Review of Pfaltzgraff Pistoulet 20-Piece Blue Dinnerware Set. Service for 4

I purchased this set for my wife's birthday. Very colorful, lively pieces that are not too heavy. The mugs feel good in the hand and can hold up to eight ounces. The plates have a free form to them, in keeping with the country feel of the set.The colors are a bit deeper than as represented in the photograph. What I most liked about the set were the small dessert bowls, which are unusual and handy for small servings, portion control, or arranging spices/seasonings/dicings while cooking. One of those bowls, however, arrived chipped in the box, despite Amazon's substantial packaging efforts. Strange, considering the pieces are described as chip resistant stoneware. I suspect the bowl was placed into the box already chipped. Despite the damaged bowl, we ordered a second set to fully equip our shelves. Strangely, the second set also contained a dessert bowl with a chipped rim, again despite Amazon's excellent packaging. Now, the odds of getting two sets, 2 weeks apart, each containing a bowl with almost exactly the same sized chip, seem high. One might suspect that Pfaltzgraff is unloading damaged goods via Amazon. That may explain the steep discount. If there had been more than one damaged piece, I would have returned both sets.

I turned to Pfaltzgraff for resolution of the broken bowls, but they were entirely unhelpful, unwilling to replace the bowls, unwilling to refund the cost, and unwilling to extend a credit towards the purchase of replacement bowls on their website. They could not have cared less and fail to understand that people buying their dinnerware are likely to also buy other pieces from the same design, including platters, etc., which is exactly what I have done (but through Amazon). In any event, a look at their website reveals that the bowls are temporarily out of stock.

Amazon, however, came through with a 20% refund on each set, as per its policy if an exchange or return is not desired, which is more than enough to order replacement bowls through Pfaltzgraff once they are available.

So, all in all, despite the damaged goods, the set is quite nice and should make for happy meals.

I believe this transaction shows the advantage of using Amazon to purchase interesting items from sellers who know how to make nice things but who fall flat on their face when it comes to customer service, if and when a slight problem arises. Amazon saved Pfaltzgraff from itself. If not for Amazon, I would likely not buy anything made by Pfaltzgraff in the future.


Product Description
Pfaltzgraff has created a beautiful collection of dinnerware, serveware and accessories based on the book, "The Secrets of Pistoulet" by Jana Kolpen. Each piece is brightly decorated with freely rendered flowers, vines and vegetables drawn from or influenced by the book's illustrations, also by Ms. Kolpen. Bright, colorful drawings are set against wide watercolor washes that evoke the light and colors of Southern France. Be transformed by the magic of Pistoulet. 16 piece service for four. Each 16 piece place setting includes 4 ea: dinner plate, salad plate, cereal bowl, fruit bowl and mug. Microwave and dishwasher safe.

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