Do Mont Blanc Boutiques Do Discount On Pens?

[Fleetlord]

I think this thread has become a bit of a mess with "discounting" dealers being jumbled and confused with MB boutiques.

 

If you walk into a MB COMPANY BOUTIQUE and ask for a discount on an item, you WILL NOT get one...PERIOD. The company stores DO NOT discount on everyday transactions. They are the company store....why would they discount a current model and say their own product isn't worth the MSRP. Quite frankly, it's silly to even consider that they would...

 

 

If you are invited to a MB Boutique Private sale, you will have the opportunity to purchase a retired or less popular model at a reduced price. That's your only chance to buy from a boutique at less than MSRP. To be honest, I'm very surprised they even do those sales...

 

 

Discounts of 20% are common in pen stores and jewelry store that carry Mont Blanc. I got a Starwalker Cool Blue Fineliner at a big jewelry store in Florida for 30% off as it was a retired model and part of their winter sale...

 

Big difference. MB authorized dealers do discount. MB Boutiques DO NOT discount, unless it's during their "private sale".

 

Much better...

[Zaphodbeeblebrox]

I made this point earlier by stating the differences from an autherized Montblanc dealer and a Montblanc Botique including sharing the reasons why one may offer discounts and not the other.

 

Cramer

[Fleetlord]

I made this point earlier by stating the differences from an autherized Montblanc dealer and a Montblanc Botique including sharing the reasons why one may offer discounts and not the other.

 

Cramer

 

 

I saw that, but I seriously doubt that the boutique would discount regular items to anyone, regardless of how much money they have spent in the past.

 

I wouldn't be surprised if those who spent money in the boutique received advance notice of private sales or LE models, but that's the extent of the perk...

[Zaphodbeeblebrox]

You are probably right about that.

 

Cramer

[Wael El-Dasher]

As stated earlier by others, the MB Boutiques do not discount, but MB retailers do. However MB Boutique may throw in a nice bottle of ink of your choosing or a trinket. The flagship boutiques follow the same approach as the regular MB Boutiques.

 

Now, having said that...my recent acquisition of MB Carnegie was from MB Boutique and they did discount it. This is after several approaches by me over 3 years, when they finally agreed to sell it at a price that's close to it's 2002 release price, instead of the 2011 price. They also let me pick any ink of my choosing. I am inclined to believe that because the pen was discontinued, and has been pickling at their store, they were able to do so but that's after they checked with their head office and got permission.

 

There is also a strategy in place to slowly end the retailer's agreement during the renewal process by making heavy demands. In the region I'm at now, they demand the retailer have a dedicated and separate shop for their brand. Most retailers in other parts of the world would not be able to afford that. For example, the agent for MB is a company called Rivoli Group. To give you an idea how big this group is, they are the agents for the following:

 

 

• Armitron
• Anne Klein
• Dior
• D&G
• Dunhill
• DSQUARED2
• Balmain
• Breguet
• Blancpain
• Bvlgari
• EverSwiss
• Eden Park
• Emporio Armani
• Certina
• CK
• Carl F. Bucherer
• Carrera
• CAT
• Chevaliere
• Chopard
• Chromatic
• Coach
• Continental
• Cruiser
• Charriol
• Ferrari
• Flik Flak
• Fontenay
• Gucci
• Giorgio Armani
• Glashutte Original
• Jaquet Droz
• Jaeger-LeCoultre
• J.M. Weston
• Jennifer Lopez
• John Galliano
• Juicy Couture
• Just Cavalli
• Hamilton
• Hogan
• Hoxton
• Hugo Boss
• Kenneth Cole
• Kenzo
• IWC
• Longines
• Lacoste
• Laura Biagiotti
• LCD - Dulwich
• London Button & Badge
• Longmire
• Lordson
• Maui Jim
• MontBlanc
• Montegrappa
• Moschino
• Mido
• Rado
• Ray Ban
• Roberto Cavalli
• Roland Iten
• Omega
• Oris
• Oakley
• Silhoutte
• Skage
• ST Dupont
• Swatch
• Swatch Bijoux
• Philip Stein
• Police
• Porsche Design
• Prada
• Titoni
• TAG Heuer
• Tissot
• Timberland
• Timex
• Tod's
• Tom Ford
• Tommy Hilfiger
• Tiffany & Co.
• Tendence
• Victorinox Swiss Army
• Versace
• Vertu
• Zenith

 

In the past, the agent used to lump several brands in one large fancy boutique, but when MB renewed their agreement, they basically said, either you build us a boutique by ourselves or we'll find someone else that can. It may not have been that straight forward, but that's the gist of it. It's understandable then that a small retailer will have a hard time, but the big boys will not have an issue with it. It's unfortunate as some of the best retailers, those small B&M shops, will be unable to continue to carry MB.

 

cheers

 

Wael

Edited January 29, 2012 by Wael El-Dasher

[schadowrider]

I bought a Barley SS 146/LeGrand in a shop in Berlin about 9 years ago that I sure thought was a MB Boutique (and not a reseller); the only sign out front was a MB one, and they carried nothing but MB inventory (not just pens). I definitely received a discount (I seem to recall in the 20-25% range off MSRP); but maybe they've tightened up over the years since then.

[ashnicholls]

It appears the English boutiques do not offer discounts, I was trying to angle for a discount for buying more items but I was given the standard line:

 

"Mont Blanc do not offer discounts on their creations".

 

Only thing they offer is the free engraving and embossing.

[N_Architect]

Let me share with you my recent experience.

 

I am an expat living in Asia, currently I am in Shanghai for about two months' stay. Although I have easy access to Duty Free Shops in South Korea, Singapore and Middle East (when I fly for business but also for holiday back to Europe) and could have waited till June to get my next MB(s), I caved in and opted to buy them here locally.

 

I visited three different MB boutiques last Saturday, all in the center of Shanghai. In the first one, the experience had me leaving the boutique in not more than 10 minutes from the time I entered. The staff were not very courteous, their English was very poor, and the treatment was literally as if they had someone in front of them who (they thought) was only to browse and check prices.

 

Prior to going out and visit these stores, I had done my research and knew exactly what I was looking for. I have one MB already (Boheme red lacquer) and about half a dozen of Cartier fountain pens, some of them LEs. I was after a 146 Platinum and a 149.

 

The staff at the first boutique, after I asked to see and feel the 149 and the 146, simply showed me the 146's brother they had on display, the one with the diamond on top (I believe this is the 147, if I am not mistaken). I asked for the 149 and the 146 and they were looking at me as if I had come from outer space. I do understand that they are not comfortable at all speaking English but, come on, we are in the largest MB boutique in the center of Shanghai - and the manager herself seemed to speak English. Staff looking at me and not taking the initiative even to show me what they could offer, what their pens look like, despite the fact that I had asked specifically for two well known models.

 

After a few minutes that took them to let me know the price for both, and after another couple of minutes it took them to bring me the MB book with all models, so I could show them exactly what I wanted (and see if there was a variant I would possibly be interested in, as they themselves were not courteous at all to show me as should), I finally got to know the prices and also the available (in stock) leather case options.

 

Needless to say I left, happy that I did not leave my hard earned cash to those unfriendly individuals. But the desire to get the pens was itching me, so I continued the pursuit. I visited a second MB boutique, few hours later. Although a smaller outlet, the attitude was slightly better, but the prices exactly the same - and absolutely no discussion on discount. I left again, as the store was busy and I had been quite disappointed to be honest from the lack of customer-oriented approach. The final act of my 'MB day' was played later on in the day (early evening) when I visited a third MB boutique.

 

In that one the staff were equally cold and absolutely intolerant to my kind request for a small discount. They had both the 149 and 146P in stock, only in F and M nibs. I was told that in China MB Germany sends fountain pens only with those nibs. No mentioning about the available 6=week nib exchange service, no proactive or warm attitude to try and sell. But I wanted the pens, that was my 'weakness' - otherwise I should have done what they deserved: walk away and buy the pens in South Korea duty-free (perhaps $300-600 cheaper) in 3 months. My mistake, and I have to admit it.

 

I asked to see a leather case. They had a very nice display set with 6 different models. I choose to go with the light brown two-pen one, and ask if it is in stock. 'No' I am told, as the whole MB P.R. China only got 6 (six) of these altogether. Leather pouch was slightly worn out at the point where the cover closes in below the holding 'belt'. Ok, these leathers may have something like that by nature, although the rest of the leather pouch's surface is butter smooth. So I am there to leave them my Eur 1,400 plus the case plus whatever else, and I end up getting a display leather pouch on top?

 

I get angry. I wanted the pens and a nice brand new and untouched pouch (you know how terrible it can get when you are so addicted) and still the whole experience was not as pleasant as I would like it to be. I ask for a discount for the leather pouch, and they start to see that they need to do something. I should have walked out right that moment, I admit. When you walk into a store prepared to leave them with $3,000 of your cash and they have this 'dead meat' attitude, you walk - simple and clear. I was addicted, and caved in.

 

The lady says to me "let me call our manager to see what we can do on the pouch; do you like a discount on this?" I reply that I am here to leave them a fairly significant amount of cash and if I was in any other place I would at least get something (or at least I thought so). Anyway, she makes the call, after two minutes she passes the phone to me asking me to engage into a short conversation with her manager. Manager says "Hello sir, we understand and offer you two options: one is to order a new pouch for you and receive it in one week from now, second is to offer you for free an MB leather care product (cream to keep the leather soft, etc.) Sorry but we cannot offer discount. What would you prefer?" At that moment I had already decided inside me I would get the pens, so I said, ok, let's have the leather preservation cream.

 

I walked out with an MB 149 and a 146P, with the leather pen pouch, three new ink bottles and also with a MB leather diary. It was my choice that cost me much more than what I would have normally paid had I waited to get the stuff through the usual channels (I always buy everything duty free, from clothes to luxury watches and have considerable savings), however I do not think I'll even be stepping foot in any MB 'boutique' again - and if by accident I do, I can guarantee you I'll give them hell. It's not about the lack of discount, this seems to be the norm in almost all countries as others have pointed earlier as well. It's about the experience in general, and for such a 'prestigious' brand this is simply unacceptable.

 

http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll266/N_Architect_2008/TSR/MB_pens_PVG.jpg

[pen jubky]

_{I'm sorry for your experience; but as you have pointed out YOU are "weak". Why do people think that they are entitled to a discount? If you were treated badly; now that is a different matter all together. Keep in mind that this new type of business model is aimed at maintaining a high level of "prestige." Don't forget the more people can afford a certain product the less it is in general perceived as being exclusive and prestigious. Montblanc and any other high end brand for that matter would rather have 5 customers that pay full mrsp than have 10 that only buy discounted items.}

Edited March 5, 2012 by pen jubky

[Chrissy]

I may be stupid, but the biggest discount I have ever got from an authorised dealer on a MB here in the UK is 10%!

I am very jealous of meiers who gets 25% as standard. If anyone knows of an authorised MB dealer who gives more than 10% in the UK, please let me know!

I also sympathise with the nib testing problem. I agree with all who have said that broad in a 146 is similar to medium in 149.

My local department store does special discount days and all Montblanc items are included. That means there can be as much as a 25% discount plus a voucher for £10 off if you spend over a certain amount. Although department stores don't have all of the stock that Montblanc boutiques have, you can usually get the department special days discounts on whatever stock they have at the time.

[Chrissy]

I must admit that I have never asked for a discount in a Montblanc boutique. I admit I would feel a bit nervous about doing that. However, my local Mb boutique is really good to me, when I purchase by mail order. I recently bought a bottle of LE ink and with it they sent me a free bottle of scented red ink in the parcel. Also, they don't charge me an excessive amount for the P&P. Still, their excellent service made me go back and place several more ink orders so everyone is a winner.

 

I have never had poor customer service from a UK based Montblanc boutique.

 

I did once buy a pen in a San Franciso boutique and without me asking they didn't charge me the sales tax as I was a UK visitor.