149 O3B Coming My Way

[zaddick]

The proper way is to use a special tool.that fits into those little holes next to the nib and feed and unscrew the collar which holds the nib and feed with friction. Then you can use a little nib block and a small puch to gently knock it out. Note, after about 2014, MB redesigned the 149 nib collar and section so it is much easier to screw out. Some folks reported being able to unscrew it with their fingers only.

 

Alternatively you can use your thumb and finger and maybe a strip of rubber for extra grip and some muscle to pull the nib and feed out. Some are harder to pull out than others. Normally I would not recommend this, but if you are doing a nib swap, you don't have to worry about how to properly reinsert the nib and feed as you are getting it done by MB.

Edited June 12, 2017 by zaddick

[Scribemus]

The proper way is to use a special tool.that fits into those little holes next to the nib and feed and unscrew the collar which holds the nib and feed with friction. Then you can use a little nib block and a small puch to gently knock it out. Note, after about 2014, MB redesigned the 149 nib collar and section so it is much easier to screw out. Some folks reported being able to unscrew it with their fingers only.

 

Alternatively you can use your thumb and finger and maybe a strip of rubber for extra grip and some muscle to pull the nib and feed out. Some are harder to pull out than others. Normally I would not recommend this, but if you are doing a nib swap, you don't have to worry about how to properly reinsert the nib and feed as you are getting it done by MB.

 

Thanks Zaddick. Good Info.

[BlkWhiteFilmPix]

Congrats on the O3B. Look forward to seeing some writing samples.

[Dcharles]

So I am in a, "parts delay". Now MB is telling me late July...

[Dcharles]

Just another update, still in a parts delay, no ETA from MB at this time. Zaddick where are you at with your nib exchange?

[jmccarty3]

where are you at

 

so tempted . . .

[zaddick]

Still no update from MB in my 149.

[Ghost Plane]

Running 8 weeks for level one service last I heard. No rumors about nib swaps.

[dannyboy]

 

so tempted . . .

 

+1

[meiers]

OBBB nibs probably have to be ordered from Hamburg.

[Dcharles]

I just received notification that both my 149 and 1912 are finished and shipping!

[Tom Kellie]

I just received notification that both my 149 and 1912 are finished and shipping!

 

 

~ Dcharles:

 

That's great news!

I've been hoping that you'd finally receive them.

Thanks for telling us.

It will be a happy day when you're finally able to confirm arrival.

Tom K.

[Chrissy]

 

I happened to just find the invoice for my service on my desk. They charged me for a "Service Flate Rate 3" which for the 149 was $364 + tax. I am having it sent to the local boutique otherwise I would have had to pay shipping.

 

Interestingly the invoice says the nib unit is complimentary, which I find ridiculous as the only reason it is level 3 is to replace the nib.

 

That is a weird thing to put on the invoice. Yes the only reason for the service level 3 is nib replacement.

[Chrissy]

I just received notification that both my 149 and 1912 are finished and shipping!

 

That is great news. We will want to see pictures when you receive them of course.

[meiers]

Yes. Please do a photo shoot.

[Dcharles]

My pens arrived today. I wish I could say I am pleased, but instead I am angry. In the past five months I have sent three pens in to Montblanc for nib exchanges. Two of the three have been returned with obvious damage. Montblanc USA has ZERO quality control. I posted in another thread how the ring above the section fell off of my Tolstoy upon return. This time upon unboxing my 149 I immediately noticed that the nib was damaged in two separate areas. First, there are three small marks on the left of the nib that are parallel to each other. I'm not quite sure what would have caused this. I have attached a picture below, sorry for the poor quality. Additionally on the same side of the nib on the outer edge there is a gouge deep enough that it feels rough to touch. I'll try to get a decent picture of it tomorrow.

 

I called MB immediately and the response was that they will send me a label and I can mail it back in. I'm sorry but that's not good enough at this point. I told the concierge that given the fact this pen sat for months in "parts delay" I want them to order the nib first and once it is in I will send it for the swap. She said she will see if that is possible and someone will get back to me tomorrow.

 

I attempted to email Nicolas Baretzki however it was undeliverable. If the company does not go above and beyond to make this right then I am done with the brand, at least with modern MBs.

 

EDIT: I forgot I am unable to post images from my phone. I'll get them up tomorrow when I'm at a computer.

Edited August 2, 2017 by Dcharles

[Tom Kellie]

~ Dcharles:

 

Thank you for carefully explaining what happened when the 149 OBBB nib exchange arrived.

I'm very sorry that you've had such an unfortunate experience with the Montblanc USA nib exchange service.

It will be helpful to see the images you post of the damage.

Your feelings are understandable, having waited for so long, then this highly disappointing nib damage.

I hope that you'll receive prompt and appropriate feedback to rectify this situation.

Tom K.

[zaddick]

That is an unfortunate experience. I also feel like MB service in the US has slipped this year. I got a 146 back that had a poorly fitting cap. I mean bad enough I noticed the defect in 2 seconds in uncapping the pen. My 149 is not even expected back to me until the end of Sept. and I sent it in in February. Parts delay indeed. Somehow they still have enough parts to make a new pen at the factory. I am pretty sure 149s are not sold out worldwide.

 

You have every right to be upset and to get what you have paid for. I am not sure what you are hoping for in your "above and beyond" comment, but do keep us posted on developments.

[Tom Kellie]

~ “BROAD Side Ambassador” zaddick:

 

You, too?

It's disheartening to read that both Dcharles and you have experienced Montblanc USA service at its nadir.

Is their volume so high in 2017, what with demand for Antoine de Saint-Exupéry pens and such, that they're unable to maintain a high throughput pace?

I completely agree with what you've written to Dcharles about the right to full satisfaction after having paid for such.

Here in East Asia Montblanc service continues to be exemplary in all respects. I hope that their USA counterparts will soon return to comparable quality standards.

Tom K.

[Dcharles]

Here is a somewhat decent picture. Starting at the apex of the silver portion of the nib and looking to about 11 o'clock on the edge you can see the gouge. The photo minimizes it, however it was the only angle I could successfully capture it in focus. If you run the edge of your nail along the nib it will catch on the gouge. At about the 8 o'clock position relative to the apex of the silver portion you can see the three parallel marks.

 

I am really stunned that this would pass any sort of quality check. It was evident to me immediately upon opening and removing the cap. Zaddick, by above and beyond I am thinking an extremely rapid turn around, a partial refund, and perhaps a couple bottles of ink and/or some Montblanc swag.