Vintage Cross Repairs

[PenEnthusiast]

Hi - just wondering if anyone knows of a repair person (not the present day Cross company) who can repair Cross ballpens. My neice has one that was a gift from me about 1975. It does not extend & retract. Thanks in advance!

PenEnthusiast

[sriramoman]

Really good question, but may I know why you're looking for a person over the Cross company?

[Keith E Bartlett]

I have an old Cross ballpoint pen (1970's) and it jammed up, wouldn't extend or retract and so I sent it to Cross and they replaced the innards free of charge and it has been working great ever since. All I had to pay for was the postage.

[PenEnthusiast]

Hello all, sorry for delay in getting back. Thank you for the comments. FYI, the reason I originally didn't want to send to Cross company is that I'd heard that they would simply throw away the vintage pen (all of it) and ship you a replacement modern version. My neice really wants to keep the actual vintage pen due to sentimental reasons. But Mr Bartlett says he had a good experience with Cross so maybe we will try that route.

Thanks again.

[RMN]

Hello all, sorry for delay in getting back. Thank you for the comments. FYI, the reason I originally didn't want to send to Cross company is that I'd heard that they would simply throw away the vintage pen (all of it) and ship you a replacement modern version. My neice really wants to keep the actual vintage pen due to sentimental reasons. But Mr Bartlett says he had a good experience with Cross so maybe we will try that route.

Thanks again.

 

That may be true, but reports are that the companies that replace a pen are willing to return the old one if it has emotional value. You should state that clearly, both on the return papers and I would hang a label from the clip stating your request to return the old pen.

 

 

D.ick

[PenEnthusiast]

RMN: Thanks for the additional excellent advice. The idea to place a label on the clip to remind the company is a very good one.

[dadbar]

I got one of mine to work by spraying WD40 in the barrel and letting it sit for a while. Worth a try. Take out the ink cartridge and use the nozzle to give it a squirt.

[RMN]

I got one of mine to work by spraying WD40 in the barrel and letting it sit for a while. Worth a try. Take out the ink cartridge and use the nozzle to give it a squirt.

 

WD40? risky!!! What will that do to the plastic components?

 

If you want to try something yourself I would put it, without the refill, in an ultra sonic cleaner with just a dash of mild soap, and then dry very well afterwards. Depending on the reason for failure, it might work. Or not.

 

D.ick