I have many BIC and Papermate retractable BPs from as far back as the 1970s through to today. There are at least substitute refills for PM available, even though NewellRubbermade seem to no longer offer these themselves.

 

On the other hand, BIC refills are currently almost unavailable here in the US or from Europe. A few show up on Amazon, typically at prices far beyond what makes any sense. BIC USA doesn’t even list any pen refills on their site.
 

First: Does anyone have insight regarding if BIC actually has stopped production and sale of refills for its retractable pens? 
Second: Is this a supply chain issue or corporate policy change?

Third: Aside from buying a dozen or so refills of unknown fit and quality from Amazon to test, has anyone found BIC alternatives that have worked to their satisfaction?

 

With my FPs and other BPs of various makes, this is of minor importance, but as I like to keep and use my pens until they fail, I want to keep at least some of these working.

 

Any input is appreciated. Thanks.

WriteAway

 

 

[inkstainedruth]

That does seem really strange.  I don't have a good answer for you.  Have you contacted BIC directly (their world headquarters used to be in IIRC Milford, CT -- no, I'm wrong about that: it's Shelton, CT.

I had a professor who would save up the ones he had that didn't work and send them off to BIC to have them repaired or replaced (but of course we're talking over 40 years ago at this point...).  

If you do a Google search for "BIC headquarters" it will give you their address and phone #.  I also found a website called https://corporate.bic.com/en-US/contact-us which supposedly will get you to a customer service rep.

Hope this helps at least a little bit.  

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

 

[kestrel]

If all else fails contact customer service at Fahrney's and ask them.  They may want a photo of an original refill.  I have done this twice for friends with old ballpoints and Fahrney's hasn't let me down yet.