Mechanical Pencils

Stock mechanical pencils at different price points to appeal to a variety of customers

Customers from students to professionals may prefer mechanical pencils over their traditional wood counterparts. Mechanical versions not only create a smooth and consistent line when writing or drawing, but are also more convenient since they never need sharpening.

With lead diameters ranging from .3mm to .9mm, automatic pencils write with a finer point than standard writing pencils. When stocking lead refills, consider that the majority of your customers will opt for the .5mm or .7mm sizes. With that in mind, also aim to order mechanical pencils in a variety of styles:

1. Stock packs of disposable mechanical pencils for students who’d rather use and toss the writing utensils.

2. Offer refillable mechanical pencils along with lead and eraser refills that customers will perpetually need.

3. Find mechanical pencils with additional features for diverse applications and added convenience.

 

Provide disposable mechanical pencils as economical options

Students who write a lot (or often lend out and lose writing utensils) will appreciate inexpensive mechanical pencils that they can throw away after exhausting the lead. Display multi-packs with different barrel designs and thicknesses, including solid colors to appeal to older customers.
Try: ReStockIt.com offers boxes of PaperMate disposable mechanical pencils that resemble the standard Number 2 versions used in school. Click on the "Mechanical Pencils" link to see other packs of mechanical pencils, information and pricing. Concord Enterprises distributes cases of 6 and 10 packs of disposable mechanical pencils at wholesale prices.

Promote refillable mechanical pencils for environmentally conscious customers

If your clientele would rather reuse and recycle their office supplies, stock refillable mechanical pencils that they won't have to throw away. Choose styles ranging from economical plastic models to high-end metallic styles weighted for writing comfort.
Try: StorePulls.com sells several mechanical pencil styles, including four packs of refillable pencils packaged with extra lead. Wholesale Warehouse Supply sells inexpensive refillable pencils with a sophisticated finish. Check the mechanical pencils list for information on the types of lead refills and erasers that you should also stock.

Add mechanical pencils with additional features to attract specific customers

In addition to "regular" mechanical pencils, also offer versions that cater to specific users. For example, students and professionals alike will appreciate the convenience of multi-function utensils that house a pencil and highlighter in the same barrel. Other customers may need versions with metal lead sleeves that keep the lead from breaking or thick rubber grips to prevent hand fatigue.
Try: SuppliesNet.com is a mechanical pencils provider that offers auto-feed drafting pencils with lead sleeve supports designed to work with heavy duty straightedges. The site also sells an assortment of disposable pencils in bulk quantities. Get multi-feature mechanical pencils that combine pencils, pens and highlighters from U.S. School Supply.

 

• Although you can display packs of disposable and refillable mechanical pencils along with the rest of your inventory, keep expensive pencil styles behind a locked counter, near cash registers or inside bulky plastic security containers. Otherwise, it's far too easy for shoplifters to slip them into a purse or pocket.

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