Are Mont Blanc Pens worth it

[Pterodactylus]

As I said, it depends on the factors listed in the post.

Even then it's still possible that both are not worth (in the eyes of this specific person).

 

There is no valid answer for everyone, it's a personal decision only valid for this person, based on this persons personal preferences and judgements.

 

Even worth, if you be able to find somebody else with similar opinions, it starts over again, saying to each other, yes you are right, we are right, we are the cool guys, look at this fools they are wrong, they don't not share our opinions.

 

You won't believe it, but there are people which consider everyone as crazy who spend more money on a pen than a Bic Stic costs.

 

We can discuss this until end of time with no other result. (Valid for each product....maybe we should switch to car brands, this is also every time funny and a never ending story)

Edited February 27, 2014 by Pterodactylus

[JonSzanto]

There is no valid answer for everyone, it's a personal decision only valid for this person, based on this persons personal preferences and judgments.

 

Yep, that's the truth.

[Namo]

I didn't want to jump in, but. I just don't understand how one can deny that part of a MB price is due to the marketing factors. Hence, as a writing tool (and only as such) it is over priced. That's not saying that other pens are not, amd somepne can find the MB os the perfect tool he needs (regarding comfort, for example). But: an object is never simply an object. Nowadays it's also a sign. So: as a sign, what is a MB, and as such is it over priced? Not so sure.

We could use imagination and ask this question as a helper: if the world would have to keep only pen (or one FP) in production, same price as it costs now(taking away the sign factor), which one would it be? Everything else maybe overpriced .

[proton007]

I didn't want to jump in, but. I just don't understand how one can deny that part of a MB price is due to the marketing factors. Hence, as a writing tool (and only as such) it is over priced. That's not saying that other pens are not, amd somepne can find the MB os the perfect tool he needs (regarding comfort, for example). But: an object is never simply an object. Nowadays it's also a sign. So: as a sign, what is a MB, and as such is it over priced? Not so sure.

We could use imagination and ask this question as a helper: if the world would have to keep only pen (or one FP) in production, same price as it costs now(taking away the sign factor), which one would it be? Everything else maybe overpriced .

 

Well, the 149 has survived the longest without any significant changes, and has been in production since 1952. No other pen has that distinction. That alone commands some value. We can say that MB charges for prestige, but then they have been in business for quite long, and their brand is instantly recognizable, like Mercedes is for cars.

 

Another perspective is that MB is one of the first companies to create the 'high end' segment of FPs, and they've held that position.

 

I think its better to talk in terms of "value" than "price", because price includes the factor of 'affordability'. The same pen may be cheaper/more expensive for every individual based on where they are located. So for a more balanced discussion, "value" is a better word.

Edited February 27, 2014 by proton007

[Namo]

Well,affordability cannot be dismissed. One buy a product marketed as "high segment" because he can afford it.

So the product becomes the sign of what you can pay for an object so un-necessary as a fountain pen (because, let's face it, except for a few professional writers and academicians, it's not a necessity, even for writing). And as a sign (and how this sign is produced is indeed interessting), MB says what it says. Hence my hypothetical question.

This is not saying MB are bad pens, or that it has no history, but only that you cannot talk about price or value without taking the difference between the pen as a sign and the pen as a tool into account (and Bauhaus was all into considering objects as objects and not as signs).

 

I will try and ask in another way: would you pay that price for the same pen, same quality, but without the flake or any sign it's a MB?

Edited February 27, 2014 by Namo

[proton007]

Well,affordability cannot be dismissed. One buy a product marketed as "high segment" because he can afford it.

So the product becomes the sign of what you can pay for an object so un-necessary as a fountain pen (because, let's face it, except for a few professional writers and academicians, it's not a necessity, even for writing). And as a sign (and how this sign is produced is indeed interessting), MB says what it says. Hence my hypothetical question.

Affordability cannot be dismissed, but the problem is "price" is never fixed, value is.

You can buy a MB second hand, at a much cheaper price. Its value as a brand does not diminish, its price does.

Edited February 28, 2014 by proton007

[Opooh]

Affordability cannot be dismissed, but the problem is "price" is never fixed, value is.

You can buy a MB second hand, at a much cheaper price. It's value as a brand does not diminish, it's price does.

As long as you stay away from vintage.

[Doogy]

I would like one of the precious metal plated pens, or sterling silver. I'll stay away from what I consider the marketing gimmick of 'precious resin' after dropping and breaking one, and hearing too many horror stories of the same.

[Pen2009]

I am fine with the pricing of MB pens. I take good care of my fountain pens, especially ones with the higher price tag. It is always easy to go the down market; I have to say MB's marketing acumen and skills to stay in the high-end market are remarkable.

[mrchan]

Well,affordability cannot be dismissed. One buy a product marketed as "high segment" because he can afford it.

So the product becomes the sign of what you can pay for an object so un-necessary as a fountain pen (because, let's face it, except for a few professional writers and academicians, it's not a necessity, even for writing). And as a sign (and how this sign is produced is indeed interessting), MB says what it says. Hence my hypothetical question.

This is not saying MB are bad pens, or that it has no history, but only that you cannot talk about price or value without taking the difference between the pen as a sign and the pen as a tool into account (and Bauhaus was all into considering objects as objects and not as signs).

 

I will try and ask in another way: would you pay that price for the same pen, same quality, but without the flake or any sign it's a MB?

Anything in the world is pretty much the same way, how much do you think Apple laptops cost? or how much do you think a nakaya truly costs? What about Rolexes? Brand, prestige, research, perceived value, market desirability etc etc always plays a part. You cannot take MB without a flake and sign, its like taking a Ferrari without its logo and saying it is being sold under Toyota, will it cost the same despite being the same car? Of course not.

 

Truth is that brand, perceived value, desirability, rarity, etc etc, will always play a big role in the eventual cost of things. There is no escaping that..

[mrchan]

Also, if you (not pointing out anybody, just saying in general) don't feel the MB price is justified, don't buy it. Nobody is holding a gun to your head to make you buy one. If you want it because of the hype/whatever reason, then pay the asking price. Or search online for a second hand or a better ebay deal or something. We don't complain about the costs of a lamborghini do we? Most people accept that it is out of their asking price. If you can afford it, you probably aren't THAT worried about the price in general. The only people who complain are people who want it, can't afford it, and in general make a big fuss about it, and probably wouldn't even pay for it even if the price was lowered down anyway. No offense, just my two cents.

Edited March 24, 2014 by mrchan

[pkoko]

I feel the 146/149 are great pens but a little overpriced. The 146 rollerball is the segment benchmark for a nice rollerball.

 

The rest of their lineup though is overpriced like crazy. The skywalker is ugly looking pen and greatly overpriced.