Regular readers will have noticed that I use Emma Bridgewater ‘Toast’ china; I like it a lot and have spent a small fortune on it – just ask Mr Simply Veg!
I’ve noticed the glaze cracking on some of the pieces recently; I don’t put my china in the oven or on a hot hob so I can’t see why it’s happening. I don’t think this is acceptable and have contacted the company to see what they have to say. Surely mugs and plates should last longer than 2½ years?
I’m not expecting much joy from them to be honest – they’ll probably say it’s my fault for daring to serve hot food on a dinner plate or for putting hot coffee in a coffee mug!
Does anyone else have this china and this problem? I’d be very interested to hear of your experiences.
At the company’s request I’ve sent back three mugs for them
to inspect to see if they’re faulty. I suspect I know what their reply will be but,
who knows, I could be pleasantly surprised; I’ll let you know when I hear
anything.
Update 12.7.12
Well, I have finally received three new mugs to replace the three I returned. Getting the replacements was a bit like pulling teeth and involved an exchange of no fewer than fourteen emails and one phone call...! I could have walked to the factory in Stoke-on-Trent and back in the time it took.
Sadly, there was no replacement for the three dinner plates and four mugs which have already gone to the great china dump in the sky; it should also be noted that in the last week the glaze has started cracking on another two mugs. Hmmm…here we go again.
I won’t be chucking all my Toast china in the bin just yet and buying a whole new set but, when I do, it most certainly won’t be from Emma Bridgewater. Their customer service leaves a hell of a lot to be desired – I had the distinct impression that they were trying to stonewall me, hoping I’d give up and go away. They clearly don't know me. This particular china was not worth the money and, frankly, for an outlay of well over £1000 I expect better.
I won't ever buy another piece of Emma Bridgewater china - it looks nice but looks aren't everything.
Hmmm, interesting one. We have a chipped plate where someone threw it in to the dishwasher but other than that, the glaze on the Polka Dot lot seem ok, even on my bakeware. I wonder if it's to do with the glazing on that range? I'll inspect my mugs though just incase! But 2 years is a ridiculous amount of time for something to 'blow'. I have cheap Tesco mugs that have lasted longer. DIL xxx
ReplyDeleteAll my 14 Toast dinner plates have crazed. Several of my mugs have also crazed. I don't put any of them in the oven, hotplate or anywhere except the sink and dish washer. And the dish washer is run on economy setting anyway. I also have an Emma Bridgewater butter dish which now smells because it crazed and the butter has clearly got into the cracks. I am so cross I am going to take photographs of all of them and email the company. One of the dinner plates now has black beneath the crazing which suggests mould. If you have any tips on how to get Emma Bridgewater to replace them please do let me know. Did you have the receipts for yours? Mine are a few years old, although they were all brought from the Emma Bridgewater site (but I've probably deleted the email receipts now)
ReplyDeleteSorry to be so late replying. Sadly, I didn't have the receipts for mine. I could accept that there'd possibly been bad batch of glaze - mistakes can happen - but what really annoyed me was the inference by EB customer service that it was my fault! They stonewalled me and there was little in the way of apology.
DeleteAfter this happened I sold all the undamaged EB items on Ebay and bought a set of Royal Doulton china which still looks as good as new.
I really hope you have more luck with their customer service than I did.
Denise x
I've got a few EB mugs, Mr & Mrs ones, a personal one for her dad for father's day and a personal one for my daughter with her name. The most recent one is the personal one for my daughter and I have noticed the glazing is starting to crack. I was wondering whether to contact EB about this. I dont have a receipt but it was bought approximately 4-5 years ago. I am wondering whether to bother given your responses.
ReplyDeleteI live in Vancouver, Canada and just love EB pottery. I'm even willing to pay the high overseas shipping & currency exchange costs in order to enjoy the Black Toast range that I use and display everyday. The design is gorgeous and I have received many compliments. I have been collecting for 10 years. Unfortunately, I have experienced a lot of crazing on several pieces, particularly with the small French bowls and the larger serving bowls. Abut six years ago, I contacted customer service as an "overseas customer who was a huge fan", but who was also very concerned about lack of consistent quality. I sent them photos of the problem pieces. They kindly replaced the dishes, which was great, however; the crazing began again about two yeas later. Now, I just throw the spoiled items away. My ten dinner plates have lasted well, except for two. The bread and butter plates are fine, and most of my 15 mugs are ok, except for three. A few salad plates have recently started to craze as did two out of six pasta bowls. The dishes feel well-constructed, but obviously the firing process is inconsistent. I'm happy to pay a bit more for a beautiful, UK made product but am realizing I might just phase out using them as they deteriorate because the costs of discarding and replacing have been accumulating. Prior to EB, I collected Denby for years, and although I didn't like the patterns as much, the quality and longevity were superb. I wish EB was the same! So, after my long story, I wouldn't discourage someone who loved EB products from buying; they should just be aware of the likelihood that some of their dishes will not last. For some, it may be worth it.
ReplyDeleteAgree with all above : mugs, dinner plates and side plates have all crazed, the don’t seem to be designed for regular use. Such a shame as well loved.
ReplyDeleteI agree with all of the above. I have hundreds of pounds worth of EB crazed china yet Red Plums which was one of the first patterns has not crazed at all. I ask what or who has changed in recent years? I have Limoges and Wedgwood China which has remained perfect. Difficult to send back and not made easy for you to do
ReplyDelete