Need some feedback on a random question....

[jbeany]

I an almost done volunteering for a local non-profit legal assistance center that is in the local court house.  From what I've seen, the biggest ongoing expense seems to be pens.  They go through at least 2 dozen a day, as all the patrons seem to pocket them as they walk out.  I realize plain BIC pens are cheap, but on a shoe string budget, a box a day isn't.  I was thinking of ordering some to donate with the center's name and logo on them.  I can get 500 for less than a $125 dollars, so it's well within my price range.

My question is - should I just put the name and logo on it or some version of "This pen was Stolen from," or the more polite ..."Belongs to" or "Please return to..."

The "Stolen from" appeals to my warped sense of humor, but not so sure about the board members.  So votes, please - Belongs to, Please return, or just plain?

[boswife]

"belongs to"   Mostly because i truly accidently snag pens, or use one and wonder if it's mine or theirs and if its labled like that, i'd be happy so i know im not loosing one of mine just to be sure im not taking one of theirs 

[Bajanne]

I would personally go with "Please return to...."

[Willis]

I would recommend buying a smaller number of pens that have a chain on the end which then get stuck to the counter or clip board. Something like this...



 

[jbeany]

We have some of the chain pens for the sign in area, but people have to fill out court documents perched where ever they can find a spot to prop a clipboard when we're busy, so not practical for most of the patrons.

[willowtreewren]

I vote for "belongs to."

I, too, accidentally walk away with pens. 

But I return them when I do back to wherever they walked away from!

[Poppylicious]

I vote for 'Stolen from ...'

 

(But can see that, although humourous, it's not going to appeal to some people.  I suppose 'Belongs to ...' is more appropriate ...)

[paul.karen]

NOTE IN BIG BOLD LETTERS:::

We do not supply pens:
Please use vending machine to your right to get pen.  .25 cents.


And you could add::
Upon leaving please return your pen to (whoever) and receive a .25 cent refund.

[Sax-O-Trix]

I have my classroom pencils labeled:  "This Pencil Was Stolen From Sax-O-Trix's Classroom".  The kids think it's funny and they tend to return my pencils...  But, I think in another environment, "Please Return To" is a better option.  I used to just have my name professionally stamped on them, but they still disappeared.

[Ang]

in 1 of my local shopping strips,i purchased a pen from the paper shop' it said this pen stolen from sunshine newsagency and the address.

my vote goes to stolen from your court house

[jbeany]

I know, I soooo want to put the "Stolen from" on them.  I guess I could send them to my house, then mail them on anonymously.....     They are broke enough, they'd end up using them, tetchy board members or not!

[okarol]

This never fails to stop the pen theft LOL

[Rerun]

Yes, Karol has a good idea.  Then you get a flower pot and put those rock marbles and plant your pens. 

[jbeany]

Hehehe - just found a cheaper place that lets me order in smaller quantities - I see $36 worth of "Stolen From" pens to amuse the volunteers, and a larger amount of polite ones to please the board.  We all get what we want that way, for the same amount of money.

[breezysummerday]

Is ink required?

There are 'golf' pencils...really cheap....how bout a 'return pens here' bin?

[okarol]

Are there pens that say "Thou shalt not steal?" 

[kristina]

I would vote for “stolen from” and point out the charitable organisation to whom it belongs to.

I would vote for “stolen from” because I have worked voluntarily for a Charity for a number of years
and I know that some people fail to take charitable organisations seriously
and walk away with whatever they can get hold of...

Good luck from Kristina.

[jbeany]

Yeah, gotta have pens - it's court documents - they have to be in ink.  But I'm grabbing my label maker right now.  I'm going to make a Return Pens Here sign for the pen holder.  Not that most people read signs, anyhow, but you never know....

[Chris]

Free Legal Help, Not Free Pens, Return to front Desk or something to that effect. Sort of like old VHS tape rentals, Please be Kind, Rewind.

[jbeany]

I like that one, too, Chris!  Too late, I already ordered the polite ones and the "Stolen from" version!

The staff was threatening to put out a dozen a day and anyone who came in after those disappeared were just going to have to write the rest in blood.....

[Chris]

Always next time, always next time jbeany.