On fake Montblanc pens at Ebay

[sgphototn]

54 minutes ago, cynegils said:

Hi, I just read this thread and want to thank everyone for their answers. I recently bought a 149 and tried to educate myself in the best way I could before I did this (i.e. by reading multiple sources, YouTube videos, and reading threads such as these). I'm quite sure my pen is original (although anxiety always finds a way of betraying confidence) and the pen writes beautifully. However, from what I'd read here and elsewhere, 149s and other MB fountain pens are almost never faked.

 

Now I read from gerigo and others that this is not true. It would be very helpful for those of us who are still trying to learn if anyone who has spotted a fake MB fountain pen to actually include the link here, or to simply post a picture of the pen here to help us learn. I've just looked at over 50 MB 149s and 146s on eBay, and I can't find a single one that looks like it might even be fake, but of course, I'm no expert.

You might find this interesting on fake Montblanc pens.

 https://www.thepenmarket.com/vintage-pens-blog/2018/04/dont-be-fooled-by-fake-mont-blanc-pens/

[bunnspecial]

2 hours ago, sgphototn said:

You might find this interesting on fake Montblanc pens.

 https://www.thepenmarket.com/vintage-pens-blog/2018/04/dont-be-fooled-by-fake-mont-blanc-pens/

 

Several of the points at that link have been discussed and refuted in this thread. The "Pix" one is especially dubious because this marking has moved around and come and gone on genuine pens over the years.

 

Once again, I will issue my challenge from earlier in the thread:

 

I am waiting to see evidence of a convincing fake 146 or 149. By convincing I mean a correctly operating piston filler with a visible ink window, and one that is otherwise convincing to someone who has held/used a real one.

 

Feeds were also discussed by knowledgeable  poster in this thread, and convincing fakes of MB feeds of any vintage.

[sgphototn]

No one but you is using the word "convincing." The topic is "fake" Montblancs.

[bunnspecial]

1 hour ago, sgphototn said:

No one but you is using the word "convincing." The topic is "fake" Montblancs.

 

You're deflecting. My main point was that you posted a link to a site with "tests" that have been refuted in this thread, and I offered additional information on definitive "tests."

 

Among those tests, feed construction and filling mechanism of certain models of pens(146, 149) are litmus tests. The link you posted listed three tests-color of the resin, the presence of "Pix", and the serial number. None of those tests are necessarily valid, and I want to emphasize this fact rather than seeing it repeated as "fact".

 

And, again, my point continues to be that despite all the concern over fakes, there are models that simply aren't faked.

[sgphototn]

1 minute ago, bunnspecial said:

 

You're deflecting. My main point was that you posted a link to a site with "tests" that have been refuted in this thread, and I offered additional information on definitive "tests."

 

Among those tests, feed construction and filling mechanism of certain models of pens(146, 149) are litmus tests. The link you posted listed three tests-color of the resin, the presence of "Pix", and the serial number. None of those tests are necessarily valid.

Not deflecting; just ignoring you and your continued efforts to make every comment about you and your propensity to argue.

[Geoduck]

Good points here. As a novice it's best to Buy The Seller .

Hopefully sometime later this year pen shows will occur once more. It would be a great learning experience to view all pens first hand.

[Pale.Ink.Tom]

Hi Geo, what does, 'Buy The Seller', mean please?

[Geoduck]

Sorry wasn't trying to be cute, buy the seller is what members here have suggested. If the seller is reputable and trustworthy then it's likely the pen will be authentic and described honestly. 

[Pale.Ink.Tom]

Forgive me...  😊 "Buying The Seller"!

Yes, of course...and I do appreciate, 'reputable' and 'trustworthy' in all my dealings but they are just quaint notions to some sellers. Methods of establishing trustworthiness and reputation 'remotely' are a mystery for many of us. There are young people starting to trade who won't have had time to learn these skills.

I have taken the advice and only trade with sellers I've formed relationships with. That allows me to withdraw from auction sites. It limits my options though!

Does 'Buying The Seller' imply a lengthy process of 'reconnaissance', 'due diligence' and a track record of successful encounters? All long term trading relationships began with a first purchase.

There are lucky people who boast they've never been caught out, or they can spot a scam at a glance. And that may be so but from my experience those people never admit it when it does happen.

As far as I can see, in a poorly regulated, virtual, trading environment, online trading is at the high risk end and there is very little protection when it goes badly.

Thanks Geoduck

 

 

Thank you and very

[Pale.Ink.Tom]

I learned to trust my local Montblanc agency last year! It wasn't pretty and I was a real Pain to deal with!! But we got there.

Today my second Montblanc arrived home after visiting countries I've never seen!

"Shining like a new pin"! And I am a bit overwhelmed by it.

The second time was so much easier!

Now I trust.

G

[A Smug Dill]

1 hour ago, Gaudi95 said:

Does 'Buying The Seller' imply a lengthy process of 'reconnaissance', 'due diligence' and a track record of successful encounters? All long term trading relationships began with a first purchase.

 

I don't think you need rely only on your history with the seller. Some dealers have ‘earned’ their good reputation from their past transactions with fellow hobbyists on discussion sites such as FPN. The >100- and >1,000-post fellow members who are prepared to speak up at length to defend those dealers' good names, on the basis of their first-hand experience, probably carry more weight than ≤80-character comments and numerical ratings posted on trading platforms such as eBay. If one of those sellers is offering a pen for $700, and some less well-known seller purports to offer a pen of the same model and vintage, and approximately the same condition, for $500, you ought to factor in how much your level of confidence and peace of mind is worth, and how well you can live with choosing to forgo a $200 ‘saving’ by playing it safe.

[Pale.Ink.Tom]

Quite right Dill and thank you for your well reasoned post.

And I'm having a great time navigating the pen world to be honest!

I also found I enjoy sharing my many contacts and stories even those not so successful! 

Your point clearly demonstrates the benefits of joining this type of community.

The accumulation of shared experience is evident in all directions!

I hope a time comes when I have something more substantial to contribute to this valuable collective.

Kind wishes, Gary

[bunnspecial]

To the point about "buying the seller"-this phrase comes up in watch collecting a lot also, and there is a lot of truth to it(although I've rolled the dice and done very well from honestly ignorant sellers, but that's a different story).

 

Here's something else to think about, too. Let's say a member of this forum who doesn't have any sales history but has thousands of posts discussing pens in their collection, going through authenticity discussions, documenting a particular model, etc. and perhaps even a buying history from known trustworthy sellers decides to sell a pen out of their collection. That's someone who I'd personally have zero issue buying at least as far as trusting what they're selling, since I'd expect they'd honestly describe it and would know its legitimacy.

 

BTW, as much as anything, when you get into older stuff(and especially 146s and 149s, which again I'm waiting for evidence of good fakes of those) the worry isn't always the pen being FAKE per-se, but a mis-match of parts of different ages. This is sticky since Montblanc will change parts when they go in for service(feeds are a big one-a plastic feed on a 70s pen, for example, makes it less desireable to me but is also not an authenticity flag). I'm not talking either about a pen that shipped with an F nib now having a period correct OBB. It's easy, though, to get a parts bin pen that's still 100% genuine Montblanc parts and probably even writes fine. Personally, I'd not worry too much about one of those if I were looking for a writer and it fulfilled that role well.

[Pale.Ink.Tom]

Thanks bunns. I'm a fast learner but I accepted early on I was going to commit a couple of newbie errors of judgement.

But it's been ok. I can get along with people and I've got some really nice pens and good stories out of it. 'Grist for the Mill', as they say because for me it's all about writing. I'll be honest with you, I don't have much skin in the game but I still get a bit anxious when something unanticipated happens.

I actually enjoy maintaining the good relationships I've found with Pen Stores and Ink makers etc. While we've been chatting here tonight a local pen store contacted me saying they'd found a couple of extra nibs for me and sourced a pen they didn't even stock. And my nearest ink makers Van Dieman's over in Tasmania contacted me about a 50ml for 30ml price promotion and slashed shipping rates so I've found it far more rewarding to have these friendships than on any global auction site.

I don't know where you are located but we have a tiny pen community and my hope is that more of us in New Zealand start shopping with each other. Someone in NZ posted the other day trying to buy ink from Goulet Pens and the same ink was available in a struggling little pen store a few cities away! Didn't make sense to me!

There's work to be done here.

[Geoduck]

Thanks Bun and Gary,

I'm sure I got "Buy The Seller" from my other hobby's vintage vacuum tube audio or wrist watches. It was not something I came up with on my own. 😇

[Pale.Ink.Tom]

Understood Geo, I have a small repertoire of such simple 'maxims' that I refer to for guidance at times. Even I was surprised at how many of them were song lyrics 😃...but that's another story for another time perhaps!

Let's hear a round of applause for "Hobbies"!!

Cheers, G

[pearlfox]

Another expression I remember from...somewhere...is, "You're only as good as your last sale."  It was in reference to some eBay sellers with excellent feedback history suddenly starting to sell junk or misrepresented items.  Look over items carefully, ask questions, and weigh the risks before buying in, no matter how good the seller seems.

[Bill Nick]

On 2/1/2021 at 8:12 AM, gerigo said:

On 2/1/2021 at 7:23 AM, BlueJ said:

My understanding (not from personal experience) is that MB service centers impound and destroy fakes that are sent to them. Perhaps others can confirm this, but I think it is extremely unlikely that an official service center would be deceived by a counterfeit.

 That is true. They will destroy any counterfeits if you send them in to authenticate.

That is completely untrue.  MB have no authority to steal (impound) or destroy the property of their customers who will have paid for that service.    If there was a chance of a customer's property being retained in the case of it not being authenticated, that would have to be very clearly mentioned in the following and the customer would have to be advised of the risk and agree to accept that risk...

 

Authenticity Service

We offer an evaluation of originality for all our products. This service is exclusively carried out by our master craftsmen ship in our headquarters service centre. Your accessory will be carefully inspected by our specialist. In case your product is a genuine Montblanc we will issue the ”Certificate of Authenticity” as prove of authenticity. The Authenticity evaluation is a chargeable service and requires up to five working days upon receipt in our headquarters service centre (excluding customs and shipping). For the submission of your product you may use our Authorized Retailer Finder.

 

 

[Dione]

I have had a fake returned to me after having been to Montblanc for authentification.

[Bill Nick]

6 minutes ago, Dione said:

I have had a fake returned to me after having been to Montblanc for authentification.

Of course, you have, Montblanc do not have the authority to steal customer's property.