Do Mont Blanc Boutiques Do Discount On Pens?

[jslallar]

I have never seen a discount in an MB boutique, but I have seen 'deals', like the one in Dubai a few months ago with a Standard Solti (at the standard price) you would also get 2 ink bottles (any color) and a MB bedside table watch with a clam shaped shell. The same deal was being offered at two different sales points at the same time so it is likely to be a MB sponsored rebate rather than a retailer's 'sale'.

 

Subtracting the price of the ink and the watch from the price of the pen the pen would have costed about 60% of new, but I did not want a baby blue bedside watch to begin with.

[Bringiton]

I finally bit the bullet today and bought the 149. It is a beautiful pen. Included in the price of the pen was a liberal amount of information on how lending someone else your pen "damages" the nib :bonk: ... oh well.

[1point1mm]

The local MB "boutique" price quotes about a twenty-two percent discount on the MB149. When I was in the market for a "large" fountain pen, they readily let me test out the MB149 which I was not even considering then, but tried it out anyways. Nib sizes in-stock was, at that time, XF to B. Other sizes can be had in about two business days, so I was informed. Looking to getting me one of said fountain pen soon enough.

[Bo Bo Olson]

My B&M allowed me to test a 146 and a 149, but they are in Germany and carry many top German brands. Delta and an occasional Aurora also.

[Paul Raposo]

My local MB agent offers 20% off all MB products. If I deal with the manager himself, I can get an item for 25% off, if I pay with cash. But taxes are still added to the purchase. The only items they don't discount are inks, and refills.

 

You're allowed to test the ballpoints, and rollerballs, but not the fountain pens.

 

That said, their MB selection has deteriorated over the years. When they first started carrying MB in the mid-nineties, the display covered the entire back wall of the shop. Today, they're limited to about a dozen pens, a few leather accessories, and pen refills, and inks--usually black, blue, and blue-black. Fortunately, they can order anything from the Toronto boutique, and have it on hand in a couple of days.

Edited January 5, 2012 by Paul Raposo

[Toolattack]

My local MB agent offers 20% off all MB products. If I deal with the manager himself, I can get an item for 25% off, if I pay with cash. But taxes are still added to the purchase. The only items they don't discount are inks, and refills.

 

You're allowed to test the ballpoints, and rollerballs, but not the fountain pens.

 

That said, their MB selection has deteriorated over the years. When they first started carrying MB in the mid-nineties, the display covered the entire back wall of the shop. Today, they're limited to about a dozen pens, a few leather accessories, and pen refills, and inks--usually black, blue, and blue-black. Fortunately, they can order anything from the Toronto boutique, and have it on hand in a couple of days.

Canada seems the place to be if you want decent discounts on MB!

[taahir786]

Initially, no...not even a single cent! But they might throw in some freebies (ink mainly...a couple of cartridges, or a full bottle.. depending on how much they like you!) However, once you're a familiar face, you should be able to get a regular 10% PLUS the freebies. There is a thrill to walking out of an MB Boutique with a new pen, but if you're not that kind of guy, rather buy them from another retailer...I've managed 20% off from a MB Authorized Reseller (check their website for details in your area)...PLUS you get the FULL warranty (which, btw, is only 2 years... compared to Parker's Lifetime Warranty

[bsodmike]

I got a free bottle of Gandhi ink with my Barley SS, and when I went to get the Meissen they gave me a 14.6% discount. Couple free wallet notepad inserts etc. It depends how good a customer they perceive you to be.

 

(in all honesty, I think it's rather sad how boutique/shop staff treat you better if they think you're going to bring in more $$$ but that's how the world works I guess...)

[Sidestreaker]

With Dubai Shopping festival around now, I saw a 149 going for 30% discount at a boutique. New, and F nib. I was torn but eventually I passed it up as I've purchased the exactly the same thing last year (doesn't feel like I need another 149 now). Then again, still thinking about it...

 

I usually buy around this time, where different boutique would offer discount on selected items. Last year they were offering it on all writer's edition.

[s5blitzer]

I got a free bottle of Gandhi ink with my Barley SS, and when I went to get the Meissen they gave me a 14.6% discount. Couple free wallet notepad inserts etc. It depends how good a customer they perceive you to be.

 

(in all honesty, I think it's rather sad how boutique/shop staff treat you better if they think you're going to bring in more $$$ but that's how the world works I guess...)

 

Congrats on the ink. I am really surprise the boutique gave you one. It is suppose to be pretty hard to find and can only be sold to folks who purchased the Gandhi FP. I am guessing giving you one does not break any MB rules.

 

My local boutique treated me to a complimentary Collidi ink after I purchased my Collodi FP. They are really the best.

[KJY]

I got a free bottle of Gandhi ink with my Barley SS, and when I went to get the Meissen they gave me a 14.6% discount. Couple free wallet notepad inserts etc. It depends how good a customer they perceive you to be.

 

(in all honesty, I think it's rather sad how boutique/shop staff treat you better if they think you're going to bring in more $$$ but that's how the world works I guess...)

 

Congrats on the ink. I am really surprise the boutique gave you one. It is suppose to be pretty hard to find and can only be sold to folks who purchased the Gandhi FP. I am guessing giving you one does not break any MB rules.

 

My local boutique treated me to a complimentary Collidi ink after I purchased my Collodi FP. They are really the best.

 

 

Same here at my boutique, because I pre-ordered the Collodi I got the ink as a gift.

[Zaphodbeeblebrox]

I'm not sure about any of the "boutiques" in the states, but there are plenty of pen shops that are authorized Montblanc dealers along with all the other brands. Even thou Montblanc does not allow online sales you can still contact these companies via the phone and if you ask nicely can get up to 20% discount of Montblanc pens and still get the warranty.

[georges zaslavsky]

In France, you never get a discount from the Mb boutique because it ruins their sales margin and if you don't have the wealthiness or purchasing power to get a mb, then the brand isn't for you.

[Pen Nut]

In France, you never get a discount from the Mb boutique because it ruins their sales margin and if you don't have the wealthiness or purchasing power to get a mb, then the brand isn't for you.

 

Bit harsh there George as we all like to feel valued as MB fans and the odd bit of discount / free gift is a great way to sow the seeds of customer loyalty and therefore increase the likelyhood of repeat business & recommendations. A persons financial standing, whilst not irrelevant, does not make him/her immune from feeling well treated by a store regardless of the product purchased.

 

A small 'non pen' story :

 

My first venture into a Rolex agent in Manchester was memorable for all the wrong reasons. I have never bought from them and never will and I know that I have stopped four potential customers from going there after I relayed my story. I have a favourite watch dealer who has always treated me fairly and often 'tweaks' the price in my favour and always gives some small form of Rolex related item when I attend the shop. Two family members have bought from there as well. Being nice works.

[georges zaslavsky]

In France, you never get a discount from the Mb boutique because it ruins their sales margin and if you don't have the wealthiness or purchasing power to get a mb, then the brand isn't for you.

 

Bit harsh there George as we all like to feel valued as MB fans and the odd bit of discount / free gift is a great way to sow the seeds of customer loyalty and therefore increase the likelyhood of repeat business & recommendations. A persons financial standing, whilst not irrelevant, does not make him/her immune from feeling well treated by a store regardless of the product purchased.

 

A small 'non pen' story :

 

My first venture into a Rolex agent in Manchester was memorable for all the wrong reasons. I have never bought from them and never will and I know that I have stopped four potential customers from going there after I relayed my story. I have a favourite watch dealer who has always treated me fairly and often 'tweaks' the price in my favour and always gives some small form of Rolex related item when I attend the shop. Two family members have bought from there as well. Being nice works.

The official boutiques kinda like the Omega boutiques are almost never making discounts. And in France you have a period called les soldes when you are authorized to sell with discounts otherwise you aren't authorized to do so unless you are liquidating your shop.The official boutiques almost never ever do discounts and step by step the number of official authorized dealers who used to sell Omega, Rolex and Breilting are less and less and the privilege is given to boutiques dedicated to one brand. My favorite penshop Morastylos offers a lot of very nice second hand pens and vintage pens at very good prices and he gets a very big numbers of customers because of that. He even gives me sometimes a nice bottle of ink or some pen related items

Regarding watches, I go to a watch shop that sells both vintage and modern watches of all brands and who does outstanding repair at a very fair price, the guy repairs more than brilliantly my watches.

Edited January 27, 2012 by georges zaslavsky

[Zaphodbeeblebrox]

Because my Montblanc dealer, not a Montblanc Botique, gave me a discount on my purchase, I have come back and purchased more Montblanc Pens. Because I live out in an area far removed from any Montblanc Botique, I have to contact my dealer via phone. Since I already know what I want I save my dealer money, so to speak, because I do not take his salespersons time looking and trying out pens. He is so kind to pass this savings on to me by the form of a discount. Do I expect a Montblanc Botique to give walk in customers a discount? I would say no, because of the overhead of the places a Botique who be located, but if I was a repeat customer a slight discount would be nice even if I was wealthy enough, I am not but because my Montblanc dealer gave me a discount and now Montblanc has a customer for life. I have enjoyed the renew desire of using a fountain pen that I have been encouraging all, but especially the young ones, the pure joy that could be had by using fountain pens and this leads me to recommend Montblanc, or one of the other fine pen brands. This hopefully will lead to more sales for Montblanc keeping the legacy around wether they focus mainly on pens or other luxury goods.

 

Cramer

[lsmith42]

There is, we must remember, the opportunity for significant discounts from time to time in the boutiques, by way of their annual or semi-annual private sales. (I'm getting giddy waiting for mine in March - and I'll have funds at the right time!)

 

However, they do not generally discount their core line (Meisterstück, for example). For those discounts, look to the online retailers and the secondary market.

[Mr.MontblancBMWChopin]

Do u guys actually get to try the pen you are buying before paying for it?

 

Depends on if you know anybody, if you know what I mean or befriend a sales person, etc.

[Mr.MontblancBMWChopin]

Do the boutiques do discount for the mb 149? If so what is the normal (am residing in Brisbane)?

 

I am currently using a starwalker with a medium nib, what would be the equivalent size in the 149?

 

Went to test the 149 today but they did not have a test pen and would not allow me to test on the new pen saying that use would cause the nib to mould/ erode some of the gold off the nib. Is that true or a load of nonsense?

 

Regards

 

I know that Montblanc boutiques will have a private sale on certain items(I think usually their less popular pens) once a year. You have to know about it/ask - they don't advertise it, I think. Regardless of the sale, I am pretty sure the 149 is never put on sale.

[bsodmike]

Bit harsh there George as we all like to feel valued as MB fans and the odd bit of discount / free gift is a great way to sow the seeds of customer loyalty and therefore increase the likelyhood of repeat business & recommendations. A persons financial standing, whilst not irrelevant, does not make him/her immune from feeling well treated by a store regardless of the product purchased.

 

A small 'non pen' story :

 

My first venture into a Rolex agent in Manchester was memorable for all the wrong reasons. I have never bought from them and never will and I know that I have stopped four potential customers from going there after I relayed my story. I have a favourite watch dealer who has always treated me fairly and often 'tweaks' the price in my favour and always gives some small form of Rolex related item when I attend the shop. Two family members have bought from there as well. Being nice works.

 

+1 Ian.

 

I too am a bit like that - I will always go back if I'm treated well and the store staff are decent enough. The best experience I've had in any boutique by far is the local Audemars Piguet boutique - they were like that to me on more than one occasion well before I even purchased my first piece from them, a good 2-years later!

 

To most shop staff they are simply doing their job and part of their job is to assess the kind of dough you are going to spend in their store. It is sad but I think this attitude is far more prevalent throughout Europe and the West.