Yes, I'll admit that I get frugal (or cheap, whichever you want to call it). I'll need some new Dry Erase Pens for my white board that I've owned for 12 some odd years now and I'll go and buy some knock-off brands because they are cheaper. I do always regret it and then end up going back to these Sanford Expo Dry Erase Markers. Buying 4 at a time in this set is perfect. Two is never enough.

The colors you get are: Green, Blue, Red and Black. But now they have these sets of fours in totally off-the-wall colors, so really you do have MANy choices now. I've seen them offered in burgundy, purple, teal, and ocean blue, and so on.

They cost me around $8.50 at my local Fred Meyer Grocery store. You can pretty much find them for $8-$12.99 at any drugstore such as Walgreens or Rite Aid in the office supply section, and maybe even your grocery store like Safeway will carry them from time to time.

They last a long time. Trust me, I have even bought the DOLLAR STORE ones, cool at first, but they are worth a dollar because they last like two weeks tops. These Expo ones will last about 6-9 months before I have to buy some new ones. We use pretty harsh, DAILY wear show and tear on them. I use my white, dry erase board daily. My kids like to mess around with it, as well so that really gets them used up. They don't dry out fast, in fact I usually wear the TIP out before they ever dry out. But they DO dry out, that's when you have to go buy more. They are a good, sturdy brand. When I write, I can see the writing really well. This is NOT the case with other brands, they'll make the tips too thin or have too little ink and you'll have to press hard, etc. These just write with ease, no pressing needed. No shaking of the pens are needed. The colors are vibrant. They wipe up real easy and fast. And even though I have a 12-year-old white board, it does not cake up so where I have to "deep" clean it. I usually have to "deep" clean it (with a solution spray) when I buy the cheap knock-off pens.

Always remember: to put the cap on so they don't dry out. They will dry out if left overnight. Do not get on carpet or clothes, they come out EASIER than say permanent markers or ball-point pens or something, but they still can stain. My son has taken the dry eraser, which turns black after erasing so many times and set it on the beige carpet and even with Oxyclean I could not get it out!

My suggestion is: to grab this brand when you see them in stock somewhere, and forget the cheaper knock-offs. And if you haven't tried using dry erase boards yet, you need to! Great for teachers, and students. At home for to-do lists. Great in the office, or a kid's room. Great for arts and crafts with little kids. It has, I'm sorry to say, replaced the old chalk boards and chalk.

Recommended: Yes