Need a little advice about Fountain Pen Hospital

David Conwill · Aug 15, 2011

I have a lot of respect for the opinions of this forum. A few weeks ago, I purchased a 1944 Parker Vacuumatic at an antique show. The filler was kaput however, and I sent it off to Fountain Pen Hospital in New York City for service.

I specifically instructed them that I did not care about cosmetics; only that I wanted it to function again. Nevertheless, I got a quote in today’s mail specifying $104.95 to “Adjust nib, recondition & polish”. This lack of attention to instructions concerns me a bit. I sent the pen to these folks because they seem to be well regarded.

Nevertheless, I suppose I’m willing to pay it if those with more experience think it’s a reasonable price. I am not able to do the work myself, and don’t have an interest in learning. I don’t mind paying a skilled tradesperson for his or her skill, but I want to make sure that I’m not being taken advantage of.

Thanks in advance for the input.

-Dave

Johnnysan · Aug 16, 2011

Bail out as quickly as you can...

I usually avoid posting negatives about a vendor, but in this case, avoid these guys like the plague. Some years ago I sent them one of my mother's pens that she brought with her from Italy and asked for an estimate on repairs. They returned the pen a week later having literally destroyed it in the process of their examination. They stated that the pen was "unable to be repaired." Needless to say, I was not pleased and dropped a dime to tell them so. To add insult to injury, the guy on the other end of the line (who I believe was the owner) was a complete jerk and responded to my complaint about their having further damaged the pen by telling me that "it was broken anyway."

I have since used two other technicians...Richard Binder at richardspens.com to restore a Parker Vacuumatic and Brian Anderson at andersonpens.net to restore an Esterbrook. Both of these guys were excellent to work with...very reasonable in terms of pricing and great to communicate with. I recommend them both very highly.

Good luck!

P.S. - After re-reading your post, I realized that you are also in need of someone to look at a Parker Vacuumatic. Mine is a 1942 model that needed the same work. Richard Binder is the guy to send it to as he specializes in these pens. The total cost for the work on my pen in October 2010 was $42.00. Seriously, have them send your pen back and send it off to Richard. You won't be sorry.

David Conwill · Aug 16, 2011

Thank you Johnny! I wish I'd posted something here before I sent it off in the first place.

-Dave

Tomasso · Aug 16, 2011

It would be great if you two posted an account of your experiences with FPH at Yelp for the benefit of the next guy who is considering using their services.

http://www.yelp.com/biz/fountain-pen-hospital-new-york

Johnnysan · Aug 16, 2011

Good advice, Tomasso...I have just done so.

dhermann1 · Aug 16, 2011

Wow, that's too bad.
I've been to Fountain Pen Hospital a number of times. It's a fun place to just look around. I've bought pens there, but never had any work done. They always seemed friendly and nice, I must say.
But if you say you had this type of experience, I totally believe you.
Too bad.

Feraud · Aug 16, 2011

David C-, did you contact the shop and clarify service you requested? It seems like a minor misunderstanding happened.
The price may seem high but bear in mind the FPH is an actual brick and mortar shop in NYC.

David Conwill · Aug 16, 2011

I believe in shopping local, and I looked hard for somebody in Michigan to do this work before I sent it off to New York City. My local source for typewriter repair and fountain-pen ink (“local” being two hours away in Grand Rapids) is who suggested FPH. Much as I’d like to pay a premium to support a brick-and-mortar shop, I just can’t afford to spend $100 getting a $40 pen refurbished right now.

As for the minor misunderstanding, I’m afraid I’ve been burned too often by those attempting an oversell to let it go. Per their instructions, I was very clear in the message I sent to them that I was happy with the way it worked, and I just wanted functionality restored. If they can’t be bothered to follow the instructions they solicited, why should I take the time to call them up and explain it again?

I requested the pen back about 9 o’clock. Odds are it will sit in a desk drawer until I’m feeling a bit flusher, then I’ll explore letting Richard’s Pens have a go at it.

-Dave

David Conwill · Aug 19, 2011

As a follow up: I got the pen back yesterday, very well packaged. I appreciate that; it shows they care enough about their reputation not to just toss the pen in a padded envelope for return to folks who elect not to use their services.

-Dave

Shangas · Aug 19, 2011

Good work, Dave.

While most vintage fountain pens are pretty easy to fix, some models (such as the Vacumatic) require special tools and persons of experience and patience to repair competently.

Any chance of photos?

David Conwill · Aug 19, 2011

I took some, but I don’t claim they’re good:

Amongst my other pens - Left to Right: Sheaffer Prelude, Waterman Phileas, the Parker Vacumatic, Sheaffer cartridge model, Sheaffer fine-point calligraphy pen, Esterbrook SJ.

The cap.

The nib.

The plunger.

-Dave

John in Covina · Aug 20, 2011

There are a number of places that do fountain pen repairs. I usually take mine to the Fountain Pen Shop in Monrovia and Fred do the work. However, one thing that I can point to is check and see if there are any local fountain pen clubs in your area. Often a club will have several members that are well versed in doing repairs and can often do it for less than most shops. You can also find some repair places listed online as well as those that advertise in the magazines like Pen World.

Glad the pen turned out well.

Johnnysan · Aug 20, 2011

David Conwill said:
As a follow up: I got the pen back yesterday, very well packaged. I appreciate that; it shows they care enough about their reputation not to just toss the pen in a padded envelope for return to folks who elect not to use their services.

-Dave

Glad to hear that the pen is back in your hands and that your experience was no where close to mine, Dave. For what it's worth, I am extremely happy with my Vacuumatic after its refurb. I have four fountain pens - an Esterbrook, a Mont Blanc, the Parker and a Cross. The Parker is the best on paper of the group. Keep us posted!

aliados · Aug 23, 2011

John in Covina said:
Often a club will have several members that are well versed in doing repairs and can often do it for less than most shops.
Glad the pen turned out well.

And then there are those of us who will do it as a favor to a fellow Lounger, for the price of the ink sac ($3.50) and postage. Let me know if I can help.

John in Covina · Aug 23, 2011

Johnnysan said:
Glad to hear that the pen is back in your hands and that your experience was no where close to mine, Dave. For what it's worth, I am extremely happy with my Vacuumatic after its refurb. I have four fountain pens - an Esterbrook, a Mont Blanc, the Parker and a Cross. The Parker is the best on paper of the group. Keep us posted!

Don't forget that the Esterbrooks have a replaceable nib - you can usually find a new or used nib that you may like even better than the one in the pen.

Johnnysan · Aug 24, 2011

John in Covina said:
Don't forget that the Esterbrooks have a replaceable nib - you can usually find a new or used nib that you may like even better than the one in the pen.

Thanks, John!

Feraud · Aug 24, 2011

aliados said:
And then there are those of us who will do it as a favor to a fellow Lounger, for the price of the ink sac ($3.50) and postage. Let me know if I can help.

That is a very generous offer. :eusa_clap

VintageEveryday · Jan 8, 2017

they're just looking for cash. I wanted to send my grandfather's 1952 Shaeffer to them for repair, because hey very tip of the snorkel was bent, like somebody dropped it. They said it would be 98 dollars to replace it, but i went home and filled it (after carefully researching just how to fill it because I'm fairly new to fountain pens myself) and despite the tiny bend on the tip of the snorkel (the part where it comes to a point is bent inward), the flow is fine, and it still works after being filled three days prior

David Conwill · Jan 9, 2017

Sadly, I never did anything with my Vacuumatic. It's still sitting in a cup on my desk along with its matching mechanical pencil. I don't remember why I never took aliados up on his generous offer but it probably has to do with the death of my father and grandmother in quick succession--the years 2010 to 2014 were pretty bad ones for me.

Need a little advice about Fountain Pen Hospital

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