How To Find A Repair Shop?

[RachelGo]

I dropped my favorite pen- nib first, and now it scratches, etc. The manufacturer has an authorized repair location- it's in Rhode Island and I'm down in Tampa Bay. They say it should take about 2 weeks.

 

What I'd like this group's input on: this pen is my daily writer, so I'd love to find someone local and have it done in hours/days rather than weeks. I don't know where to start on vetting a company on fixing it.

 

It's a great pen, I write with it every single day; more than "just a pen." I don't want it to be damaged (obviously) simply because I didn't know what to ask of the repair shop. Nib = 18k

 

A) With no "pen repair" shops that I'm aware of, I was going to call around to jewelers, watch repairmen? Local... any thoughts/ideas on how to go about this?

What do I need to ask regarding technique, etc?

 

Help welcome!!

Edited February 28, 2017 by RachelGo

[T4TEXAS]

I understand you will miss it, but 2 weeks is fast turn around time. As opposed to months for most nib meisters.

[Ron Z]

I'm not sure what Cross will do - smooth it or replace it. There are a number of qualified repair people who do nib work. I do, Mike and Linda Kennedy, Joel Hamilton and Sherril Tyree, Jim Baer, Danny Fudge, to name a few. Most IMO do better nib work than the factory service centers, though because they are the people who do the work, turn around can be longer.

[T4TEXAS]

I agree with Ron, if you are willing to wait longer.If you do not like what Cross does for free, you can always send it to a nib meister afterward.

Edited February 28, 2017 by T4TEXAS

[RachelGo]

Texas- thanks for putting the timeframe into perspective! I know I sounded like I wanted 1-hour dry-cleaning service...2 weeks did seem a bit like "forever." Hah

 

Ron- see, that's part of my problem...I don't actually think the problem with the nib is that bad/difficult, but I don't have the experience and foundation that you have when it comes to figuring out if someone has the ability to do it correctly, or if they've just been lucky. How do I ask the right questions?

 

Am I putting too much pressure on the repairperson? I'm in real estate; I just realized I may be too used to giving everyone the third degree. I have favorite lenders, favorite home inspectors, etc. after dealing with people who drastically failed to live up to their job title.

[Ron Z]

Some pen mechanics and nib techs will expedite if asked, but it generally costs you more, usually double. Otherwise we tend to repair pens more or less in the order that they came in. I won't say that it's always the case, but the better repair people tend to have longer queues. I for one take whatever time is needed so that you don't have to send it back for warranty repair. Not that it doesn't happen, but we try to make it as infrequent as possible.

[ac12]

You need a backup pen, to use when your primary pen is in repair.

Now you have an excuse to buy another pen

[RachelGo]

Dang, ac12, you are right! I've had my eye on one since it came out, but I put it off because I love using this one. I may need to re-prioritize.

 

The one we're talking about -that fell- was around $2k back in 2015 and without doubt fits my hand beautifully; weight, feel, nib(!), makes my handwriting something I want to see; worth every penny. I want to show a bit of respect and not just take it to any old place, but I don't know what to ask the repair shop.

 

Does it matter if the shop has worked on similar pens? From reading in this FPNetwork, nibs are very different- stainless vs. gold vs. etc. So, I imagine the repair techniques are different?

Edited March 1, 2017 by RachelGo

[T4TEXAS]

If you are not going to send it to one of the skilled nib techs on RonZ's list, then your authorized repair shop is the way to go. Not a good idea to take it to someone that does not do it all the time.

[PaganArcher]

Ron Z is a man in the business with a well regarded reputation. Any of the folks he listed are worth their salt. While I only have experience with Danny Fudge, I'd trust Ron's word on the others.

 

For what it's worth, I asked Danny for an expedited repair on a Sheaffer Snorkel last year and I had it back in roughly a week. Flawless work as always.

[Chi Town]

Are you REALLY tellinhg us that you are wanting your SPECIAL pen that you write with, possibly on a daily basis, to go to someone and have them HuRrY uP the repairs just to satisify your ego? That is the farthest thing from cooking doggy doo doo that I would recommend to you.......You open up that repair technician to all kinds of issues just because he/she is trying to satisfy your ego. Personally, and I do repairs, I would NOT take on such a repair unless circumstances necesatated it. ie; your moving and need to the pen to go with you, or some other special deal? Even then I would NOT guarantee that it would be done on time, as Quality of repair is more important than anything in the LOOOOONG run! You WILL, come to find this out. Trust me, please..... Those technician's that have been listed above are all Qualified and Good people who are able to repair your pen! I'm just trying to show you the down side of what can happen b ased on what your asking for in getting that pen repaired in Hours/Days.......Give those tech's a fair chance to do the job correctly! And you'll be happier for it in the long run!