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IMPORTANT INFO for PREVENTing SCRATCHES/scuffs/loose parts/fading:

Improper care & storage can lead to scuffs, scratches, paint chipping or peeling off the VBPens, loosening parts, and/or other damage to your VBPens. We see this especially in matte pens, which don't have the additional clear top coating that is found on the glossy pens. In order to keep your pretty pens looking their best & in the best shape possible, please be sure to use & store your VBPens with care. VBPens that are damaged due to improper care and/or storage will not be replaced by VB Customer Service.

Pull the cap (the part with the clip and the VB logo) out to reveal the writing part of the pen. 

DO NOT put the cap on the bottom end of the pen, ESPECIALLY MATTE VBPENS - set the cap aside instead. There is exposed metal on the inside of the pen’s cap which can scratch the paint and damage the pen when you remove the cap. Pulling the cap off of the bottom of the pen (especially when it is tight) can also loosen the bottom section of the pen over time. If you are worried about losing the pen cap, you can try using a magnetic clip to attach your pen cap to your computer, desk, etc while you’re using it!

DO NOT TWIST the cap off from the top of the pen. When the cap is placed tightly on the top of the pen and you remove it by twisting it back and forth, the pen top will get scratched.

DO NOT rub the cap along the side of the metal part of the main body of the pen - there is exposed metal in the cap which will cause scratches.

DO NOT use your thumb to slide the cap off the pen and rub it back and forth. This will cause deep, large scratches especially when you do this on a daily basis. 

DO NOT store your VBPens loosely tossed in a bag, clipped onto a spiral planner, inside or with any kind of rough or scratchy materials, or in a storage container where the pens are being bumped against other pens/items.

DO NOT store your VBPens in direct sunlight. This may cause some of the crystals to fade over time. If displaying VBPens on a desk or shelf in front of a window, please make sure the pens are out of the sun's reach. Storing the VBPens in a case will prevent this from happening.

Video below by Nycolle Bradford

VBPEN FAQS

What is a crystal VBPen? A super pretty & easy to write with black gel ink* .5MM medium GEL pen. It's filled with fine crystals from solid to a mix of colors and/or sequins, depending on the design in the see-thru barrel. *(you can purchase a blue ink refill)

My VBPen arrived with an imperfection, what should I do? At times there may be small cosmetic imperfections due to the fact that these pens are all put together & filled by hand. Please read the “ISSUES” section below for more information.

Where can I find info for past & current VBPens? Do you need some info on your VBPens or want to know which ones will complete your collection? Or maybe which pens were limited/permanent, when did that pen launch, was it a kit pen? All these answers can be found in this spreadsheet: VBPen Catalog - the complete list of VBPens along with photos & details.

My pen didn't come with the wax stopper at the end of the point? Is this normal? Yes, sometimes you won't find the little red stopper on the tip of your pen. Sometimes they come off when we do the last phase of the quality control inspection. Usually this doesn't impact the way the ink flows or how your pen writes, but if you feel your pen isn't working properly, please fill out the customer service contact form

My pen is labeled as “imperfect” and has a flaw but I don’t see one? Is there really a flaw? The VB Team and I are very particular when we go through each pen before they are packaged. Yes, we touch and pack every pen ourselves to ensure that the pen is in its best quality. At times, we do get pens that don’t pass quality control - it can be various things from scratches on the clear barrel, paint issues, small nicks on the metal part of the pen, etc. These “imperfect” pens usually will be discounted for you to still enjoy.

My Imperfect VBPen didn’t come packaged in a clear VB box, is this normal? This is a new rollout with the imperfect single pens to help save on packaging. It should always be in the listings though if the clear boxes won’t be included, so make sure to always check the listings for important information on your purchases.

What is the difference between an IMPERFECT pen & a DEFECT pen? Imperfect VBPens are marked on the bottoms of the pens to indicate that it has imperfections, which helps differentiate Imperfect vs Perfect versions of a VBPen when both are released. Manufacturer Defect VBPens are NOT marked on the bottom of the pens because all stock of that particular pen came with a flaw. Both Imperfect & Manufacturer Defect VBPens are sold As-Is & did not pass the final round of quality control due to small cosmetic flaws that may consist of: metal, paint, crystal, or other small defects. Important information can be found in the individual product listings.

Why do my matte VBPens show more signs of usage than the glossy VBPens? The matte pens don't have the additional clear top coating that is found on the glossy pens, so they tend to be much more easily impacted by friction, scratches, scuffs, etc. The paint may peel if matte pens are rubbing up against anything, such as rough materials, notebook coils, other pens, etc. To prevent peeling, Tiffany recommends being extra gentle with the matte VBPens & storing them away from anything that could cause friction.

The bottom and the cap of my pens aren’t painted all the way, is this normal? The curvature of the caps and the bottom of the pens are very hard to paint especially right in the crease of the cap. At times, the paint can’t reach the crease and some of the metal underneath with show. I do make the call if the metal underneath is showing too much and will label it as an “imperfect” pen, but if not, please understand that at times, it is impossible for the paint to completely cover the curvature of the pen.

My VBPen crystal mix doesn’t look the same as the listing photo, is this normal? Please keep in mind that due to the VBPens being hand-filled, there will be variations with crystal distribution & placement throughout the crystal chamber. Not all VBPens receive the same amount of crystals for a mix. For example, if there are 2-3 crystal colors they always don't get equal shares. Sometimes the mix could be 60/30/10 for one pen while another is 50/30/20 with the same colorway. This can result in some pens having some of the crystal colors more or less prominent than others or distributed differently throughout the crystal chamber, but does not affect the functionality of the VBPens.

My VBPen sequins aren’t spread evenly, is this normal? VBPens are hand-filled and sequins are randomly scattered inside the crystal chamber which can cause some clumping of sequins and/or random placement.

My VBPen clip is bent/loose! How do I fix it? If your clip is bent, try lightly bending the clip back in place. Sometimes the clips can get moved around during transit or they may bend if not stored properly. If your clip is loose, which can happen over time & cause it to look crooked or move around, you can fix it by tightening the screw. Inside the pen cap is a tiny screw that holds the clip in place. Take a long skinny screwdriver (like the kind used to fix eyeglasses) and simply tighten the screw.

Everything is sold out? Why? When can I get a VBPen? In Stock/Available VBPens can be found HERE. The best way to get info for new VBPen releases is to sign up for the SHOPVBNewsletter here. Limited pens are usually just available seasonally and retired pens won't be making a comeback, so it’s always best to shop on new release days. You can also check the VB Calendar for new release dates.

Are preorders available for VBPens? Sorry, at this time there isn't an option for preordering VBPens. 

Which pens are from the previous manufacturer? Take a look at the VBPen Catalog for a complete list of VBPens & their details, including whether they are from the Old or New manufacturer.

Why are some of the VBPens more expensive than others? It's all about the crystals! The pens that have crystals with an iridescent finish (clear or color) or complex mixes will cost more than some of the simpler pens. 

Will discontinued, limited pens, or kit pens come back after they are sold out? Discontinued pens, no. Limited pens, maybe, so it's best to keep checking back on new release days (that's when pens get restocked). Kit pens are exclusive to their corresponding kits and don't make a comeback. 

How do I know if a VBPen is limited or discontinued? There are a few different ways for you to check on this. First, you can check the VBPen Catalog.  Also check the name on the VBPen listing. You can also check the different VBPen categories in the shop:

Is a VBPen included with every VBKit? Yes, and the pens are exclusive to the kits. Sometimes there could be extras leftover after the kit preorders are fulfilled, but those are VERY limited in quantity & tend to sell out quickly when released. Leftover individual VBKit pens are listed with the release of the Kit Extras. Sign up for the VB Newsletters & check out the VB Calendar to stay up to date on all release dates & times.

Are there any discount codes I can use for the VBPens? Currently, there aren’t any PR/promo codes. You may get a discount on your purchase by earning VB Reward Points through the shop reward system. More VB Reward information can be found on the VB FAQ page.

Is there a way to track my VBPen collection and wishlist? Yes! The VBPen Catalog has all of the VBPens and their photos & details listed. This is available on Google Sheets & can be printed out for personal use by highlighting the cells you want to print, then choosing “Selected Cells” in the Print options. We also have a B6 sampler insert in the shop with a section to keep track of your VBPens. You can use the VBPen Catalog to fill in your inserts for your VBPen collection. You can also create boards on Pinterest for both categories. Here’s a link to the VB Pinterest VBPen board to get you started: VBPen Pinterest.

If I make alterations to my VBPen & accidentally damage it, will it be replaced/refunded? Altering or changing VBPen components to create a "new pen" is at your own risk (i.e.: attempting to switch hardware/crystals/etc from one pen to another). This is not recommended as it can result in damage to your VBPens. If a pen is broken, loses pieces, or is damaged in any way due to attempted altering from the original design, VILLABEAUTIFFUL LLC & Tiffany Ross are not held responsible.

What is a 2.0 VBPen? A 2.0 VBPen is what we call it when we revamp a previously released pen design with an updated look. 2.0 VBPens are not a 100% replica of the original VBPen. Each 2.0 VBPen is similar to the original but features changes, such as a new paint finish or overall color, new crystal combo including sequins if any, and/or new hardware.

TYPES OF VBPENS

VBPens fall into these categories

  • Kit pen - VBPen that is exclusive to the monthly VBKit. At times, there could be extras leftover after kit preorders are fulfilled, but will be very very low in quantity. When these go up for sale, you'll need to grab it right when the release time starts. The best way to get your hands on a kit pen is to preorder a VBKit. Signing up for the VB Newsletter and joining the VB Community Facebook group will update you on release dates & other important VB news. 

  • Limited Release VBPens - every month I release a collection of pens that coordinate with the VBKit pen/theme. Usually there are about 3-5 pens. Sign up for the VB newsletter to get email announcements & reminders for VB release dates. You can also check the VB Calendar. These pens are limited so once they sell out, they usually don't get restocked. 

  • Discontinued VBPens - These pens will not be restocked.

  • Imperfect VBPens - These VBPens were found to have cosmetic issues during quality control such as imperfections in the metal, crystals, or paint. Some examples are: scratches in the metal, paint streaking, etc. At times the imperfections are hard to find if you don't have a trained eye. Imperfect VBPens are marked on the bottoms of the pens to indicate that it has imperfections, which helps differentiate Imperfect vs Perfect versions of a VBPen when both are released.

  • Manufacturer Defect VBPens - All stock of these particular pens came with small cosmetic flaws that did not pass the final round of quality control. Flaws may consist of: metal, paint, crystal, or other small defects. Manufacturer Defect VBPens are NOT marked on the bottom of the pens.

INK FAQS

Why is the ink skipping? 

  • Make sure you are using the TIP of the pen and not writing at an angle using the side of the pen. This is one of the biggest reasons why the ink skips - it’s not a rollerball pen.

  • Try switching out the ink that came loaded in the pen for the complimentary refill that is provided for you- this is why an extra refill is included with your VBPen orders.

  • To get the ink going, scribble on a piece of scrap paper to help with ink flow. This was recommend by the manufacturer.

  • Make sure the wax stopper has been completely removed. Tiny pieces left behind on the tip can cause skipping.

  • Another reason ink may be skipping is the type of paper you are using. Through some trial and error we have found that waxy, very smooth papers don't do well with the VBPens gel ink. The ink may skip on some kinds of papers but on other papers the same pen works perfectly fine.

If there are still issues after trying out the tips listed above, please email VB Customer Service so we can address your concerns. We know that ink issues can arise and we want to make sure you use your pens. The new inks have been improved and should cause less skipping. We can’t test every refill during our quality control inspections, so it can be hard to pinpoint if there are some refills in the batch that are not up to our standards but we will always make sure to do what we can to make your pens work for you. ❤️ Thank you!

Why are the lengths of some of my VBPen tips inconsistent? Some VBPen tip lengths may be shorter or longer than others. Refills are cut by hand which can result in length variations, causing some tips to not extend as far as others. The tip length shouldn't affect the usage of the VBPen, its ability to write, or the flow of ink. You can also try switching out refills to see if another one will fit better to your liking.

What color ink comes in the pens? The pens are preloaded with BLACK gel ink and you will receive a BLACK complimentary refill with your purchase. At this time requests for blue ink are not available.

How do I know which ink refill to use? Do I have a new or older model VBPen? The older model ink refills work with these pens: Atlantic Blue, Beautiffy Your Planner, Lipstick Red, Lavender Iris, Cotton Candy, Flashmode, Blanc, Bonjour, Classy & Fabulous, Me Time, Rainy Days, Sterling Grey, Sweetie, Sugar Plum Teal, Sugar Plum Pink, Sugar Plum Purple, Tres Chic, and Warm and Cozy. 

If your pen is not found in the list above then you use the NEW INK REFILL.

Confused? Don’t worry email customer service for clarification.

Do you have any other ink refill colors other than black or blue? At this time the only ink refill colors available are blue and black. I'm working on trying to find more colors for the inks for us to use with VBPens.

Will ink refills be available for the older pens from the previous manufacturer? Yes, you can find them on the site here. 

Can I request blue ink refills for the complimentary ones instead of black? No, sorry at this time the complimentary refills that come with your pen orders are black. You will need to purchase the blue ones separately.

I didn’t receive ink refills for the imperfect pens that I ordered, why? The policy is that only new pens + manufacture imperfect pens (ones that are not marked) will receive refills. If you purchased a pen that has been marked you will NOT receive a refill with your order.

READY TO REFILL THE INK?

Here are some tips on refillING the ink

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VBPEN TIP UPDATE FOR 2021: We’ve had a design change for how to change out the ink refills. Some VBPens releasing in 2021 will have a new way to unscrew the pen. Instead of unscrewing the portion higher up on the top of the pen near the metal band of the hardware, it is now the actual tip of the pen that you will unscrew to replace the ink refills. This is a little modification so it's easier for you to get to the ink refills.

PRE-DESIGN UPDATE VBPENS: Screw off the writing part of the pen with the tip pointing UP. Replace the existing ink with a brand new refill. EASY!

-There are two kinds of ink refills that are available for the crystal VBPens- one for the older pens and another for the new pens. Check which pen you are trying to replace the ink for by checking the INK REFILL listings. The old refills will not work for the new pens and vice versa. You cannot use the new ink refills with the older pens because the barrel of the ink is wider. If you choose to try a new ink refill in the older pens, do so AT YOUR OWN RISK. Villabeautifful is not responsible for damaged pens if you do use the new ink refills for the older pens. It is not advised. 

Using non VB branded ink refills - Be cautious when using ink refills not supported by VILLABEAUTIFFUL. Use at your own risk as VILLABEAUTIFFUL LLC or Tiffany Ross are not held responsible if the refill damages your pen in any shape or form. The ink included in the pen and the refills are provided straight to us by our manufacturer and is actually custom made to fit the crystal VBPens. We understand that many of you have specific preferences in color and point sizes, however, the VB branded ink refills are the best for this pen at the moment. Please use this as a fair warning before experimenting with other refills in the market.

ISSUES?

What should I do if there is an issue with my VBPen? For any VBPen issues, VB Customer Service must be contacted within 30 days of order delivery. After 30 days there is no guarantee for replacements but we will always do our best to accommodate you. Please contact VB customer service ASAP so we can try to solve the issue. Please remember you have 30 days from the time your order is delivered to bring up any issues per the VB Store Policy.

Please keep in mind that these pens are all assembled by hand so you might see some small, very minor flaws which, at times, cannot be avoided.

If you receive a defective pen, we will always try our best to replace it but if a VBPen is no longer available in our inventory for a replacement (especially with the older pens) store credit will be issued.

If you feel you received an “imperfect” VBPen by mistake, please email VB customer service. Once the email ticket has been initiated by the VB Team we will ask for photos, so please have those ready once you have received a reply to your initial email. This will help us determine how minor or major the “flaw” is and take the next appropriate steps.

What should I do if my package was damaged during transit? If your package was damaged during transit, please contact USPS first. We always want your VB orders to arrive in the same condition as when they were packaged at the VB Studio, but accidents do happen. Once a package has been accepted by the USPS, unfortunately we are no longer in control of it. We appreciate your understanding in this matter! After you have heard back from the USPS regarding your damaged package, please fill out the VB Customer Service contact form.

NEW RELEASE / RESTOCK DAYS

When are New Releases for VBPens? We typically have one New Release for VBPens each month. We send out a Month at a Glance VB Newsletter at the beginning of each month with release information for the upcoming month. Once it’s closer to release time, a New Release VB Newsletter is sent out with a VBPen reveal & more details, such as pricing & FAQ, for the release. Make sure you’re signed up to receive VB emails to get shop info delivered to your inbox! We also update the VB Calendar with release dates after they have been announced in a newsletter.

For the best selection, we recommend shopping right when the shop reopens for a release to grab the VBPens you would like. The e-commerce software will not hold your items in your cart while you are shopping, so as soon as you select what you want - check out immediately. Items in your cart are not guaranteed until you have completed your purchase and received an order confirmation. I have no control over this as it is part of the software.

There is no combined shipping on new release days, as we start shipping right when orders come in. Make sure you enter your correct shipping address prior to checking out. This helps make sure our team at the VB Studio can process orders as quickly as possible. Manually combining multiple orders, especially on heavy order days, such as New Releases, takes a considerable amount of time away from our team working to pack & fulfill orders.

Orders cannot be changed or canceled once they are placed.

During new releases and restock days, we get more orders than usual so processing orders can take a bit longer. Per shop policy, our regular processing is between 3-7 business days. However, for promotions such as new releases, Tiffy Tuesdays, sales, and kit week, the processing time is 7-14 business days. Please do not email VB Customer Service if your order is still within the 7-14 business day time frame.  

PR/ discount codes will be disabled on new release days. VB Rewards codes may be used on your orders. In order to earn VB Reward Points, you must have signed up for a VB account, confirmed your account & VB Rewards membership, & be signed into your VB account prior to completing your order. Be sure to sign in to this account every time you place an order. If you check out as a guest, you will not earn points for your purchase. If you signed up for a VB Rewards account after making a purchase, you will not be awarded those points. No discounts or codes will be applied to orders after they are placed and points cannot be transferred from one account to another. More VB Reward information can be found on the VB FAQ page.

Your order will be canceled if it exceeds the maximum amount for any pen per the quantity limits posted in the product listings. Quantity limits & other important details are always available in the listings. Please be sure to read these prior to checking out, especially any BOLD RED sections. The limits that are set in place are PER CUSTOMER. If you need a larger amount/bulk purchase (for gifts or other special circumstances) contact VB Customer Service with all the details at least 3-4 days before new releases. At times the limit for a certain pen may be lifted at a later date, depending on the stock status of that particular pen- if this is the case, you may purchase more if you already met the limit the first time.

VBPEN STORAGE

Do’s & Don’ts of VBPen Storage

DO:

  • Keep your VBPens stored securely where they won’t rub against anything else that may cause friction & lead to paint chipping.

  • VB recommends using a pen case or container with soft materials & protective dividers.

DON’T:

  • Store your VBPens loosely tossed in a bag.

  • Store your VBPens clipped onto a spiral planner.

  • Store your VBPens inside or with any kind of rough or scratchy materials.

  • Store your VBPens in a storage container where the pens are being bumped against other pens/items.

  • Store your VBPens where they are exposed to direct sunlight. Prolonged exposure to direct sunlight may result in the crystals fading.

Do you have a case or some sort of storage container for the VBPens? Yes, we have released VBPen cases & have plans to bring new ones to the shop! You can find the VBPen Cases | Sleeves | Holders section of the shop HERE. The sparkly black VBPen case has been retired, but there is a new case in the works. You can hear Tiffany talk more about this if you check out the @shopvillabeautifful Instagram "VBPen Cases" highlight, which can be found in the pink circles underneath the shop link on the bio page. Make sure you're signed up for the VB Newsletters, as that is where all the new release information is announced.