In April, I purchased a sterling silver Parker Sonnet Fougere from Pearl Paint and because I knew nothing about nibs, I didn't realize the nib was in less than perfect condition. The pen was not full priced and did not even come with a box or papers. I was thrilled nevertheless to have the pen.
I just sent it to Parker for an estimate on the nib repair and they want $40.00 to repair it. Is there any recourse for this situation or should I just bite the bullet and fork over the money? It seems so unfair but then again, what is fair?

Depending on what's wrong with the nib, I might be able to repair it for less than $40.00. Shipping will be involved, and my backlog is rather longer than Parker's, so it might all be a wash. Bottom line: You want the Fougère, you own it, you got it for less than retail, 'd say bite the bullet and let Parker do their thing. (They will actually replace the nib rather than repair it.) The pen is definitely worth the repair.

Thank you for your reply. It makes the expense a wee less painful particularly because Parker's got me by the nib....

The Fougere is a lovely pen, and after you've paid the $40 and got over it, you'll go on enjoying the pen for a long time.

In a case like this, the people you might have a complaint against is the retailer. As the pen was not as it left the factory (no packing and so on, and therefore clearly having been exposed to adventures in its life), what Parker is asking is quite reasonable. It's a question of whether the retailer gave you adequate warning that the pen might not be functioning properly.

Anyway, get it fixed and enjoy it. After you've had a few years with pens, that $40 will just be one item in the You-Win-Some-You-Lose-Some account.

Best

Michael

for $40 ????

That's actually quite a good offer from Parker.

I remember having a phone call with Parker, and I was asking if they sold individual nibs for Sonnets. They said yes. I asked for prices - The prices of buying individual nibs cost almost as much as the pen (At least in Australia anyway)

kissing: You must remember and accept that we will always get shafted price-wise on anything remotely considered 'luxury goods'.

playpen: $40 is a good deal - you'll enjoy the pen very much.

Ooo!! <_<

I hate it how prices get ridiculously high in Australia

A Waterman Phileas costs $92 US here

PlayPen,

That does not sound like too bad a deal to me, see what a replacement nib costs here in the UK

Parker Nibs

Jim

$40/????? get it done and over with. Buy less a pen then......You are better off than me. I was given a cheap plated sonnet NIb for the Pen you have. I have just left it as it is for now. Cos I never use them.......

If I will you I will ask WHAT kind of repair they (PArker) are undertaking.
Replacement of a New one or adjust on the Nib.

Have the Manger to answer to that you might have or insist him wavied off.
The pen is not cheap and How to support PArker if the are greed to the $40/-. I just don't understand???????

Lastly I have heard many time that the ink flow are not steady too. This is the time that I will make them (PArker) commit after the repair or replacement.

Hope the infor help.....

Thank you all for your advice. I called Parker just before and charged the bill over the phone. Mary said the pen would be sent out to me tomorrow, it was just a matter of unscrewing the nib and putting a new one on...so there you have it. Now I wait for the pen to arrive.
I wonder if Pearl Paint would want to know about this. I wonder if anyone cares in their organization. Phooey on Pearl Paint...