How not to sell a Montblanc on eBay

[Paul-H]

Just watched this one finish at a rather low price.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/161059743532

A lesson in how not to sell a Montblanc 146.

Zero feedback for the seller

Zero description of the pen

Only one photo of the pen

Talk about making prospective buyers walk away from this one, with a bit of thought he could have got double that selling price.

Paul

[gwgtaylor]

Around 100£ seems to be a fair price for a nothing special used 146 with no box and no papers. That's about what I paid for mine. Surprised someone bid that much with such a poor photo

[I like mango pudding]

Around 100£ seems to be a fair price for a nothing special used 146 with no box and no papers. That's about what I paid for mine. Surprised someone bid that much with such a poor photo

100£ is below fair market value imho. Average going rate for a 146 is normally double that or more, iirc. you got a really good deal with yours.

[talkinghead]

Around 100£ seems to be a fair price for a nothing special used 146 with no box and no papers. That's about what I paid for mine. Surprised someone bid that much with such a poor photo

What does this add to the value of a used, nothing special #146? Just curious

Rick

[I like mango pudding]

Box and papers further solidifies the authenticity of the pen. I buy and trade high end watches as part of my hobby (Omega, Rolex, Breitling) and ones with boxes and papers sell with a premium. As with watches, pens are highly faked and sold online. Of course, now all the counterfeiters have faked boxes and papers as well.

[gwgtaylor]

Authenticity and providence. Sometimes even condition --ie, a gift that was never used and ends up in an estate sale. No box and no papers--who knows where it came from and how carelessly it was treated.

[Paul-H]

Don';t forget we are talking eBay here where none of that usually matters, so that 146 selling for under £100 was still a surprise and still quite probably just down to the way the seller advertised it. Better pictures showing condition was all it needed really for the seller to probably double to sale price so I stick to what I said in post one buy saying this is how not to sell a Montblanc.

Paul

[gwgtaylor]

I agree that better pics and description always help but still believe its a fair price.

[talkinghead]

Box and papers further solidifies the authenticity of the pen. I buy and trade high end watches as part of my hobby (Omega, Rolex, Breitling) and ones with boxes and papers sell with a premium. As with watches, pens are highly faked and sold online. Of course, now all the counterfeiters have faked boxes and papers as well.

Authenticity and providence. Sometimes even condition --ie, a gift that was never used and ends up in an estate sale. No box and no papers--who knows where it came from and how carelessly it was treated.

So again, we are talking a USED, nothing special #146 ( no serial# to verify with accompanying papers etc.). So if I could get an old box from one pen, papers from another pen, (both correct for a #146) and bundle that with a USED, nothing special #146, you guys would pay me say, 150GBP versus 100GBP just for the pen?

And again we are NOT talking about an LE or POA, with serials, matching papers, and unique/boxing packaging.

Rick

[I like mango pudding]

Well, speaking of watches, there is a serial number that is recorded on the bill of sale and stamped from the authorized dealer with the manufacturer's stationery paper, listing the date of sale. Those are also perforated with the serial number on them. I have seen this done on Rolex and Panerai watches, where the price of these fetch north of $5,000

[gwgtaylor]

Maybe 120

[gwgtaylor]

But only if it all matched--not thrown together. Boxes and papers are key.

[talkinghead]

But only if it all matched--not thrown together. Boxes and papers are key.

But for this series era #146 how would you KNOW it all matched (matched meaning original to the pen?), because I could throw one together easily; case, papers stamped from a boutique (probably even a receipt if you want) and pen and you wouldn't know they weren't all from the same pen.

My point being, and using your terms, for this series #146 , "used, nothing special" I don't believe a box and papers authenticates anything, therefore why pay (or value for that matter) higher?

[gwgtaylor]

Just a feeling I guess. I like things to be complete

[CS388]

If I was in the market for a used 146, I'd have jumped on this one.

The last thing I want is boxes and papers, just the pen.

Yes, there's some risk involved with the scant description and useless photograph.
But boxes and papers and certificates and receipts wouldn't have helped to eliminate that risk, in this (or any?) instance.

[mmahany]

-It's a monotone 146 which generally brings less money.
-Poor description and pictures
-No box or papers
-Low feedback score
-Unknown condition

The price was fair. Even in a perfect situation with a good description and pictures, that pen might bring $125-140 GBP

While the price was a bit low, it certainly isn't a significant oddity. I bought my mono-toned 146 for around 110GBP in excellent condition from a reputable seller. I probably wouldn't have even paid that munch all things considered.

[gwgtaylor]

I'm not alone!

[talkinghead]

-It's a monotone 146 which generally brings less money.
-Poor description and pictures
-No box or papers

Here's one of mine.... used, old #146, monotone nib, no box or papers
What's this one worth to you all?

DSCF5969.JPG

IMG_0373.JPG

The dang thing even came apart!






hari.......shhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!

[mmahany]

I'm not alone!

I certainly agree. The box and papers also certainly add value, but as some mentioned it's near impossible to know if they truly came with the pen or not.

In my experience the most replicated pens bring much more when they have the box/paperwork. Usually they're the 164 ballpoint, 163 rollerball, and the 144 fountain pen. There are no known fakes of any piston filling Montblanc pens which makes them a much "safer" bet (strictly in regards to authenticity).

The biggest value to add with a piston-filler Montblanc is when it is sold by a reputable source. I have taken many chances on buying ballpoints/rollerballs from new sellers because it was evident they were received as gifts. I also know how to spot fakes (I've written several articles on the matter too), and my knowledge allows me to take that gamble.

When I buy a piston filler pen from a new member, I will always buy assuming it is broken. That's the biggest chance to take when buying from new sources.

Here's one of mine.... used, old #146, monotone nib, no box or papers
What's this one worth to you all?


hari.......shhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!

It looks like it may just need some sealant. If the rest of the pen is in good working condition, it might bring $150USD to the right buyer (key word MIGHT). I'd dare to say that $100-125USD would be a more expected value.

I buy many pens in order to grow my collection, but also to fund my collection. I rarely pay premium prices so my estimates are lower than most:

149- Buyer at $250 and below
147- Buyer at $150 and below ($175 if it has the case)
146-Buyer at $160 and below
145- Buyer at $150 and below
144- Buyer at $125 and below

Ballpoints
164- Buyer at $90 and below
161- Buyer at $130 and below

Rollerballs
163-Buyer at $80 and below
162- Buyer at $130 and below

I subtract from those values depending on condition, engravings, and time period
I will occasionally add to those values if the pen is new or near new, includes all documentation, or if it's a rare model

[CS388]

Isn't that odd. I really like the monotone nibs and had imagined they were becoming more sought after - ergo, kept their price well!

Horses for courses, I guess.

Rick: I like your 146. I guess the estimates from other members are correct. FWIW, if you're selling it, I've seen people selling 146 pens (on ebay) piece by piece - and the total amount is over double the above estimate! Saw the same seller selling every piece of his/her 146 individually - even the screw that holds on the cap top. I guess that if that's all you need to fix your pen, you'll pay over the odds for it.
I should know, just paid around £30 for a feeder sleeve, like yours (above).

Re boxes/papers and fakes: I've often been baffled by this. I have seen some very good fakes - one of them was only revealed as a fake by it's stupid serial number. But if people can make fakes this convincing, surely they can fake the boxes and papers with much greater ease?
Heck, even I could probably knock up a fairly convincing box.

Just wondering.
Thanks.