I sent a pen to Mont Blanc for authentication. I packaged it according to their instructions: take original presentation box, wrap in bubble wrap, place in box, ship insured. A few weeks later, it is returned to me with a letter of authenticity. Unfortunately, it was packaged in an UNLINED, SINGLE-LAYER Tyvek-like envelope. The outer product ID sleeve was trashed and the presentation box was damaged; the letter of authenticity was also crinkled and water-damaged. It's not the fault of the carrier (UPS) -- since the parcel wasn't subjected to unusual conditions.

I've been going around with MB for two months now to get a replacement sleeve. "It has to come from Germany." OK, fine, but that shouldn't take two months. "It's against company policy to give more than one original sleeve to a customer." I don't give a damn--if they had packed it correctly, I wouldn't *need* a new sleeve. They need to make the situation right. They are a high-end company with low-end support.