Nesting Spoons: The Great Dinnerware Fiasco

Big Spoon and I knew going in to our wedding registry that we were NOT registering for fine china. Let's get real, we weren't going to receive even a majority of place settings and worse, it would get used once every five to ten years. Plus, my sweet maternal grandmother had been saving a set of china for me since I was a wee lass. 

With that in mind, I decided on plain, white everyday dinnerware. White is super versatile and food looks so pretty on them! I wanted something that would last us many years and so I registered for Pottery Barn's Great White Dinnerware. They have a good reputation for quality product. The price was a small deterrent, but in the end, I decided it was better to spend the $400 up front for something of quality.

{Pottery Barn Great White Dinnerware}

I was dead WRONG. I waited until a free shipping promotion and ordered the 5-piece set as well as cereal bowls - service for 12. It came in 4 large, heavy boxes and I was jumping up and down as I opened them. However, I soon discovered that they were bubbled, scratched, chipped or otherwise not the pristine white dishes I was expecting. I slept on it and then took them all back to the store for a refund. 

Ultimately, Pottery Barn's customer service smoothed everything over. I received partial debit refund and the rest on store credit. The catalog reps were great about communicating with me through the process. I just wasn't happy with the product. I used the store credit on something else for our house.

During the PB return situation, I purchased a much cheaper set of dishes during a macys.com after Christmas promotional. I got the White Elements 41-piece set (service for 6) for $34.99! I ordered two and they were on my doorstep when we got home from our Colorado Christmas. AND ... they were the wrong ones. The distribution center sent me square instead of round. Grr .... I loaded them up and took them back to the Macy's in Rivergate.

The Macy's return experience was much more pleasant than the one I had at PB. They were super helpful and only one thing was broken (I haven't returned it because I have two of them.) These are SO MUCH BETTER in every way. I'm not afraid to move them or put them in the dishwasher, the quality is great for the price paid and they actually fit in my cabinet (the PB dishes didn't - they were huge.)

I got 6 dinner plates, 6 salad plates, 6 bread plates, 6 dipping bowls, 6 cereal bows, 6 mugs, a sugar bowl, a creamer and a serving bowl in each set. For less than $100 compared to Pottery Barn dishes at $400. 

Yeah, I'll take my bargain dishes. Thanks.

Additionally, my grandmother gave me the fine china she's been saving for me. It's very girly and old-fashioned, but I love it anyway. Happy dining, y'all!

{Johann Havilland "Moss Rose" Reproduction Fine China}