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What's Happened To Montblanc In The Uk

Paul80

By Paul80
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Paul80

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Hi all

 

Just returning to the fountain pen world after a short 5 year break, and been quite surprised by some of the changes, going from the lose of well known pen makers like Conway Stewart and Delta and the imminent demise of Sheaffer.

 

One big thing I have found is the almost complete closure of all the Montblonc Boutequues, I can only find a few listed in London but that's it all the others in our major cities have vanished, I know my local one closed when Websters Pens folded as it was a franchise they had, but what's happened to all the rest.

 

Used to enjoy seeing all the new limited additions and having a specialist who understood their products for the odd repair that needed to be done over the years, but now all we have is the odd High Street Jeweller who might carry a couple of pens but know nothing about them and inspire no confidence that they cane safely handle the service and repair prices.

 

Anyone know what's happened.

 

Paul

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1nkulus Collectors Item

1nkulus

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Just the retail climate, better deals online. High business rates don't help.

The Penshop is down to just 4 branches.

 

Customers who can spend £2-3K on a pen, are either happy to buy it unseen or make time to visit a store.

The general user tends to buy a 'branded' RB or BP which can be ordered online unseen including MB.

 

The only place left to peruse pens are pen shows.

Engineer :

Someone who does precision guesswork based on unreliable data provided by those of questionable knowledge.

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Paul80 Collectors Item

Paul80

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Trouble is we don't have too many of those in the UK either :(

 

Anyone got a list of upcoming UK pen shows

 

Thanks

 

Paul

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KAC Extremely Rare

KAC

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Reduced demand and online services are almost certainly contributing factors but, in the case of the MB "boutiques", the element of snobbery, inattentive and sometimes uninformed service from "associates" and pens as an expensive sideline product may also have taken a toll.

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1nkulus Collectors Item

1nkulus

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Trouble is we don't have too many of those in the UK either sad.png

 

Anyone got a list of upcoming UK pen shows

 

Thanks

 

Paul

 

https://en-gb.facebook.com/pages/category/Company/UK-Pen-Shows-280774111963248/

 

The actual website seems to have a certificate error.

Engineer :

Someone who does precision guesswork based on unreliable data provided by those of questionable knowledge.

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ardene Vintage

ardene

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Hi all

 

Just returning to the fountain pen world after a short 5 year break, and been quite surprised by some of the changes, going from the lose of well known pen makers like Conway Stewart and Delta and the imminent demise of Sheaffer.

 

One big thing I have found is the almost complete closure of all the Montblonc Boutequues, I can only find a few listed in London but that's it all the others in our major cities have vanished, I know my local one closed when Websters Pens folded as it was a franchise they had, but what's happened to all the rest.

 

Used to enjoy seeing all the new limited additions and having a specialist who understood their products for the odd repair that needed to be done over the years, but now all we have is the odd High Street Jeweller who might carry a couple of pens but know nothing about them and inspire no confidence that they cane safely handle the service and repair prices.

 

Anyone know what's happened.

 

Paul

Maybe the main market for them is people who consider them jewellery. It seems that the largest part by far of MB's local associates in the UK these days are jewellers. They still have the boutique in Athens, but I suppose London's closer for you.

 

I refuse to consider a fountain pen (or a watch for that matter) just a piece of jewellery though, however ornate they might be. Their beauty has roots in their practical uses as well. Jewellery is fine insofar it is art as well as monetary value. Art is first and foremost practical (as an exemplar of craftsmanship or technological prowess besides its purposes, which can be summarised as being to emotionally and psychologically enhance and/or to skilfully facilitate the lives of people). Art is more than selling it...

 

I wonder if at some point in the not-too-distant future some person is going to say to a seller "I need you to scout for a MB from 1999 or thereabouts; odd as it might sound, I want it to keep notes with it you know".

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