The Fake Spotted Here Thread...

[mohanjude]

What do you think of this pen on ebay ? Pictures dont help - the MB star just looks too big - maybe the aspect of the photos making it look odd. The background certainly doesnt help

 

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Mont-blanc-Meisterstuck-Signum-Doue-Fountain-Pen-/200532460622?pt=UK_Home_Garden_PensPencils_WritingEquipment_SM&hash=item2eb0aa844e

 

Mohan

[hari317]

A dealer showed me a large stock of fake Solitaires and resin Meisterstucks.

 

All the solitaires in diffferent patterns had the following serial number on the clip: PDL6676L9

All the resin Meisterstucks had the following serial number: EN1340225

 

The fakes were extremely well made, the converters were the obvious indicators. So watchfor atleast the above two serial numbers.

 

Best,

Hari

Edited December 12, 2010 by hari317

[stephl]

A dealer showed me a large stock of fake Solitaires and resin Meisterstucks.

 

All the solitaires in diffferent patterns had the following serial number on the clip: PDL6676L9

All the resin Meisterstucks had the following serial number: EN1340225

 

The fakes were extremely well made, the converters were the obvious indicators. So watchfor atleast the above two serial numbers.

 

Best,

Hari

 

Thanks for this Hari. I bought a Meisterstuck Platinum Plated Facet ballpoint at this auction:

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rt=nc&nma=true&item=110622246701&si=nlewEW05mzMLYhYs%252FLZaR48FbC4%253D&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK:MEWNX:IT#ht_2021wt_1139

 

Now I'm worried because knock offs are now coming with serial numbers, and the quality is getting pretty good. I had a look at a replica from a spam email I received and it was exactly the same as this pen. The seller advertised that it was a perfect replica, same weight.

 

So the question is whether the replica makers are getting to the point where they replicate the same everything, including the same fonts used on the serial number.

 

I do a lot of research before I bid on Ebay, but this is getting ridiculous. I guess I'll stick to buying from FPN when the pen I want shows up.

 

Stephan

[hari317]

 

So the question is whether the replica makers are getting to the point where they replicate the same everything, including the same fonts used on the serial number.

 

 

Stephan, yes, the fonts used in the replicas i saw were very very close to the original. the only saving grace is that all the fakes had the same serial number!

 

BTW in my opinion you should ask all the questions before making a high value purchase, even on FPN.

 

Best,

Hari

[Gobblecup]

This one is looking a bit suspect? At first I got excited then I saw the listing but now I am unsure. Listing says there is a serial number but no papers to authenticate.

 

The jewel on the clip is that the right colour for this pen - shouldnt it be Citrine? Shouldnt the cap and trims be Gold Plated rather than silver. Did Mont Blanc bring a different Brown Boheme ballpoint which was not part of the Jewels range?

 

I have several of the Boheme Jewels range - Topaz, Amethyst and the red but never seen the Citrine in person or this variation . When I purchased the Jewels range the pen - ball point or FP came with a matching colour Leather Boheme sized case.

 

Anyway what do you think?

 

Boheme on ebay

 

Who cares!? Its a Ballpoint! :roflmho: :P

 

Sorry I had to be so childish. :embarrassed_smile:

Edited December 14, 2010 by Gobblecup

[mohanjude]

Ok here in another fake...

 

 

Montblanc silver pen

 

 

This guy appears to be flogging them off as used. I like the Mont Meisterstuck Blanc title.... Nobody seems to complain which implies either buyers don't care or want to knowingly buy fakes.

[stephl]

Ok here in another fake...

 

 

Montblanc silver pen

 

 

This guy appears to be flogging them off as used. I like the Mont Meisterstuck Blanc title.... Nobody seems to complain which implies either buyers don't care or want to knowingly buy fakes.

 

 

I've tried many times to report this type of crook to the Ebay authorities, but there are so many of them that it seems to be a lost cause. Thanks for this though, I'm glad to see I'm not the only one to be frustrated by these idiots.

 

At least this Mont xxx Blanc pen has obvious problems with its design so that anybody that compares it carefully with pics from the Montblanc site won't be fooled.

 

Stephan

[rdeschain]

First time poster, long time browser. I just wanted to warn members

about an eBay user selling fake MB Chopin 145s. I bought a platinum

145 from msincl3624 and it has the infamous "EN1323305" serial number.

 

The fake is excellent, and passes all of the usual tests, e.g.:

 

1) Pix logo on band and under clip

2) Decent nib forgery (but engraved)

3) Resin glows red under light

4) No typos in documentation

 

The tells:

1) Serial number (EN1323305)

2) Underside of nib is steel

3) Converter has threads, but must be pushed in

4) Writes terribly!

 

Beware deals on eBay; play it safe, and buy from an authorized retailer.

 

EDIT: Additionally, I paid USD300 for the pen, which seemed reasonable

give the true retail price. Don't consider the price (USD30 would be obvious)

as an indicator of authenticity. Ask the seller for a photo of the serial and

the nib backside over a copy of a recent newspaper.

Edited June 21, 2011 by rdeschain

[Kaptenmork]

I'm very sure that the seller know exacly what he is selling... I have many of these 'Montblak's myself, they cost only a few dollars in china or hong kong, some of them are actually very nice and some are utter rubbish.

[rdeschain]

I was able to return the fake Chopin to the seller for a full refund through eBay protection. However, I bought an authentic Chopin from a B&M store, so I was able to take some comparison shots for future reference.

 

EDIT: Serial numbers removed to protect mine from forgery!

 

Photos - can you tell which one is real?

 

 

 

Above, the top pen is an authentic Chopin (from B&M store), and the bottom is a nearly perfect fake.

 

 

 

Above, the left pen is the fake and the right is authentic. Note that the platinum trim isn't as thick on the authentic Chopin.

 

 

 

The converters are identical, and the fake has an authentic MB converter. The fake also came in an authentic Chopin box, complete with unopened CD and instructions (no typos). Also, the seller included authentic MB ink with the purchase to add legitimacy to the product.

 

 

Above is the fake; note the lack of threads - the converter doesn't screw in.

 

 

Above is the authentic; note the threads for the converter to attach properly.

 

 

Above, the left pen is authentic, and the nib is much shinier. The stamped design stands

out more than the engraved fake, on the right.

 

In summary, the only traits that can easily distinguish between this particular fake and an authentic Chopin are:

 

1) The platinum trim on the grip was larger on the fake

2) There are no threads for the converter to screw into the fake

3) The nib design is slightly off and engraved (and writes poorly for a MB, but could pass as one to a novice)

 

My suggestions if you are considering buying a MB on eBay:

 

1) Ask the seller to send you the serial number, and to state in an eBay message that they will refund the purchase in full (including all shipping costs) if the serial number doesn't match. Check against the list of known bad serials.

2) Ask the seller for a high quality photo of the nib over a copy of the day's newspaper (with date). Compare to the above for Chopin's, or check the MB website. Again, have seller assume responsibility in a message.

3) Ask for a photo of the converter connector in the grip; ensure that it has threads.

4) Have seller state that, if a MB boutique examines the pen and certifies it a fake in writing, you will receive a full refund.

 

Cheers, and happy writing!

Edited June 22, 2011 by rdeschain

[hari317]

Another excellent example about to end on ebay:

 

My link

[rfranca]

how can you tell this one is a fake?

[Skeet]

Another excellent example about to end on ebay:

 

My link

I would be somewhat reluctant with purchasing a Montblanc from a seller with zero feedback; even if their offering a 100% return policy. Besides, the overall quality of that pen does not represent Montblanc's attention to detail. The smallest things matter. Just look at the shallowness of the nib design etching. Montblanc's nib engravings are "deep" and literally "stand out". Plus the nib looks like steel!? And look at how the trade name MEISTERSTUCK is written around the cap. It almost looks like the letter "T" is not properly aligned within the cap rings. There's more tell-tell signs, but just to name a few quick observations. Good looking out.

 

RFE: Typo

Edited December 18, 2011 by Skeet

[Skeet]

Another one:

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/260916379969?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

[hari317]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Montblanc-Meisterstuck-Nib-14K-585-4810-M-Fountain-Pen-/280800883845?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4161097485

[jar]

http://www.ebay.com/...=item4161097485

 

 

How sad, and even with all the warning signs. And he did even better in ripping folk off than he did with the last fake he sold.

[grandpasmurf]

http://www.ebay.com/...=item4161097485

 

 

How sad, and even with all the warning signs. And he did even better in ripping folk off than he did with the last fake he sold.

 

It never ceases to amaze me that all the fakes seem to have exactly the same tell tale nib alignment mistakes, wouldn't have thought it was that difficult to get something like that right, especially after going to all the hassle of faking a serial number.

[smodak]

Did I just buy a fake?

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/250965690210

[Scrawler]

Did I just buy a fake?

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/250965690210

No. That is a pre-unification MB 146.

Edited January 10, 2012 by Scrawler

[hari317]

Did I just buy a fake?

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/250965690210

 

Not a fake. However do let us know if the pen is working.