I just got my blue Sonnet back from Parker. This was the third time it had to go back, and it appears that the third time was the charm. They said they were going to send it to France.

Anyway, I'm now curious about what goes on at the service center. Since Parker makes neither pens nor ink in the US, what do they do in Janesville?

As an aside, when I had to send the pen back last time, it was leaking ink from the section. I was using Waterman Florida Blue. The repair information came back with a folder that said they strongly recommended the use of Parker Quink inks in their pens. I thought that Parker ink and Waterman ink couldn't be that different cause they're under the same corporate umbrella. Am I wrong?

The problem around here is that just about all inks have to be ordered in. Mont Blanc black and Parker Quink black can be found in the big office stores, but they're the only choices.

I'd like to use the pen with PR American Blue, but the pen leaked it as well.

Thanks,
-Bill

Odd, I have been using all Private Reserve inks in my three Sonnets, and I have never had any leaks...

(Unless all of mine are really fakes, which could be the case. The counterfeit versions of Sonnets are so various...)

No, you're not. There should be absolutely no problem in using Waterman ink in your Sonnet. They're just reading from a script - take no notice. I use a wide variety of inks in my Sonnets, for which I don't need Parker's permission.

The joke is that they (the service staff) don't use a fountain pen at all. That goes to the sale person too. I always tell them to do it but the turn a deaf ear on me. Go and see for yourself. By the way if you flush your pen properly ( ofter) the pen should work. what Col said was true.

The leaks came at the top and bottom of the section. I don't know what caused them. I've decided that I'm going to stick to so-called safe inks in my Sonnets. The black one works best with Quink black, and the blue one will get Waterman Florida Blue. Even though I lucked out and bought mine when Parker still had a lifetime warranty on their pens, I don't want to risk another problem. I hate having to send them away.

The black one nib crept in a big way with Noodler's black. Richard Binder explained why in great detail. It boils down to the fact that Sonnets are good pens, but not great pens. If I ever buy another one, it will be from someone like him.