Present from Hakase

[Mew]

About 2 months ago in November 2024, I received a gift from Hakase. A limited edition pen tray. I did open it, but never had the chance to look at it again since I got a bit busy. Very fortunate to have been chosen as one of the customers to get it. Here it is, Hakase pen tray LE 15

 

I’ll probably use it to display the next batch of Hakase pens I am supposed to get at the end of this month. 

[PAKMAN]

Nice!

 

[kazoolaw]

Wait: a batch of Hakases you say.  A very nice tray well earned.

Looking forward to seeing the batch in the tray.

[Mew]

9 hours ago, kazoolaw said:

Wait: a batch of Hakases you say.  A very nice tray well earned.

Looking forward to seeing the batch in the tray.

Iirc, about 5 pens at the end of this month, 4 at the end of next, and 4 at the end of the year. 

[jchch1950]

2 hours ago, Mew said:

Iirc, about 5 pens at the end of this month, 4 at the end of next, and 4 at the end of the year. 

Impressive number. 

[kazoolaw]

You’ll deserve a bigger tray!

[Mew]

11 hours ago, kazoolaw said:

You’ll deserve a bigger tray!

Gifts and freebies in Japan, especially in retail and sales are extremely rare. 
So the pen tray for free is extremely rare, can’t really ask for more. 

[inkstainedruth]

@Mew -- That's very cool!  Was it some sort of sweepstakes, or just the luck of the draw (right place/right time/customer number X?)

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[Mew]

3 hours ago, inkstainedruth said:

@Mew -- That's very cool!  Was it some sort of sweepstakes, or just the luck of the draw (right place/right time/customer number X?)

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

It depends on the number of orders you have placed with them. Other things don’t matter. 

[mke]

10 hours ago, Mew said:

Gifts and freebies in Japan, especially in retail and sales are extremely rare. 

 

Really? I think you just don't see them because freebies are only offered to target customers to increase the business with that person. Other people not targeted will never know about the freebies. Japanese shops just don't do a scattergun approach.

In 2018, on a pen fair, I saw a Japanese buying THREE Namiki Emperors and requested that they are packed as gifts. I was just there buying two Pilot VP LEs. I was put into "please wait a little bit until we finished with him" mode. It took him 5 minutes to choose and buy. These were gifts/freebies.

 

On the other hand, loyalty programs are strong in Japan, Japanese prefer this actually as there is no string attached while real gifts often require the "back gifts at 50% of the gift value".

 

And finally, in Japan there are the special sales for good customers only - whiskey is one example - when you hear as a normal person about a 30 year old whiskey, it is already sold out because the shops called their good customers to tell them about it - way ahead the official release.

Maruzen did this with their LE announcements on their postcard to their club members (who bought over a certain amount) 3 months ahead of the pen fair. 

 

4 hours ago, Mew said:

It depends on the number of orders you have placed with them. Other things don’t matter.

 

Exactly. But enjoy it anyway. They consider you a good customer and want you to come back.

 

 

 

 

[Barkingpig]

I have also experienced a similar gift of appreciation from a Seller in Japan.  I had purchased a mere bottle of ink from a Seller that I had purchased many from in the past but because It had been some time since my last purchase I thanked him for the opportunity of providing me another bottle of ink, unobtainable outside of Japan.

 

After receiving the order, I was pleasantly surprised to receive a second packet from him which contained another bottle of ink, to thank me for my continued purchase.  I already considered him a "preferred" Seller but his reputation was surely enhanced by this gracious act.

 

I intentionally choose not to name the Seller because I consider it a private action & one which might cause jealousy from others who have not received same; I do however consider it a symbolic example of the courtesy & appreciation I have received from a Japanese Seller. 

 

There are two other Sellers outside the United States that have sent me Holiday cards, since I purchased from them & since these are sent @ considerable cost from overseas, they are especially appreciated.  

 

 

[a student]

On 1/9/2025 at 1:42 PM, Mew said:

Iirc, about 5 pens at the end of this month, 4 at the end of next, and 4 at the end of the year. 

 

Well earned