Jigsaw Puzzle Inlay Pen... Why no love with customers?

[Billman]

So, after sitting on it for a few months and seeing the photo on the main page, I finally got the motovation to do the jigsaw puzzle kit I got from CSUSA, on a Jr Gent II with a CA finish.

I think it came out very nice, and I am happy with it. I feel it's the nicest pen I have in my "collection" so far.

When I am showing people my pens, I start with various different smaller and more basic pens, and build to some of the more interesting bigger ones. And now I am handing them the jigsaw pen as the last one (my showcase, so to speak). The only thing is, I hand it to them, they look at it for a second and hand it right back to me like I just gave them something along the lines of a Bic.

Even after explaining the specifics about the pen (20 different woods, 36 individual wooden pieces, yada yada yada) I don't think people are grasping what went into the creation of the pen (even if Kallenshaan cut all the pieces for me/us/csusa). I feel they look at and think it's really just some kind of printed on design or made out of plastic, or that it is somehow "fake". Because they always go back to the straight-up woods or laminates, or even the snake stuff too. I just got a stars and stripes inlay from Lazerlinez and expect the same thing when I finish it.

Am I the only one that sees that kind of thing?

 

[BLLEHMAN]

I get the same reaction. People think that it is printed on there or its plastic especially because they can't feel any of the lines. Once I explain it to them they usually look at it differently but not all of them.

Ben

 

[DCBluesman]

They are a niche offering. I sell them as fast as I put them on my website and have sold 10-15 so far.

 

[workinforwood]

You need to make a puzzle box to put the puzzle pen into. That will add fascination, value and give the pen a safe place to hang out! I'm not kidding either.
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/bruce.viney/gallery page 1.html
Give that a try. If nothing there works, ask him to make a new design for a pen to fit in. Don't go too complicated though. I'd go with a box that requires 3-4 moves to get it open and that's it.

 

[leehljp]

Niche is right. I know I will do a few some day but for me, they don't appeal to me (and time is not on my side currently.)

It is not you or the pen, - it took me two years to start to liking two toned woods such as sapwood and heartwood. I had to grow into it and now I love it.

There are a few, well quite a few who don't know how to appreciate all of the implications and work. BUT you are learning valuable information on your particular customer audience.

 

[maxwell_smart007]

Have a second, unassembled puzzle pen sitting right beside it so that they can see the pieces and know what's involved...

Tactile and visual learners need that sort of stimulation; I imagine it's the same when they're buying!

Andrew

 

[GaryMadore]

Yup - my guess is that your work is so good that they think it's just a paper print of a puzzle or something....

If you're selling these and have a display of sorts that shows the flat, individually cut pieices from several species of wood, I bet interest would rise rapidly.

Failing that, find a jigsaw puzzle club in your area and set up a table outside before and after their meetings

Cheers!

Gary

 

[melogic]

I agree with Andrew in the fact that you need to let your customers see one unassembled or just a piece of one. I have an extra piece that was a mixup in one of the kits I got from Kallenshan woods, and I have it directly beside the puzzle pen to show they are each individual pieces. I also keep the extra stars next to the stars and stripes pen to show that the stars are really that small and they are inlayed into the wood. This has helped in a couple sales for me. Seeing is believing!

 

[PR_Princess]

I agree with Andrew and Mark. Having an extra piece is a great selling tool!

Barring that, try to take a few pictures of the pieces and how the pen is assembled and made. Make up some literature to go with the pen. If you were on the customer's end wouldn't you appreciate that?

 

[OldWrangler]

I got a puzzle kit from Ken (Kallenshaan) and it took me 7 1/2 hours to just assemble the pieces. Bear in mind that I am not wonderfully endowed with dexterity and I have Parkinson's so my hands tremble some. I broke rubberbands, I glued pieces to my fingers, I couldn't find the numbers on the pieces and I had a few little pieces break off trying to force it together. I nearly gave up but I stayed with it and a beautiful pen was the result. I had to email Ken for help and he came through as always. One problem I found was some pieces snap into place from the outside and some only go in from underneath the other piece.

Pen went to my best retailer and sold for $100 before the end of the day. I am thinking with all the vast experience I gained, I should try another but needing a pacemaker soon, maybe I'll wait.

It is a great kit but you have to take the instructions seriously and not deviate. Believe me they will sell.