President and pens

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Wild Turkey

Wild Turkey

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Joined
Sep 30, 2008
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BROOKFIELD, MISSOURI
Don't know if true or not, but had a lady tell me yesterday that sells Cross pens that the new president selected a $550 Cross pen with his signature on lower part and with white house seal on top. Only ordered some 1,000 of them. Way to go with saving our tax dollars. Wonder if he knows that there must be the better part of 200 guys around who would beat that deal.
 
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The president is single-handedly helping to STIMULATE the ECONOMY!!!

You guys need to learn to think like a politician!!!

For the next year, it's going to be a race among ALL of them to claim the most money "pissed away" (I MEAN stimulating the economy!!)

I DO HOPE those Cross pens will be made in the USA!!
 
According to the press releases I read, these are being "made in the usa" even though cross is made in china.

It would be nice if that is true. I'd love to see a photo article about the production.
 
So let's see if I can "stir" the pot a little. It is true the pen used by President Obama to sign inaugural documents Tuesday bore the name of Rhode Island's A.T. Cross Company of Lincoln. Lori Geshelin is a marketing guru and Washington "insider" lobbyist for his company (A.T. Cross). The President's transition team made the same selection as the previous President and many Presidents prior.

One important note here, the Executive Office of the President almost always commissions several pens and some are commissioned from folks like us, as Cabinet level officials, Senate, House, etc. The notion that the Cross pen is the one & only "official pen" for use by the President is ludicrous (although Cross will market it as such).
 
So the Whitehouse is paying $550 each for pens that sell for $130 regularly with a $5 engraving???

And a company that makes all pens (include one identical to those ordered by the Whitehouse with the exception of the engraving) in China, went and made a run of 1000 pens that they make in China in the US for this purpose???

Sorry if I remain sceptical of where they were made, and a bit shocked by the price they paid for engraving.
 
Russianwolf said:
So the Whitehouse is paying $550 each for pens that sell for $130 regularly with a $5 engraving???

And a company that makes all pens (include one identical to those ordered by the Whitehouse with the exception of the engraving) in China, went and made a run of 1000 pens that they make in China in the US for this purpose???

Sorry if I remain sceptical of where they were made, and a bit shocked by the price they paid for engraving.
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THEY paid nothing - THEY use OUR money, WE paid.

(Democrat, Republican or Independant - it is ALWAYS OUR money!!)
 
Marc, the BIC's are around .89 cents.. Watermans go from bout 28.00USD on up!

Hope this helps!
 
Russianwolf said:
So the Whitehouse is paying $550 each for pens that sell for $130 regularly with a $5 engraving???

And a company that makes all pens (include one identical to those ordered by the Whitehouse with the exception of the engraving) in China, went and made a run of 1000 pens that they make in China in the US for this purpose???

Sorry if I remain sceptical of where they were made, and a bit shocked by the price they paid for engraving.
Click to expand...

I'm more than just skeptical, I don't believe a word of it. I recall a big stink a few years ago when AT Cross moved manufacturing to china - a number of folks lost their jobs. In fact, if you drive by their facility (it's about 25 minutes from me) you'll see a large portion of the building is *gone* - as in torn down. Pretty much all that's left is the warehouse, administrative offices, and the store (as of about 6 months ago). And everything in there bears the "China" mark. Now, some pens *might* be *assembled* in the US, but don't believe a word you hear about acutally being *manufactured* in Lincoln, RI.
 
Russianwolf said:
So the Whitehouse is paying $550 each for pens that sell for $130 regularly with a $5 engraving???
Click to expand...
Good question, but you may want to consider when the pentagon approved $8000 each for "adjustable torque attachment driver" AKA screwdriver, also $2000 for toilet seats, and the ever popular $800 hammers. Whether this is true or not, it doesn't surprise me at all if they did.
 
I'm getting the impression that the only real difference between me and Cross is that they got the contract. We both overcharge and use Chinese parts. OK, I'm jealous -- all those filthy rich Chinese people driving those luxury bicycles around at my expense. Grrrr...

Marc
 
I'll put myself down as skeptical. I've seen nothing about such a large order or a the pricetag.
 
Ok, no matter whether or not it was $550 or $150, why don't some of you guys contact the WH, (I know ONE OF YOU GUYS HAS A CONTACT!) And offer up our services? For the next 1000, 200 could each make 5 pens and we could all have a hand in the pie! It would take some doing, Same pen, ship into one central location who would handle laser ingraving by one of OUR members and then on out to the WH.

I DON'T support/didn't vote for him, but wouldn't it be a kick to know your pens are at least in the WH?

Ok, someone with pull step up! I KNOW you guys are more influential than anyone in RI!!!!!!
 
Hey John, I know a guy over at Mineshi's Deli. Could get him to counter top one or two pens. See how it goes?

Almost forgot, know a guy over at Bob's body shop. He ain't got no counter, and can't keep a pen on his desk to save his life. So it's a No-Go for Bob!
 
JOHN DOWELL said:
Don't know if true or not, but had a lady tell me yesterday that sells Cross pens that the new president selected a $550 Cross pen with his signature on lower part and with white house seal on top. Only ordered some 1,000 of them. Way to go with saving our tax dollars. Wonder if he knows that there must be the better part of 200 guys around who would beat that deal.
Click to expand...

Where did you get the $550 price and the 1,000 Qty? Is this fact or rumor?

its_virgil said:
http://newsblog.projo.com/2009/01/president-order.html
Click to expand...

I read this article and nothing there mentioned any of it. I tried Google as well and cannot find it at least on the first 2 pages.
 
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Hi all,

I wonder if we could pay our taxes with pens the way this guy tried to pay his taxes.

April 23, 2001
Internal Revenue Service
State Processing Center
Holtsville, NY 01150-0115
Dear Taxmen/women:
Enclosed is my 2001 tax return and payment. Please take note of the attached article from the February 8, 2001 USA Today newspaper which serves as my Year 2000 Tax guide.
In the article, you will see that the Pentagon pays $171.50 for hammers and NASA has paid $600.00 for a toilet seat.
Please find enclosed four toilet seats (value $2400) and six hammers (value $1029). This brings my total payment to $3429.00. Please note the overpayment of $22.00 and apply it to the "Presidential Election Fund," as noted on my return. Might I suggest you the send the above mentioned fund a 1.5 inch screw.
(See attached article...HUD paid $22.00 each 1.5 inch Phillips head screw.)
It has been a pleasure to pay my tax bill this year, and I look forward to paying it again next year.

Sincerely,
J. Smith
​
 
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