Used Montblanc reputable sellers

[WillysGuy]

Hi all,

I am old/new to fountain pens, being old enough that I used a Parker 45 to take notes in College back in the 70's, and new enough that I found that old 45 recently and it started me on my current fountain pen journey of learning and collecting.

My current interest/obsession is Montblanc Meisterstruck pens, particularly the 146.

My current situation forbids buying a new pen so I naturally looked online for used and quickly realized that I was probably seeing more fakes then real pens!

For instance, there are tons of MB 146 pens on eBay for 300-400, even as low as 200, but how do I know who is selling the real thing and who is selling them FOTB from China?

So my question is, is there a good online RELIABLE source for used Montblancs?

Thanks!

WG

[Penguincollector]

  In the US: Reputable preowned MontBlanc resellers are: Truphae, Peyton Street Pens, Dromgoole’s, Pen Realm, and Seaside Pen Shop. There may be more, but these I can vouch for. 
  In the UK: Izods 

  In Germany: Missing-Pen

  In Japan: Kingdom Note

[Lam1]

I'd add Chatterley Luxuries and Fountain Pen Hospital.

 

But, with a little patience to learn the details of these pens, it is possible to get a good deal in the $300-400 that you are seeing on eBay.  

[WillysGuy]

Thank you both, that is exactly the information that I was looking for. In addition to shopping for a specific pen, the act of shopping on a respectable dealers site is often enjoyable and informative all by itself. It's good to have such a list of respectable dealers.

[lionelc]

i would go penboard.de or tenpen.it - i have bought pens many times from tom westerich and letizia iacopini, they have excellent customer service and pens were exceptional

[Seney724]

Depending upon where you live, you may (or may not) be in the vicinity of a city which hosts an annual pen show.

There are a number of really good, very reputable dealers who are on that circuit and virtually all of them are great about helping you find what you want.

The advantage of this is, of course, you can look at and "test drive" a lot of pens all in a short space of time.

But, sadly, not all of us live in a location where doing this is easy or convenient.

[Penguincollector]

  You’re so welcome! I also second the pen show visit- a few of the stores I mentioned do the pen show circuit and there’s the added benefit of having nibmeisters on the premises to customize your pen. I have found excellent deals on MontBlancs at shows. 

[Opooh]

When you go to ebay, the sellers who are years on ebay and are quoted 99-100%, are all genuine. Catawiki is more risky bussiness and they have their 9% bonus you pay extra. 
Prices of burgundy probably go down since the new series is launched .

But wherever you buy, stay in the same tax zone. Since the UK left EC you have to pay VAT and import, so a 300 euro pen can end over 500 ( you pay taxes on transport too).

[WillysGuy]

FYI I live in North America in the upper Midwest, also known as the Great Lakes. For those in or familiar with the states, Chicago is in my orbit, as well as Wisconsin and Minnesota. I am acquainted with Anderson Pen and their unfortunate recent demise.

 

Pen Shows! Who knew?! What a great idea! Thank you for that suggestion. That opens a whole new world for me. Maybe its my age but it's probably just natural inclination that I like the idea of handling a pen and socializing with the seller before buying.

 

I found this online list for pen shows and thought I'd share:

https://www.wellappointeddesk.com/pen-show-schedule/

 

It so happens that I am free the weekend of the Chicago Pen Show. 

 

Thanks again to all who shared suggestions and information.

Edited January 5 by WillysGuy

[Seney724]

6 minutes ago, WillysGuy said:

FYI I live in North America in the upper Midwest, also known as the Great Lakes. For those in or familiar with the states, Chicago is in my orbit, as well as Wisconsin and Minnesota. I am acquainted with Anderson Pen and their unfortunate recent demise.

 

Pen Shows! Who knew?! What a great idea! Thank you for that suggestion. That opens a whole new world for me. Maybe its my age but it's probably just natural inclination that I like the idea of handling a pen and socializing with the seller before buying.

 

I found this online list for pen shows and thought I'd share:

https://www.wellappointeddesk.com/pen-show-schedule/

 

It so happens that I am free the weekend of the Chicago Pen Show. 

 

Thanks again to all who shared suggestions and information.

Done deal, you are all set!

You will find everything you want and/or need at the Chicago Pen Show.

And, it is only 115 days away!

[Lam1]

2 hours ago, WillysGuy said:

FYI I live in North America in the upper Midwest, also known as the Great Lakes. For those in or familiar with the states, Chicago is in my orbit, as well as Wisconsin and Minnesota. I am acquainted with Anderson Pen and their unfortunate recent demise.

 

Pen Shows! Who knew?! What a great idea! Thank you for that suggestion. That opens a whole new world for me. Maybe its my age but it's probably just natural inclination that I like the idea of handling a pen and socializing with the seller before buying.

 

I found this online list for pen shows and thought I'd share:

https://www.wellappointeddesk.com/pen-show-schedule/

 

It so happens that I am free the weekend of the Chicago Pen Show. 

 

Thanks again to all who shared suggestions and information.

 

The pen show is a great idea. 

If you can, go on Thursday and Friday. That is when you have mainly the vendors setting up and few people that are there just to buy. Those days are much more relaxed and the vendors will be more than happy to just chat with you and explain all you want to know. It is a totally different, and much better experience than going on Saturday or Sunday.

Also, leave the wallet home and only bring the cash you want to spend, or else... (trust me, I know ).