Blue or black ink,which color sells most?

Signed-In Members Don't See This Ad
ossaguy

ossaguy

Member
Joined
Jan 3, 2010
Messages
1,370
Location
San Diego
After reading the "Red ink" thread,I was wondering about when I order pen kits,should I go with blue or black?

I personally like blue,but in the event that I get to sell some of the pens I make someday,I thought I'd ask now before I make more.

So my question is............which color do your customers prefer?


Thanks,
Steve
 
Signed-In Members Don't See This Ad
I usually just put a black refill in the pen and then have a variety of refills in different colors and types on hand in case some request something specific. They rarely do. I've even found that a surprising number of people prefer the kit slimline refills over any nicer ones I try to put in them. I don't understand it, but I accept it. My suspicion is that people are used to pens that are kind of draggy and don't write well, and just don't know what to do with something really nice.
 
Personally, I do not offer an option. All my pens come with black ink.

I'm all in favor of customization, but I've never known black ink to be a dealbreaker. Rather, I tend to feel that ink color is one more obstacle. Most of my sales are intended to be gifts, and invariably the buyer wants to customize the gift for the recipient. I don't want to prompt a phone call to determine the recipient's ink preference. I can well imagine my would-be buyer reaching voicemail, becoming uncertain, and then feeling the need to "get back with me." Has anyone had such a problem?

In any case, black ink is a safe choice. I know of some applications where black ink is rrquired, but none where it is prohibited. And it's one less thing for me to stress about, lug around, or forget. If I were to give an option, all pens would come with black ink, and other colors would be available for purchase as an add-on.
 
In FL,some legal documents must be signed in blue ink. I had to use a cheap plastic one to sign when I had a nice pen ready with black. I did sell my pen to the lady. She changed the refill to blue. Who knew?

PW
 
I think black is the color most chosen. I know in the two hospitals my wife has worked in everything had to be done in black to be official, and in the Military, it used to be blue or black, but has changed to 90% black for forms and what not. I dont order anything but black.
 
I think I prefer black, myself. However, I carry a few of both colors. I often get asked where to get refills. Since I have them on hand, I sometimes offer a free one with the purchase, in an effort to hopefully make a repeat customer! (thats the for the cheapy ones, anyway!!) If they see that they can get them from me, they will remember me the next time they need a special gift. Not sure if it's an effective marketing ploy or not, but I'm gonna run with it for now!! :biggrin:
 
Most people prefer black but I have had a few customers refuse to buy the pen if I didn't provide blue at time of sale.
 
I can tell you for sure...the US ARMY does not use blue ink, while i believe the USAF accepts both colors. So keep that in mind if you sell to military.

Pitoon
 
PWL said:
Finatic said:
Blue ink is starting to be the norm for legal documents to distinguish the Original from a copy.
Click to expand...


That was the reason. I forgot that. :)

PW
Click to expand...
Of course, that logic no longer works.

One of my responsibilities at work is to sign off on contractor invoices. These are typically mailed to me, but a few contractors email them to me. I print them off, review them, sign off, and then pass them on to the appropriate accountant. It amused me the first time that I printed one off on my color laser printer. The blue ink signature was in blue. The 'original' stamp was in red. The document was a copy, but I doubt that the accountant could tell, or care.
 
ssajn said:
Most people prefer black but I have had a few customers refuse to buy the pen if I didn't provide blue at time of sale.
Click to expand...

I've not had someone refuse because we've always had blue on hand. That being said, I have gotten the feeling from some that ink color was an important part of their purchase decision.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom