Strolling around in the local Homesense discount store right after Christmas, waiting for my spouse to finish her shopping and lo and behold, I come across a bin full of some packaged Cross pens. Among the jumble, I saw several Century ballpoints, Matrix ballpoint/gel and Verve fountain pens! All pens came packaged in that ridiculously hard to open sealed plastic packaging, with a cheapish looking cardboard pen box inside. The packaging was arranged in such a way that the box was open, the Cross label prominently displayed on the box, with the pen nestled in on a fake velour liner, held in the box by a thin black elastic.

Price for the Verve fountain pen? $49 (Cdn)! Although I couldn't open it, or test it because of the packaging, I bought the Verve Platinum and Verve Merlot -- thought that if they weren't real, I could always return them. After opening up the packaging (not the easiest thing to do -- who invented that ridiculous bomb proof packaging concept anyway?!), I find that the Verve Platinum is a Fine nib, and the Verve Merlot is a Medium nib. I eagerly inked them up and tried them. Both are wonderful nibs, smooth right out of the box. So far so good. Neither have leaked, the caps are snug and the clip works like a charm.

Each pen came with a single Cross Blue/Black cartridge in the pen. No converter cartridge was included. The label on the cheap cardboard box had a bar code label saying:

Cross ®
Stylo Plume
Platinum
Platine

AT0026-3MD

then another sticker right below it saying "Made in China, Fabrique en Chine".

Other than the single cartridge, the pen did not come with anything else. No Cross instruction book, warranty card or any other documentation was included.

What do you think? Are these pens real? I've read that certain Cross pens were being made in China. Perhaps these were the rejects or seconds? By all appearances, these pens seem to be the real Verve. I've never held or used a Verve prior to this purchase so I'm going to the local pen shop later this week to see if they are the same in weight and feel.

From your description, I'd say the are likely real. The label has the same information as mine does. Mine did come with a converter, however. I haven't heard of any Verve fakes floating around although I'm sure someone, somewhere has. Even if they are fakes, sounds like you got a couple of nice writers anyway!

I just got one last night, also from Home Sense. I was also concerned about whether it is a legitimate Verve, or if Cross has "cheaped out" since first issuing this pen. Posted some evaluative impressions of the pen a few minutes ago.

Essentially, I'm a bit disappointed that it seems a bit cheap. The tapered shape looks good, but isn't so comfortable to hold. A bit too thin as well. But it sure writes nicely. I think the pen will grow on me as I use it.

Brent

i've found cross pens on closeout several times of the last couple years. $150 list pens going for $20-25. bought and sold a few on ebay. too much trouble so i stopped doing that.

I bought Verve Merlot when it first appeared and loved it ever since. I bought the one in Winners/Home Sense the other day and it is identical to the one that I have (which was paid almost $300) except for the case (for which I do not really care that much).
Yes, those are genuine Verves, but in a less expensive package.

I want one!!!

No Homesense stores where I live though.

Aaaaah, 49 CAD... Normal retail price here is about 460 CAD/445 USD...