What do people think of Harrods' Writing Room and the pen department at Selfridges?

[camoandconcrete]

Hi,

 

I will be going to London soon and was wondering what people think of the Writing Room at Harrods and the pen department at Selfridges? What's the atmosphere like - relaxed or intimidating? What are their selections of limited and regular editions like? What is their selections of pen accessories like? And, finally how are the staff?

 

Thanks for all the help,

 

MiamiArchStudent

[Mr Ink]

I felt relaxed when I visited those two establishments. The staff are helpful, and I'm not easily intimidated especially when it comes to parting with my cash. If you have time, I'd recommend you visit the pen department at Fortnum and Mason's in Piccadilly. I had enjoyed myself there even more than at the other places.

 

Good luck and enjoy your trip!

[diplomat]

It's a nice place for looking at pens in real life and for grabbing some leaflet. Too much expensive compared to the online resource to buy. And, yes, a little intimidating also...

[tawanda]

Harrods have a writing room? Wow!! I must go next time I visit my son in London.

 

I'm not easily intimidated, either. I went into an MB boutique and proudly showed off my battered 1960's MB school pen like it was the most precious model they ever made!! :-)

[nigelg]

Both stores have an excellent range of pens and stationery. Whether you find Harrods intimidating depends on your character, really. When I went there, they seemed to have more sales staff than pens and the salesmens eyes followed you around like those on the Mona Lisa! Also, if you use a backpack, the security staff will require you to carry it around by hand which is a bit of a pain. When I was there, they had a display of some some wonderful maki-e pens (at jaw-dropping prices) that you wouldn't see outside of a pen show.

Selfridges is more "user-friendly" but still has extensive - if slightly cheaper - ranges of most of the major companies over several counters with some good stationery and ranges of the more common inks nearby. If you enter from the main Oxford Street entrances you will have to run the gauntlet of the perfume counters. Deep breath in the revolving doors, head down and go for it! How the staff work in that atmosphere I'll never know !!

Wherever you go and whatever you do - have a great time.

Nigel

[cheshirebowman]

I too have had a favourable reception in Selfridges with some knowledgeable staff, but I prefer Fortnum & Mason, it seems less 'frantic' somehow. If you are in London, don't forget to vist 'Pen Friend' who have a small - but irrisistable - shop in Burlington Arcade (which is at the Burlington Gardens end of the arcade if you approach from Piccadilly) very very hard to resist the temptations on display!

[zerobuttons]

Hi,

 

I will be going to London soon......

.....

You should visit Penfriend as well. I visited the Burlington Arcade store the last time I was in London, and experienced excellent service.

[Siv]

I used to go to the Harrods humidor when I was a poor student looking for a celebration cigar. Of course, I rarely left with anything - if anything only a single Cohiba - but they are really nice and friendly, even to tatty looking student me with my ripped jeans and untucked shirt.

 

I was at the Montblanc boutique this weekend with my sleeping son in his stroller and felt like I was being ignored (it was quite busy) but when I was eventually seen to they were very polite, friendly and accomodating.

[camoandconcrete]

Are these places full MSRP or do they offer discounts? I'd imagine Harrods to be full MSRP.

[Chris Chalmers]

I'm still using some pink airmail envelopes I bought from Harrods stationery department in 1983 - I was then working and had to visit a court very close by for a case - so spent a very happy lunch hour! Some people get their snails sent in these occassionally! Memories!!!

[richardandtracy]

My brother worked in the bedding department of Harrods for a while. He always gently suggested to customers he thought needed to spend a bit less, that they should buy from Selfridges, as they sold the same stuff cheaper. He rarely got a result - they just wanted the kudos of buying from Harrods. (Eventually the department manager discovered what he was doing & arranged for a parting of the ways.)

 

Regards,

 

Richard.

[pb2au]

I was recently at Harrods and got excellent service and selection. Speak to Gerry Dispenseri who is their guru and a very nice guy. Dont know if they negotiate but you will get back VAT if you are leaving UK with the item.

 

Sanj

[Siv]

Harrods do have sales from time to time and they also have certain items marked down throughout the year. There are usually deals to be had on these but regular items are normally full price.

[ianmedium]

Of the three mentioned Fortnums is the place I would choose if you want to experince good old fashioned Victorian service. I love the place! You feel like a Duke or dowager duchess when you visit (Chances are you will be rubbing shoulders with a few of them there!)

I am not a big fan of harrods, nice though it is it feels a bit "flash" to me and Selfridges feels a bit too "middle England"!

 

If you are in Fortnum's the tea is a must do experience!

[Tojusi]

I too have had a favourable reception in Selfridges with some knowledgeable staff, but I prefer Fortnum & Mason, it seems less 'frantic' somehow. If you are in London, don't forget to vist 'Pen Friend' who have a small - but irrisistable - shop in Burlington Arcade (which is at the Burlington Gardens end of the arcade if you approach from Piccadilly) very very hard to resist the temptations on display!

 

And by the way, Burlington Arcade is quite near Fortnum & Mason. And once you are through the arcade keep heading up Bond Street (bypassing all the jewelry stores) until you get to Smythson for some nice stationery...

 

/Tojusi

[encremental]

Harrods is the only place you can buy Krone in the UK. Which tells you everything you need to know.

 

John

Edited November 11, 2009 by encremental

[camoandconcrete]

Well, everyone thank you so much for your advice. I am looking to purchase a limited edition Montegrappa or Visconti as a token of my trip. I would like to save money bu getting a discount, so Harrods doesn't seem like the place to go. What are Fortnum's and Selfridges selection of LEs like from Montegrappa and Visconti?

[quaestor]

Harrods pens were a bit disappointing over the summer. High prices plus not much older stock.

 

There's also a pen shop on the west side Regent Street, a little north of Hamley's toys [which is on the east side]. Some older stock along with a few limited editions. Of the 4 shops I visited, this seemed the most work-a-day.

 

Fortnum and Mason is significantly lower key than Harrods. It had more brands as well as older stock. They also have some interesting stationery items near the pens and nice leather accessories around the corner on the same floor.

 

The pen shop in the Burlington Arcade has the broadest selection of the four stores. Several limited edition pens, but at premium prices to the already high list. Pickett, the leather goods folks, are also in the Arcade; great stuff, but their pen case is huge.

 

Made a point of going to all 4 shops over the summer. The internet being what it is, I had hoped to find old stock and Europe-only items; more success on the former. When I was back this fall, I only stopped at Burlington Arcade Penfriend and Fortnums.

[camoandconcrete]

Forgive me if I sound a little stupid here, but is Penfriend at the Burlington Arcade?

 

Thanks,

 

MiamiArcStudent

[KrisH]

Yes, they are at the far end on the left if you enter the arcade from Piccadlly (by the Royal Academy of arts)

 

heres a link the the arcade website

 

http://www.burlington-arcade.co.uk/

 

Penfriends have a very nice selection of pens but they are (imho) somewhat overpriced to match the location and other stores in the arcade.

 

 

If you are in London on a Saturday then you need to head to the antiques market at Poterwbllo Rd and inparticular the Admiral Vernon Arcade where you will find at least 3 pen dealers (but only on Saturday) including Henry Simpole who's work has to be seen to be believed

 

http://www.londontown.com/LondonInformation/Shopping/Admiral_Vernon_Antiques_Market/cb08/#MAP

 

http://www.henrysimpole.com/