Hi all,

I'm new to this forum and currently I have only one fountain pen, Czar Nikolai I, but I would like to buy more.

I have never traded on Ebay before, how can I be sure the pens I would like to buy is not copies?

Would very much appreciate your assistance.

Thank you in anticipation.

Short answer: you can't. It used to be that the pictures would give it away; you'd see an 'iridium point Germany' nib, or the cap bands would and at the cap bottom, or any other of small clues. But none of this will help if the seller has simply stolen photos of the real thing.

The seller's feedback is important, but click through a few and make sure they're based on actual transactions of goods similar to those you want to buy.

I'm increasingly advising eBay newbies to stay away from MB auctions. Although there are undoubtedly great bargains to be had, the signal to noise ratio is worsening. Even very experienced buyers are coming unstuck these days.

Ray

Thank you for the swift reply..

I have looked at to sellers at Ebay, http://myworld.ebay.com/happyjoyfree/ ( feedback score 1083 99,6% positive) and http://myworld.ebay.com/mrdupontluxury/ ( feedback score 1638 100% positive) who har a shop selling MB and Dupont lighters. Ever heard of any of them?

René

I haven't. but I can't speak for everyone.

Ray

To be honest, i think i agree with Ray. The risk of trading 'virtually' on ebay is certainly there due to its inherent nature.
Having said that, i myself have had successful MB trades on ebay. My vintage 244 with OM nib was in fact from ebay. A smooth writer all the time, and certainly an authentic one

[topic="467387"]Fake Pens[/topic]


Hi. I hope I did this right. Im new to FPN as well and had this same question a few days ago. The FPN community chimed in with some very helpful information. The topic was titled "Fake Pens". Check it out.


P.S. I tried to insert a link to the discussion thread but it didn't work.

Welcome to FPN,
instead of ebay, I rather buying from trusted web sellers like regina martini (in europe). very reliable.

Answering the question posed in your topic title - You can't. The only REAL way of knowing is by trying, or by asking others who have traded with Mr. Seller and KNOW what he sells.

Alternatively, you could go into the Marketplace here at FPN and poke around.

Some of my personal considerations. Why not go to a official dealer for an expensive pen rather than running a risk for buying a fake on the Bay? Vintage MBs are not so often fakes as models of the current collections. What I do I case I am interested in a certain pen, I allways look at the nature of Mr Sellers recent sales. You may get an impressions from that : Is the seller selling all kinds of cheap things or is he selling pens in majority. In case of doubt, ask a specific question that indentifies the real pen (if possible). Ask him to email you another picture from different angle or with a specific view of the pen. For instance a view of the cap opening. Ask if the pictures are from the actual pen that is offered (not the type). Some countries have less good reputations. I would hesitate to buy from China, Singapore, etc.

But... there's allways a risk.
Ruud

I'm a seller on ebay.. just watching the board here for any information on a pen I'm selling. That being said, I would hope new buyers would be interested enough to check out any of my auctions!lol! Sometimes a buyer can be just as untrustworthy, as in the cases of the ones who bid and don't pay, and the ones who say they didn't receive an item when they did, or a switcheroo where the buyer is a pen dealer who switches caps, then files a complaint to get their money back. It always can be seen from both perspectives of the buyer and the seller. My favorite way to check out a person's selling or buying history, is to use a tool called toolhaus dot org, and just plug in the name of the seller or buyer and wait till all the neutrals and negatives appear. Then try the same with the feedbacks that were given to others, since sometimes negative feedback can be retaliatory or can show some other negative quality of the seller that will prevent you from dealing with them. Toolhaus is invaluable to me, as I will actually cancel a bidders bids based on what I see there, or I will make sure when I sell to someone like that I use signature confirmation etc etc.. It has gotten really tough to both sell and buy on ebay, the important thing is to do your homework first and research everything you can about your sellers or buyers! Hope this helps! By the way, I would have introduced myself in the newbies thread but my verification email still has not reached my email box..

I would echo that. I myself have bought successfully via ebay 2 expensive pens. But caution needs to be exercised whenever we trade on the internet

Hi all,

Thank you for all the answers.

The most of you were negative to buy on Ebay, but I did take the chance, though.

I bought this item...


http://cgi.ebay.com/MontBlanc-Mont-Blanc-R...1QQcmdZViewItem

...and it looks like everything is ok. The pen is all the seller promised, and it looks genuine to me, but I'm no expert, what should I look for?

Kind regards

René

you can check here, or just take the pen to the nearest MB boutique and ask for opinion.