Mont Blanc Reply regarding pens @ Costco

[jvangun]

My Question:I purchased a MB Meisterstuck Platinum BP from Costco what inlcuded a pouch. Are you able to tell me specifically what model number this is? Thank you.

 

Mont Blanc Response:

 

Thank you for your inquiry and for visiting our website.

 

Please note that Costco is not an authorized Montblanc retailer.

 

Without the model or ident number of the pen, we are not able to identify it.

 

You can bring your writing instrument to any of our boutiques or send it to our service center for authenticity and identification purposes.

 

We have over 40 boutiques throughout the United States and Canada. Please visit our boutique locater at www.montblanc.com for the location nearest you.

 

If you are not close to a boutique, we recommend that you package your entire pen securely in a box or bubble type envelope. Please include a brief cover letter stating the problem, your address and a daytime telephone number, and send via UPS or Fed Ex insured to:

 

Attn: Service Department

Montblanc North America, LLC

252 Brodhead Road

Suite 500

Bethlehem, PA 18017

 

Once we receive your package, the turnaround time is approximately 2-3 weeks.

 

If you would like to contact our Customer Service Department at 800-995-4810, a Customer Service Representative will be happy to answer any questions you may have at that time.

 

I hope this information is of assistance to you.

 

Sincerely,

 

Debbie Reilly

MONTBLANC North America

Customer Service

phone: 800 - 995 4810

email: service@montblanc.com

internet: www.montblanc.com

 

[rroossinck]

Interesting. I'm guessing that they're probably not authorized to sell the occasional Omas either, in that case.

[FredRydr]

Interesting. I'm guessing that they're probably not authorized to sell the occasional Omas either, in that case.

Well, at Costco you have to buy them by the gross.

 

Fred

[mstone]

Well, at Costco you have to buy them by the gross.

No doubt several ears just perked up at the mention of fountain pens available by the gross.

[jvangun]

Interesting. I'm guessing that they're probably not authorized to sell the occasional Omas either, in that case.

Well, at Costco you have to buy them by the gross.

 

Fred

 

You actually buy them one at a time and they are located in the Jewelry section along with other brands of pens such as Omas and Waterman. I'm not sure about the other brands but for Mont Blanc they only had BP's; the Meisterstuck and Generation's.

[wege]

How the heck does a retailer get pens for sale that don't come from an authorised distributor/agent?

[Ed44]

Hmmm, well I'll have to go by my local Costco and see what's there. Now that MontBlanc NA knows about it, I'll bet they go after Costco.

[slimnib]

Several years ago a purchase a Montblanc ball point at Staples. The box was marked the it was in effect a graymarket pen and I was warned that Montlbanc would not honor the warranty, but that Staples would.

 

A few years late, after the warranty period, the cap broke, so I took the a Montblanc store to repair. They immediately know that it was a greymarket pen and they wanted a premium in order to repair. The premium was more that the pen cost me. So I just forgot about and threw the pen out.

 

Just for FYI

 

Harv

[Opus104]

MontBlanc absolutely knows about this clearance distribution through Costco. They are remnants of the flush out of Generations, Meisterstruk and Boheme ballpoints and rollerballs left over from department store retailers following recent restrictions on authorized dealers. Because these are back channel clearance, MontBlanc will not acknowledge the sales. However, normal service is possible. Much like the service you would get if you sent in a pen received as a gift (hint, hint).

[krishnananda]

How the heck does a retailer get pens for sale that don't come from an authorised distributor/agent?

 

 

The same way any other non-authorized dealer does -- by piggybacking their order on an authorized dealer, buying the pens in Germany and importing themselves, or buying from a consolidating wholesaler who then fills orders too small to fill individually.

 

There are plenty of pen shops which are authorized Montblanc dealers; they aren't only sold through boutiques.

[rroossinck]

Wait wait wait...let's go back a few posts. Someone said that they'd seen fountain pens at Costco? I've only seen ballpoints, or maybe one rollerball there...ever. I know stock varies from store to store, but perhaps I need to pay better attention when I'm there.

[Opus104]

Wait wait wait...let's go back a few posts. Someone said that they'd seen fountain pens at Costco? I've only seen ballpoints, or maybe one rollerball there...ever. I know stock varies from store to store, but perhaps I need to pay better attention when I'm there.

 

 

No - Only the ocassional MB, Omas or Cartier ballpoint or rollerbal. Oh, and always the $40,000 diamond ring in the same case.

[girlieg33k]

Well, at Costco you have to buy them by the gross.

Fred

Fred, are you stockpiling "burgundy" 149s again? I hope you're at least using the white gloves as you're bagging 'em yourself at the checkout counter...

 

[ralphnisse]

Several years ago I had asked the same question with Montblanc Customer service. I had bought a Montblanc classic ballpoint at Costco and later on a friend told me that they are not authorized dealers. I am big believer of Costco and decided to ask Montblanc customer service. Montblanc customer service gave me a similar reply and later on there was a followup that they had a law suit with Costco ( search the internet on the famous lawsuit that Costco was making a look alike Montblanc in Mexico), Jomashop, luxurycorner,redfingerprint. It seems they get their product from several countries in Asia and central America, where the dealers buckle. Hence, the famous rule that no authorized US dealers can sell/export the Montblanc pens outside the US. I still do not understand that why Costco has to sell these pens unauthorized for a small dip in their pocket, compared to its stellar Kirkland money saving quality products.

 

At present the only secure channel looks like is US. Now, the serial numbers are registered to the dealer when Montblanc gives the writing instruments. When I recently sent my fountain pen to repair, they could tell me as to which dealer my wife had bought it! Unfortunately, US also happens to be the haven of counterfiets. Even though it is illegal to own one, still many for the sake of fashion they buy the counterfeits and unfortunately, encourage them only more. And a good counterfiets are not that cheap.

 

 

-Ralph

 

 

 

 

[FredRydr]

Fred, are you stockpiling "burgundy" 149s again? I hope you're at least using the white gloves as you're bagging 'em yourself at the checkout counter...

Hey! I resent that remark.

 

Besides, I was at Sam's Club where they were shoveling Omas out of the back of a 3/4-ton pickup into 55-gallon drums. I grabbed three for you (3 for $49.95). They must be collectors' items 'cause they have Ощдѕ embossed on the shiny solid "silverite" (?) clips.

 

Fred