Sad To See Parker Of Today

[agentbug]

I'd remembered, Parker pen's customer service was very gentle and fast.

But it can be different now, this August,I sent back a duofold chevron to change the nib, I asked a oblique one. Since that day, my waiting has not stopped.

In the mid of october, I had to ask them and they tell me, the stock will be back in the mid of november, you know what, I've got nothing until last week, I asked them again if I can get my pen back before the end of the year.

They tell me, sorry, nobody knows if they can get the stock.

Fine, Hope Parker pen can get better and better tomorrow.

but we are done today.

[Manalto]

Sorry to hear of your frustrating experience and sad to say I'm not surprised.

 

Customer service in many companies seems specifically designed to aggravate the situation rather than resolve it. Yesterday I had to make brownies (from a mix) for a Christmas party and, since I never do this, the only pan I had available was a 9" pie plate. I called Betty Crocker customer service to find out how long to cook the brownies in this particular pan, and they kept me on the phone for over 20 minutes, asking me my demographic information, address, phone number, and also to read all the codes off the box, etc. I was then put on hold for another 5 minutes while the representative (who sounded like a child) went away, presumably searching for the answer to my question. After a total of nearly half an hour on the phone, the response was, "We haven't tested that product in a 9" pie plate. You are welcome to try it but we don't guarantee the results." I was given no guidance at all but, rather, condescending permission from a kid to proceed with my foolhardy project. This, I'm afraid, is the standard more than the exception these days, so I value dearly those companies who treat their customers like human beings and genuinely try to help them with their questions.

 

If good customer service had a significant impact on a company's bottom line, you can bet that we'd suddenly have vastly-improved experiences in these cases. But for most companies, I think this is just a relic of the past, and probably an annoyance for the kind of business that puts its focus on tomorrow's revenue rather than on next year's loyal customer.

Edited December 17, 2016 by Manalto

[tamiya]

Yesterday I had to make brownies (from a mix) for a Christmas party and, since I never do this, the only pan I had available was a 9" pie plate. I called Betty Crocker customer service to find out how long to cook the brownies in this particular pan, and they kept me on the phone for over 20 minutes, asking me my demographic information, address, phone number, and also to read all the codes off the box, etc. I was then put on hold for another 5 minutes while the representative (who sounded like a child) went away, presumably searching for the answer to my question. After a total of nearly half an hour on the phone, the response was, "We haven't tested that product in a 9" pie plate. You are welcome to try it but we don't guarantee the results." I was given no guidance at all but, rather, condescending permission from a kid to proceed with my foolhardy project. This, I'm afraid, is the standard more than the exception these days, so I value dearly those companies who treat their customers like human beings and genuinely try to help them with their questions.

sounds like same Customer Disservice personnel wrote their website

http://www.bettycrocker.com/how-to/ask-betty/answer/can-bake-walnut-premium-brownie-mix-8-pie-pan/1504f8ad-3005-5a5d-a2e5-3b4b06260702

 

(&/or tried to use it! )

[pepsiplease69]

I know the customer service decline story all too well.

 

The focus is on sales, the focus is on numbers and metrics, anything other than treating the customer like a person and helping (or trying to help) resolve their issue. It's not brain surgery. Just genuine down to earth human interaction.

 

They bring in all these efficiency specialists and customer service gurus to "streamline" and "modularize" and commoditize (I could throw a few more buzz words in here but I can't think of any). Ultimately they appear as if they have improved things but in reality, from the customers standpoint they've made it worse. Another phone tree to jump through, another support ticket to file. They won't even talk to you unless you open a ticket.

 

When I worked customer support for a few years I didn't let the customer go until I was satisfied with what I did for them. At times I carried a queue of 75 tickets. Some others on my team would find any silly excuse to close a call and move on to the next patient.

 

The customer would turn around and open a new ticket landing in my queue instead and I'd have to deal with the irate customer.

 

Those same folks who bashed tickets around like crates of pepsi were the ones getting the applause during our departmental meetings for the "most number of tickets closed ".

Edited December 18, 2016 by pepsiplease69

[sciumbasci]

I might spark some ire now, but I believe that Parker is positioning itself in the gift market: a stationery seller told me that they point a lot toward nice presentation boxes and such, but there is little quality.

 

It's the classic pen that you buy for someone to commemorate a milestone or an event. It has to be good looking, not well functioning. The recipient of the gift is supposed to put it on display, not to use it.

 

Their current owners live off the glory of the past: as long as people will perceive Parker as a quality pen, they will keep milking it.

[Mike 59]

Reading the original post, it's possible that the oblique nib isn't made now, so the repairs department are in a difficult situation, although it wouldn't hurt to email the customer with an update.

I have bought a new Vector with it's standard medium nib, and once Christmas is over, I intend sending it in for a swap to a fine nib.

I hope it goes well.

[agentbug]

Reading the original post, it's possible that the oblique nib isn't made now, so the repairs department are in a difficult situation, although it wouldn't hurt to email the customer with an update.

I have bought a new Vector with it's standard medium nib, and once Christmas is over, I intend sending it in for a swap to a fine nib.

I hope it goes well.

 

 

 

Thanks for reading my post

 

yes, you are right, the oblique nib isn't made now, and it might be never made again.

 

A brand can not have any feeling, but I do have feeling, and it's can be a good reason to stop my collection.

 

Vector is discontinued I think, good luck to you.

[mitto]

I went into a local flea market today and found four NOS Vector nib sections as well 14 Parker squeeze converters, a black Sheaffer PFM and some other pen related stuff. Among the four Vector nib sections only one has F nib while the other three have M nibs. That perhaps tells that the F nib is not so common on the Vector.

[Manalto]

I might spark some ire now, but I believe that Parker is positioning itself in the gift market: a stationery seller told me that they point a lot toward nice presentation boxes and such, but there is little quality... Their current owners live off the glory of the past: as long as people will perceive Parker as a quality pen, they will keep milking it.

 

I think you're right. Fountain pens have always been good gift items, I suppose, but they really established that niche when ballpoints became cheap and reliable and FPs were seen as luxury or status items. Today, there is little expectation that people will use them, so why (muses the company) put effort (money) into making a quality writing instrument when we can sell a reputation, dramatically presented? That good reputation is likely to endure well past the production of inferior products because who, present company excepted, pays attention to these things anymore?

Edited December 18, 2016 by Manalto

[AL01]

 

I think you're right. Fountain pens have always been good gift items, I suppose, but they really established that niche when ballpoints became cheap and reliable and FPs were seen as luxury or status items. Today, there is little expectation that people will use them, so why (muses the company) put effort (money) into making a quality writing instrument when we can sell a reputation, dramatically presented? That good reputation is likely to endure well past the production of inferior products because who, present company excepted, pays attention to these things anymore?

 

Parker and Sheaffer, my two most favorite companies in the FP industry, are going to the: "GrandpaIfoundthisgiftforyouiloveyoubutdisallIcouldfindIthinkyouusedthisin1899orwhateverthanksbyebyeihopeyouenjoyyourpen." market. I find this to be unfortunate because fountain pens are for all ages and should not really be categorized to an older segment of society. At least some European and Asian pen companies are still making functional instruments....

 

OH I FORGOT WE HAVE VINTAGE PENS YAAAY!

 

- You should contact Parker and give 'em a nice and long angry explanation, then your pen wil magically come back in the mail with an oblique nib. Sometimes corporations need a 'nudge' from their customers.

[Old_Inkyhand]

I am sorry to hear about your bad experience, agentbug. Thankfully I have never had much problem with pen companies, rather with the postal service. It must be really irritating to wait so long for such a nice pen which was sent to have its nib swapped, not for a serious overhaul or anything like that. Glad you have quite a few other toys! They are amazing.

 

 

Yesterday I had to make brownies (from a mix) for a Christmas party and, since I never do this, the only pan I had available was a 9" pie plate.

I'm sorry, but I must ask - did you succeed? Was it a piece of cake? Now I feel tempted to make some brownies.

[Manalto]

I'm sorry, but I must ask - did you succeed? Was it a piece of cake? Now I feel tempted to make some brownies.

 

The instructions said to add to the mix: 3 tablespoons of water, 1/2 a cup of oil (I only had extra-virgin olive oil), two eggs and bake at 350°. After about 15 minutes, I realized I had forgotten the eggs, so I slid the hot chocolate slush into a bowl, whipped two beaten eggs into it and put it back in the oven. (I figured this was certainly, and literally, a recipe for disaster.) After a while, I tested the brownies (according to package instructions) with a toothpick and they came out perfect. Rich and fudgy. Don't ask me to do it again, though.

[agentbug]

 

Parker and Sheaffer, my two most favorite companies in the FP industry, are going to the: "GrandpaIfoundthisgiftforyouiloveyoubutdisallIcouldfindIthinkyouusedthisin1899orwhateverthanksbyebyeihopeyouenjoyyourpen." market. I find this to be unfortunate because fountain pens are for all ages and should not really be categorized to an older segment of society. At least some European and Asian pen companies are still making functional instruments....

 

OH I FORGOT WE HAVE VINTAGE PENS YAAAY!

 

- You should contact Parker and give 'em a nice and long angry explanation, then your pen wil magically come back in the mail with an oblique nib. Sometimes corporations need a 'nudge' from their customers.

 

Well, Parker and sheaffer are my favorite brands too.

 

I don't think that they will give my pen back even though I send them an angry mail, because they don't make oblique nib by now.

[agentbug]

I am sorry to hear about your bad experience, agentbug. Thankfully I have never had much problem with pen companies, rather with the postal service. It must be really irritating to wait so long for such a nice pen which was sent to have its nib swapped, not for a serious overhaul or anything like that. Glad you have quite a few other toys! They are amazing.

 

 

I'm sorry, but I must ask - did you succeed? Was it a piece of cake? Now I feel tempted to make some brownies.

 

Parker/waterman have got problems since two years ago I think.

waterman/parker's factory is renting their office space, you can find it by using google map.

[Manalto]

 

I don't think that they will give my pen back even though I send them an angry mail, because they don't make oblique nib by now.

 

Certainly they should send back your pen unrepaired, with an apology that they're unable to fix it. If they don't, it's theft!

[AL01]

Your killing me....

 

The Parker pen factory was at one point of time was about 85 miles from my house...

 

Well... Let's see what Sheaffer does after the company is done reconstructing...

[agentbug]

Your killing me....

 

The Parker pen factory was at one point of time was about 85 miles from my house...

 

Well... Let's see what Sheaffer does after the company is done reconstructing...

What? that's funny, now parker/waterman pen factory is about 100km from my home...

[agentbug]

Your killing me....

 

The Parker pen factory was at one point of time was about 85 miles from my house...

 

Well... Let's see what Sheaffer does after the company is done reconstructing...

 

sheaffer was bought by bic, I do not think french like this brand,

 

a story i've heard, it's after sheaffer is retaken by cross this year, cross wanted to cancel the heritage line...

Edited December 18, 2016 by agentbug

[Old_Inkyhand]

By the way, which Chevron did you choose?

 

 

 

Certainly they should send back your pen unrepaired, with an apology that they're unable to fix it. If they don't, it's theft!

I think they should do it and offer a nib swap when the obliques are back in stock. I don't expect them to be so generous that they would send a spare nib at no cost, without asking to send back the original one, but I would be pleasantly surprised if they did that.

I smiled while reading your brownie story. I'm glad they turned out fine.

[Florida Blue]

 

Parker/waterman have got problems since two years ago I think.

waterman/parker's factory is renting their office space, you can find it by using google map.

 

 

Interesting. There was a post in the main forum about Staples selling Parker Jotter fountain pens that are made in Switzerland. That piqued my interest since I had never heard of any Swiss-made Parkers before. I wonder if Parker is now making pens there.

 

I would be surprised if Parker is still made oblique nibs for the Duofold, but you may be able to find NOS nib units online.