Levenger

Full review
During a trip ‘home’ to California following our move to Oklahoma in 1990 I saw my first Levenger catalogue. I have been a customer off and on from that date. I really like throw backs to a gentler, kinder time. Fountain pens, books and nice little gizmos all are offered by Levenger. My experience with Levenger has been unfailingly good. I have on occasion had need to call customer service and have been met with professional response each time.

I am very pleased with the products I have received. Perhaps I am old fashioned, set in my ways, or just plain do not trust online ordering. Whatever the cause I do not order online. When a new Levenger catalogue arrives I check it for goodies, if something catches my eye I telephone and place an order. Unlike many telephone ordering experiences; when I call Levenger to order the order taker is not in a breathless, hurry up mode. I like that, when I’m making an order I prefer to be met with courtesy and a note of ‘gosh we’re glad you are ordering.’ I know full well the response may well be trained and rehearsed, I don’t care. If Levenger trains their order takers to practice courtesy good for them, if they simply make sure their ordertakers ARE courteous; that works too.

I have to believe that customer service is a specialty for Levenger. I like fountain pens in particular, and have ordered a number of the from Levenger. Brands I have include Waterman and Parker. I like the Waterman brand, know the company name to be longstanding and have enjoyed every Waterman I have whether purchased via Levenger catalogue or elsewhere. Parker is a nostalgia thing, my parents used Parker when I was a child. I have never had a problem with pens or inks ordered from Levenger. Orders are filled quickly, I especially take advantages of sales type items and am treated with as much courtesy as I would expect were I buying the most expensive item in the catalogue.

My pens arrive packaged in manner that I can give as gifts if I desire, and I do on occasion. My son and I both like wooden cigar and similar boxes. I’ve ordered and received a number of them over the years, my favorite is a box about twice the size of a cigar-box in height and width. I has a split top, hinges for opening and three storage areas. I have had it now for years, it looks as nice as the day it arrived and is filled with pens and writing ‘stuff’.

I also like their page points very much. They are perfect for using at home and at school where I teach. I have them marking many a page.

Levenger catalogues are treat to read. I do not know who does layout for them but kudos to them! Little notes that a particular product being offered resulted because someone had one, it was useful and now is worn and bedraggled and sent it to Levenger in hopes that they could find something similar is a nice touch. One of the leather goods, a ‘wallet’ I purchased from Levenger is one such item, it has the look and feel of my grandfather’s day. I really like the story behind the product touch when I read the catalogues.

I am a ‘civil war buff’ have a collection of reprint series of books that originally appeared during the years soon after The War. In those books are pictured bookcases that appear to mirror those I have seen available in the Levenger catalogue. I haven’t bought any, yet. But have plans to do so in future.

Overall my experience with Levenger has excellent. I see they have an online store, I look at items there now and again, but have not purchased on line. I cannot speak to sales or service for the online store, however because of my positive experience using the catalogue sales suspect that online would be much the same.