Why Should I Buy From An Mb Boutique Over An Mb Dealer?

[Mastiff]

My experience in the exact same scenario suggests you might brace yourself for a rather cold response from your Montblanc Botique. I purchased the Rouge et Noir from Fountainpen Hospital in a medium. Upon receiving the pen, I knew I would need a fine just be looking at the nib, so I took it to my local Botique. Now, I get it: I didn't buy the pen from them, so I don't expect them to roll out the red carpet, especially when they see the receipt and recognize I received a discount. However, I did NOT expect to be informed I should send it back to FPH. I replied that it was my understanding the pen just needed to be purchased through an authorized dealer and be in mint condition. I provided a copy of my receipt and the dealer stamped warranty certificate. San Diego Montblanc then informed me there may be a charge--multiple times--and an excruciating wait time. They made it abundantly clear they did not want to perform the exchange.

I understand that I did not purchase the pen from them--though I have sent all of my pens through this Botique for paid service in the past. Still, boutiques are not merely points of sale; they are also supposed to be a point of contact for after sales service. My experience was...less than welcoming.

 

This is shocking. Why did you not make a formal, written complaint?

 

It is none of their business where you purchased the pen or how much you paid. In fact you should not even show them the receipt. All you need should be the service guide which is appropriately stamped and dated. If they are refusing to do so, or are deliberately hindering this process, they are not doing their job- ie what they are paid to do.

 

I have bought and used the nib exchange serive through the Auckland boutique, including pens I purchased elsewhere and my personal experience has been all good so far.

[Pravda]

Personally, if it's an older limited edition then it'll have to come from a dealer.

 

If it's a new pen then the boutique (for discounts and complimentary gifts) but I make sure to get a boxed piece not a display item. They're akways scratched and often botched up the nib.

[luckduck369]

I found out they did have one this year, at least in San Francisco. I happened to pop into the boutique and asked about the secret sale (apparently they prefer the term private sale) on a whim, kind of lamenting the fact they no longer happen. The sales person said, "Oh, today is the last day but there is nothing interesting left for you... only 1 tray." So I had her take out the tray and she was right, but apparently they still do exist to some extent.

 

 

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They had it both this year and last at the San Jose store as well. Several interesting items available last year, not much this year.

 

It seems like I didn't miss much

 

I remembered it was usually in February. I checked with the boutique in February and was told it will be postponed to April this year so people can use their tax return money. Then I forgot about this all together and never checked back...

Edited April 27, 2016 by luckduck369

[Jezza]

 

This is shocking. Why did you not make a formal, written complaint?

 

It is none of their business where you purchased the pen or how much you paid. In fact you should not even show them the receipt. All you need should be the service guide which is appropriately stamped and dated. If they are refusing to do so, or are deliberately hindering this process, they are not doing their job- ie what they are paid to do.

 

I have bought and used the nib exchange serive through the Auckland boutique, including pens I purchased elsewhere and my personal experience has been all good so far.

I think I will error on the side of caution, and wait until I have the pen back before I rock the boat. Who knows--they may attempt to charge me (though the pen was never inked).

[Tasmith]

 

That is highly unusual in my experience -- I stop by the Tyson's Boutique with some regularity -- and I have always been treated with exceptional, professional kindness. In fact, I buy nearly all of my Montblanc products -- pens, inks, and other goods -- from this Boutique because of the great service. To the larger question, about Boutiques versus Authorized Dealers, I recognize there are better deals to be had on-line or via AD's, but I truly appreciate the extra attention that Boutiques offer -- invitations to events, special attention to orders that I want place, etc. It can be summed as a very pleasant relationship!

When I dropped off my 146 of for the nib exchange, I could not have been treated any nicer. A very pleasant experience. However, I was completely shocked by how badly I was treated when I picked up the pen. Can't explain it.

[oregano]

 

I purchased my first Montblanc, the Rouge et Noire, from Paradise Pens and received a nice discount as well. They only had a medium, and I wanted a fine, so they are sending it in to get a nib swap. If the pen needs service down the line, as I understand it, I can bring the pen to a boutique, even though I did not purchase it there (I could be wrong).

 

I bought my 146 elsewhere and brought it to the MB Boutique in Tysons II for a nib swap. They didn't even look at my receipt, just where I wrote the date of purchase in the warranty book and checked it with a loupe for authenticity.

 

In buying the pen, I didn't realize that there was a Montblanc Boutique almost literally across the street. Is there any incentive for me to have bought the pen there? Any better service or warranty/repair? Do they strike deals or just sell things at full retail? I guess I just don't understand if there is a difference in service procedures like nib swaps or repairs if you bought the pen at an authorized dealer of straight from the boutique.

 

The MB Boutique has tester pens so you can test which model and nib combination you prefer. That's a service most other retailers can't do. When I brought my 146 to the MB Boutique for the nib swap, they could not have been nicer to me. However, when I went to pick it up I was treated poorly almost like they thought I was there to steal something. I was dressed about the same on both occasions and even called ahead to inform them I was picking up my pen that morning. Staffer: "Why are you here?" Me: "To pick my pen up, I called to confirm this morning the it was back from nib swap". Staffer goes in back and gets the manager (who did the nib swap). Manager: "Why are you here?" Me: "To pick up my pen, I called this morning saying I would come buy to pick my pen up from nib swap and here is my receipt." And then the manager watches from across the store as I receive my pen from the staffer.

 

I would just like to hear from some of you who either have a preference for shopping at the boutiques or for preferring to shop at pen shops, whether they be local or on another continent.

 

For the way I was treated when I picked my pen up, that will be the last time I'll ever set foot in an MB Boutique. There are plenty of pen stores in the DC area where I shop and have always been treated very well and they'll continue to have my business.

 

For what it's worth, I feel that way almost every time I go to FPH too. I thought it was because I don't buy from them, but they have a brusque New York vibe (even when I was there to pick up the ReN). Maybe they treat people who only test pens there differently rather than regularly buying customers. That's my impression, anyway, from watching how they interact with regular buyers.

[KTNJ]

Thanks for all the input. I may venture over to the MB Boutique in Tysons next week to pick up some ink and check out some of the new pens, and will hopefully be able to resist the allure of the Heritage 1912. I'll be curious to see what kind of service I receive.