P.W. Akkerman Avis 23

I am an 18-year old design student who appreciates well-crafted goods. I feel that a writing instrument, something that one holds for several hours every day, should not be skimped on.
My first visit to P.W. Akkerman was a few years ago, for when needed cartridges for an old Parker Vector I used. The small shop in the beautiful Passage in The Hague’s city center is stacked with all sorts of pens, inks, writing supplies and the like — it’s like a sweetshop for writing enthusiasts. I have bought my Parker Jotter fountain pen here, and recently, a LAMY Logo SS as well, in which I use their own Akkerman inks (Zuiderpark Blauw-groen and Voorhout Violet, respectively), which come in large, easy-to-use bottles and are available in many beautiful colors named after equally beautiful places in and around the city.
The service is excellent. You will be greeted by one of the kind and very patient employees who actually listen to what you want, need, or have, without foisting anything you do not need (which seems to be a rarity when shopping these days). It is not at all a problem to try out a pen or ink, which is something you cannot do over the internet — I have learned that you cannot make a good decision based on just pictures and specs. Furthermore, they have cleaned out a clogged-up pen for me, free of charge, give writing and maintenance tips, and on top of that I was gifted a leather etui with the purchase of the Lamy, which was a pleasant surprise. I am treated like a very valuable customer, even though I have a (relatively) limited budget.
All in all, while they may be slightly more expensive than some online discount shops, you cannot compare the level of service and expertise, which I am very willing to pay a premium for. I am delighted that these kinds of shops still exist, and I will continue to support them for as long as I can.