Where do you recommend for pen purchases? In the past I've used Goulet but there was a post (maybe here?) awhile back about them that inclined me to not give them money any more.
Background : I teach a class about once a year and I like to gift my graduating students a pen because I find it unique and interesting - you don't see fountain pens much anymore. I usually go with a Lamy Safari (but am up for recommendations on similar starter pens; see bottom). In the past they (Lamy) sold a gift set that was the pen and 5 or so of the disposable cartridges in various colors (no Z28 included) and that was my go-to. They don't appear to sell that particular product anymore so I'd reverted to just the standalone Safari and including one extra disposable cartridge since I have quite a few but don't use them.
Preferably a US based distributor.
While we're at it, any suggestions for a good, comparable, starter pen besides the Lamy Safari? Around $30 USD is my max price range since some times I have up to 15 students and that gets... pricey : )
Main consideration is that it's a decent pen that won't frustrate new users but something nicer than a disposable (EG: Pilot Varsity).
I don't buy fountain pens there
despite following this community, I use only a handful of very inexpensive fountain pens, and am not a very "serious" fountain penner
but I have purchased other types of pens from jetpens.com and I've been fine with the experience.
https://www.jetpens.com/
Looks like they're based in Texas and have free US shipping over $35.
As for Goulet, I haven't purchased pens from them, but in the past I have enjoyed looking at their ink samples and watching their fountain pen YouTube videos. Looks like they're in Virginia and have free US shipping over $99.
Adding a vote for Jetpens. I've bought some pretty expensive pens from them, and their customer service is stellar.
Jetpens is great, I've used them for years.
Yet another I hadn't heard of - thank you