Luis store

[eilu]

I've just heard of Luis Store, supposedly the place to go in the Philippines for NOS and FP repair and tuning. I'm planning ot go one of these days, but I'd like to ask a few questions to those who've had experience dealing with them:

• What's the stock like? Just NOS, or do they have newer pens also? What brands do they carry?
• Is the service good or are the staff more of the "happy to not serve you" type?
• What services do they offer? General repair, nib tuning...? Any brand or just specific ones?

and the all-important questions *drumroll*

• What are the prices like? Just ranges and rough estimates for the pens, things like repair and pen tuning...
• Do they accept credit cards or should I carry a wad of cash and hope I don't get mugged on the way to the store?

I know it's a lot of questions, but it's quite a commute to get there and I'd like to know what to expect (particularly with the finances!). Thanks.

[Zeroblade]

I've only been there once (schedule conflicts... all the time - they're only open Mondays to Fridays, holidays excluded, from around 11-6) so I can't be very... in depth.

 

What's the stock like? Just NOS, or do they have newer pens also? What brands do they carry?

Stock is not too bad. Mostly NOS, but there may be some more modern pens. I have just the slightest bias for vintage, however, so I didn't ask. They carry mostly Parker, Sheaffer, and Mont Blanc, though they have other brands' pens (ie: Pilot 77).

 

Is the service good or are the staff more of the "happy to not serve you" type?

Service was okay. I'm not a talkative person, so I didn't really get to chat it up much, and I was somewhat new so I didn't have much to ask about. However, the staff did teach me a couple things about them, so they're capable, at the least.

 

What services do they offer? General repair, nib tuning...? Any brand or just specific ones?

Not sure on this. I didn't have much time so I didn't do anything other than get a pen. I'll try to get them to re-align tines the next time I go there though.

 

What are the prices like? Just ranges and rough estimates for the pens, things like repair and pen tuning...

Prices... well, brick-and-mortar shops' prices are almost always more expensive compared to online shopping. I got a NOS 45 Flighter GT for about 2,400, if that's anything to go by (They also have NOS 51's for about 25,000!). If you're confident in your Chinese, you might get a discount (we Chinese seem to do that sometimes). No idea on other services. I need to bring my mom there with me sometime - the store's owner was also my mom's customer from way back when, when her office was in Quiapo (she's since then relocated to San Juan), so they can chat or reminisce or something so I might end up getting discounts for no apparent reason.

 

Do they accept credit cards or should I carry a wad of cash and hope I don't get mugged on the way to the store?

Cash. Definitely. Checks may be possible, but, well, there's a Metrobank nearby, if that's what you use.

Edited October 11, 2008 by Zeroblade

[eilu]

I've only been there once (schedule conflicts... all the time - they're only open Mondays to Fridays, holidays excluded, from around 11-6) so I can't be very... in depth.

*snip*

If you're confident in your Chinese, you might get a discount (we Chinese seem to do that sometimes). No idea on other services. I need to bring my mom there with me sometime - the store's owner was also my mom's customer from way back when, when her office was in Quiapo (she's since then relocated to San Juan), so they can chat or reminisce or something so I might end up getting discounts for no apparent reason.

 

thanks for the store hours- never occurred to me to ask, good thing I know now.

 

Yeah, I should bring my dad or mom My dad did a lot of business in the area, he may be known to the owner.

[Zeroblade]

Oh sorry, I meant Mondays to Saturdays. They're closed Sundays, Holidays, and the off-hours, meaning the only time you can ever go there is on a day off or if you're rich enough to not have to go to work all the time.

[eilu]

Oh sorry, I meant Mondays to Saturdays. They're closed Sundays, Holidays, and the off-hours, meaning the only time you can ever go there is on a day off or if you're rich enough to not have to go to work all the time.

Or if you work for the government ;p Fortunately my working hours have a bit of flexibility in them.

[bat]

 

Where can I buy waterman's here in the Philippines? National bookstore sells only parkers and cross? I'm from Cebu

Edited December 31, 2008 by bat

[Zeroblade]

I dunno, of the many NBS's I've been to, 8 out of 10 had Waterman stuff. Perhaps try other branches within Cebu?

[bat]

Dear Zeroblade,

 

Unlike Manila, Cebu is smaller. We only have 3 National bookstores here. I already went to 2, will be going to the last one, (one of these days). But I doubt if they have watermans there, because the last one, is the store that is the smallest.

I asked the sales-lady regarding waterman's, and she replied, they used to carry that brand but not anymore. Anyway, do you have an idea on how a converter for the expert would cost in Manila?

 

Yours truly,

 

bat

Edited December 31, 2008 by bat

[Moto]

Anyone have the number or address of LUIS STORE? Seems interesting. Have a friend that speaks chinese so she can help me.

 

Thanks In Advance

[jor412]

Anyone have the number or address of LUIS STORE? Seems interesting. Have a friend that speaks chinese so she can help me.

 

Thanks In Advance

 

(2)2413484

375 Escolta

 

I haven't been there myself but I found these directions off the net:

"If you're coming from the Manila City Hall, it's best that you take jeepneys that go to Divisoria, or if in a car, go up the Jones Bridge. As you go down the bridge, you'll see Savory Restaurant to your right. Get off there (or park somewhere near) and enter Escolta by foot. Luis Store would be about 200 meters away at the left side of Escolta (if you're facing Sta. Cruz Church)."

[liapuyat]

Hi Eilu,

 

I've been there twice. The Puas are very nice and chatty, they gave me candies and tea. I bought a Pilot 77 from them. They accept credit cards. I love their NOS Sheaffers, but the price was waaaaaay high. Something like P13k on a red Sheaffer snorkel that I was interested in. The Pilot I got was about P700. It really depends on what you are looking for, I guess.

 

Mona

[kristianepolido]

do they have parker 51? how much?

 

thank you in advance!

[fronsac]

two things to bring... cash and someone fluent in mandarin

[fronsac]

Where can I buy waterman's here in the Philippines? National bookstore sells only parkers and cross? I'm from Cebu

 

Have you ever tried asking the salesperson if you can order it from NBS Manila and have them shipped over to Cebu?

[doodlesinink]

I passed by Luis Store last Saturday on my way to Cosmos Bazar. Yes, just passed by. I was intimidated with all the FPs in the display that's why I didn't go in..hehe..^^' But anyway, they share the shop with an eyewear making store. From what I could see outside, the interior was divided into the FP section and the eyewear store section.

 

I took a picture of the outside of the shop. Sorry if it has too much glare. I was too intent on capturing just the name of the store and not the pens in the display.

[cocojj]

They fixed my Parket Sonnet's bent nib. I found it a bit expensive at around P800+ (if I remember right), but that could be because it wasn't really a favored pen.