Extend Mech Pencil
I'm going to geek out a bit here. Several years ago (circa 1995) I discovered what I believe to be the perfect mechanical pencil. I was a starving student and $5 at the time was a lot to pay for something like a pencil. Still, I'd save up and made sure I kept one or two handy. I use them to this day but over the years they've started to show the wear of time. The college bookstores no longer seem to carry them and I've searched high and low for them to no avail. I decided to go to the source and see if I can buy them directly from the manufacturer. It turns out they've discontinued them. It's surprising really. What makes it so wonderful is that it has a retractable point. It works like any mechanical pencil, click on the back and it pushed the lead forward. If you push with enough pressure though, it works like a pen and retracts the whole lead mechanism back into the shaft. You can retract the point, stick it in your pocket and never have to worry about getting jabbed in the thigh. It's a pity really. They made them in a variety of colors. I could only find pictures of the blue and burgundy.
-----Original Message-----
From: consumer.service@sanfordcorp.com
Sent: Friday, March 24, 2006 1:00 PM
To: Patrick Melo
Subject: Re: 000481758B, reply from Sanford, Paper Mate, Sharpie, uni-ball, Eldon Office Solutions or Foohy.com web-site.
Hello Mr. Melo,Unfortunately, the Extend Mech Pencil was discontinued on 12/31/02.
Thank you for e-mailing us and for your support of Sanford products.Sanford Consumer Affairs
000481758B
-----Original Message-----
From: Patrick Melo
Sent: Friday, March 24, 2006 10:52 AM
To: 'consumer.service@sanfordcorp.com'
Subject: FW: 000481758A, reply from Sanford, Paper Mate, Sharpie, uni-ball, Eldon Office Solutions or Foohy.com web-site.
It has been over a month and I still have not received a reply. Is anyone receiving these emails? I am still interested in information on how to purchase these pencils.
-----Original Message-----
From: Patrick Melo
Sent: Wednesday, February 15, 2006 8:14 AM
To: 'consumer.service@sanfordcorp.com'
Subject: RE: 000481758A, reply from Sanford, Paper Mate, Sharpie, uni-ball, Eldon Office Solutions or Foohy.com web-site.
Thank you so much for the information. That is exactly the type of information I was hoping for. Unfortunately, I visited the web sites to see what the "X-Tend Mechanical Pencil" looked like, and it was nothing like the pencil I was searching for. I've included some images of the "Extend" mechanical pencil so that you can get a better idea of the pencil I'm looking for.
Thanks in advance,
Patrick
-----Original Message-----
From: consumer.service@sanfordcorp.com
Sent: Wednesday, February 15, 2006 8:00 AM
To: Patrick Melo
Subject: Re: 000481758A, reply from Sanford, Paper Mate, Sharpie, uni-ball, Eldon Office Solutions or Foohy.com web-site.
Hello Patrick,Most of our products should be available through your local stationer and/or office supplier; unfortunately Sanford does not sell direct to individual consumers.
If you are unsuccessful through your local retailers, the Paper Mate X-Tend Mechanical Pencil should be available from Ellsworth at (800) 765-4031 as well as RITE AID WEST 24536 HESPERIAN BLVD HAYWARD CA 94545 (510)-782-0535, ALBERTSONS 25151 SANTA CLARA ST HAYWARD CA 94545 (510)-670-0620, or LONGS DRUG STORES 243 W JACKSON ST HAYWARD CA 94544 (510)-783-4521.You can also try www.shoplet.com for ordering most Sanford and Paper Mate items on-line and also Du-All (877) 583-9158. Some other options are calling Standard Office (800) 742-8247 and Gray Enterprises (800) 970-7367 or www.kingpen.com, if you can order by the dozen. You will need to provide the mail order houses listed above with item number 46210. Thank you for e-mailing us and for your support of Sanford products.Sanford Consumer Affairs 000481758A