Hello all, I am new to this forum and I am hoping some of you may be able to offer some thoughts or solutions about a little dilemma I am going through.

You see, I recently purchased 2 brand new Omas pens. The new HT Paragon and an Emotica. They may not look the same, but there is something in common between these two pens, ink cuts out not long after you write about a page and half standard A4. I have tried using some of the most so called reliable inks under the sun but unfortunately the pens will not co-operate. I have loaded both pens with Quink Royal blue, Waterman Blue, Waterman Black, Aurora Black, Private Reserve Velvet Black, Private Reserve Sonic Blue, Diamine Royal Blue, Diamine Prussian Blue, Diamine Imperial Blue, Pelikan Royal Blue, even Montblanc Royal Blue, no go.

In the case of the Paragon, it doesn't matter whether the ink chamber is 100% full, 50% full, or 10% to empty, it writes for about a standard full page, ink cuts out, and ink will not flow to the feeder. It doesn't matter if you shake it, kiss it, or swear at it, unless you turn the piston filler to let more ink out, the pen will not write. If you did turn that magic knob to let more ink out, it will write for that religious full page, then the problem starts again, and so it goes. So I thought I might try the 10:1 household ammonia trick, no joy, the floss trick? Nope. I took the pen back to where I bought it, and the owner nicely tested the pen, recognised the problem, and appropriately changed the Paragon for another brand new Paragon. Guess what, same thing happened to the seond pen, only this time the pen will only write for half a page rather than a full page.

In the case of the Emotica, same problem, it will write for a page, then stops. Except that it will write again if you give it one good shake, then you will hear and feel something pop, almost like an air bubble, then it will write again. Took this one back to the same shop, the owner in absolute state of disbelieve, tried the pen, again acknowledging the problem, swapped the pen for another one..guess what, same problem.

It would appear to me that there is naturally a problem with ink flowing to the feeder by virtue of air not going back into the chamber to have the inkflow going, my personal observation is that both of these pens come with plastic feeders, albeit different types. Not sure if it has something to do with quality of the plastic or just a bad batch. But for the same problem to arise on two different pens in different feeders would seem rather odd. I happen to have purchased two other Omas Celluloid fountain pens a few weeks back and both are okay - both of these celluloid pens come with ebonite feeders.

The question is, has anyone of you come across this problem before? Or does anyone have any idea how this dilemma can be resolved?

Any help would be very much appreciated.

Best, Calvis

I purchased an Emotica about one month ago, and it had the exact same problem. After about a page of writing it would stop completely--absolutely no ink flow. But just a gently bump of my hand on the desk would restore the flow. I also tried different inks, including Waterman, Diamine, and Private Reserve, with no success. Then, after about 6 or 7 fills, it started working normally and no longer stops after I write a page. I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

I say flush that baby out with some stern stuff - like 1/10 ammonia-water solution - and try again. The feed channels might have gotten gummed up at the factory somehow.

Best,
Summer

I had the same problem and the nib and feed were loose in the section. I had to send it back to Omas for repair.

My sampling rate with Omas pens that come with plastic nibs that would have inkflow problems is currently 100%. Indeed the feed channels might have gotten gummed up at the factory. If this is the case, then based on my sampling rate, it would not be unreasonable to conclude that most, if not all, Omas pens that come with plastic feeders are all gummed up. It makes me wonder how many compliants these guys are getting at Omas at their repair center. Come to think of it, this must be the reason why no one at Omas has returned any of my emails seeking assistance. What time is there left to fix pens if there's only enough time in a day to answer emails. Hmmmmmm...... Hello?!?!?!?!?!

Calvis, did you ever get any resolution to this issue? If not, drop me a line; I think I can help you.

Sorry for my late response. No, I never got a resolution to this one. The owner of the shop advised that I should try not to buy anymore Omas pens because they have had too many problems with them and they are not planning to restock them - and you know what, I am not all that disappointed after all.

About a year ago I send back to Omas my Marconi limited edition in sterling silver for repair. The whole back end of the piston section became very loose and it wasn't drawing ink from the inkwell into the ink chamber of the pen (I have owned this pen for over 10 years and have most probably used it no more than a few times during all that time). When I finally got my pen back via the retailer (no, not the same retailer that sold me those temperamental Paragons) that sold me the Marconi, Omas attached with the repair note saying they do not have any spare parts to fix the pen so I can just keep my pen, thank you.

Well, not sure why it took them half a year to work that one out but surely there must be something more they can do. The ridiculous thing is this, they asked my retailer to contribute 50/50 towards a replacement pen for the Marconi in the name of goodwill. Now, ignoring their (Omas's) not too distant past experience in joint venture and demerger efforts with the big boys in France, I didn't think they would incorporate those experiences into their revised lifetime warranty clauses. My understanding of the meaning of lifetime warranty means essentially that, broadly, a warranty against defective workmanship, for the life of the first owner. If, for whatever reason, the warranty cannot be backed, then its a case of replacement, by Omas, for a pen that is not dissimilar in character and quality to the one being replaced. Why does my retailer have to bear a financial consequence or burden to assist with Omas satisfying their warranty obligations? Remember, this pen was purchased brand new, with receipt, in good faith, more than 10 years ago. And this same retailer, 10 years after they sold the pen, has been told by a manufacturer that somehow, they have to contribute towards a factory lifetime warranty. May be Omas should advise all their retailers they need Run-Off insurance covers to assist with potential future warranty claims going forward. I would be seriously concerned if I was a retailer. Imagine 10 years after you retire from being a retailer of Omas pens and somehow you have a potential warranty obligation from pens you supplied 10 years ago? That is one of the most ludicrous piece of rubbish I have ever heard. And this is coming from one of the senior bosses from Omas by the way.

Now the question to you all, what would you do in my circumstances? A) dump the pen send it to an independent pen expert to have it repaired and hoping that those piston spare parts are not that rare after all C) publish the email from Omas and let public perceptions hang them D) ask the audience (you guys) E) phone a friend?

F] Call the local consumer advocate at the TV station and let the news media contact them. Perhaps the poor publicity from a news reporter would get their attention?

G] Call Andy Rooney, maybe he will do a 60 minutes piece.

Jim

I'd say that can happen with new pens. Some of my Omas didn't write well from the beginning, and mysteriously after a couple of fills, they behaved normally ever thereafter. I don't believe in the so-called "Breaking-in period" but maybe it's true after all. If they don't improve after a couple of fills, then something is wrong with them.

Hi omasfan,

the general philosophy of many Italian-made pens appears to be "fiery, passionate, short-lived". No other brand seems to epitomise it like Omas does.

I've listened to a disproportionate number of horror stories pertaining to Omas's quality control and appalling after-sales service. But worst of all is how they treat customers who send in their pens for repairs.

A sentiment that runs common is how Omas treats them with utter disregard and their penchant for blaming the defect on the customer. To treat them as liars is a mistake no premium brand can afford to make, for once the magic evaporates, it is hard to re-ignite the same level of infatuation and the rot sets in. This is consistent with my limited experience, and that of other pen lovers' more in-depth affairs.

I, for one, cannot and will not recommend Omas [barring a sea change in QC and respect for their customers].

I can agree with some of the above statements.I have had a few Omas issues of my own,with my Arco in Italy right now undergoing an operation
Last year it was my Roma 2000.They did good work on it and had it back to me in 6 weeks.No,the communication was not top notch but Kenro deals with a few other brands and probably thousands of customers a day in all aspects of this business.So i don't really fault them as much as some having been in the retail trade for almost 30 years myself.It can be tough to answer every email in a few days when they cascade in.But,i digress.
Omas have shot themselves in the foot and are hobbling right now.If the new owner from China wants to improve the image,he had better start now as Omas have a lot of work to do.
Italian companies will always have a decent image due to pop culture and decent quality in handmade items.Omas used to have that.
They can certainly revitalize that image with some PR work WITHIN the FP community,not just the worldwide publicity machine.They should post an employee from Kenro or Omas itself here and on other boards to read and listen to our gripes.To document and work on them.
Then and only then will they get the point.

Jim

With the recent acquisition, Omas's new owner has an opportunity to re-establish lost trust amongst the most important group, and that's [as Jim pointed out] fountain pen aficionados. Omas must keep in mind that actions mean everything; empty words will only serve to worsen matters. The road to healing is long and twisted, but it can be travelled on ...

Good luck with your Arco, Jim. It's truly disheartening when an AUD 1699 pen fails in its most fundamental purpose: to write, and write well.

Regards,

Jason

Dear Jason,
I agree with parts of your statement and I accept your arguments.
I've had some problems with Omas, too. However, I also once had a rather cooperative encounter with them which made me happy. Omas has produced some of the most gorgeous celluloid fountain pens in the entire history of pendom. Period! And that's why I am braving out the onslaught of poor customer service. As you've probably seen from the content of my posts, I am a big fan of the 1990s celluloids that Omas produced. I am less interested in the current production. That doesn't mean that the current stuff is bad just different.
All of my 1990s Omas pens are everything but short-lived. They are persistently good writers and keep going strong time and again. And they will do so for years and hopefully decades to come. They are the best of two worlds: new production with a vintage feel to it.
I've had my struggle with Omas customer service in Italy (often also a language problem) and I utterly ignore their US distributor as I think that I won't waste my time with people who really don't know anything about these pens that I (and others) cherish. I think that their shipping charge is indeed a thorn in the flesh of customers whose pen(s) is/are still under warranty. Not good! Hopefully more people will complain and refuse to pay it! That should help!!!

I too have an Omas dilema. I have a Milord. My ACS advanced cartridge system broke off and now I cant't find it. I just want to get another ACS. Sent emails to Kenro and Omas. After two weeks I'm still waiting to hear back from Omas (sent the mail in Italian hoping to speed up the response...didn't work). Kenro says just to send them the pen for $35. I have a feeling that Omas does not sell the ACS separately; so I'll get my broken pen back from Kenro with a note saying that nothing can be done...and I'm out 35 bucks I just wish that Kenro can contact Omas to see if the ACS can replaced. What's so difficult? I can't understand why this is such a pain in the ...

I hear you! I once sent Kenro a question about a specific Omas repair issue before I sent in the pen and wasted money. They promised me to get in touch with Omas. Weeks elapsed and nothing happened. I emailed Kenro back several times and each time they said Omas hadn't answered their email and that they would call Italy to find out. Naturally, after about 8 weeks I gave up. They'd never called Omas. I sent one final email to Kenro in which I aired my frustration with the matter. Naturally, I never received an answer. They are just doing their 9-5 job, so don't bother them with questions. Send in your check for postage and shut up!!!
It's fun how you can make a 99% sure bet that they won't be able to address specific problems. I don't even contact them anymore. I'd rather have Mottishaw do work on my Omas pens if they require this. It's expensive but I know I'll get a flawless pen in the mail. John Mottishaw does even better work than Omas technicians. He's the best for Omas. Plus, I don't have to deal with amateurs who no diddly-squat about pens

That's incredible that a business can run with such terrible service. I work in a hotel; any employee who displayed an attitude such as described here would be canned in a week.

Hmmm... Thanks for the warnings. I have been thinking about (OK, drooling over) the white 360 Mezzo. I think I will hold off.

If you really LOVE the pen, go for it! My love for the pens lets me survive the atrocious customer service. An Omas pen is a very distinct writing tool, very much in a league of its own. However, I wouldn't necessarily buy a Mezzo. It's cartridge only and my girlfriend's Mezzos were prone to drying up all the time. So she finally sold them. Get an Omas piston filler and you'll love it. They give you very much a vintagy feel with generous ink flow and great nibs.

I'd rather have Mottishaw do work on my Omas pens if they require this. It's expensive but I know I'll get a flawless pen in the mail. John Mottishaw does even better work than Omas technicians. He's the best for Omas. Plus, I don't have to deal with amateurs who no diddly-squat about pens
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Thanks for the tip!