• National Pens

National Pens

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Overview

National Pens has a rating of 1.2 stars from 58 reviews, indicating that most customers are generally dissatisfied with their purchases. Reviewers complaining about National Pens most frequently mention customer service problems. National Pens ranks 163rd among Promotional Products sites.

  • Service
    36
  • Value
    35
  • Shipping
    33
  • Returns
    23
  • Quality
    32
Positive reviews (last 12 months): 0%
Positive
0
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0
Negative
11
22
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How would you rate National Pens?
Top Positive Review

“Uodate”

Ann-Marie D.
4/25/22

They did end up fixing their mistake; however it took my negative reviews for someone to finally contact me and try to make it right. They have also sent me a couple of upgraded promotional pens with my company info that were very nice.

Top Critical Review

“Don't know to issue right invoices”

Kristína J.
10/16/24

Horrible company, thy don't know how to issue right invoices in the country they operate. They issued wron invoice they corrected it in bad way and don't want to correct it.

Reviews (58)

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customer service (28)
Thumbnail of user kristinajelzova
Slovakia
0 reviews
0 helpful votes
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October 16th, 2024

Horrible company, thy don't know how to issue right invoices in the country they operate. They issued wron invoice they corrected it in bad way and don't want to correct it.

Service
Value
Shipping
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Thumbnail of user getachewt1
Minnesota
2 reviews
2 helpful votes
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February 14th, 2024

This company is a fraud located in California. Their price is overpriced, and they care only how to add the charge they want. For small box less than 2 lbs. they charge you shipping and handling over $50.00.
Their customer service was the worst in the industry. I try to contact them by phone or email they do not care. If you need promotional products order from Amsterdam printing or Myron corp. most trusted. Avoid this fraud company called pens.com.

Tip for consumers:
Avoid by any means not to order from this printing company.

Products used:
pens, calender etc.

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Value
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Thumbnail of user sandrap2286
Arizona
1 review
0 helpful votes
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March 6th, 2024

I've ordered multiple times which says something about my judgement but once I got crushed pens (leaking ink) another time I only got 1/2 of the shipment and today I got the pens I ordered as well as #200 very nice looking pens (billed to me) intended for a customer in another state. Terrible Customer Service, last time I will use them

Products used:
None

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Value
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Thumbnail of user kathleenc2089
New Jersey
1 review
1 helpful vote
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December 5th, 2023

Horrible, horrible customer service! Ordered flashlights two weeks ago for an event I need them for next week. I received a follow-up email saying "Your product is bring personalized". I go on the account on their website and it keeps saying "Being personalized". I call in to the company and I am told they are "out of stock". Wait on hold very long time for a supervisor who keeps offering apologies. Is that the item I should give guests at next week's event, APOLOGIES? Too many other companies to get promo items from. I will not be dealing with National Pens again!

Tip for consumers:
Dealt with this company for years. They have gone down hill terribly.

Products used:
Went with another promo company

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Value
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Thumbnail of user atauschinger
Germany
1 review
0 helpful votes
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December 25th, 2023

Shocking outfit - should be closed down by authorities.
1. Don't take the order if you cannot fulfil what you are actually offering online!
2. If it does happen - ensure customers get reimbursed pronto
3. Your customer service people should not give customers who have not been reimbursed the run-around.
4. Follow-up that reimbursement happend

What an unprofessional money-grabbing shower

Thumbnail of user cherylc1882
Canada
1 review
0 helpful votes
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December 18th, 2023

I received a promotional offer for pens, with very attractive pricing. I ordered the product but was charged regular pricing. I emailed customer service immediately. There was nothing they could do since it had been invoiced...wrong they chose not to do anything. Every email is answered by some one in their inappropriately named "customer service" very dissapointing customer service.

Thumbnail of user denisem2028
Virginia
1 review
1 helpful vote
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May 16th, 2023

Customers service will raise their voice and ramble but will NEVER give a refund. The product takes many weeks to deliver as if it comes from another country. Thin and distorted product. Some parts of the product was not the specified dimensions. Customer service stated product may be small or wrong size due to seam allowance. (?). DO NOT ORDER if you are wanting quality/service/or reliability.

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Thumbnail of user rachelh971
Ohio
1 review
1 helpful vote
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July 21st, 2022

Tried to get a pen with a logo and words printed on it. Big mistake. Took 3-4 weeks of emails and phone calls that didn't get resolved, when I finally got confirmation that they'd be able to do the pens with both logo and text, found out weeks later that the shipment was delayed (via an update/reminder email, no original notification). By the time they arrived, there was no logo, but I was still charged a logo fee.

Terrible customer service and no communication between the different departments. It was a nightmare and one of the worst companies I've custom ordered from. I wish I'd just cancelled the order. Incredibly disappointed.

Tip for consumers:
Unless you have a VERY simple order, avoid using this website. Waiting to see how the refund process is now.

Products used:
Customized pens

Service
Value
Shipping
Quality
Thumbnail of user patrickr972
Indiana
1 review
1 helpful vote
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June 6th, 2023
Verified purchase

Although I like their products, National Pen has predatory billing practices in my opinion. You use a credit card when you place your order, however, your bill is not made available to you until it has become past due which they then charge additional fees, so you assume they charged the card and won't find out til later that it is past due, they always look to tack fees so the billing practices are shady at best. I like the products but will no longer do business with a company that operates this way.

Thumbnail of user tinah1085
Washington
1 review
1 helpful vote
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August 25th, 2023

I only gave 1 star because there is no 1/4 star! Poor quality. I would be embarrassed to work for them, specifically as a QA manager! Their customer service department OBVIOUSLY does NOT communicate with the billing department. I sent the crappy pens back using their return address label and they are still calling and emailing about the invoice being paid. UH...no!

Products used:
None! I sent the pens back.

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Value
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Thumbnail of user ivank123
Washington
1 review
3 helpful votes
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July 15th, 2021

Ordered pens in March, got them in July, after somebody from Puerto Rico called me, asking what is our address, because they mailed package elsewhere. Never got an invoice, and now I received a letter to pay late charges. Pen for $0.59 will cost me $2 each

Thumbnail of user mrsc185
Ohio
2 reviews
1 helpful vote
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April 12th, 2022

I ordered pens to later find out that they are out of stock and will be for the next 4 months if not longer. After waiting 3 weeks for my order I contacted them. Phone rings for long periods of time, greater than 30 minutes only to speak with people who are difficult to understand. Offered me a 20% discount of future orders. Terrible service...

Tip for consumers:
I ordered pens to later find out that they are out of stock and will be for the next 4 months if not longer. After waiting 3 weeks for my order I contacted them. Phone rings for long periods of time, greater than 30 minutes only to speak with people who are difficult to understand. Offered me a 20% discount of future orders. Terrible service.....

Products used:
I ordered pens to later find out that they are out of stock and will be for the next 4 months if not longer. After waiting 3 weeks for my order I contacted them. Phone rings for long periods of time, greater than 30 minutes only to speak with people who are difficult to understand. Offered me a 20% discount of future orders. Terrible service.....

Service
Value
Shipping
Quality
Thumbnail of user annmaried39
Florida
1 review
2 helpful votes
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April 25th, 2022
• Updated review

They did end up fixing their mistake; however it took my negative reviews for someone to finally contact me and try to make it right. They have also sent me a couple of upgraded promotional pens with my company info that were very nice.

Service
Value
Shipping
Returns
Quality
Horrible
November 10th, 2021
Verified purchase
• Previous review

I placed two large orders for the exact same logo design submitted as a png file. One product was received exactly as I ordered it (300 water bottles with logo design on it). The other was for 525 pens with the same design, however when they edited the design for some reason they included my HOME ADDRESS on the pens! I called to complain and spoke with a rep who frequently placed me on hold for well over an hour only to tell me the best that they could do was offer a 10% discount on a new order. I asked to speak to her manager, she placed me on another lengthy hold. Only to then tell me the managers were not available and would call me back. As expected I've heard nothing from them. Will never order from them again.

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Value
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Thumbnail of user tc461
Ohio
1 review
0 helpful votes
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July 15th, 2023
Verified purchase

I ordered an "assortment" of colors of pens for my new business. There are 7 colors in the package I chose. Before production, they sent me an email (with a picture) asking to confirm beforehand just to make sure it was correct. It looked good so I sent it in. When I received a box of nothing but red, blue and black pens, I contacted them, sent them a picture and was told, "technically 3 colors is considered an assortment, as we don't want to hold up production." As silly of an issue as this is to complain about, this is not what I wanted and I spent a good chunk of money for something they were unwilling to fix.

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Thumbnail of user bribble
Illinois
1 review
1 helpful vote
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April 20th, 2023
Verified purchase

I called in an order for 500 pens and informed the agent that I had a code for free shipping and handling. She assured me that the discount would be applied to my order. However, it was slipped in and I didn't notice it right away on the approval (I'll own this mistake). I've since talked to two different agents trying to get that removed. They refuse. I can't believe that they will alienate a customer over $50! Apparently they have never heard of "life-time value of a customer". I will NEVER use this company again and I will tell EVERYONE that I know not to use them!

Tip for consumers:
no

Products used:
Customized Pens

Service
Value
Shipping
Quality
Thumbnail of user meghanm252
Michigan
1 review
0 helpful votes
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January 26th, 2023

We've received around 5-6 pens of samples from this business over the last several years. Myself and my colleagues still each have a sample pen and loved how it would write effortlessly and how long it lasted. We decided to order 100. Not only did a long of the leak ink but each pen out of the 100 would skip when writing with which made me want to throw the entire batch in the trash. I would grab a brand new pen to write something down and within seconds it would stop writing. The sample pens we received never did this so I believe it to be a scam.

Thumbnail of user livsl
Florida
1 review
0 helpful votes
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March 13th, 2023

I gave this company the benefit of the doubt in spite of the many poor reviews online. Sadly, the company does indeed exhibit horrible customer service. The company's website contains erroneous and incomplete information. There is no option to reach a customer service representative when you call. After being transferred three times, I finally reached a customer service representative, who spent 15 minutes gathering all of my personal mailing and shipping information. After which time she informed me that I could not order the items in my cart. What a waste of time. And what terrible customer service. Definitely stay away from this company. I am so glad I did not give them any money before learning of their poor customer service and poor business model.

Tip for consumers:
Avoid this company altogether

Products used:
Stainless tumblers

Service
Value
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Quality
Thumbnail of user chells6
New York
1 review
1 helpful vote
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December 22nd, 2022

Terrible company. Terrible customer service. Who gets a yellow pen with white writing? No where does it say that the letters will be white. We're just supposed to assume this is how it's going to be even though we asked for red lettering. A month of them saying they are going to review the phone call with no response. HORRIBLE. DO NOT USE THEM.

Tip for consumers:
Don’t use them!!

Products used:
Pens

Service
Value
Shipping
Returns
Quality
Thumbnail of user michaelk4272
North Dakota
1 review
1 helpful vote
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September 12th, 2022
Verified purchase

I placed a small order of 100 pens which came damaged with ink everywhere which likely happened in shipping. When I contacted customer service they treated me like I was trying to scam them. I provided pictures of the damage and ink covered pens but that was not enough. They wanted me to send the pens back (understandable) but would not provide a refund or replacement without an investigation on their end. I said I was not comfortable sending the pens back without reassurance that they would be replaced/refunded which they were unwilling to do.

Tip for consumers:
There is virtually no customer service if you run into an issue. If you have any issues with your order you are basically stuck with it.

Products used:
Custom Pens

Service
Value
Shipping
Returns
Quality
Thumbnail of user ernestalip
New York
1 review
0 helpful votes
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December 8th, 2022

Bought some travel mugs from these people that are supposed to keep liquids hot or cold. The product does neither. If the liquid is hot with an hour it is room temp. If the liquid is cold, within the hour it too is room temp. Complained to customer service, was told to send some of the mugs to their R&D people. This was back in October. I finally called because they want payment and I don't see why they can't give me what I paid for. According to R&D the mugs were manufactured OK. I will pay the bill but will NEVER buy anything from them ever again.

Tip for consumers:
That National Pen does not stand behind their product

Products used:
travel mugs

Service
Value
Shipping
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Thumbnail of user 71philly88
Virginia
1 review
0 helpful votes
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December 9th, 2023

I ordered the 8.3 x 5.8 Serena RPET Notebook & Pen SET as Christmas gifts for my team - the size of the customized print was magnified in the sample sent for proof the actual is hardly illegible (the print on the invoice was bigger than the print on the product) and the first notebook i pulled from the box was previously used, it had pages ripped out and writing throughout on random pages. If I would've known this company already had such a poor rating I would've never ordered from them! Save your money- this was a complete waste of time and money!

Thumbnail of user toribell2330
Pennsylvania
1 review
0 helpful votes
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July 19th, 2023

I ordered black ink pens and they shipped me blue ink pens. I ordered again & they sent me blue ink, Again. Will not take responsibility for them being out of the black ink. That's what the customer service person told me that they were out of the black ink. It did not say that on their website and they should have let someone know. Or I would not have ordered 200 pens.

Value
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Thumbnail of user ascentinsurancegroup
Colorado
1 review
1 helpful vote
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September 14th, 2023
Verified purchase

I've ordered regularly from them with mostly great success over the past several years. I had an order months ago (3/2023) of pens that turned out to be leaky. A client who I keep stocked on their pens informed me on a visit that the pens were leaking. They had been throwing pens away by the handful. I snapped pics of what was still there and they were actively leaking. I sent in some pictures of the pens leaking.

Their customer service asked me to test and count the number of pens that had leaked, which is impossible given that these are marketing pens and with this exception, I never know who has them or what the results are once they are passed out and given away.

I furthermore have a business to run and this does not include acting as quality control for their products. I let it be and have been using my former stash while seeking a new vendor.

They have been calling to check in to see if I need to place an order and I share the story with each caller. Somebody this week (9/2023) called to check in and actually seemed to want to help but it's been a complete rinse & repeat - incredibly frustrating! I am not trying to get anything for free and this one order is a drop in the bucket compared to my overall spend. I haven't asked for any credits or anything back, yet they are more interested in wanting me to jump through hoops than make it right and maintain the relationship. I am done with this company and am seeking a new provider for my marketing products.

Products used:
Pens, bags, gift sets, notebooks

Service
Value
Shipping
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Thumbnail of user tktt3333
Pennsylvania
1 review
0 helpful votes
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May 31st, 2023

The pens are great, but processing and production takes 3 weeks and shipping takes at least another week because, even though you pay over $20 for shipping they ship one of the slowest ways possible, UPS Surepost!

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Value
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Thumbnail of user as1163
Maine
1 review
0 helpful votes
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May 20th, 2022

Can I give negative stars? I have never been a customer of pens.com. I found a charge on my credit card for $450 to this company. I cannot get through to their customer service department. Thank goodness Discover is conducting an inquiry.

Service

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