Bitcoin Fork Pens

[BitPappa]

Hi all,

A bit over two years ago I posted about my first Bitcoin product (Bitcoin Keychain) here on BitcoinTalk:
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=251216.0

My second crypto product was Litecoin keychains (http://lkeychain.com). Okay, not quite as popular as the Bitcoin keychains, I still have a bunch of these awaiting the great Litecoin resurgence.

Well, with so much discussion and drama related to a possible Bitcoin fork to XT, I decided to make Bitcoin Fork Pens! There's a BitPay checkout set up at the following URL, for anyone interested.

http://bitcoinforks.com

(UPDATE 2) Now shipping in the USA and Internationally!

to USA, paying with Bitcoin:
1 Fork, shipping included, $6
5 Forks, shipping included, $16

International, paying with Bitcoin:
1 Fork, shipping included, $8
5 Forks, shipping included, $19

(UPDATE) Limited-time offer: Bitcoin Fork and a Bitcoin Keychain, shipped in the USA, all for $12 at this URL:

http://bitcoinforks.com/deal

Please let me know if you have any questions about these Bitcoin Fork Pens. While I've used them to eat with (just to test them out -- worked well), the plastic isn't "food safe" so it's not recommended you use them for anything other writing (and having fun with Bitcoin friends).

[BitPappa]

The Bitcoin Fork Pen 5-pack is now available through Amazon. It costs a lot more there, as Amazon takes a pretty decent chunk (plus I like to charge less for Bitcoin payments). So if you want the security of Amazon, you prefer spending fiat (holding Bitcoin) and getting credit card points (or use Purse.io to buy with Bitcoin and get a 5-20% discount), here's the Amazon link:
http://www.amazon.com/Paperclip-Robot-Bitcoin-Fork-5-pack/dp/B014SB6YPG

In theory, you can probably purchase from some countries outside the USA at this link. If you're outside the U.S., can't use Amazon, but really want some of these pens, feel free to contact me. Just note that the shipping/handling cost will be about $10 to most countries.

[jdebunt]

Very nice effort to raise Bitcoin awareness. Shipping costs of US$10 are a bit steep for an individual order, will see if I can get some people together for a group buy.

[BitPappa]

Any way to offer flat $6 shipping by mailing in a small priority box??
Can probably fit 20 or 30 forks in one of these boxes.

Thanks

Thanks for your interest, and sorry for the delayed response (I thought I was getting pinged when people responded to this thread).

Looks like I can fit about 22 forks in a small USPS priority box. I'd give you a better price for the large order, or throw in a couple of Bitcoin keychains (or Litecoin keychains). Feel free to DM or email me if you want to negotiate precise terms, or we can do it here.

Very nice effort to raise Bitcoin awareness. Shipping costs of US$10 are a bit steep for an individual order, will see if I can get some people together for a group buy.

Thanks! Yeah, unlike my keychains that I can send in an envelope, this is thick enough that it's classified as a package, which is definitely price. That, plus time to fill out customs forms (I don't do enough fulfillment to have it automated), and yeah, it's expensive for you and a pain for me. http://btctrinkets.com is in Finland and sells my Bitcoin keychains. I haven't asked the owner if he wants to carry these pens, but if a bunch people in the EU want to say you want one of these pens, maybe they will listen, and we can work out a deal with them. Otherwise, yeah, organize a big enough group buy, and that would be the most cost effective.

Oh, not that I expect anyone here will care much, but I've added 5-pack buying options using PayPal and Amazon at BitcoinForks.com.

[monbux]

Very nice effort to raise Bitcoin awareness. Shipping costs of US$10 are a bit steep for an individual order, will see if I can get some people together for a group buy.

I get the $4 shipping b/c I am in CA.
I will act as shipping point for group buy. This will help shipping costs.

edit: calculated price and shipping for 1 unit. Came to $6.

$12 + $1.08 tax + $4 ship = $17.08/5 = 3.41 + 2.50 re-ship = $6

A little expensive, but doable if anyone is interested.

Thanks

Regarding the group buy, would you be willing to open up for Canadian users?  I'm interested in getting one or two... how much would the shipping be?

[OgNasty]

Funny idea.

[hendra147]

Im from Indonesia
and I very appreciation with your idea

That very good, any way any plan to avaible at asia ?

[thoth-Atlantian]

Lol cool idea. 

[ScryptAsic]

Quiet a neat idea and a great way to capitalise on what some perceive to be bad news. Good luck with the sales.

[BitPappa]

Thanks for the appreciation of the Bitcoin Fork Pen!

I'm trying a temporary offer to see how it does. You get a Bitcoin Keychain plus a Bitcoin Fork Pen for $12 (shipping included) in the USA. At the link below you'll find the offer and payment via BitPay or PayPal. I'm not sure how long I'll keep this offer going, so if you're interested, don't wait.

http://bitcoinforks.com/deal

[snarlpill]

Yes, I will ship to Canada.
I am working on trying to get the shipping down. Looking for small boxes that will still allow it to qualify as a 1st-class package.
This will make the overall cost more affordable.
Will keep everyone updated.
Thanks.

I would Highly recommend some like 3 by 5 inch bubble mailers for this, rather than a box. Much lighter than the lightest box, and you should be able to wrap a single fork, or a couple, once with bubble wrap and get it out the door for under a few ounces. Bubble Mailers can be used for both domestic First Class Package, and International First Class Parcel.

I recently wrote up some tips for affordable shipping from the US- both sending domestically and internationally. You can find it at www.cryptoplanet.co/shiptips
I recommend reading through this for both minerjones and OP. I have found I have been able to send most smaller packages, like a coin or 2 (a few ounces), almost anywhere in the world with Tracking for $5 and under, when using bubble mailers and the First Class International Parcel Postage. Compare this to the next step up- Priority International, and there is a cost savings of like $30, which is of course ridiculous to pay when only sending a small, lightweight, and/or cheap item(s).

Sorry for the semi-thread jack, but I just wanted to help if possible. Very Cool and very original idea @OP, and I can honestly say this is the first time I've seen a fork/pen combo! Will have to buy one sometime just to have one.

[BitPappa]

I would Highly recommend some like 3 by 5 inch bubble mailers for this, rather than a box. Much lighter than the lightest box, and you should be able to wrap a single fork, or a couple, once with bubble wrap and get it out the door for under a few ounces. Bubble Mailers can be used for both domestic First Class Package, and International First Class Parcel.

I recently wrote up some tips for affordable shipping from the US- both sending domestically and internationally. You can find it at www.cryptoplanet.co/shiptips
I recommend reading through this for both minerjones and OP. I have found I have been able to send most smaller packages, like a coin or 2 (a few ounces), almost anywhere in the world with Tracking for $5 and under, when using bubble mailers and the First Class International Parcel Postage. Compare this to the next step up- Priority International, and there is a cost savings of like $30, which is of course ridiculous to pay when only sending a small, lightweight, and/or cheap item(s).

Sorry for the semi-thread jack, but I just wanted to help if possible. Very Cool and very original idea @OP, and I can honestly say this is the first time I've seen a fork/pen combo! Will have to buy one sometime just to have one.

No problem, not a thread jack at all. I agree and use bubble mailers for most stuff I ship.

But I'm not sure about the prices you're giving. The forks are thick (and uneven) enough that I think they are technically considered packages. Do you believe single forks could slip by as letters? Letter vs. Package makes a big difference in the mailing cost. Note that these only weigh about 1/3 ounce each, and even with a Uline s-10534 5x10 bubble mailer, it's under 1 ounce to ship. But the light weight doesn't matter if it's considered a package, because the minimum USPS rate for packages is $2.54 domestic and $7.10 international.

Also, if you're shipping internationally, you gotta make sure you have enough room for the customs form and postage, and I'm doubtful 3x5 has enough room. Though come to think of it, when assembled these are about 7" long, and I think for the protection of the pen tip (and ink), it's better to keep it capped rather than ship in two pieces.

[snarlpill]

I would Highly recommend some like 3 by 5 inch bubble mailers for this, rather than a box. Much lighter than the lightest box, and you should be able to wrap a single fork, or a couple, once with bubble wrap and get it out the door for under a few ounces. Bubble Mailers can be used for both domestic First Class Package, and International First Class Parcel.

I recently wrote up some tips for affordable shipping from the US- both sending domestically and internationally. You can find it at www.cryptoplanet.co/shiptips
I recommend reading through this for both minerjones and OP. I have found I have been able to send most smaller packages, like a coin or 2 (a few ounces), almost anywhere in the world with Tracking for $5 and under, when using bubble mailers and the First Class International Parcel Postage. Compare this to the next step up- Priority International, and there is a cost savings of like $30, which is of course ridiculous to pay when only sending a small, lightweight, and/or cheap item(s).

Sorry for the semi-thread jack, but I just wanted to help if possible. Very Cool and very original idea @OP, and I can honestly say this is the first time I've seen a fork/pen combo! Will have to buy one sometime just to have one.

No problem, not a thread jack at all. I agree and use bubble mailers for most stuff I ship.

But I'm not sure about the prices you're giving. The forks are thick (and uneven) enough that I think they are technically considered packages. Do you believe single forks could slip by as letters? Letter vs. Package makes a big difference in the mailing cost. Note that these only weigh about 1/3 ounce each, and even with a Uline s-10534 5x10 bubble mailer, it's under 1 ounce to ship. But the light weight doesn't matter if it's considered a package, because the minimum USPS rate for packages is $2.54 domestic and $7.10 international.

Also, if you're shipping internationally, you gotta make sure you have enough room for the customs form and postage, and I'm doubtful 3x5 has enough room. Though come to think of it, when assembled these are about 7" long, and I think for the protection of the pen tip (and ink), it's better to keep it capped rather than ship in two pieces.

I tend to disagree, and ship things internationally quite frequently. I just printed a shipping label today for a package going out to the Netherlands tomorrow, it costs $9.20 but weighs 8 ounces and has quite a few things packed in there, is pretty hefty and about 2" thick in it's thickest part, and has tracking. I have shipped a slabbed & graded coin (weighs probably 2-4 ounces and probably 2.5" by 4"; rough estimate) to monkeynuts, a BitcoinTalk user in the UK, from the US with tracking and delivery confirm. for under $4, so I know personally you can get international shipping done for under $7 (and monkeynuts and a few other Intl. members can confirm). Most 4-5 oz. packages I send international are under $5 tracked. You are also wrong about First Class US Packages at a minimum of $2.54. If you use the PayPal shipping link on my page I linked, up to 4 or 5 ounces (IIRC) is only $2.04, tracking and delivery confirmation included.

Not trying to start an argument at all or sound shitty at all. And I agree 3" by 5"s are probably too small for most stuff; I personally use 6" by 9"s for all international packages I send. For the cheap international rates, it's all about using a bubble mailer, trying to get under around 6 ounces if possible (but up to 13 ounces is fine), and selecting the "First Class Mail International" and then "Large Envelope" for package size on the PayPal USPS shipping link I provided. I know the USPS has no rules or regulations against the 6" by 9" bubble mailers going international First Class weighing up to 13 ounces, from personal experience shipping things almost everyday, and a close family member that works for the USPS. Obviously try to avoid a super thick (more than 3 inches thick) bubble mailer if possible, but that should be very doable with 1 or a few of your Bitcoin forks. Anyways, I posted the article I wrote on my site to help fellow US BitcoinTalkers and/or lurkers ship things more affordably, not for a few website hits or whatever BS. If I didn't personally know it works and is possible, I wouldn't have even written the article about it in the first place.

/end rant, sorry about that.

Anyways, sweet product and I'll be buying at least 1 of them soon; I'll get in touch or check the site.

[BitPappa]

/end rant, sorry about that.

Hey, no worries. I somehow overlooked the link in your first post (was skimming too quickly). I'll check out the details in the link more closely.

[BitPappa]

Hey Snarlpill, that link to PayPal shipping is pure gold. I honestly don't understand how PayPal ships "large envelopes" internationally at such a low price. I mean, I understand the bit of a bulk discount that PayPal gets for users from the USPS, and I see a pretty similar discount when I ship Amazon orders domestically. But Amazon charges a lot more for an international shipments than I see PayPal charges, so the difference really surprising to me (and the Amazon price for international shipping is definitely better than the USPS price).

And I never knew you could ship using PayPal unless you were doing so in the context of fulfilling a PayPal order. So nothing but thanks for stepping in here. If you have anything to add, please PM me, as I don't want to totally throw off this thread into shipping talk.

Thanks!

[BitPappa]

Hi all, MinerJones has decided to pass on the group buy, thus I've updated the site so now you can buy either 1 fork or 5 forks, and international shipping has been added as an option. Thanks to Snarlpill for the great tip on how to get low-priced, trackable, USPS shipping (domestic and international) via PayPal!

The Bitcoin Fork Pen can be shipped to any country that USPS First-Class International services. From BitcoinForks.com, you can pay with Bitcoin (via BitPay), PayPal (CC), and there's a link to Amazon too (and as Amazon gets some inventory from me, Amazon Prime will be an option). You can do it all here:

http://bitcoinforks.com

Or contact me if you'd rather buy direct. I also have Bitcoin Keychains (see Bkeychain.com) and Litecoin Keychains (see Lkeychains.com), if you want to purchase a mixture of products. Here are the Bitcoin prices I'm offering on the site, or if you want to contact me:

to USA, paying with Bitcoin:
1 Fork, shipping included, $6
5 Forks, shipping included, $16

International, paying with Bitcoin:
1 Fork, shipping included, $8
5 Forks, shipping included, $19

[snarlpill]

BitPappa was cool enough to send me a Bitcoin Fork and a BTC keychain for suggesting a cheaper way of shipping through PayPal, and I really like both of them! Here's a few pictures I took; I thought both were very neat and I was stoked to add them to my Bitcoin collection.
There's a few more pictures here if anyone wants to check them out.





The Bitcoin Fork is great, and it's honestly the first fork/pen combo I've ever seen! It is a great piece to add to the BTC collection to commemorate the huge debate about block size, Bitcoin XT, and of course- "The Bitcoin Fork." Plus my daughter thinks it's the coolest thing ever!   
If I were BitPappa, I would send one to Gavin Andressen with a link to the site and maybe he'd share it on Twitter or something. That would probably mean a big sales increase is imminent!

I think my favorite out of the 2 though is the Bitcoin Keychain! It feels well-made and just looks great, but not in an overtly flashy or cheesy way- the best way for some cool Bitcoin gear to be in my opinion. It's something I would proudly carry everyday, and it's already on with my car keys! Plus it feels great to finally own the iconic Bitcoin Keychain. I'm pretty sure I've seen this same BTC Keychain used as the "face" of Bitcoin in probably 50-100 mainstream news articles about Bitcoin!

And finally one more shout out to BitPappa, for such a nice random act of kindness! You're awesome man, I'm glad the shipping tips/secret PP shipping site helped you out.

[BitPappa]

And finally one more shout out to BitPappa, for such a nice random act of kindness! You're awesome man, I'm glad the shipping tips/secret PP shipping site helped you out.

You're welcome! You've already saved me more in shipping than it cost to send these to you, and it's helped a ton with international shipping. So I just see it as giving you something in return for the help you've given me.

For anyone else who wants to buy this keychain, please check out bkeychain.com, or contact me if you'd like to order keychains (or forks) from me directly.

[angelakay124]

It has been better if you could ship it to worldwide. I think there are some droping service which can do worldwide shipping why don't you search for them. I also think this type of product may have high demand from bitcoin companies or the companies which are accepting bitcoin payments. I like those fork in pictures but sorry i am from asia so i can't see it for real. Nice one i like them.

[BitPappa]

It has been better if you could ship it to worldwide. I think there are some droping service which can do worldwide shipping why don't you search for them. I also think this type of product may have high demand from bitcoin companies or the companies which are accepting bitcoin payments. I like those fork in pictures but sorry i am from asia so i can't see it for real. Nice one i like them.

angelakay124 my friend, it appears you didn't see the entire thread. If you look up a few comments, you'll see I have started shipping internationally. So now you can see one for real. Thanks for alerting me that I needed to update the original post, so everyone will see immediately that international shipping is available. I’ll keep an eye out for your order!