Hi

I was wondering if anyone has seen genuine MB's come in boxes such as these:

linky

I have never seen a MB with a "see through" ? perspex window.

Many thanks for any info

Bad link

My bad, got the BB code wrong

difficult to tell from just this photo....perhaps you should try to ask for some close-up ones

I would do if I was going to buy one off ebay, was just curious as I have never seen a MB display case that contains a perspex window (at least I think it is a perspex window).

I've never seen thin cardboard packaging with a plastic window used for any Montblanc pen. This isn't to say that it doesn't exist, but I'd be very skeptical. Another auction by this seller has what looks like a Montblanc Meisterstuck 144 in this same cheap box.

If you look at the seller, they've had only five feedbacks, all after the first of the year, for items that are commonly faked, like jewelry marked way down off of claimed retail.

I wonder if any of our UK members have seen this packaging in any stores known to be authorised Montblanc dealers.

Well, that would be very unlikely. These boxes were never been delivered to any authorized Montblanc dealers.

But these boxes are real Montblanc boxes – but for a different distribution line: for the business-gift-and-promotional-item-distribution by Montblanc (directly) only. It also includes a voucher for an engraving.

Nevertheless, how reliable is an ebay seller with such a short history? Did Montblanc put this pen into this box or do box an pen come from different sources? Especially the Starwalker is hard to identify as real or fake just by a picture ...

Best regards,
Axel

I didn't know that MB had used any box like this, but it would make sense for their gift-and-promotional division.

Thank you, and welcome to Fountain Pen Network and to the MB forum!

Thank you for your wellcome!

Axel

I recently purchased a MB from Costco and it came in similar packaging. Picture below.....

Well, as far as I can say, this is a promotion packed item as well. Real Montblanc, but not ment to be offered and sold within stores.

Axel

This could be why it's for sale in Costco. Costco is a bulk goods purchase 'palace' that buys goods in massive quantities and typically sells them in packages of less massive quantities. Jewelry, watches, sometimes pens, etc are sold individually however. Maybe MB US had a bunch to 'get rid of.' I cannot think of a store similar in Germany except for maybe to old Wertkauf or possibly Globus.

Eric

No,
1) these gift packages are made to order. So MB US couldn't have had an overstock.
2) Montblanc didn't and doesn't allow sales to non authorized dealers.
3) A "big box store" never can become an authorized Montblanc dealer.
4) So Costco can't be an authorized Montblanc dealer.

So if Costco sells these Montblanc items they must have gotten them from the so called "grey market" and a buyer will not have a stamp or seal on the warrenty certificate – so the buyer will have no warrenty on the item ....
Be sure Montblanc will find out who delivered Costco, sooner or later. And Montblanc will dry out the source.

And, Eric, nowadays in Germany you will not find Montblanc at Wertkauf, Globus or similar outlets.

Axel

Thanks for the lecture.

Sorry, if my posting sounded to be bumptious. It wasn't ment so.
I do have problems with the salification, the orthography and grammar in the (for me) foreign language.

Axel

You do not have problems with the language, and a little direct correction from an expert about a product like Montblanc that can wear a veil of secrecy (or feel like it) is always salutary. Thanks and welcome to FPN.

I suppose that was a poor attempt at sarcasm from me.

You don't have language problems--at least with English. I've lost whatever fluency I had in the German language since I've moved back to America--much to the disappointment of my German cousins in Munich. I'm always impressed with people who can speak and write in two or more languages--since most Americans can barely speak and write English.

But today or tomorrow, I'm going to Costco to check these things out for myself.

I've heard most of Costco pens and watches are Grey Market, I even remember Costco had a sign on or near the display that said as much. Problem is what good is Costco's exchange waranty if they don't have the pen anymore? I guess you could trade it for 26,000 can case of tomato soup.