What do people think of Harrods' Writing Room and the pen department at Selfridges?

[soapytwist]

Forgive me if I sound a little stupid here, but is Penfriend at the Burlington Arcade?

 

Thanks,

 

MiamiArcStudent

Yes; but their bigger and less high-end shop is in Bush house in The Strand (in the old Parker showroom). Burlington Arcade is for the tourists; Bush House for the more everyday purchases and repairs.

 

My mother used to drag me the the January sales at Harrods until it went 'nouveau riche' (her words not mine!). For a long time it was the only place I could find Caran d'Ache Goliath refills, but the only pen I think I ever bought there was a Cross Century Biro for about £8 (I was still at school). I have always found them very helpful, especially when they were aware that you knew your Aurora from your Edison, so to speak!

 

Fortnum's was always a nicer experience in terms of the senses being assailed by papers and writing accessories as well as the pens. I used to buy writing paper there when I worked at Hatchards, which is almost next door.

 

I can't really speak for Selfridges - I think I've only visited once or twice and left with the feeling of it being like a standard department store with a bigger choice of pens at the higher end of the price scale. I didn't engage any of the sellers in conversation though, so I'm not qualified to comment on how good the service is there.

[andyk]

I used to go to the Harrods humidor when I was a poor student looking for a celebration cigar. Of course, I rarely left with anything - if anything only a single Cohiba - but they are really nice and friendly, even to tatty looking student me with my ripped jeans and untucked shirt.

 

I was at the Montblanc boutique this weekend with my sleeping son in his stroller and felt like I was being ignored (it was quite busy) but when I was eventually seen to they were very polite, friendly and accomodating.

 

Hi,

 

Harrods let you in dressed like that, you were lucky.

 

Penfriend is nice, but I find their prices very high, Selfridges is friendlier that Harrods, and I couldn't find the pen section at Fortnum and Masons when I went there.

 

Andy

[camoandconcrete]

How high on the price scale are we talking for Selfridges? I have read reviews on other websites claiming it is one of the best places for pens in all of the UK.

 

Thanks,

 

MiamiArcStudent

[scrawlysteve]

I too have had a favourable reception in Selfridges with some knowledgeable staff, but I prefer Fortnum & Mason, it seems less 'frantic' somehow. If you are in London, don't forget to vist 'Pen Friend' who have a small - but irrisistable - shop in Burlington Arcade (which is at the Burlington Gardens end of the arcade if you approach from Piccadilly) very very hard to resist the temptations on display!

 

I've always found Penfriend far from irresistible... an excellent selection in Burlington Arcade but I looked at a pretty ordinary Skyline pen + pencil set in there and they wanted £450 which seemed well OTT to me...I bought an identical pen from FPN for £30. Their other shop in the Strand has slightly better deals... and does repairs/nib grinding.I enquired about "italicising" an 18k medium Bock nib and they said "at your own risk--it may break--will cost £60"...hmmmmm...

Fortnums is decidedly quieter (and snootier)than Selfridges--pen dept. is on 1st floor-- I think it maybe has fewer pens than Selfridges. I don't think either store has as big a selection as Harrods-- which was good to me, the Montblanc lady there positively encouraged me to try all their different nibs (sitting at a nice desk and even bringing two types of paper) --even though I'd made it clear I wouldn't be buying one. Other staff were friendly and helpful too. That's the store I'd recommend if you want a new pen...I don't think you'll get a discount at any of the three...I certainly wouldn't even dare to mention such a thing at Fortnums.

 

Good luck,

Steve.

[camoandconcrete]

Thank you everyone, I think just for the fun of it I will visit all of the stores, and whatever one has the pen or pens I want will buy it there.

 

 

[quaestor]

In addition to the 4 shops mentioned in my earlier post in this tread, I'd commend the pen kiosk in Terminal 1 at Heathrow. Helpful lady and older Pelikans.

[camoandconcrete]

Kind of reviving this thread here for one more store. Has anyone been to the Montblanc Boutique in Harrods? If so, what are your experiences; good, bad?

 

I normally go to the MB Boutique that's about fifteen minutes from my house and the service is usually excellent, although they have two new employees who seem to be clueless about MB's products.

[Silvermink]

I think "good god, I wish I had been into pens when I visited London six years ago".

[Bo Bo Olson]

I've been to Harrods twice, long before I was into fountain pens. Schedule a full 5 or 6 hours. There are lots of good places to eat there.

 

A lady working in the Fudge section....living in Germany is living in a Fudge deprived land, told me where to go to get even better fudge.

 

Harrods had the best Loo's....toilets in the world. If you buy anything get a Loo ticket, other wise it costs a pound to get in.

There is a man in a suit and tie who collects your ticket at the doors for the ladies and men.

Each floor has different colored marble, with two workers polishing it at all times, bronze fittings, and top of the line aftershave or in the Ladies perfume above the wash stands.

 

I enjoyed my self at Harrads, something I can say I never did at any other department store. It is the best of it's class. It is not quite as top scale as I thought it to be, in you can buy silver plated goods too.

Wonderful escalators too. Egyptian motive.

 

I found the help friendly, and in I'm friendly it rebounds.

There are something like 5,000 people that work there, all total. I saw a German TV show on that later. That's counting everyone including their ware house.

 

They have a beautiful 1909? truck that delivers stuff in London. So the next time I'm flush...as soon as I can borrow an oil well for three days, I'd buy something too big to carry, and sit in my hotel, drinking tea or what ever, and wait for the truck to deliver it.

That's class.

[camoandconcrete]

Resurrecting this old topic from the grave (so to speak) With my London trip right around the corner, I was wondering does Harrods accept US dollars? I read in a review they do so as one living outside the EU can avoid VAT and similar charges. But the review never said if it was just in the particular department of Harrods-wide. Any help will be appreciated. Sounding like a typical American, but I'd rather buy my new pen in USD as opposed to Pounds Sterling.

 

Edit to Add: I mean cash not CC.

Edited February 9, 2010 by MiamiArcStudent

[duofoldguy]

Harrods should be good. I remember they had a good pen department, I got my first Montblanc fountain pen there back in 1994. I would also recommend going to Portabello Road; if your into vintage pens, its the place, or good priced moderns. There are a few good pen shops in London, I hope some U.K. members can help there, because I have not been to London in 12 years and I don't want to steer you wrong.

Enjoy your trip, I am a bit envious. :clap1:

[Tojusi]

Not sure if they accept USD in cash.

 

Bút if you live outside the EU and are buying in EU as a tourist, and are willing to jump through administrative hoops at the store (filling in forms, maybe having your stuff sealed, etc.) you might be able to buy "tax free". I never really understood how that works and what paperwork you need to submit and whether you need to do something at the airport.

 

However, it is possible. Here in Finland we usually have a lot of Russian tourists, especially around New Year. Then some major stores set up dedicated cashiers to handle the Russian tax free paper work. That comes handy, as it is a slow process and otherwise the tourists would just clog the ordinary cashiers.

 

/Tojusi

[PhotoJim]

When I bought some Darjeeling tea at Harrods in September 2007, they offered to charge my Canadian credit card in either UK pounds or the Canadian dollar equivalent. I assume doing so in US dollars is not an issue, although there is little advantage.

[impossiblebird]

I used to live in London, and I'd say that neither store is in the least bit intimidating; customer service in both stores is excellent, especially if you are prepared to be friendly and polite upfront, and even if, like me, you tend towards the scruffy-looking, and have the sort of accent that might be thought of as verging on 'common'. English people don't see service industry jobs as demeaning per se, but shop staff can run into a lot of snotty customers, and can really warm up if you're polite, and don't take them for granted.

 

Selfridges was on my way home from work, and it was my 'go to' store for all manner of things. The staff there, in areas such as pen and watch departments, were helpful, and for the most part genuine enthusiasts, and managed better than in most shops the balance between avoiding hard-sell and appearing uninterested. It's the sort of store I've been able to negotiate a refund I wasn't entitled to, and had the staff member engage me in friendly conversation AFTER our business was concluded. I did remark to a staff member once how friendly and enthusiastic they all were, and she told me it was very much part of their training. It's my favourite store.

 

I've had similar (though less extensive) experience of Harrods staff, even at sales time. It does tend to get very busy, though; it really seems to fill up with tourists. The security guards on the door would approach anybody they saw come through the doors with a rucksack on their back, and ask them to carry it in their hands. This was prior to the 2005 bombing on the Underground; I don't know whether they've made changes to their policies since then, nor do I know whether they take dollars. Also, they always had the policy that they wouldn't allow people in to Harrods wearing shorts. Although my brother and his daughter came to town with me once, and she decided she wanted to see the toy department, so I went up to the guys on the door and said "I know this is your policy, but would you consider making an exception..." and they let us in, no problem.

 

I'd suggest you call or email ahead to both stores, to ask whether they have any issues with bags, or take dollars. And to ask about 'tax-free' shopping; it always used to involve a 5-10 minute detour to a different cashier to fill in the form.

 

I've spent a great deal of money in both stores over the years, but never at anywhere near full price. January sales will have ended by now , although there may still be bargains to be had. It never hurts to ask whether a discount is possible, but there may be better prices to be had on the internet; I'd go armed with internet prices, with a view to using them in a bit of gentle negotiatiation.

 

Your question about dollars reminded me of a story about a ticket seller on the London Underground, whose customer attempted to pay in Euros. She refused to take the Euros, and demanded Sterling. When the customer pointed out the official sticker on the booth announcing that Euros were accepted, she simply got out of the booth and tore the sticker off the glass...

 

And I've seen several American tourists severely disappointed at checkouts that they weren't allowed to use credit cards belonging to their parents/spouses... do you still do that in the US?

[camoandconcrete]

I used to live in London, and I'd say that neither store is in the least bit intimidating; customer service in both stores is excellent, especially if you are prepared to be friendly and polite upfront, and even if, like me, you tend towards the scruffy-looking, and have the sort of accent that might be thought of as verging on 'common'. English people don't see service industry jobs as demeaning per se, but shop staff can run into a lot of snotty customers, and can really warm up if you're polite, and don't take them for granted.

 

Selfridges was on my way home from work, and it was my 'go to' store for all manner of things. The staff there, in areas such as pen and watch departments, were helpful, and for the most part genuine enthusiasts, and managed better than in most shops the balance between avoiding hard-sell and appearing uninterested. It's the sort of store I've been able to negotiate a refund I wasn't entitled to, and had the staff member engage me in friendly conversation AFTER our business was concluded. I did remark to a staff member once how friendly and enthusiastic they all were, and she told me it was very much part of their training. It's my favourite store.

 

I've had similar (though less extensive) experience of Harrods staff, even at sales time. It does tend to get very busy, though; it really seems to fill up with tourists. The security guards on the door would approach anybody they saw come through the doors with a rucksack on their back, and ask them to carry it in their hands. This was prior to the 2005 bombing on the Underground; I don't know whether they've made changes to their policies since then, nor do I know whether they take dollars. Also, they always had the policy that they wouldn't allow people in to Harrods wearing shorts. Although my brother and his daughter came to town with me once, and she decided she wanted to see the toy department, so I went up to the guys on the door and said "I know this is your policy, but would you consider making an exception..." and they let us in, no problem.

 

I'd suggest you call or email ahead to both stores, to ask whether they have any issues with bags, or take dollars. And to ask about 'tax-free' shopping; it always used to involve a 5-10 minute detour to a different cashier to fill in the form.

 

I've spent a great deal of money in both stores over the years, but never at anywhere near full price. January sales will have ended by now , although there may still be bargains to be had. It never hurts to ask whether a discount is possible, but there may be better prices to be had on the internet; I'd go armed with internet prices, with a view to using them in a bit of gentle negotiatiation.

 

Your question about dollars reminded me of a story about a ticket seller on the London Underground, whose customer attempted to pay in Euros. She refused to take the Euros, and demanded Sterling. When the customer pointed out the official sticker on the booth announcing that Euros were accepted, she simply got out of the booth and tore the sticker off the glass...

 

And I've seen several American tourists severely disappointed at checkouts that they weren't allowed to use credit cards belonging to their parents/spouses... do you still do that in the US?

 

Thanks. I have a credit card in my own name so that shouldn't be a problem.

[Silvermink]

I'll tell you what I think - I think I wish I'd been into fountain pens when I was in London seven years ago.

[camoandconcrete]

I'll tell you what I think - I think I wish I'd been into fountain pens when I was in London seven years ago.

 

I already know that. I've contacted Harrods and am waiting for a response.

[willduffay]

Fired by this thread I popped to Fortnums at lunch and was a touch disappointed. They had three display cases, one with Conway Stewarts (mostly around £200-300), another with Cross and Faber Castell, and a third with Yard-o-led. There were bits of cardboard packaging sitting on the cases and when I lifted one to have a look at the pens eventually a shop assistant came to hold up the packaging but made no attempt to clear it away so I could look properly. I very much doubt they sell many pens, though I guess you could say they had a reasonable range, from £60 to £1000 and from very slender to the obscenely fat and long CSs. But I guess if you look the part then they would make an effort and provide you with a pleasant shopping experience.

[Jack Row]

Hi Chaps,

 

The Harrods Writing Room is exhibiting my 'Architect' collection. They went on sale thursday 13th October. If you're in Knightsbrige, pop in and have a look.

 

Regards,

 

Jack

 

PS - Arthur has kindly started a thread regarding my début. - Click HERE to view.

Edited October 16, 2011 by Jack Row

[Bo Bo Olson]

Jack, we need some pictures.

One pen ain't enough for the addicts.

 

I commented on your other thread. Congratulations twice it seems.