Dateline November 29, 1999: Wired reports that Montblanc refuses to sell pens online. Authorized retailers with online sales operations were ordered to cease selling Montblancs on the Internet. Montblanc marketing exec Eric Werner said: “Luxury by its very nature is not ubiquitous, and that’s why by its very nature it doesn’t make sense for it to be on the Internet.” Any changes four years later? Still plagued by fakes and feeling the need to control their luxury image, Montblanc’s website states that their products can be obtained only through authorized retailers, and that any products purchased online, advertised as Montblanc, may be counterfeit, second-hand, or damaged. I found a few official retailers with online stores who do include Montblanc in their listings, but they are accompanied by directions to “please call for more information.”

However, luxury online retailer, Ashford.com, which survived the dot bomb, at least in name, is still selling discounted Montblanc pens, Cartier & Piaget watches. Ashford survived an SEC scandal in 2002. Amazon.com took a $10 million stake in Ashford in late 1999 and in March of 2000 essentially helped Ashford make their numbers look better by writing up their deal a particular way. The SEC was not amused, but did not charge Amazon with wrongdoing and merely gave them a slap on the wrist. Ashford.com execs paid penalties. The company was eventually purchased by Global Sports (later renamed GSI Commerce) and then sold in 2002 to Odimo Incorporated, owner of sites such as diamond.com. Amazon has just launched a beta of its own jewelry and watch shop. (original posts: 11/29/99 & 12/1/99)