Fake Meisterstuck 163?

[byunjoe]

Please excuse me if I got the format wrong!

So I got this pen on ebay but once I received it, the quality didn't seem up to par with Montblanc standards. The serial number (IW1666858) is also found on other fake websites. It also seems to lack the pix under the clip, and instead has 'Made in Germany' but lacks 'metal'.

 

 

High quality imgur link:

 

https://imgur.com/a/DUzxFe

 

[Chrissy]

Not all of them have "Pix" on the underside of the clip. "Made in Germany" is also common on authentic pens. "Metal" won't necessarily be present on "precious resin" pens either.

 

However, if the serial number isn't unique then there is little doubt that the pen is going to be a fake.

[CS388]

Unfortunately, that serial number is a recognised number, used on fake pens. You can google it - or even check through old threads on this forum. There are several instances of it.

 

You need to report it to ebay and inform the seller. You should get your money back.

[kandarp]

Hey that's my pen! Unfortunately, I too received a pen with the same exact serial number.

 

It's fake, return it and report the seller. At this point, I assume that every meisterstuck rollerball or ballpoint listed online is fake.

[chunya]

Sadly, as others are saying, there are a few pens with the very same serial number, and one was posted on FPN earlier this year:

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/288181-identifying-this-montblanc-meisterstuck-ballpoint-pen/

 

Unfortunately a fake so start the process of getting your money back.

 

Out of interest, do you mind me asking how much it was sold for?

[byunjoe]

Thanks guys, I'm trying to get the seller to accept my return offer. @chunya I bought the pen for $95.

[meiers]

What else is this vendor selling?

Edited July 3, 2018 by meiers

[meiers]

Unfortunately, that serial number is a recognised number, used on fake pens. You can google it - or even check through old threads on this forum. There are several instances of it.

 

You need to report it to ebay and inform the seller. You should get your money back.

+1

[chunya]

$95 US is roughly £71.... if it was an Ebay Auction then that price tag wouldn't worry me. If it were a BIN then that alone would start to ring alarm bells. For a genuine MB that would be way below the market value for a 163 in very good condition.

 

You don't say if it was sold as being 'new', boxed etc. If so then at that price that would certainly set off ALL the alarm bells.

 

Perverse as it may seem, a price tag of $95 is high enough for a lot of people to think they're getting a genuine item at a bargain price.

[byunjoe]

Yeah it was an auction sale so I didn't buy it new. The seller is now insisting I get it independently verified but I don't see the point. Afaik the only people who can be sure are Montblanc themselves so I'm not sending this $95 ($10 really) pen all the way to Montblanc waiting months for a reply. Should I just let ebay handle this?

[chunya]

As mentioned, in an auction I wouldn't be over concerned about paying so little for a genuine MB .... Hot weather, Holidays, World Cup games, there's a great number of reasons why people won't be sitting at their computers bidding on pens (I never risk anything on an Ebay Auction, I always list my items as BIN).

You have every right to open a case as the Serial Number is one known to be used on a number of fakes.

Just open a case against the seller, give Ebay the information that you have, and then let Ebay and Paypal sort it out for you. The seller cannot force you to get it independantly verified, and the information that you have (multiple uses of the same SN) is sufficient for Ebay to make a decision.

[JonathanHarker]

I'm not sure what the etiquette is on this particular forum about pointing out what is obviously fake from the photos (some forums this is encouraged to help others learn and avoid, some forums seem to think such revelations help the forgers - a nonsense in my opinion) but I'd be happy to discuss what I see as "tells" if it would be a useful discussion?

[chunya]

I'm not sure what the etiquette is on this particular forum about pointing out what is obviously fake from the photos (some forums this is encouraged to help others learn and avoid, some forums seem to think such revelations help the forgers - a nonsense in my opinion) but I'd be happy to discuss what I see as "tells" if it would be a useful discussion?

 

The question of genuine/fake MBs crops up on this forum quite a bit and I would think that those starting the posts would always be happy to accept opinions/expert advice.

[Chrissy]

Don't ask the seller, and wait for his co-operation. Just start a return through ebay if that's where you bought it. Otherwise you will run out of time to return it.

[byunjoe]

I see, thank you everyone for the advice. In other news, I got a birthyear Noblesse Oblige so I'm feeling better now.

[byunjoe]

I'm not sure what the etiquette is on this particular forum about pointing out what is obviously fake from the photos (some forums this is encouraged to help others learn and avoid, some forums seem to think such revelations help the forgers - a nonsense in my opinion) but I'd be happy to discuss what I see as "tells" if it would be a useful discussion?

Please excuse the double-post. But to answer your question, the writing experience was poor: the pen felt poorly put together and the ink seemed to bleed a little on the paper. Also the metal trim was not very sharp and the clip still had some small weld spots. The text MONTBLANC - Pix - MEISTERSTUCK was also in the wrong typeface and too condensed. Most of all, put together, some parts seems misaligned by a few micrometers, particularly the endcap with the montblanc logo.

[meiers]

Don't ask the seller, and wait for his co-operation. Just start a return through ebay if that's where you bought it. Otherwise you will run out of time to return it.

I agree. Starting the return via eBay N O W is absolutely essential.

[JonathanHarker]

I agree. Starting the return via eBay N O W is absolutely essential.

 

Agree. And although I dont sell on eBay, I am told that things are heavily weighted towards the buyer in terms of protection, so if you completed through eBay and paid through PayPal you're golden.

[CS388]

I agree. Starting the return via eBay N O W is absolutely essential.

 

Yup. It's out of the seller's hands, now.

He/she could be facing fraud charges.

[byunjoe]

Thank you everyone, eBay has reviewed the evidence and ruled in my favor! I should be receiveing a refund promptly.