» Buying Rhodia Pads in Bulk
Several months ago we received a rash of email from people asking if they could buy Rhodia in bulk from us (Exaclair). Since Exaclair operates B-2-B, I tried to come up with a solution. I called some of our best Rhodia retailers including Alko Office Supply, Goulet Pens, and Vickerey, and asked if they would sell to consumers in bulk. They all said they would be delighted to do so! In fact, most if not all retailers will offer a discount in product price and/or shipping for bulk sales. Our best Rhodia customers online can be found here.
Some people are not shy about asking for a price break and assume everyone does as well. I haven’t…I’m shy. If I didn’t see this option indicated I assumed it didn’t exist. It would not occur to me to bring it up. Researching this issue I found most retailers are very happy to get bulk orders but don’t generally advertise them. 
So, if you want to buy a certain notepad in bulk, the first thing to do is call ahead on product availability: is it in stock or when can they have it for you. After that, ask what shipping and/or product discount the retailer is willing to provide.
“Bulk sales” means more than 2 or 3 pads. Several retailers already provide sales in multiples, including Jet Pens, Fahrney’s and Goulet Pens. “Bulk” means by case pack, which is how products are shipped from France. Case packs can be packed in five, 10 or even 20.
Anyway, bulk buying is available. It will save you money, and keep a steady supply of notebooks at hand.
Please let us know if you encounter any problems with bulk purchases; or, if there are retailer(s) you would like to single out for exception service.
Comments
Since finding them, I have always purchased my Rhodia pads from MisterArt, (http://misterart.com/paper-boards/paper/drawing-and-sketching-paper/pads/rhodia-classic-french-paper-pads-orange.html)
While they don’t appear to have a specific “bulk” option (I’ve never thought to ask…but will next time!) their normal price per unit is extremely low, and I doubt they would have problems filling an order of any size.
Their shipping is expensive, and Texas residents pay sales tax—but I encourage anyone who’s buying in bulk to price it out.
Thanks for the links Karen! I’m happy to do these bulk discounts. I carry what I feel is the most popular selection of Rhodia products, but I’m also willing to special order anything from the Exaclair catalog of products if I don’t carry it regularly on my website. I’m excited about getting the new dotPads and Le Carre!
Yea, Vickerey is a great group of folks. I live in Denver and when I’m up in Boulder, I stop in their little shop to get my Rhodia fix. They are very nice!
Goulet Pens is extraordinary. Brian has done bulk sales for me, he’s done special orders, he’s hunted the catalogue for items to meet my vague descriptions. Best of all, he communicates if something’s on back order or delayed or problematic. Plus he gives a discount for members of the Fountain Pen Network. I blush to say I wiped him out of some paper and ink products the first time he offered bulk and mixed pack buys on certain items as I’m so used to stockpiling and not being able to get my favorites. Now I know I can count on Goulet Pens and order bulk packs as I need. Definitely set a new standard in service!
Hey, it’s pretty straightforward for me. I’m an enthusiast first, a retailer second. All I try to do is offer the service that I prefer for myself as a customer. Every since I was first introduced to Clairefontaine and Rhodia products, I was incredibly impressed with the quality and found myself wondering why it had taken me so long (3 years!) as a pen maker to discover this paper. It’s still amazing to me how few people know about these products. As an enthusiast, I’m working to help ‘spread the word’, as I believe that good quality products do still have a place in today’s outsourced, mass-produced world. There is still room for artistry today, and that includes online retailing ;)
As you mention in this post, we’ve been doing Rhodia bulk orders (and other Clairefontaine items) upon request. Send us an email and we’ll let you know if we can fulfill your request. We will be adding a few of these to our website too.
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