Pens And Beyond / Uwe Gruening?

[kenshiro]

Anyone ever heard of / dealt with Pens and Beyond out of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, otherwise known as Uwe Gruening? I notice he posts at Pentrace. I ended up in a bidding war with someone on an ebay auction of his for an ostensibly uninked Stipula Etruria Nuda Demonstrator, #207/351. I received the pen, and lo and behold, the pen is clearly used:

 

http://i.imgur.com/mDzABwn.jpg?1

 

as you can see, there's a clear green ink ring where the piston seal sits when the piston is retracted. Turns out all the seller's feedback has 'private' listings so you can't see what he's been buying and selling.

 

Pro scammer or honest mistake? Anyone ever dealt with him before?

Edited August 14, 2014 by kenshiro

[hari317]

I am located in India and have purchased several pens from him listed on PT green board and FPN. No issues. Have you contacted him already to inform him of your discovery?

[de_pen_dent]

^^ +1.

 

I have also bought from him and been very happy with my purchases. He seemed like a reasonable guy, based on my interactions with him.

[RMN]

The "ink-line" is clearly visible on the pics in the ebay advertisement. So you should have asked questions first.

 

D.ick

[kenshiro]

I think in general if a seller advertises a pen as 'never inked' you generally take him at his word. At least, I've never had a problem before. I don't think asking questions would've helped, either, as he still claims he doesn't see a problem, even with the photo above.

[Sazerac]

Probably an honest mistake. I've purchased from him before (listings on the Green Board), each time pestering him with pesky questions. He's always been polite and genial with my email requests. And the purchases have always gone smoothly.

[Rolias]

I just completed an auction with this seller and it didn't go great. The listing was for a senator fountain pen that went for a nice price, EXCEPT this seller immediately canceled the order and said he couldn't find the pen. Judging by negative feedback on ebay it appears he has done this before. Strikes me as less than honest and I won't be buying from him again.  I did get my money back, so there's that.