Dealing With Martini Auctions

[MarcShiman]

Has anyone bought from Martiniauctions.de?

 

There's a pen I've had my eye on, and it clears auctions week after week with no bids. Has anyone had experience writing to them with a slightly lower offer?

 

(I'm already familiar with Regina's reputation, its more a matter of how they do business)

 

Marc

[smoores]

I've never written her with a lower offer, but it's worth a shot. Just don't forget that depending upon the value of the pen, you will have to pay customs fees on it after it arrives. Mine ended up being quite a bit higher than I was expecting on one pen.

[kazoolaw]

I've purchased several pens, but never made a lower offer. Based on my dealings, I don't think a lower offer on one of Regina's pens would be viewed as an insult.

 

gary

[PatientType]

I once failed to get back to Ebay in time to bid on a pen that this vendor sold on Ebay. Martiniauctions didn't have any more of the same pen coming up on Ebay so I sent them an email asking whether they had more of the pens in stock and, of so, would they sell one directly for about $25 more than they'd received via the Ebay auction I'd missed.

 

Regina responded promptly via email declining my offer but counter offering a fair price that was well under MSRP. Her quote was higher than I was then willing to pay so I never bought the pen.

 

Since then I've bought other fountain pens and nibs from Martini via Ebay. Those transactions have always been satisfactory and, as far as I'm concerned, she is very reputable. Good communication, fast shipping, and everything was carefully packed. (I didn't have any additional customs cost so maybe I was fortunate on that count.) I see nothing wrong with asking if Martiniauctions will take your offer. The worst she can say is, "Thanks, but no thanks".

[OcalaFlGuy]

First, do an advance search for completed listings if you can and see what the same pen has gone for.

 

I worked with her backchannel to get my M605 a couple years ago. (After they'd been discontinued) I had two past auction prices of hers. Obviously, I first tried for the lowest and she said nope. (You can't get if you don't ask. ) We split the difference between the higher and lower figure which I felt was fair enough.

 

I also asked Regina that since she'd be signing the warranty in Germany, and to be sure I didn't have to send the pen back for a nib swap to try and find me a nice smooth wet one. I don't know if she did or not but that's what I got.

 

Bruce in Ocala, FL

[Deirdre]

Remember that not all the pens are sold by Regina; I've bought from other sellers on there, so policies will differ from seller to seller.

[bartl]

I only have good to say about Martini. Expensive on some pens, reasonable on others. I once returned a pen simply because I did not like it in real. Not a problem at all. The pen you see in my avatar still is in my collection,I bought from her: a nice flexible steel nib on an immaculate pen from 1935. Obviously no custom troubles for me as I live in the EU. I never dealt with the other sellers on her portalsite.