Mont Blanc pens at Costco B&M for $69.99

[timmychen]

I have been to a few different Costco stores lately and noticed that they are now selling Mont Blanc pens in their jewelery case.

Now, before I get the flames about how this could be 70x12 BiC pens or whatever, some people need a nice writing instrument for work. Sometimes it's all about perception... just like when you wear nice brands or drink Coke instead of the generic stuff like RC Cola. That being said... flame away.

Anyway.. they seem to have four pens... a gold and platinum ball point pen and a gold and platinum roller ball pen.

I'm thinking about getting this as a present for my brother... what do you guys think... ball point (like a BiC and it twists for the pen to come out), or the rollerball (which is flowing ink like those Uniball pens and has a cap that you take off to use the pen). Which do you think is better?

 

[T2T III]

No, I won't flame you.

IIRC, the Mont Blanc pens start @ $99 at Staples.

 

[VTBigBear]

i personally have a cartier pen.... useless..... (because of my field of work)

otherwise I loved having nice pens...

 

[mlumz]

Just a FYI, all new Mont Blanc pens have an engraved serial number on the cap. That is how you tell the difference from the fake ones (and yes there are a lot of fakes out there). They have these same deals at SAM'S CLUB for around the same price. These are older models that are made by Mont Blanc anymore, but still an excellent deal since all Mont Blancs start at $250 now.

 

[osiris3mc]

I'll make a trip over to Costco to see what's going on. Their website has them around 150, so if this is true, this is quite a deal. No flaming though, nice pens are always welcome.

 

[e-Spider]

I got two as presents (one twist one cap). I prefer the twist as it's more convenient. Nice deal for some nice pens!

 

[dpham00]

well, i have a mb engraved (got it as a gift). decent pen. something nice to have on your desk.

 

[Maximus96]

what can you write with one of these $70 pens that you can't with a papermate or bic?

 

[PoPPeR]

Originally posted by: zaku
what can you write with one of these $70 pens that you can't with a papermate or bic?

sigh...

 

[ubercaffeinated]

lol you just had to go there didn't you.

 

[timmychen]

so what do you guys think.... twist ball point? or rollerball with flowing ink?

 

[rcrooks]

It would be nice to have one of these pens, but my desk consists of a door held up by 2 filing cabinets... I think a MB pen might look a little out of place

 

[GrumpyMan]

I love my Mont Blanc (a gift). It just writes much better and has a smoother flow of ink. It also is much heavier and thicker for my sausage fingers.

 

[beatle]

Do they have gel ink cartridges? They have the smoothest flow of ink.

 

[timmychen]

it's not gel, it's regular liquid ink.... you know, like those $6 per dozen black Uni-Ball pens...

 

[Rmilton]

Go for the rollerball, they write far better than ballpoints. I've recently taken to using fountain pens myself, and I like them a lot. Rollerballs aren't quite as good in my opinion, but they are better than ballpoints.

 

[bman46]

Costco is a great store and if you dont like the pen you can just return it. They take ANYTHING back!

 

[amnesiac]

Originally posted by: zaku
what can you write with one of these $70 pens that you can't with a papermate or bic?

Why buy a nice car when a Geo Prism will get you there the same way? Why buy clothes when a bedsheet wrapped around you covers you just the same? Why buy brand-name anything when a generic knockoff accomplishes identical duty?

It's not about practicality. It's about HAVING NICE THINGS, which some people like to do. Someday, when you leave that burger joint you work at and make more than $6/hour, you might have the privilege of NOT living from paycheck to paycheck and have what's called 'disposable income' which you can use to buy things and feel good about owning them.

Until then, keep your Geo, keep your handmade toga, and keep buying your Bics, but keep out of this thread.

 

[osiris3mc]

Originally posted by: amnesiac

Originally posted by: zaku
what can you write with one of these $70 pens that you can't with a papermate or bic?

Why buy a nice car when a Geo Prism will get you there the same way? Why buy clothes when a bedsheet wrapped around you covers you just the same? Why buy brand-name anything when a generic knockoff accomplishes identical duty?

It's not about practicality. It's about HAVING NICE THINGS, which some people like to do. Someday, when you leave that burger joint you work at and make more than $6/hour, you might have the privilege of NOT living from paycheck to paycheck and have what's called 'disposable income' which you can use to buy things and feel good about owning them.

Until then, keep your Geo, keep your handmade toga, and keep buying your Bics, but keep out of this thread.

I could not agree more. There are always those who have to knock people who simply want the finer things in life. If you have worked your ass off and can afford to spend more for some high-quality stuff, more power to you.

 

[seniorguy]

This is the cheaper Generation Model. The model at Staples is the Classique model which is much more popular. Also they are not AUTHORIZED dealers. Most of these pens were 'grey' market pens import directly from Europe or somewhere cheap. They are genuine. It is easy to spot a fake one. The serial number engraved on the cap is almost impossible to duplicate. Also the fake ones have a thicker cap band. Montblanc refills are a joy to write. It is the standard 'prop' for lawyers, banker and snobs. 'Montblunk' is a luxury product. Most people did not even know that they also have a higher end product line with real gold, silver and diamonds, as well as watches etc.

For those who want like to own a Monblanc pen, the thinner model at Costco or Sams are not the one to buy. The classique model at about $100 - $120 is the one to get. Like any luxury items, you are paying up to the nose for the priviledge of owning an insanely expensive item that most value minded people are not willing to pay.