Prismacolor Pencil Saga

If you are getting ready to take the plunge and invest in these
wonderful pencils, I would like to share some of my recent pencil woes
to hopefully save you some frustration and money.  My mother
recently sent me a gift. A check made out just to me to spend on
whatever I chose! Just because I'm wonderful!
 She didn't say that exactly, but it was there!
Anyway I could have saved it, bought something practical
with it, like food, but what is the fun of that?!  So I did some
 research on E-bay and Amazon and decided to invest in some pencils.
 Since I may not get this opportunity for a while I decided on the
132 box. E-bay's price was slightly cheaper.
So I went with them. Cheaper does not always save you.

My first disappointment was, I was out of town and came
 home to them sitting on my porch in the pouring rain!

Not the companies fault, and they were not harmed!

Then I opened them to find they had been sharpened.

Apparently some boxes come sharpened so that is a good thing.

However, in investigating some pencils were shorter than others.

They appeared to be used.  In calling Sanford, they assured me

that the pencils would be the same height if sharpened by the
company. They said to be very careful with E-bay companies
 because they get this a lot.  They were willing to replace the set even
though I bought them from E-bay!  That is a very good company!

I highly recommend them!

My other disappointment in the set I bought was the size of the box!

It is advertised to be the bigger box, so you can see your layers 

of pencils.  I received a small square box with no room to see

what is underneath.  I would have been fine with that is what I

thought I was buying.  The company was rude, and not willing

to honor anything.  Said that was the picture from E-bay, not their 

problem.  There is no way that this box is used because the 

box was sealed.  I said I would send them pictures, but they

 would not be reasoned with.  They said they had no more in stock

 nor did Sanford! Sanford, the company that makes them has
 none in stock?!! Was I born yesterday?!  Sanford was willing to
 replace them no questions asked, and it was not even their fault!

Anyway, just be careful as you are choosing and know that there are

2 different size 132 count boxes.  If that matters to you.

I went back and forth as to what to do.  The advantage of the smaller 

box is it is smaller easy to store, and carry, and the pencils

were sharpened.  The advantage of the bigger box is seeing your

layers.  You still have to take them out, but you know what you are

 grabbing.  Now the cost analysis.

This is the cheapest I found.  There may be better deals out there.

Amazon: 104.55 + 12.57 shipping = $117.12

Ebay: 99.99 + 13.32 Shipping = $113.31

AC Moore- 239.99 w/ 50% off coupon = $120 + tax

Michaels- 229.99 w/ 50% off coupon = $115 + tax

Jo-Ann's- 219.99 w 50% off coupon = $110 + tax
This is all US dollars

Jo-Ann's is the cheapest store I found.  Did not try Hobby Lobby.

Unless they are running their art supplies at 1/2 off their coupons

are generally only 40%.  I decided to go with the store

and send mine back.  I already purchased at Michael's before I

saw Jo-Ann's.  Only had one coupon.

  If you purchase before the 15th of this month

you get a $10. 00 rebate.  You can only use it with a retail store.

 So with that I paid a few dollars

more, but I know what I bought, don't have to wait, or go through 

the hassle of the company.  I still have to send mine back

and wait for my refund.  This was Sanford's
suggestion and It would be mine as well, based on my
E-bay Experience!  I have been asked to name the
company, but I need to wait until my money is refunded
first.  They really were not nice and may really
give me problems if I expose them before
 I receive my money!

Hope this help's if you are going to buy!

Larger box 12x8 - Smaller box 8x8

Larger box so you can see the layers.  

Small box no room

Small box-  It is handy, but I think I like the bigger box!

Here are my pictures of the used pencils .

I may be OCD but it bothered me.  It also bothered me

that the writing on the pencils was all different colors and in
different spots. The new box has the same color writing and
all in the same spot!  Much better!!

The different size pencils!  The company would

not even look at the pictures, just insisted they were

new pencils!  I have a set of Crayola's that don't 

look like that!

Anyway, when all this drama is done, I will love my pencils

Thank You Mom you are the best!

Now I have to make you a card with my new

purchase!  That is when I sharpen 132 pencils!

Maybe I will keep the smaller box... Just kidding!