Warning.... you have to be mentally prepared for buying any pens here. If you go in with "thin skin" this will be a 1 or 2 star experience for you. The owner has been in the pen selling business for 30 to 40 years and he will tell you that. I heard it at least 2 times. Assume that he will know much much more about pens than you will ever know, no matter how many years you have been collecting pens. It takes some pride swallowing on your part. But if you can toughen your hide and treat this guy like he is God's answer to the perfect pen sales guy then you will have a good experience. He taught me several things that I did not know before. He had a big selection of fountain pens. He spent plenty of time with me. I got a price on an Aurora 88 that was $50 less than the online price (it did not have the box though). but he also threw in a free bottle of ink. I wanted a fine nib and he said it was fine. When I got home it was much thicker than all my other fines so I brought it back. I was sort of expecting a fight as the guy is short and confident with some of his comments. He said that all the Aurora nibs are hand made and there is some variation. He said that he wanted to make sure I was happy with the pen so he found another Aurora that was fine or extra fine (they are not marked) and he swapped nibs. I already had inked and used the first nib so I was surprised he did that. So..... tuck your pride away for 15 minutes and learn a lot and get a great deal. It may also give you a funny story to tell to your friends. read more

There is a fantastic selection of wares here. He seemed very approachable and friendly. However I once I asked the owner if he had an open sample of a pen used for calligraphy pen for me to try, he became very rammy, unfriendly, and condescending. I stated I wanted to try ANY pen and nib combination he had in the store just to see how his Lamy pens released ink, and that sent him on his tangent. I told him I was a beginner and used to felt calligraphy pens. He was adamant that those were not calligraphy pens. After a few attempts of explaining what I was looking for and explaining why I would need to try one of his pens before I bought one, I decided to walk away stating "I'm sorry I'm leaving, I don't like this", to which he said as I was walking out "If you want expert advice you need to listen." All in all a tragically bad experience which could have been a wonderful experience if he was easier to get along with. Very condescending and rude, yet knowledgeable on his products. Sorry, dude. read more

Ok..... Simply the Best. Yes!.... He does have the most incredible stock of Simply the Best Stuff you will find. I really appreciate the fact that Jim puts his money into inventory and I know most people don't get it, but if you asked them to put a million dollars of their hard earned money up just so people could see and touch the product they would probably laugh. So I appreciate it, with buying high end products, I want to see before I spend my hard earned money. I also want to talk to someone that know his shit. That's what you get here and its enjoyable. The experience....these days it is rare to talk to people in retail that know anything! read more

Great staff! Very knowledgeable and willing to take the time to listen to what you need. As for saving 50% online as posted in other review, I guess I'm willing to support local businesses with human beings instead of LCD screens & servers. They don't give you a Cohiba when shopping online. Thanks for the cigar. Was great after an awesome meal @ Le Kliff in PV! read more

Read some of the negative reviews and was wondering if I should even bother dropping in. Took a chance and was highly impressed by the selection. Was concerned about lack of pricing but spoke to the owner and totally understand it is almost impossible to keep prices up to date when you have thousands upon thousands of items and exchange rates are constantly changing. He definitely knows his stuff and has the greatest selection I have ever seen. read more

Save your money and buy anything sold here at 50% off (or more) online. Notice how there are no price tags on anything? Prices made up on the spot. Bought a $80 US list price pen (for $100 Canadian) that could be bought for $50 on line and when exchanged (gift), the recipient was provided with a $50 US list price pen that could be bought online for $35 as a straight exchange! read more

Jim is a true gentleman and a superb pen seller. He has been my go/to pen person for years and I visit him whenever I'm lucky enough to be in Victoria. He carries a broad range of pens to suit most tastes including beautiful limited editions that can be otherwise hard to find. Fair prices, impeccable personal service. read more

I'm a visitor from Vancouver, so whatever this store has to offer, I can basically get it in Vancouver no question about it. I walked in the store, browse around and guess what? Nice pen collection... Inquired about one particular pen, of course I liked the pen but didn't like the priced. Went to back to my hotel, called Vancouver Pen shop, Perks just to compare prices. All the same. I went back the next day, chat with the owner a little bit, and you know what..? Sold me the pen without tax and plus a bottle of free ink. Now, I don't know about you, to me it deserves a 6 stars. Good fellow to chat with, knowledgeable and good service. Would I go back or recommend the store....? Take a guess.! read more

Jim runs a great store. If you can't find a high end and unique specialty item there, chances are you won't find it elsewhere. He knows how to treat customers and always makes you feel welcome just for stopping by. read more

I wanted to buy a safety razor, looked online but had no idea what to purchase. I went in to Simply the best and got all the info i needed as well as a Merkur razor and and Kent brush. The owner is very knowledgeable and great to deal with. A real pleasure. read more

I agree with the postings below. The person above likely works for the store, or is a friend of his because there is no way you can say this is an honest business. This guy hugely marks up everything he sells. My guess is that he buys his stock online and marks everything up about 200%. I just googled something I bought from him for about $100, and prices for it are coming up anywhere from $15-$55. I am kicking myself for not waiting on my purchase. What a ripoff this store is. read more

Wow, felt like I was dealing with a used car salesman! This guy went off on me when I questioned his pricing, I stated that I could find the item cheaper online, I will always support a local business but this guy was out to lunch. He also tried to school me in metallurgy, in which he was off on his terminology, I didn't have the heart to tell him I am a machinist, I just let him go off and I enjoyed listening to the bullshit flowing out of his mouth. I hate being lied to, this guy was a real gem, he managed to piss off my wife too. Great business practice. Don't waste your time shopping there unless you need to buy overpriced crap! read more

As per the other review on here, I concur with the overpricing of merchandise. There are badger hair shave brushes that are sold here for over $150 that sell online for 1/3rd of the price for the exact same product. Additionally, the going price for the Glencairn scotch glass here is $19 + taxes. However, you can go over to London Drugs, and get the exact same product (exact same quality of crystal) for $6.99 regular price, and $5.59 on sale right now. It's outrageous. read more

I don't disagree with the claim that this store sells 'simply the best'. They do. The staff is also very knowledgeable. These are two great attributes in a store selling luxury items. The problem is, however, that this place simply overcharges for its merchandise. If I were one of those for whom money was not a problem, I would not bother writing this review. I had scoped out the situation before deciding to buy from them. I expected to pay a little more, but I actually paid a lot more. I'm just not sure how a place like this can stay afloat. The product I bought there, which I have been buying for years elsewhere until they stopped carrying it earlier this year, was almost exactly twice as much as I'd been paying for it. This is not a case of being able to buy things cheaper online. I used to buy all my Trumper products from a bricks-and-mortar in Vancouver, for half the price. I know how much men's grooming products cost and this place does too. It just thinks you should pay more because the superlative on the sign says so. The message here, folks, is that you can likely find 'simply the best' products elsewhere and for less money. From what I saw, nothing in the store is so exclusive as to be completely unavailable elsewhere. This is just what they want you to think, and the pricing reflects that message. read more