Heritage Collectables UK

[SIR]

Following is market feedback regarding;

Heritage Collectables,
Portsmouth Rd,
Hindhead,
Hampshire,
GU26 6BY,
United Kingdom.

tel: 01428 608413

Managing Director: Barry Andrew Martin
Company registration number: 07378158

http://www.heritagecollectables.com/


Background

Heritage Collectables is a business which, in addition to offering to buy both single pens and complete collections, purportedly specialises in the sale of "fully restored vintage fountain pens".

From their website: "PLEASE NOTE: All our pens have been fully restored, serviced and are ready to be used. Why take the risk of not buying a pen from a proper restorer? The pen may cost a little less but may be unserviceable."

The website also states "Buy with confidence, we will refund the full cost of any item if it is returned to us undamaged within 7 days of purchase".
However, as per the Consumer Contracts Regulations, buyers actually have fourteen days in which to return an item without needing a reason, and Heritage Collectables is in breach of the law for not notifying buyers of their rights to cancel and refund (including basic delivery charges).

On this occassion

On this occassion the buyer ordered, by way of clicking on the 'add to cart' button next to the item's photo and description, what was described as a "Pelikan 120 in Green and Black. Piston Fill. In Nr MINT condition. Fitted with the original super smooth medium tipped nib c.1975", and which at £60 was a little over market value for such an item when a new old stock example can sometimes be had for c.£75.

Below are the photos which accompanied the item's listing; to an expert, one significant discrepancy between the item's description and the photos would be obvious.
peli120.JPG
p120.JPG

After placing the order and paying by credit card through PayPal, the buyer already had cause concern; returning to the item's listing, the item was still listed for sale and with a fully working 'add to cart' button next to it...

Of course, naturally the buyer immediately attempted to contact the seller by their advertised phone number and via email, however, the phone call was not answered and no reply was ever received to the email.

In the plus column, having left an answer phone message, the buyer did receive a call from the seller some days later and the item was confirmed as on it's way.

The pen was received, securely packaged and with no obvious external sign of damage or trauma, a further few days hence.

The buyer, having been prepared by the preceding worries, took photos whilst opening the delivery packaging and inspecting the pen.
IMG_20160616_121711.jpgIMG_20160616_121732.jpg

In addition to obvious ink on the pens nib and in, and around, the piston and seal - which is not what one would expect to receive of a fully restored and serviced pen, and especially not one paid for at an arguably above market value price - the following is a list of the discrepancies between the item's sale listing and the actual item received;
The pen is the first version of the Pelikan 120 from between 1955 and 1965, rather than 1975 as described.
The nib is fine, rather than medium as listed.
The pen is quite substantially far from being near mint - there is virtually no gold plating remaining on the nib, the cap band show spots of wear that have not only penetrated the plate but also tarnished the base metal irreparably, the plating is in general either very faded or tarnished, and the piston seal although functional appears to have deteriorated presumably from a combination of contamination, age, and improper maintenance.

Subsequently and immediately after inspecting the pen, the buyer repackaged the item as it had been received and sent it back to the seller that day. In addition, the buyer notified the seller via email of having sent the item back to them, their reason for returning the item, and formally requested immediate refund of all monies paid.

The seller promptly replied to the buyer's email, apologising for the pen not meeting the buyer's expectations, and agreeing to action a refund as soon as the pen was received back.

The returned item was received by Heritage Collectables on 17th June, but despite an intervening telephone call and assurance of a refund being actioned, no refund has yet been received.

The buyer has since given Heritage Collectables 28 days formal notice of intention to recover the monies paid by legal action, with copies to PayPal, and notified both their credit card provider and Trading Standards of the dispute.

Message ends.