Help With Waterman Warranty?

[egglorru]

Hi all, I'm pretty new to the fountain pen world, and I've started gentle (Noodler's pens, a starter calligraphy kit, some Jin-Haos) and I've decided to make the Waterman Carene my first (more) expensive pen. I've found some good new in box models on ebay but they don't have the Fine nib I want - I was wondering if anyone knew if the Waterman warranty and nib exchange service only covers the original buyer or if any owner of the pen with the warranty booklet was covered for service?

 

Secondarily, if anyone on here is looking to sell a Waterman Carene with a Fine nib in good condition for ~$150 used I'm quite interested

[View from the Loft]

Keep your eye open in the classifieds, both here and on other pen fora.

 

Once you have made 30 posts outside the chatter forum and been a member for 30 days, you will be able to post a WTB in classifieds here.

 

It is possible to buy a new section (front end that has the nib mounted on it) for the Carene, but it's not exactly cheap.

 

As far as I know, the Waterman free nib swap applies only to the first owner in the first few weeks of ownership.

 

Have you been able to try a Carene? They are heavy pens, and have a very different balance in the hand to most other pens. It's potentially a lot of money to spend and discover that it's not the pen for you. Have a look around and try to find a pen meet or pen show that you can attend and play around with pens.

[Maine Vintner]

I own and love five Carenes. While "heavy" relative to plastic (i.e., Resin) pens, I find them to be the perfect weight, length, balance for me. Like you, I am partial to Fine nibs.

 

As noted above, you can buy a nib unit - expensive and you'll need to know how to line up the nib with the button at the end of the pen (instructions for this exist). You could also contact Paradise Pen; I found all of my Carenes there for $220. New with warranty and Fine nib might be worth the premium.

 

John

[Bill P]

Waterman Carene - great Fountain Pen...

 

Waterman has a painless and free nib exchange program...takes 2 weeks or less.

 

Perfect balance for me too..I love my Carene and my Exception .. Waterman still makes a great Fountain Pen..

 

Bill

[RMN]

As said above, the exchange service works well. But I can't tell you how this works on first owner or second owner.

 

But if you have the warranty booklet it should not matter. What if you got it as a gift, so don't have the receipt, would that prohibit warranty?

 

 

 

D.ick

[Bill P]

In the US it is very simple....they do not ask for a copy of a warranty booklet or a copy of any documentation indicating proof of purchase.

 

You call Waterman, tell them the Pen and nib that you have and what nib you would like to exchange it for. They then provide you with a RMA # and they forward to you via email a form to fill out..

 

The form requests the normal info, and an approximate date of purchase...

 

RMA Form and Pen get sent to Waterman US...I am not certain but I believe with some nib exchanges the Pen gets sent to France for the exchange....not sure if all do or not.

 

Additionally, the Waterman Representatives I have spoken with in the US have been really really nice to deal with.

 

I have done 2 Waterman nib exchanges...usually completed within 2 weeks...no charge...and no fuss.

 

A Very pleasant transaction.

[egglorru]

Have you been able to try a Carene? They are heavy pens, and have a very different balance in the hand to most other pens. It's potentially a lot of money to spend and discover that it's not the pen for you. Have a look around and try to find a pen meet or pen show that you can attend and play around with pens.

 

Yes, I've tried it at my (only) local fountain pen store (which is Paradise Pens), and fell in love with the nib instantly. I like heavier pens like my JinHao x450; they slow down my handwriting to something at least legible that will perhaps one day blossom into actual calligraphy. Also, it may be silly of me, but I feel like if I'm going to pay for a serious pen, it may as well weigh more than a ballpoint Bic.

 

I did luck out and find a used Carene with a Fine nib on ebay, but since I am rapidly evolving into a pen-for-every-ink-I-own-er, I'm likely going to be getting more Carenes in the near future. Bill, when you say they need an approximate date of purchase, do you mean the original purchase or the secondary one? I would assume the first. I've got my eye on that nice amber one you've got when I've built my funds up again

 

And thank you for the replies, everyone, it's really cool to have a forum with such forthcoming information for such a relatively obscure hobby. I'm really enjoying dipping my toes (obviously, they're each stained a different color.)

Edited February 17, 2016 by egglorru

[Bill P]

Nib Exchange:

I am sure they intend for the exchange to be for the first user of the Pen....They surely expect that you have inked and tried the nib, and for whatever reason it does not suit your needs or what you expected...BUT the nib and Pen need to be in like new condition ...I suspect you need to provide a purchase date within like the last 30 days...no documentation of purchase is required.

From the Waterman Website: (nib - "perfect condition")

NIB EXCHANGE SERVICE

Will you exchange for free my nib if I wish another nib size?
We do offer a nib exchange service. Please return your existing nib and indicate the size of the nib you require. If you need a nib size other than fine or medium, pleasecontact us beforehand for availability.
If the nib we receive is in perfect condition and if the new required nib belongs to the same model we will carry out the nib exchange free of charge. We do recommend that you return the complete pen in order to protect the nib during transit.

[DanceOfLight]

I did write about my experience with Parker/Waterman (they are both owned by Newellco and the same team handles both brands, I know this first hand) service some time ago here https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/292563-customer-support-and-after-sales-service-the-way-it-should-be/ . In essence yes, if the nib looks new and usable, it is likely that they will exchange. I have had very good experience with them but as everything else in life YMMV