Experiences With Martemodena

[Babangita]

  On 8/1/2016 at 4:39 AM, OngL said:

Apart from daylight robbery in shipping, the total price can be reasonable. The main issue with MarteModena is extemely poor and unhelpful post sales service.

 

If pen is not as described, they will make thousands of excuses that they are not at fault. Finally, you can request for return but shipping may not be covered.

 

If pen is Ok, then all is well. Medium to high risk vendor. It also try to sell directly from website and offered a coupon. EU VAT is included even as it should be am export. The sales then explained that there is a tax in my country of 40 percent while the law said 7%. Finally, it mentioned this is our corporate policy to charge tax.

 

I would avoid this seller unless one if feeling lucky

I absolutely agree, even when one gets an answer it is generic and without any consideration of the question/request but only in the sellers interest and to cover possible damages for the seller.

INHO the thing is even worse if we analyze it just for a moment...

It is considered a normal and simple marketing strategy to attract buyers with competitive and low prices, but still by assuring a certain, naturally well calculated risk.

But doing this while compensating (pumping incomes) from shipping cost is a completely different thing.

Nobody expects them to lose money, but it is definitively low to earn from customers on shipping!

I will explain my assumption and please correct me if I am wrong.

If they are simply earning from shipping to cover occasional losses in margins (consider this in average) - just think that most people are paying a regular to close to regular price for many items. So automatically they are covering already not just for the "loss" (as they are not for sure giving away anything) but for the decreased margin.

Many may say that it is one's right to accept the selling method or not, but then why is Mm making problems or at least not being fair and professional also to buyers that bid at low prices?

This is clearly showing that they are just "cheap" traders or to describe it with one word - low.

 

Let's get to another thing - the issue with DHL shipments is that regular customers get important discounts based on quantities.

I have been told personally from several sellers with just medium frequency of shipments that they pay in average about 25 USD from Europe to the US for regular pen packages (with boxes to be clear!). This means that in EU the price is even lower.

Bu then there comes DHL business strategy. As in most countries they have a network of private customs storage facilities where they also provide customs services, they just increase profitability by imposing the service for an additional cost.

On top of that, in many cases (or at least in my personal experience and of some of my friends) they even keep the items in the customs storage for longer periods of time (to increase the service cost?). Once I had to wait for a shipment in Europe for almost 20 days, I would get there by feet and even barefooted in that time!

I am one of those buyers that won several items at low prices form Mm.

As I don't expect them to lose money (and I could never take advantage of anybody in my life) I even offered to cancel the bids, but they refused! I also asked them to combine the shipments (nonetheless they state in the description that they don't do it) and they refused as well. I also asked them to send by any other carrier (just not DHL as they are usually slow and carry additional costs!) and that I would even cover the eventual difference, but they refused again! I called upon their good service as a seller to at least consider the buyers best interest. They wouldn't hear about it!

As we may easily assume that nobody is willing to give away items (not for free but even) with a loss, this can mean only one thing - that they are earning on some items (not all naturally) just from the shipping cost difference. Beware, this is on top of the calculated margin for every single item and of the average calculated margin.

Currently they have what? About +6800 items sold, so let's just imagine what would it be if in average the would earn from the shipping difference just an additional 10 USD per item. Where does this bring all of us as customers, being victims of a marketing strategy to increase profits? Please just nobody don't preacher on free market and similar stuff!

My point is, and I may easily be wrong, but if this is true, as far as I've been thought in the entire history of trade, earning on hidden features, or to call with the right word - pumping prices, has always been considered a dirty and low practice.

This is why I will exercise my right to never purchase from them again, and also if anybody asks (as here it was the case) to make sure to explain my personal opinion on the whole Mm business. At least until someone doesn't prove me wrong.

 

I am one of those of buyers that won several items on low prices. I don't expect them to lose money and I even offered to cancel the bids but they refused!

[OngL]

I had 6 transactions with MarteModena. 3 transaction were fine, there were issues with the remaining 3 as follow:

 

1) One pen is advertised as New Old Stock, never been inked - Comes with lots of blue ink and I can write a page and more out of the box. Mentioned this and the reply I got was - It should be new - That's it.

 

2) One pen should have Delta Gold Fine nibs but write very dry and more like EF. The tines are not aligned. I do not have the experience to fix this myself. Reported to Martemodena and refuses to offer sending back for repair/replacement. The excuse is 'it is new and should have worked'

 

3) One pen is marked with 'Presumably Fine nib', but it wrote like a Broad. Also advertised as New Old Stock but has lots of ink out of the box. Reported and 'We thought it was fine, but if it is not, then our assumption is wrong'. No resolution.

 

I communicated with them back and forth through different people and tolerating poor command of English. When all exhausted, I gave them bad ratings. The responded that I lied in the comment. I am also restricted from buying from them. Very childish indeed and rude. Just like when they post a rude warning over the website about Delta

 

I take my business somewhere else.

Edited August 5, 2016 by OngL

[dapprman]

On postage costs - I noted that they have a European eBay account as well where the postage is reasonable, but the prices start at what I can buy the same pens new for else where (the Viscontis I was looking at anyhow).

[FriendAmos]

  On 8/5/2016 at 2:36 PM, Babangita said:

If they are simply earning from shipping to cover occasional losses in margins (consider this in average) - just think that most people are paying a regular to close to regular price for many items.

stuff!

...

I am one of those of buyers that won several items on low prices. I don't expect them to lose money and I even offered to cancel the bids but they refused!

 

The point of your long rant is not clear. If people are paying regular or close to regular prices and think they can find better deals elsewhere, then they should go for it at that elsewhere. And I would encourage you (and other like-minded people) to not bid on items without first checking the shipping cost.

Edited August 6, 2016 by FriendAmos

[FriendAmos]

  On 8/5/2016 at 4:57 PM, OngL said:

 

2) One pen should have Delta Gold Fine nibs but write very dry and more like EF. The tines are not aligned. I do not have the experience to fix this myself. Reported to Martemodena and refuses to offer sending back for repair/replacement. The excuse is 'it is new and should have worked'

 

3) One pen is marked with 'Presumably Fine nib', but it wrote like a Broad. Also advertised as New Old Stock but has lots of ink out of the box. Reported and 'We thought it was fine, but if it is not, then our assumption is wrong'. No resolution.

 

 

On (2): If the nib has "F" but writes like an "EF", then that is a problem with Delta, not MM. Similarly dry/wet writing is not a problem to be attributed to the retailer.

 

On (3): Did you understand what the "presumably" meant? If so, I don't see the basis of your complaint; the problem is at your end, and they are quite right in their stance.

[FriendAmos]

  On 8/5/2016 at 5:24 PM, dapprman said:

On postage costs - I noted that they have a European eBay account as well where the postage is reasonable, but the prices start at what I can buy the same pens new for else where (the Viscontis I was looking at anyhow).

 

There is a very simple solution for those who don't like MM's shipping charges: don't bid on their items.

[OngL]

You seems to be a MM fans or friends. So If I buy from MM and i had misaligned tines, should I not go back to the seller and ask them to liaise with delta to fix it? The point that seller refuses to help is wrong.

 

 

On second point, being a professional pen seller, i would expect a test write to be done. If not, from visual inspection, one can tell if the nib is fine or broad. I brought the pen to MB boutique and a reseller, both can tell it is NOT a fine nib just looking at it.

 

I get it some are happy with their cheap pens from MM, I just need to get one that is working as listed, as I agreed on the price

[Babangita]

  On 8/5/2016 at 10:00 PM, FriendAmos said:

 

The point of your long rant is not clear. If people are paying regular or close to regular prices and think they can find better deals elsewhere, then they should go for it at that elsewhere. And I would encourage you (and other like-minded people) to not bid on items without first checking the shipping cost.

 

Dear FriendAmos, I believe that this is a place where we can freely express our opinions and share our experiences.

I also believe that to have been very very clear.

And sorry to say this but so have been you.

 

I wasn't in any way offensive, but I have clearly expressed my opinion and explained my personal experience.

Finally I said "This is why I will exercise my right to never purchase from them again, and also if anybody asks (as here it was the case) to make sure to explain my personal opinion on the whole Mm business. At least until someone doesn't prove me wrong."

As up to this moment nobody has proved me wrong, here I will rest my case.

 

On the other hand, it is very difficult after your repeated unjustified interventions without any argument (not to say almost rude snap-backs) in favor of Mm, to believe that you are not a huge fan, friend or even affiliated to Mm in some way. Or at least that you don't have some direct interest. I also believe that I am definitely not the only one here!

​From my side you may consider that we are done so please just don't interact with me in any way. With this U/N or any other.

Thank you in advance.

 

So please give us all a break, get off this topic and from my comments in the future, as this is not the first time on FPN.

[FriendAmos]

  On 8/6/2016 at 2:38 PM, Babangita said:

 

Dear FriendAmos, I believe that this is a place where we can freely express our opinions and share our experiences.

I also believe that to have been very very clear.

And sorry to say this but so have been you.

...

​From my side you may consider that we are done so please just don't interact with me in any way. With this U/N or any other.

Thank you in advance.

 

So please give us all a break, get off this topic and from my comments in the future, as this is not the first time on FPN.

 

I hope you can appreciate that I too am just expressing my opinions. There is another thing that you need to appreciate: this is a public forum. and anyone can comment on anything written by others; if you wish to make comments for which that is not the case, there is a private-message facility. You should also consider that some of my comments are not intended solely for you. Some of the excellent advice that I offer, such as "check postal charges before bidding", will be helpful to others as well.

 

What I try to do in these cases is to give commentary that achieves balance when taken against questionable comments at the extremes, thus helping the reader obtained a more reasonable view.

 

So, please give me a break and stop asking me to get off this topic and from any comments, as this is not the first time on FPN.

Edited August 6, 2016 by FriendAmos

[FriendAmos]

  On 8/6/2016 at 2:11 PM, OngL said:

On second point, being a professional pen seller, i would expect a test write to be done. If not, from visual inspection, one can tell if the nib is fine or broad. I brought the pen to MB boutique and a reseller, both can tell it is NOT a fine nib just looking at it.

 

The point is that they did not claim to be selling you a fine nib---the "presumably" indicates that they were simply guessing---and so you bought the pen fully aware that it might not be a fine nib. On that basis, you have no reason to complain, or to expect them to make a change, or to now insist that they should have done a test.

[eliweisz]

Purchased last Sunday, received on a Tuesday afternoon. No freebies - didn't expect any. No gift box - don't have a space for it anyway. Even incl. shipping and local DHL fee the value is great, and I'm more than happy with my new Dolcevita Federico. Good job, Mm!

[Bill P]

I have had mixed purchases from martemodena...and martemodena europe (both on Ebay USA)

 

The biggest disappointment has been that when there is an error on THEIR end, they don't own it, and they don't fix it.

 

I have had good experience with Giulio of Martemodena Europe...he agreed with the issue that I had, offered alternative solutions, and did exactly as he said he would do. Despite the error I was pleased with the way he handled it, and the solutions he offered.

 

Please note there are what appear to be 2 different related entities...Martemodena, and Martemodena Europe...Both offering items on Ebay USA.

 

Interactions I have had with Martemodena have been not been as successful...I have dealt with Andrea and Caterina...

 

I have had multiple occasions where Martemodena has an auction that I have won and then it takes 3-4 weeks before the ship...after the sale, when I ask why the item hasn't shipped, they say they are out of stock...BUT YET, while I am waiting during that 3-4 week period they continue to auction off the same item, knowing they don't have it in stock.

 

On a couple of Pens I received the wrong size nib...the offering specifically said you could choose a different nib, and they listed the nibs to choose from....despite the fact that I sent them copies of my communication (communications which were initially sent immediately upon winning and paying for the item), they said they couldn't find the nib selection instruction...I sent multiple ebay messages with the communications attached showing my selections..

 

Then a response of:

"I have checked carefully and I haven't find your request on the sales record for the first two items and we have sent the nibs according to availability." I sent them copies of the nib selection communications multiple times..same answer...sounds more like they sent what they had, NOT what they offered in the ad and what I selected.

 

I also won/purchased a FP and what I received didn't have the same trim colors or blind cap color as what was in the images of what I purchased.

​I received a response advising that I must not have received the communication saying the trim colors had changed...??? What? I asked for a copy of the communication and never received a reply. There was NOTHING in the Auction listing saying the trim colors had changed. There reply simply made no sense at all.

 

There were a couple more issues too that were not positive...but since I can't remember the specifics I won't mention them...

 

All in all, I was really disappointed that Martemodena didn't take responsibility for the issues that THEY created.....sure I could have filed complaints, etc...instead I decided to take my business elsewhere. I gave them a chance to fix their errors/issues, and they chose to pretend the issues either didn't exist or they didn't want to address them...not good business...

 

These are my first hand experiences...

[OngL]

Bill,

 

I am 100% agreeable with you. There are many good sellers out there, and It was a pleasure dealing with you in the past. MM has its own customer base, so be it. I can choose to deal with seller that has high integrity. Andrea and Caterina certainly responsive and polite but without solutions.

 

 

  On 8/6/2016 at 8:35 PM, Bill P said:

I have had mixed purchases from martemodena...and martemodena europe (both on Ebay USA)

 

The biggest disappointment has been that when there is an error on THEIR end, they don't own it, and they don't fix it.

 

Edited August 7, 2016 by OngL

[grainweevil]

I hesitate to enter the fray here, so will simply state my experience and make no comment on it either way.

 

I've only bought one pen from martemodena_europe via ebay.co.uk; a Delta Federico Media GT with fusion nib, for a ridiculously low opening bid, and 30GBP shipping. I paid my money and asked for a fine nib. It was so low a bid, I would have been entirely unsurprised if I'd been contacted to say it was a listing mistake and the sale was cancelled. But it was not, and the pen was sent via DHL, arriving two days later. Big gift box, bottle of ink, paperwork, fine nib as requested, etc. Unfortunately on close inspection I found the gold piece on top of the nib had one rough edge, almost torn in appearance, and noticeable voids beneath. Well, perhaps this explained the "good deal". But as it was not mentioned in the listing, I messaged martemodena_europe with a description of the problem and as good a photo as I could manage, asking for their assistance. Heard back the following day from "Caterina", who apologised, said it was clearly a manufacturing defect, and they would send me a replacement nib first thing on Monday (it then being Friday). She even checked that I was happy that I'd be able to fit it, which I was. Replacement nib was duly dispatched on Monday, arrived here the next day via DHL. I was not required to return the faulty nib. Pen bought, sent, problem fixed, all within six working days.

 

It seems I may have been very lucky in many aspects of this transaction, I don't know. But I am genuinely sorry to hear that not everyone's experience with MM has been as positive.

[Cordovian]

  On 8/6/2016 at 2:11 PM, OngL said:

On second point, being a professional pen seller, i would expect a test write to be done.

A test write? On every pen sold? A small pen shop might do that but not a distributor or mass retailer.

 

Looking at MM's sales history on their Ebay account (keep in mind they have their web page too), they've sold 1827 pens in the last 60 days. If they only spent 5 minutes on each pen to test them, that would equal more than 150 man hours of work. Someone there at MM would have to spend two and a half days a week doing nothing but test new pens they've sold on Ebay just to see if they write correctly. It's just not practical from a business standpoint.

Edited August 8, 2016 by Cordovian

[OngL]

  On 8/8/2016 at 5:48 PM, Cordovian said:

A test write? On every pen sold? A small pen shop might do that but not a distributor or mass retailer.

 

Looking at MM's sales history on their Ebay account (keep in mind they have their web page too), they've sold 1827 pens in the last 60 days. If they only spent 5 minutes on each pen to test them, that would equal more than 150 man hours of work. Someone there at MM would have to spend two and a half days a week doing nothing but test new pens they've sold on Ebay just to see if they write correctly. It's just not practical from a business standpoint.

 

Out of context scenario. Test can be done when there is pen without nib size indicated. Who says all needs to be tested. In this listing, the seller has doubt,so they should have checked, I recall either Farhney's or Nibs.com stated that all pen are tested, which mean it can be done.

 

New pen may not need to be tested as there is a warranty from manufacturer. Used and NOS should at least be tested to confirm that it works as no warranty anymore? Strange you think that way.

[FriendAmos]

  On 8/9/2016 at 4:11 PM, OngL said:

I recall either Farhney's or Nibs.com stated that all pen are tested, which mean it can be done.

 

 

Very unlikely that Farhney's and Nibs.com are selling at the same volumes as MM. Also nobody said that it cannot be done; but concrete numbers were given to indicate why it would be problematic for a party like MM.

 

As for the "context", here are the facts:

 

(i) The seller decided that they would not test the pen and instead offered it with a "we don't know what the nib size is, but we guess it's F".

 

(ii) You, fully aware that it might not be an F, went ahead and bought the pen.

 

So at this point whether they could or should have tested it is irrelevant. You ought to take some responsibility for your decisions instead of inappropriately blaming the seller.

Edited August 9, 2016 by FriendAmos

[OngL]

  On 8/9/2016 at 4:36 PM, FriendAmos said:

 

Very unlikely that Farhney's and Nibs.com are selling at the same volumes as MM. Also nobody said that it cannot be done; but concrete numbers were given to indicate why it would be problematic for a party like MM.

 

As for the "context", here are the facts:

 

(i) The seller decided that they would not test the pen and instead offered it with a "we don't know what the nib size is, but we guess it's F".

 

(ii) You, fully aware that it might not be an F, went ahead and bought the pen.

 

So at this point whether they could or should have tested it is irrelevant. You ought to take some responsibility for your decisions instead of inappropriately blaming the seller.

I am not blaming MM but the post-service action matters. If someone say it is a F, then I could accept of it is an EF or M, but it is a B or BB, that's way off. Regardless, they should offer a return but decided not to do so. That is what I'm going to say. No further opinion from me on this thread. Others can read and exercise their own personal judgement.

[FriendAmos]

  On 8/10/2016 at 1:58 AM, OngL said:

I am not blaming MM but the post-service action matters. If someone say it is a F, then I could accept of it is an EF or M, but it is a B or BB, that's way off. Regardless, they should offer a return but decided not to do so. That is what I'm going to say. No further opinion from me on this thread. Others can read and exercise their own personal judgement.

 

The problem for you is that, by your own account, MM never said the nib was an F. The statement you gave was "Presumably Fine nib". As a matter of plain English, the "presumably" indicates a guess---the actual nib size could be anything---and you bought the nib on that understanding. There is therefore no basis on which you should demand or expect a return, and they are quite right to not offer one.

[Tinjapan]

Delta pens have long since been grabbing my eye each time I walk past a display of them. The iconic orange barrel and black being instantly recognizable. Then I would look at the price tag and be shocked out of buying one.

 

Wooden pens also have been a long time favorite of mine. Recently, My resolve was tested by temptation and I picked up a Delta Sea Wood, used, at Kingdom Note. Its super smooth steel nib won me over to the brand, but Deltas are just too expensive at full price for my budget.

 

Then I ran across Martemodena on ebay. Yes, their shipping is expensive. However, many sellers in the States charge even more to send to Japan or worse, they insist on using that scam called The Global Shipping Program that ebay offers.

 

One pen offered by Martemodena in particular caught my eye. While not the iconic Dalta orange and black it was close enough and perhaps better, orange and blue. I ordered one, a Delta Dolcevita Federico Blue RH with 18k fusion nib and paid extra for the stub nib. A couple of days pass and I receive no word on it having been shipped. I send a message through ebay but do not hear anything until the next day. Not really unusual as we are on the opposite side of the globe from each other, still it takes time.

 

They express their regret, but sometimes artisians take time to produce their craft.

A delivery date was given....and passed without word. Once again I contact them. This time they are apolgetic and express some frustration with the maker. They offered to cancel the sale and refund the charges. I chose to wait for the pen.

 

Several more such exchanges took place other the next couple of weeks. Each time the did offer a choice of refund or a substitute pen but I chose to wait. Eventually, I decided to look at the pens they offered in substitute. Several looked nice but one really interested me, the Delta Dolcevite Media Federico Woodwitch GT with stub nib. I decded I was tired of waiting and chose this one as a substitute for the pen I already paid for.

 

Then they sent an invoice charging my extra for the stub nib. Now I think this is a bait and switch and am about to cancel the order. Instead I decide to tell them that I had already paid for a stub nib and thought that I should not have to pay again for the same nib on the pen they offered as I substitute. I did NOT mention that I was suspecting that they were trying to bait and switch.

 

There reply was;

 

"Dear customer,

how can help you? I'm here to satisfy your requests.

Kind regards,

Giulio"

 

"Oh", says I, "perhaps just a misunderstanding after all. I asked for the substitute pen with the same nib without any extra charge and they replied that they would be happy to do so. As I already paid for the pen and enough time passed to be in a different billing period, in the end I decided to upgrade my nib to the 14k solid gold stub nib and paid for the upgrade to gold from the fusion nib. A few days later, the pen was inked and ready to go, super fast delivery for items they have in stock

 

It writes wonderfully and is one of my favorite pens.

 

The theads for the blind cap are loose, could be called "sloppy", while scewing on or off, but this may be a good thing. The cap does mate tightly, just is sloppy when screwing it on or off.

 

I now have two Delta Sea Wood pens. The threads for the blind caps are as usually found, not at all sloppy. But, after a couple of pen fills, the barrel threads that accomodate the blind cap are white with a fine powder of ground off plastic from the blind caps threads. I wonder how many times I can use these pens as piston fillers before the blind caps no longer mate with the pen.

 

I have no complaint with the company nor their service. Perhaps not the best with getting back in a timely manner, but it may be after their working hours when I send my messages and thus I have to wait at least until they are back at work the next day for them to read them. High shipping costs are a fact of life where I live with shipping from the US being much slower and less dependable despite costing more. I do wish that they would combine shipping though. I suspect this may be to keep resellers from buying many pens and turn a profit be reselling them.

 

I recommend them without reservation. I have no affiliation, just a satisfied customer.