Re-Packaged Or Fake Tombow?

[Valksy]

I have a question after trying, and failing, to buy Tombow ink in the UK.

 

I have twice paid for what is supposed to be Tombow 4223 Black and both times received a product called Surf Line by a company called Vivapens (who appear, from the text on their packaging to be Eastern European). I was told by one of the people who sold the ink that it IS real Tombow ink, but re-packaged.

 

As you might imagine, I disputed that and even went as far as emailing Vivapens, who told me that they do not buy third party inks.

 

Has anyone ever heard of a company like Tombow (or Tombow themselves) agreeing to anything like that? It makes no sense to me at all. That this has now happened twice, from two unrelated suppliers, has me confused. The same ink also appears in packaging that carries the logo "Life Line", but also touted as being the real thing. I can't really be a premier brand, re-packaged.... can it?

If it isn't the real thing, I can't understand why company after company in the UK seem to think they can falsely advertise.

 

Anyone else encountered this?

 

I've contacted the Tombow portal in the EU twice now, with no answer.

 

I'm just trying to get some reasonable quality (doesn't have to be epic, I use far too much for that) ink. But the amount of emailing and arguing and tussling with people I've done over the last three weeks, you'd think I was trying to buy the Hope Diamond!

[Uncle Red]

Given our financial trouble you might have an easier time buying the Hope Diamond if you've got enough cash :roflmho:

 

I know Diamine is the source for the inks marketed by xFountain pens so what you're talking about does happen. If the manufacturer says they don't buy ink then what you dealt with is false advertising. Please report it to the authorities in the home contries of the dealers.

 

Hm, the Tombow Europe site doesn't list bottled ink, just a Schmidt-type converter and blue and black cartridges. Most carts are made in Slovenia.

[Valksy]

Thank you for taking the time and trouble to answer

 

I am buying refill cartridges, and Vivapen do seem to be based in a town called Celje which is in Slovenia.

 

When asked who made the actual ink for them, I was told:

 

We have our own production of ink for fountain pens, roller ball pens, fibre pens etc. We do not buy inks!

Our ink cartridges packed 6 pcs in paper box Surf Line are filled with Vivapen blue erasable ink.

 

Kind Regards,

 

[redacted]

 

Both the vendors I used have temporarily withdrawn the product and are investigating themselves and I contacted Tombow but haven't had an answer.

 

My search for the perfect black will have to continue elsewhere I think.

[Uncle Red]

"My search for the perfect black will have to continue elsewhere I think. " If you're looking for a black in in international cartridges then I feel your pain. I'm looking to get a pen for my mother and I don't think she would use bottled ink because she won't want ink on her hands. Finding a good ink in carts that water resistant isn't easy.

[raging.dragon]

Most likely Tombow are buying their ink from Vivapen. Thus Tombow ink would be repackaged Vivapen ink. Considering their location, Vivapen may also be the manufacturer of Sheaffer ink.