Copic problem
 

I ordered my copics finally and they arrived today!!! (set of 72). I have not removed the cellophane from the box, but it looks like about 75% of the markers have the lids slightly to way off. My markers are all slanted inside the box, but the lids are still in the slot.

I've put a call through to the internet store, but haven't had a reply yet.

I'm thinking....don't I want to insist on a new box? Wouldn't the alcohol have been evaporating...hence shorten the life of these markers?

I'm worried the store will agrue that since they've been in a sealed Copic box, not exposed to fresh air, that they will be fine. But I want a new set...right?

thanks,
kathy

I am sick. I finally got a hold of the online store I purchased these from. They are willing to give me $50 back...but that's all. No exchange. I do not fault the online store, because it was wrapped in bubble wrap securely. I think the fault lays with Copic because, although my box has the lid on securely and is sealed in cellophane...there is enough empty package space inside the plastic case that the markers were josled in shipment, many of the lids have separated from the marker and the markers are laying at a 30 degree angle inside the case. I can only see the full marker on the back side of the case, because of labeling...but 9 of the 18 markers in that row have the lids off enough that you could put a drinking straw down into the lid. The other 9 markers in the row have the lids between 1/16" and 1/8" off the marker....as if you used it, and didn't snap it on tight.

I am absolutely sick. The online store is going to check with Copic Markers and see if they will replace the set. I don't have a good feeling about this. And $50 refund is no way satisfactory for the amount of life that I fear is gone from these markers.

copic markers
 

If I were you I would contact Copic myself. This is a big investment for us who purchase these.

Sorry to hear that.. Hope things will be getting better.

I'd call in to copic - take some pictures - don't take off the cellopane yet.

I called copic. They said they were sorry. If they get badly dropped in shipping, that can happen. They won't replace them. They said that because the case was sealed, no fresh air, and the lids were still on them to varying degrees, that the markers should be fine. Just take off the cellophane, put all the lids on tight, let them sit a day and tomorrow they should be fine.

I am so sad.

kathy

Sounds like they will be fine - it is just sad that you have to wait a day to use them!

If you didn't open them or use them can't you just return them and get your money back (less shipping of course, but it'd probably be worth it for your peace of mind)???

I agree with this -- if they arent opened yet and you pay to ship them back, the online store SHOULD take them back. I would be sad too, the Copics arent cheap. I hope it all works out for you. Let us know!

I know when I buy Copics in the store, people have used them to test the colors and sometimes the lids are partway off. I try to dig through and find one that looks unused, but I did have to take one back once because someone had really smashed the tip and I didn't see it until I got home. I know how bummed you must be to have that happen with such a large set, and you can't just walk right back in the store and get a replacement! Hope it all works out for you. Let us know.

I since the Copics are refillable, I would take the $50.00 that the store is offering you and purchase some refills for any that might be out. I doubt that there was much evaporation, but this would fix the problem AND you would be able to keep and use your markers...and you would have some refills on hand... a win-win situation.

What a GREAT solution!! Hopefully she didn't return them yet ;)

Where do you girls get the Copic markers? I have called all the craft stores in our area and no one has them. I would rather support a local store so I wouldn't have the hassle that shipping can cause.

Hobby Lobby sells them back in the art supply section. They will order specify colors, if they don't have them....and they take 1 week to receive.

Carpediemstore.com has really good prices. You get an extra 10% off on your second order of Copics with them.

DickBlick is another good online source. Someone emailed me that they've received markers with the lids off, and DickBlick replaced them, no problem.

I ordered mine from animeOC.com and I am still waiting for an answer if they'll replace them or what.

Ellen Hutson's online store is also a great source.

good luck!

kathy

I order mine from www.copicmarkers.com and they have really reasonable - and fast - shipping! I ordered about 8 markers and the shipping was $3.60. Two of the markers were backordered and they didn't charge me extra shipping for those. Too many places, like DickBlick, want an arm and a leg for shipping and it's not necessary!

:p Thanks for the info, I will check it out.

This has happened, and it does happen if it gets dropped during shipping on any of the large sets (no matter how delicately they are wrapped and how many fragile stickers are placed on them). The good news is that unless they have been sitting for MONTHS in this condition they will be fine.

A week in shipping, jostled around then with the caps replaced as soon as they arrive will not significantly shorten the marker life. I have some sets that have been through exactly what you said and they are fine- I have not had to refill them any sooner than sets where the caps were not knocked off.

The most damage you will see is that on the end that was point down the color will be a little darker than the other end the first couple times you use it if the cap has been off for longer than a week and the package is still wrapped. If there is NO color difference between the two ends then your markers didn't lose ANY ink.

I have to agree as well...I really think the markers are fine. Particularly since the package overall was sealed. But, hey, take the $50 and keep it for any refills down the road, lol!

Do you have a Jerry's Artarama near you?
Or an art supply stores?

Thanks for all your input. We don't have Jerry's but I did find them at Hobby Lobby. Now I really need to figure out how to use them. Do you use glossy cardstock or regular cardstock or something else. I tried the glossy and the ink dried to fast to get it moved and blended. I need much more practice I think.

I agree with keeping them and taking the $50 to purchase refills if needed. I bought my Copics from carpediemstore.com I bought the Sketch style individually so I could pick the colors I wanted and paid about $3.95 each Best price around!

Don't use glossy- use a regular cardstock. It will give you smoother coloring, and not streak. Choose a Georgia Pacific, or a Neenah, or PTI's white. Color in small circles to really saturate the paper. Flip the paper over, if it looks even on the backside then you shouldn't see streaks on the front.

Start with your lighter color then add your darker color. go over the darker color with the lighter color. This will help blend the colors better.

Kathy, any update? I hope you found that the markers are fine.

I think taking the $50 and using it on refills is brilliant.

hugs,
e

Thanks again
 

You said to look for a Georgia Pacific, or a Neenah, or PTI's white, I will check Sam's for the GP but what are the other two that you mentioned. I haven't heard of either of them. I was thinking that with glossy that I could use the colorless blender but I think that isn't what it is for as it dried so fast. I will have to keep trying to figure out why I need these markers. I have printed off some gorgeous cards done with them so hope I can do that too.
Thanks again,

Update: Friday the woman from the online store emailed me and said that she hasn't gotten a response from the manufacturer, but she hasn't forgotten me. She said it would be Tuesday before she could get a reply. It made me feel good, that she responded to me without me prompting her. I'll let you know next week what happens.

kathy

I understand how you feel... The exact same thing just happenend to me, but only on a box of 12. All of them were open, some by 1/4 inch. And the box was not sealed because it is a custom set... But, when I opened the box, there was a light smell of alcohol. I don't know if I'm right to think this, but if the alcohol evaporated a lot, there would be no smell in the box, as it would have evaporated out, right? There was no smell when I opened my package, which had tape all around. So... I hope they will be alright.
I tried all of them, only 2 have a color difference between both tips, so I suppose the other 10 are OK, and I hope those 2 will end up OK. I will let them sit horizontally for a day, and check back tomorrow. One of them is pretty dry... I will decide tomorrow what I do with them.

I have been slowly getting mine at hobby lobby. I use the 40% coupons which makes them $3.59 each.

PTI is PaperTreyInk. Their paper is fantastic (and I love their stamps too).

I've never tried Neenah solar crest cardstock but Ellen Hutson carries it.

Problem Resolution
 

Problem solution:

AnimeCO, where I purchased the set, replied that I could send the opened set back, and they would return it to the manufacturer. It would take 3-6 weeks to receive a replacement set. If they received a 72C set earlier, they would mail me there's, but didn't know that it would be any earlier than the set from the manufacturer. The offer for the $50 discount no longer stands....guess I should have taken it when it was available! I tried out all the markers. They all work. There were some...maybe 10? that I felt weren't as juicy as others....put then as I used them again...I would decide they're fine...they are just a more subdued color. But then I'd pick up a juicy one...and feel like there had been a real difference.

But the ones with less ink...they might be colors I don't use as much anyways? and if I do use them a lot...I'll need the ink refills anyways.... And I really don't want to wait 6 weeks for a replacement set. I think I'll call back and see if the $50 for ink refills still stands.

I'm glad that they followed through, and came up with a resolution for me. I didn't have to call or email them to prompt action. I just waited, and they contacted me!

kathy

Maybe just tell them the ones that are dry and ask if you can have refills for those?

I'm glad they are useable though.

I just want to let you all know that both AnimeCO (where I ordered them online) and CopicMarker have contacted me with offers of help. My daughter got in last night...and was so excited....played with them most of the night (morning...lol). She LOVES them. She's still playing with different techniques to blend...but she is so excited and happy. She figures she'll just be buying the refills a tad sooner than she had planned. I just hope she picks up an extra part time summer job!!! she's one expensive kid for a single mom! (and I have 5). You all on this sight are so wonderful. I can't begin to thank each of you enough for your support, ideas, and inspirations!

kathy