I'm pretty disappointed in the quality of this pen... I don't think it was used more than 5 times and the inner cap tore away from the outer cap. But it's a good writer and I have a ton of cartridges left. And I do expect even a 2500 yen pen body to last longer than half a cartridge.

This model isn't available in North America, as far as I can tell. It definitely isn't available in Canada. I'd like to get a new cap for it if I can. I may be able to pick one up in Japan this spring... but if anybody has a spare cap laying around, please let me know!!

In the meantime I am waiting to hear back from Platinum, but their (very poor) website says that they don't deal with repair issues. I'm expecting to get a list of dealers near where I am going this spring.

Does anyone know the warranty for Platinum? Any experience with the company's service?

Yoroshiku onegaishimasu,

Neill

The US distributor now is Luxury Brands: http://www.luxurybrandsusa.com/

Don't know if they do repair of this model, but they may be able to direct you to the right people. Good luck.

Best,

Kevin

It was my understanding they would repair any and all Platinum pens. If it is an older model, there might be a charge.

Regards,

Stan

The model is currently available, so they should repair it.

http://www.platinum-pen.co.jp/products/fou...fountain10.html

Hey Guys,

If you lived in Japan, and you broke your cap, you would take it back to the store from where you bought it, and they would "Repair" it. I put that in quotes, because from my expereince, other than high-end nibs, nothing is ever repaired, but replaced. The distributor would order a replacement cap from the manufacturer and they would call you when it came in and you could pick it up.

I am not sure how it goes if you buy the pen from the official US Platinum distributor. Platinum has had a lot of problems in the past with their US distributors, and I have heard that the Sakata family would be happy to drop the US altogether. They were rather angry when the last Platinum distributor was ordering cheap chinese pens and selling them under the Platinum Pens name....

....I might have a used cap around that fits your pen. I'll look through my parts boxes and let you know if I can find one.

Stay Well

RD

The US distributor prior to Luxury Brands was Giovanni for a very short time. Perhpas you were thinking about the one before? I doubt Giovanni would have done that as he was quite protective of his US retailers. He is a member here, so just want to clarify this. Thanks.

Kevin

I want to thank everyone that has responded to this thread! You've been very helpful! I would be very grateful if you have a spare cap, Dr. Dutcher. Actually now I'm kind of unsure as to what model this is: it's either a PTL-3000N or a PTL-5000. They look identical on the website, and both of them can have 14K nibs. They are both listed as the same length & weight so I'm assuming they are the same body.

I actually received this pen as a goodbye gift in Japan, along with a Parker Sonnet. I didn't know anything about Platinum before, and found out after I returned to Canada, and after it broke, that there is no distributor here. Recently my favorite pen shop in town has started carrying Platinum, but they said they are only able to get about 4 different mid-range models, and cannot order parts for any other models. If I was in Shizuoka City I would know exactly where to go, but that company will not ship outside Japan.

I contacted Platinum Japan directly after I wrote my post here, asking for advice. I will be going to Mie, Japan this spring so I asked if I could get a list of stationery shops that carry Platinum in the area. I quickly received a very polite and warm-hearted e-mail from Nakata Toshiya-san, who told me he'll check into it. I like that kind of service! I'm going to wait and see what he says before contacting the US distributor, whose website looks kind of sketchy to me. Maybe I should offer to take on the distributorship? It would be a welcome change from linguistics, and I'd probably get more Japanese practice too.

Neill

Hey Niell

I think I found a replacement cap for you. I'll send you a direct message for the details.

RD

This did NOT refer to Giovanni.

Regards,
Ruaidhrí

Hello Kevin,

You are right. The distributor whom I was refering to came long before Giovanni. After the scandal Platinum was satisfied to have no official US distributor. It was Russ and Giovanni who convinced them to rethink their position.

One of the most enjoyable pen evenings I have had was with Russ, Giovanni and Eizo and a few other Japan based Pentracers who met in Tokyo and enjoyed some drinks at the Press Club. We showed off rare pens util late and Giovanni was full of pen stories and tales of dead cosmonauts.

Giovanni would never be mixed up with anything shady, and had nothing to do with the infamous Chinese Platinum Pen LE scandal.

RD