I am looking into purchasing a new set of casual dinnerware (either:
Noritake pattern (Java Blue Swirl) or Villeroy & Boch patterns (French
Garden and Switch 3)). Does anyone have any opinions/information
regarding the durability of these types of dinnerware? As I will be
using these dishes on a daily basis, I will be washing the dishes in
the dishwasher regularly and will be using them in the microwave.
Inevitably there will be some breakage but I would like a casual
dinnerware that will last a long time. Also, do these dishes get
scratches on them from using a sharp knife or any other type of wear
marks after a few years or more of use? Thanks.

On Jul 23, 2:06 pm, Betsy > wrote:
> I am looking into purchasing a new set of casual dinnerware (either:
> Noritake pattern (Java Blue Swirl) or Villeroy & Boch patterns (French
> Garden and Switch 3)). Does anyone have any opinions/information
> regarding the durability of these types of dinnerware? As I will be
> using these dishes on a daily basis, I will be washing the dishes in
> the dishwasher regularly and will be using them in the microwave.
> Inevitably there will be some breakage but I would like a casual
> dinnerware that will last a long time. Also, do these dishes get
> scratches on them from using a sharp knife or any other type of wear
> marks after a few years or more of use? Thanks.

I have Villeroy and Boch coffee mugs and coffee cake plate and V&B
mixing bowls that I rec'd for a wedding gift EONS ago. They wear like
iron.

I like a thin lipped coffee cup (doesn't coffee taste better when
sipped through a cup with a thin edge, rather than a thick coffee
mug?) and so I use them everyday and they have a few chips. But,
they're my favorite so what can I say?

Have not noticed scratches on the plate and have used it for
appetizers such as cheese where have used a sharp knive and it wears
well.

Colors are fantastic, and they go through the dishwasher only.

Karen

Betsy wrote:
>
> I am looking into purchasing a new set of casual dinnerware (either:
> Noritake pattern (Java Blue Swirl) or Villeroy & Boch patterns (French
> Garden and Switch 3)). Does anyone have any opinions/information
> regarding the durability of these types of dinnerware? As I will be
> using these dishes on a daily basis, I will be washing the dishes in
> the dishwasher regularly and will be using them in the microwave.
> Inevitably there will be some breakage but I would like a casual
> dinnerware that will last a long time. Also, do these dishes get
> scratches on them from using a sharp knife or any other type of wear
> marks after a few years or more of use? Thanks.

I have had luck with Johnson Brothers dishes. The only problem is that
whatever I select ends up being discontinued and after I break a few pieces
I can't get replacements.

On Jul 23, 3:54 pm, Dave Smith > wrote:
> I have had luck with Johnson Brothers dishes. The only problem is that
> whatever I select ends up being discontinued and after I break a few pieces
> I can't get replacements.

check out replacements.com or eBay.

Karen

"Karen" > wrote in message
oups.com...
> On Jul 23, 3:54 pm, Dave Smith > wrote:
>> I have had luck with Johnson Brothers dishes. The only problem is that
>> whatever I select ends up being discontinued and after I break a few
>> pieces
>> I can't get replacements.
>
> check out replacements.com or eBay.
>

Ebay is best, because replacements.com is really overpriced. We use an old
version of Noritake that is both dishwasher and oven safe, and I replace
pieces of this often on ebay.

For a comparison of prices on the same item:

Ebay:

http://tinyurl.com/36jy8l [Dinner plate, $10, might go to $15 if it is a
usual auction]

and

Replacements.com

http://www.replacements.com/webquote/N__SHS.htm

[Dinner plate $25.99]

You can get really lucky and get it for the opening price on ebay at times,
and other times the bid gets driven up to stupid levels.

"cybercat" > wrote in message
...
>
> "Karen" > wrote in message
> oups.com...
>> On Jul 23, 3:54 pm, Dave Smith > wrote:
>>> I have had luck with Johnson Brothers dishes. The only problem is that
>>> whatever I select ends up being discontinued and after I break a few
>>> pieces
>>> I can't get replacements.
>>
>> check out replacements.com or eBay.
>>
>
> Ebay is best, because replacements.com is really overpriced. We use an old
> version of Noritake that is both dishwasher and oven safe

I meant to say "microwave and oven safe." I mention this because I was
amazed when I saw this printed on the back of the pieces. It comes across
as somthing I would never put in the oven, and I never have. But it is
supposed
to be okay.

Dave Smith wrote:
>
> I have had luck with Johnson Brothers dishes. The only problem
> is that whatever I select ends up being discontinued and
> after I break a few pieces I can't get replacements.

So you've had luck, but it's been mostly bad?

I admire a dry sense of humor.

Mark Thorson wrote:
>
> > I have had luck with Johnson Brothers dishes. The only problem
> > is that whatever I select ends up being discontinued and
> > after I break a few pieces I can't get replacements.
>
> So you've had luck, but it's been mostly bad?
>
> I admire a dry sense of humor.

Thanks :-)
What can I say. When we married we chose a Fransican pattern. When we broke
a few pieces and tried to replace them we could not get any because they
had been discontinued. I thought I would be smart and buy something that
had been around for a long time and chose a Johnson Bros. pattern that
friends had had for 20 years. When we lost a few pieces of that one and
went to buy more we discovered that, even though it had been a popular
pattern for decades, it had been discontinued. We were ready for a change
and thought we would get one of the newest patterns with the rationale that
it would be around for a while, but when we went to get more of them a few
months later it had already been discontinued.

On Mon, 23 Jul 2007 18:54:57 -0400, Dave Smith
> wrote:

> I break a few pieces
>I can't get replacements.

http://replacements.com/

will replace ANYTHING.

Ward Abbott wrote:
> On Mon, 23 Jul 2007 18:54:57 -0400, Dave Smith
> > wrote:
>
>> I break a few pieces
>> I can't get replacements.
>
> http://replacements.com/
>
> will replace ANYTHING.
>
>
>


Yes, but their prices can be REALLY, REALLY high.

I had some old Mikasa which was sold as a service for 8 originally.
When I gave it to my daughter, I wanted her to have more place settings.
At Replacements a dinner plate was more expensive than the original
service for 8.

gloria p

On Jul 23, 11:14 pm, Puester > wrote:
> Ward Abbott wrote:
> > On Mon, 23 Jul 2007 18:54:57 -0400, Dave Smith
> > > wrote:
>
> >> I break a few pieces
> >> I can't get replacements.
>
> >http://replacements.com/
>
> > will replace ANYTHING.
>
> Yes, but their prices can be REALLY, REALLY high.
>
> I had some old Mikasa which was sold as a service for 8 originally.
> When I gave it to my daughter, I wanted her to have more place settings.
> At Replacements a dinner plate was more expensive than the original
> service for 8.
>
> gloria p

I was so happy to find on ebay a cup that I had broken for
$10+shipping = $20, but on replacements, it was $47.95+shipping.
Can't beat that.
Dee Dee

>> http://replacements.com/
>>
>> will replace ANYTHING.
>>
> Yes, but their prices can be REALLY, REALLY high.
>
You have to keep an eye out. Some things I have found on there have
been reasonable. I'm thinking that when a pattern is discontinued then
their prices go up a bit. I've purchased some 2nds from replacements
and they have been fine. The other things I have purchased there were
quite a while ago and the pattern may still have been in production. On
those items the prices were good.

Some of my Mikasa plates developed some fine cracks. I sent one to
Mikasa to show them and they told me that regretfully the pattern had
been discontinued, but did send me replacements for the plates I said
were damaged. I wondered if they got them from replacements.com.

--
Queenie

*** Be the change you wish to see in the world ***

On Tue, 24 Jul 2007 17:25:53 -0700, MayQueen > wrote:

>> Yes, but their prices can be REALLY, REALLY high.
>>
>You have to keep an eye out. Some things I have found on there have
>been reasonable.

Yes...you are right. It is kind of like wanting to drive a Rolls
Royce. If you can't afford to drive the thing...maybe you can't
afford to own it in the first place.

Same thing with any china and/or crystal.

Ward Abbott wrote:
>
> On Mon, 23 Jul 2007 18:54:57 -0400, Dave Smith
> > wrote:
>
> > I break a few pieces
> >I can't get replacements.
>
> http://replacements.com/
>
> will replace ANYTHING.

Thanks. I checked it out. They carry some pieces from our kitchen set, but
not dinner plates. :-(

On Tue, 24 Jul 2007 13:46:51 -0400, Dave Smith
> wrote:

>Thanks. I checked it out. They carry some pieces from our kitchen set, but
>not dinner plates. :-(

Have them put your pattern on the look out list. They will keep you
posted to any and all arrivals. Just sign up for email.

I find their prices very reasonable. They have even replaced pre
war Noritake pattens I though would never be replaced.

Replacements warehouse is the size of THREE football fields. Their
inventory is amazing.

"Ward Abbott" > wrote
> I find their prices very reasonable. They have even replaced pre
> war Noritake pattens I though would never be replaced.


This is just ridiculous.

>
> Replacements warehouse is the size of THREE football fields. Their
> inventory is amazing.
>

Bigger is not always better. But I'm sure Replacements.com is happy
that you are happy to pay three times what your replacements are
actually worth. I'm all for free enterprise.

"Dave Smith" > wrote in message
...
>
>
> Ward Abbott wrote:
>>
>> On Mon, 23 Jul 2007 18:54:57 -0400, Dave Smith
>> > wrote:
>>
>> > I break a few pieces
>> >I can't get replacements.
>>
>> http://replacements.com/
>>
>> will replace ANYTHING.
>
> Thanks. I checked it out. They carry some pieces from our kitchen set, but
> not dinner plates. :-(

Search regularly on ebay, and you will find what you need.

On Jul 23, 8:22 pm, Ward Abbott > wrote:
> On Mon, 23 Jul 2007 18:54:57 -0400, Dave Smith
>
> > wrote:
> > I break a few pieces
> >I can't get replacements.
>
> http://replacements.com/
>
> will replace ANYTHING.

Chuckle, anything but my pattern. My Adams china pattern they have
not had any, not even a saucer, in the past eight years. I remain on
their notify list, and manage to find a piece or two a year on ebay.
Maybe someday Replacements Limited will thrill me and come up with the
tureen, and probably price it at $750.

Jessica

"Betsy" > wrote in message
ps.com...
>I am looking into purchasing a new set of casual dinnerware (either:
> Noritake pattern (Java Blue Swirl) or Villeroy & Boch patterns (French
> Garden and Switch 3)). Does anyone have any opinions/information
> regarding the durability of these types of dinnerware? As I will be
> using these dishes on a daily basis, I will be washing the dishes in
> the dishwasher regularly and will be using them in the microwave.
> Inevitably there will be some breakage but I would like a casual
> dinnerware that will last a long time. Also, do these dishes get
> scratches on them from using a sharp knife or any other type of wear
> marks after a few years or more of use? Thanks.
>

I have experience with using Noritake "Shannon Spring" every day for
nine years. It is very nice stuff, heavy with a nice thick glaze. It has
shown
no noticable wear at all, scratches etc.

I found an example of Java Blue Swirl on ebay for you, and the price
for a place setting is not bad at all compared to others.

http://tinyurl.com/27qepg

I don't think you can go wrong with Noritake.

On Mon, 23 Jul 2007 14:06:47 -0700, Betsy > wrote:

>I am looking into purchasing a new set of casual dinnerware (either:
>Noritake pattern (Java Blue Swirl) or Villeroy & Boch patterns (French
>Garden and Switch 3)).

Try BB&B, Pier One, Target, Walmart.....buy a set usually under 40
bucks...and use them for a season or so. Break a piece or misplace
and you aren't sweating the small stuff. Every year or so, an
entirely different look and you haven't spent a fortune.

On Jul 23, 11:34 pm, Steve Wertz > wrote:
> On Mon, 23 Jul 2007 20:24:34 -0400, Ward Abbott wrote:
> > Try BB&B, Pier One, Target, Walmart.....buy a set usually under 40
> > bucks...and use them for a season or so. Break a piece or misplace
> > and you aren't sweating the small stuff. Every year or so, an
> > entirely different look and you haven't spent a fortune.
>
> That's how places like Walmart survive. Selling cheap crap that
> lasts a few months. Whereas you could buy something for twice
> the price from another, reputable store and it would last 5-10
> times as long.
>
> -sw

I bought a set of dishes in 1973 -- which just happened to be
discontinued about the same time -- but I didn't know it. Too bad
because it isn't even on Replacement, except as an example of
something they don't have. But again, I did find one brand new piece
a few months ago on ebay at a totally unreasonably cheap price. I
keep looking for another piece. I'm down to 4 plates, medium size, and
2 large plates. They'll keep me going. I do have other sets, but this
one is special and I use it everyday.

But I wouldn't trade the memories of using these SAME plates over the
years. In this instance, in my case, you are very right. I'm glad I
paid more to begin with.
Dee Dee