****** - Verified Buyer
4.5
I have it under good authority and I'm told that, as it turns out, INK IS VERY IMPORTANT WHEN TRYING TO WRITE WITH A PEN!!!!!!My pen arrived today empty, no ink in the barrel of the pen, and no ink in the box in which the pen was packaged. This modern technological marvel known as ink that dates back to soon after the earth cooled, one would think, would be part of a fine writing instrument. Knowing this, and also having written with many a pen or two in the past, and having spent a fair amount of money on said item, I contacted Parker Pens and confirmed their pens should be sent with this crucial substance. I first talked with Amy. I was then transferred to Mary who, ostensibly, handles purchases not bought directly from Parker Pens, i.e., Amazon.com. I explained the issue and assured them I understood mistakes happen. Neither seemed at all surprised, which tells me this isn't an uncommon occurrence. Mary asked if I had contacted Amazon. I had not. Being a third party seller means you have to contact the THIRD PARTY since the only thing Amazon can do is issue a refund because they don't stock third party inventory (makes sense to me). After all, someone, or some machine, at Parker Pens packed (or didn't pack) the product. After some reluctance, for what reason I'm still not sure, and some gentle cajoling on my end, Mary agreed to send me a fine point black roller ball refill for my pen. Sweet Jesus, hallelujah. You would have thought I was asking for something undeserving and unreasonable.It's not as if I can't afford to buy a $5 or $6 refill, but you'd think the company would not only give you zero push back, but be anxious to make the situation right. It should have gone something to the effect of: "I apologize. Yes, you're right, mistakes do happen. Let me have your name and address and we'll get the ink right out to you. Is there anything else?" Instead, it was almost like: "Ink? You want what? Why do you want ink for your pen? You bought it from where? Amazon.com? Why are you calling Parker Pens? Call Amazon and see what they say. Oh, okay, if you insist...we'll make an exception just this once. Your name and address, please."So, for now, it is being alleged that I will be receiving what I should have received with the box--INK! Until then, I can only rate this fine writing instrument with one star and since I don't have the ink to color in more than one star, well, I guess I'm stuck! I will, however, report back to update my rating should my reluctantly sent ink arrive.I honestly did not expect a lot from this pen, but I was pleasantly surprised. Perfect weight, girth and length. The ink flow is beautiful. It just feels right in your hand. Even though it has a little bit of weight, I find that I am able to write with it for extended periods without any strain. I also find myself simply holding on to it because it feels so nice. The photos do not do it justice. I truly love this pen. I own about 14 other high-end pens ranging from around $150.00 to around $300.00 each and none of them offer me the writing pleasure that I feel with this Parker Sonnet. Weird, but true.I bought this pen because I like the jewelry style finish and combination of the metal with the white pearlized finish on the barrel, and the rose colored band on the cap. I like Parker pens and roller balls in particular. I have a number of fountain pens but they're a pain because the ink dries out on the nibs if you don't use them all the time. Roller balls are sort of a combination of fountain pen ink with the convenience of a ball point pen. This pen is very nice to write with, is nicely balanced and a pleasure to look at. It's a real beauty!Lovely pen good finish. Replaced roller ball refill they provided with medium one as was narrow and the flow did not run smoothly for me. it is now perfect.For others I am sure would be great as isI simply love this pen. It has a beautiful finish and I really like the gold accents. It has some weight to it but I don't mind, it makes it seem like a solid pen. As one would expect, it writes very well; the Quink is rich and dark and dries almost immediately. The case that was included was very nice as well, it would make a fantastic gift. I was lucky enough to pick one up for $40 on Amazon, I was pretty sure it was a pricing mistake and took advantage, but I would gladly pay twice that for this quality pen.Beautiful pen, but the refill comes out of the box doesn't work. It could really completely spoil this pen if you are first time Parker user. I throw it right away. After Changed with a medium point rollerball refill I have for my another Parker pen, it becomes smooth and great.I'm not understanding how you can charge almost $50 for a pen and not include the cartridge?? This pen was advertised as coming with the black roller ball cartridge. I bought two pens and neither one came with the cartridge.This pen has a great feel, very well balanced. The color is amazing, I would call it very close to candy-apple red. I've gotten many compliments.If you would like to have a better refill, try the Uniball Jetstream. You will have to make a few minor modifications to the refill but it will give you a smooth writing, water-proof, and archival pen when your done.Looks superb. But this pen has cost me a lot of wasted time:Problem 1.: The fine rollerball cartridge included produces a superfine line (fine is supposed to produce a 0.5mm line, the line actually produced is very much thinner than 0.5mm). I bought a 0.7mm medium cartridge as .7mm is what i wanted anyway - but that produced a 0.5mm line. I then searched for a broad cartridge - but Parker doesn't bother to make one.Problem 2.: This pen is only as good as the cartridges because the cartridges have the writing tip/nib: This is amazingly difficult to write with for the price - there is too much friction so it is a bit "scratchy."So, I really wanted a smart pen and after a lot of wasted time I've given up. The Parker went back for a refund and I have bought a rollerball by 'Uni-ball' for £4 which writes smooth and fast and the medium produces a medium line - as it should.Pity, the Parker would have got 5 stars if they either sold a medium refill which wrote smoothly and produced a medium line (or a broad refill which wrote smoothly and produced a medium line).Having always used Cross pens, I was worried about the change to Parker inks. I needn't have been. The pen is a joy to use, gorgeous to look at and well weighted in the hand.A minor critique may be that the design does attract dirt in the grooves, but keep your hands clean and you needn't worry. (My work entails some 'hands on' activities).Fantastic looking Parker pen. Purchased as a gift and well received, I am told that it holds and writes well. Looks very ‘Art Deco’ and such an amazingly low price for so much quality.Timeless and classic at the same time, this pen is an excellent example of the quality of Parker's pens, in particular their roller-balls.Over the first couple of days, I experienced a tiny bit of drying out after non-usage (of 1--2 hours), but since then, the ink cartridge has adjusted its temper ever so slightly, and the pen works fantastic on every uncap.The cap sits extremely well, and clicks very satisfyingly when placed back on the pen. Highly recommended.A clear out from the Parker factory in France, great value under £40, beautiful finish.
