What's The Uk Average Turn Around On A Parker Nib Exchange?

[Flounder]

If anyone's used Parker's nib exchange service recently, how long did it take before you got your pen back? This isn't a veiled complaint or anything, I only sent my pen off recently.

[penluvva]

Flounder, I cannot help with your query, but it would be interesting if you post the result eventually, and also what the cost was. I have a Parker 51 with a medium nib, and although it writes very well, I did consider having the nib changed for an italic nib. I never got round to having it done. On ebay(UK)last 2 weeks there have been 2 lots of Parker nibs for auction - just loose nibs only, no nib sections with them, and I was surprised at the bidding for them.

[Flounder]

Alright, I hope I don't forget! I posted the pen on the 10th November, 1st class recorded. In re: the cost, they told me the following;

 

The original nib of your Parker Frontier Fountain pen can be exchanged free of charge with a broad nib grade if it is in pristine condition... Upon receipt of your pen, the nib will be inspected. If it is in good condition, we will exchange it and return it to you by post.

 

If it is not in good enough condition for us to put it back in our stocks, we will send you a quotation for the cost of a new nib.

 

The Frontier in question has never been taken out of its sealed packaging, so I don't foresee any problems. Assuming they have any italics still in stock, I reckon they will charge you for the 51 exchange though, being a used vintage pen.

 

 

[OldGriz]

Flounder, I cannot help with your query, but it would be interesting if you post the result eventually, and also what the cost was. I have a Parker 51 with a medium nib, and although it writes very well, I did consider having the nib changed for an italic nib. I never got round to having it done. On ebay(UK)last 2 weeks there have been 2 lots of Parker nibs for auction - just loose nibs only, no nib sections with them, and I was surprised at the bidding for them.

 

The chances of having Parker England replace a nib on a 51 are slim and none as they no longer stock nibs for that pen... and italic nibs bring a high premium in the wild for just the nib alone.

As for seeing lost of 51 nibs bringing high prices... depending on how many nibs were in the lot and the condition that does not surprise me... 51 nibs are not cheap... I have never seen 51 nibs sold with the section.

If you are looking for a 51 italic nib I would suggest contacting some of the better restorers in the UK and prepare to pay a pretty penny for one

[penluvva]

Thank you both for very useful information. I may as well leave well alone with my Parker 51 - I also managed to get a Parker 17 with an italic nib in September, this year. That will do, as will the Sheaffer and Osmiroid italic pens which I have.

[richardandtracy]

... I also managed to get a Parker 17 with an italic nib in September, this year. ...

Wow! That's a real surprise.

 

I didn't know the P17 came in anything other than F, M & B. I shall have to look further.

 

Regards,

 

Richard.

[Flounder]

Ididn't know the P17 came in anything other than F, M & B. I shall have to look further.

.

 

Ah yes, the Parker 17, of course. A common misconception (load, google, load!).

 

 

[Flounder]

Well, the Frontier arrived today, 18 days after I sent it. From the look of things, it was sent from the UK service address to France, so that's not a bad turn around. I had asked for a B nib with the older fleur de lis etching, and I'm very happy to say this was installed. This is my first bold nib! I had sent them an unused, sealed Frontier package, so the nib was swapped free of charge.

 

Unfortunately, there is a small fly in the ointment What's wrong with this picture?

 

http://i773.photobucket.com/albums/yy19/flounder2009/BoldFrontierSmall.jpg

Edited November 28, 2011 by Flounder

[Flounder]

No one? The cap jewel is way off, the slot should accommodate the top of the clip, which is scratched.

 

You can also see the nib slit has been cut off centre from the breather hole, but I'm not too fussed about it as the tipping seems even either side of the slit.

 

I sent the whole pen back yesterday, hopefully for the last time. I'm getting some very funny looks from the post office clerk, with my odd, bulging packet for "Newell Rubbermaid".

 

 

[Leviathan]

Flounder,

 

Yes, you are right, I can see the fault in your B nib too regarding the slit. I didn't really notice about the cap though. But if you're not happy with it, I'd also send it back. It's Parker so one should expect high quality.

 

May I ask, where did you post your nib to? I tried to find the postal address from the Parker Pen website but I could not find it. I recently purchased a Parker IM and want to exchange the M nib for F.

 

Thanks

[Flounder]

I really ought to have posted back here, I got the pen back plus a few extras just before Christmas - see this thread :http://www.fountainp...stomer-service/

 

The thing to do is click the 'contacts' link at the bottom of the Parker homepage. Then choose the UK local service centre in the second column "You have a question regarding our products (Repairs, Nib Exchanges etc.) The Lichfield postal address is there, but it's better to click 'send an email' on that page asking for a nib exchange. They'll reply with a returns form and preassigned RMA number for you to print out and include with the pen when you send it out.

 

 

 

 

http://i773.photobucket.com/albums/yy19/flounder2009/Frontier%20cap/Sundries.jpg

Edited January 8, 2012 by Flounder

[Leviathan]

Thanks Flounder. Sorry to be a pain but I tried sending an e-mail previously on that same page and the "send e-mail" when clicked does not bring up a valid e-mail address in my e-mail program - it's just a blank to field.

 

Would you happen to have their e-mail address?

 

Thanks very much for your help.

 

I saw your other page and saw you got a lot of freebies, which must have been very pleasing. That charcoal case you have there is excellent. Those were the cases that the Frontiers came with, when Parker first sold the pens about 15 years ago. I still have my old case like that one, although it's not as new looking now. I have two Parker Frontiers myself, one with a green translucent barrel and one stainless steel barrel. They're very reliable and write smoothly. I'll see how the Parker IM compares soon.

Edited January 8, 2012 by Leviathan

[Flounder]

Let's see... the email address that replied to my first query (M to B nib) was SAS.UK@newellco.com.

 

The postal addressto send pens to ( and they do prefer you send the whole pen) is

 

Newell Rubbermaid

 

Office Products

 

12 Halifax Avenue

 

Fradley Park

 

WS13 8SS

 

Lichfield

 

 

[Flounder]

Hey I just checked and you are right about the email link not working on the parker website. Also, if you click 'newsletter' at the bottom, you reach a page that has a coloumn for subscribing on the left (got to love the "I am a pen collection" tick box) and a link to the latest nesletter on the right. The latter brings you back to the homepage!

[Leviathan]

Hi Flounder,

 

Once again, thank you very much. I'm going to send that right away. Gosh I am excited about my new pen!

[Flounder]

Glad to be of help. I haven't really looked seriously at the IM before, there are some really nice finishes in the range.