Cracked Mont Blanc Le Grand

[OmegaJJH]

Hi everyone,

Absolutely no idea how on earth this has happened as i've not dropped the pen and had no (noticeable) knocks. Complete mystery

Anyways...it's just the end section of the pen that's cracked.

I dropped it off at the local MB boutique to be sent off to Germany for repair.

Now i'm hoping that the largest proportion of a MB's cost is the platinum and not the black resin

So my questions are:

Will MB be able to simply replace the end section or is the pen one whole piece?

Roughly how much £££ damage am I looking at? The website say's I have to pay for parts and technicians time but no clues.

Just one of lifes annoyances

Best pic I could manage, the iPhone really struggled to focus on this.

Thanks

James

[jar]

Likely a level one repair that IIRC would be about £60.00.

[Formulansx]

That's a really weird failure! Please report back on what Montblanc says.

[OmegaJJH]

Originally Posted by jar

Likely a level one repair that IIRC would be about £60.00.

Thanks Jim - That's kind of the answer I was hoping for

Originally Posted by Formulansx

That's a really weird failure! Please report back on what Montblanc says.

Certainly will.

I've been racking my brains and I genuinely haven't got a clue how it happened. I use this pen every day too ?

[jar]

Originally Posted by OmegaJJH

Thanks Jim - That's kind of the answer I was hoping for



Certainly will.

I've been racking my brains and I genuinely haven't got a clue how it happened. I use this pen every day too ?

IIRC (and it's been awhile since I actually saw the pieces parts) the piston shaft fits in a socket and is held in place by a spring. If that spring is put in incorrectly it could place stress inside the cap.

[Bisquitlips]

Welcome to the fine world of MB "Precious" Resin!

I once dropped my first MB ball point and it shattered into pieces. That was back in the day when Koh-I-Noor serviced them. I sent it in and a few weeks later it came back to me 100% at no charge and they threw in a lovely MB polishing cloth.

I think those days are gone forever.

Send it in and it should be well under $100.00 to fix her up.

[jimbones43]

So fragile, I don't see how they can't make these a tad more durable..

[artschool]

lol. my mont blanc starwalker is like triggers broom.

i have had the lid replaced twice and the body of the pen replaced once.

"precious resin" aka black plastic on montblancs is not durable.

that said i still like the pen and use it everyday!

ps mont blanc replaced the lid FOC the first time and gave me a big discount the second time as IMO i hadn't mistreated the pen.

the third time i dropped it and it was my fault.

[OmegaJJH]

Originally Posted by artschool

ps mont blanc replaced the lid FOC the first time and gave me a big discount the second time as IMO i hadn't mistreated the pen.

the third time i dropped it and it was my fault.

I'm not so sure I'll be so lucky because I'm not dealing directly with MB but a jewellery chain who sell MB.

I thought it would be easier letting them sort shipping/ insurance etc.

Guess it's just getting fingers crossed and patience.

[Bisquitlips]

Originally Posted by OmegaJJH

I'm not so sure I'll be so lucky because I'm not dealing directly with MB but a jewellery chain who sell MB.

I thought it would be easier letting them sort shipping/ insurance etc.

Guess it's just getting fingers crossed and patience.

Just be aware that you can deal with MB directly if you so desire. Which is what I would do as they will likely charge more for the services they provide.

[OmegaJJH]

Ok, it's back.

Firstly, I must say well done to Mont Blanc for the turn around time, very impressed!

2 weeks exactly from dropping it off at boutique and a week earlier than quoted.

Always live my life by under promise, over deliver!

So cost of repair was £90. TBH - I can live with that.
12 month warranty on service work included.

From reading the warranty document I have been charged for "RESIN_SERVICE FLAT RATE 2"

It also stated "Damage caused by external influences and/or mechanical stresses is not covered by the warranty"

The one thing that did irk me slightly was the pen was handed to me covered in marks/finger prints etc and generally looked grubby. The AD saw my reaction and quickly offered to give it a wipe over.

Other than that - can't fault it really. Just wish I knew how the hell I did it so I can ensure I don't ever do it again.

[OmegaJJH]

Originally Posted by Bisquitlips

Just be aware that you can deal with MB directly if you so desire. Which is what I would do as they will likely charge more for the services they provide.

I e-mailed MB directly for a detailed explanation of what they believed to have happened but didn't receive a response.

[jar]

Originally Posted by OmegaJJH

I e-mailed MB directly for a detailed explanation of what they believed to have happened but didn't receive a response.

The recent (post 70s) Montblanc resin is a very hard material that take a fantastic shine. Like all things though it is a compromise between production factors, marketing factors and general reliability.

The material does not seem to have as many problems as many other resin pens but it is susceptible to stress fractures and impact cracking.

I'm not at all surprised that there is no way to tell what might have happened.

[OmegaJJH]

Originally Posted by OmegaJJH

I e-mailed MB directly for a detailed explanation of what they believed to have happened but didn't receive a response.

Quick update:

Received a response from MB yesterday. Nothing I didn't already know but happier that they bothered to reply.

Thank you very much for your e-mail and the pictures. We wish to apologise for the delay in replying which was due to a technical error in our e-mial system.

Naturally, we have checked the incoming repair order from the three shops of David M Robinson. However, the reference number you provided was not among them. Therefor we hope you will understand that we are not in a position to comment in detail. From what we could see in the picture we would assume that some kind of external influence must have caused the crack in the body. However, we cannot judge how this may have happened.

We remain at your disposal for any further question you may have.

Yours sincerely,

Gabriele Middel-Okafor 

Montblanc Client Relations Centre
Phone: 03455 040 111
Email: [email protected]