I cannot recall ever purchasing a sharpie. I have several sharpies in my home. I've never thrown away a sharpie. The sharpie economy is vague and mysterious.

When COVID first happened and there was the whole work from home thing, I was still taking notes on paper (and I still do). I proudly collected three BIC pens which had completely run out of ink before being lost or taken by another human.

Pens are funny things.