First Waterman 52

October 19, 2016

So Sorry to hear about your experience with EBay.

I've bought a few second hand things (including pens) on EBay and sadly my experience is the same as yours! The new Chinese and Indian pens I have bought on EBay , on the other hand, have been great and very cheap, as has other more expensive Asian pieces of equipment I've bought. So I am now weary of buying second hand goods on EBay, especially as the postage to New Zealand from USA and GB is usually rediculous. (I've ended up having to pay $160 for postage on an item that advertised $30 postage to NZ and the seller wouldn't send the paid for item until I paid the extra!).

So thanks for sharing your experience, I don't feel nearly such a chump as I did.

I too have had a quest for a great legendary "Flex " nib in a fountain pen, all to no avail. I have more or less settled for Dip nibs to get flex. How ever I am still faintly hopeful one may turn up on Trade Me, as at least the prices there are more reasonable that Ebay.

Regards
Peter

Caveat Emptor...

If you have time ask questions.

Always pay by Paypal then if it's not as described contact the seller by message, including good quality photographs, to discuss it's return or price reduction.

Disregard any statement made by the seller such as 'Returns not accepted'.

I have had many excellent purchases from the mentioned auction site and a few duds. With the later I have either accepted them or rejected them and always been compensated by the seller, ebay or Paypal.

I can recall buying only three pens outwith ebay and from known dealers. Two pens were OK and one pen turned into a SAGA and that was from a dealer who has received much praise by others.

October 19, 2016

Well, it turns out that the Waterman 54 that I 'won' was real piece of crud. Seller claimed great flex and it's more nail than anything. I no longer have the energy to deal with these people. So, unless I hear from the seller about this I will be looking to donate it to someone who wants to see exactly what a 'reputable' seller will sell you - and you'll get the experience for free, unlike me who spent $75 on the damned thing.

If nothing else it will give someone the chance to have a good laugh at how EoC got ripped off again.

54? Can't say I'm familiar with Waterman pens, much less vintage ones. So many numbers my brain can't keep track of them all.

All in all, it's regrettable that situations like this happen at all. Thankfully, I won't have to worry about hunting for flex and dealing with the seemingly endless frustrations that follow that hunt. A little bit of softness is more than enough for me. I prefer writing with nails as I've learned.

I hope the you and the seller can reach an amicable solution to this.