Customer Reviews

Spode Christmas Tree Dinnerware

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I ordered four dinner plates and was not happy with what I received. One plate had a minor scratch on the rim. One plate was made in Malaysia even though the description stated that the Spode dinner plates were of high quality and made England. And finally, the colors were a bit dull and murky compared to my Spode that I have in my own collection. These plates were said to be new and sold by Amazon. I returned all four plates and received a full refund.

We have many pieces of Spode Christmas Tree dishes. But the last ones we got as gifts at Christmas 2008 are absolutely inferior. The first thing we noticed was that the Christmas Tree design on the plates was like a pasted on decal, not part of the dish itself. With the older plates, if you closed your eyes and touched the tree design, you couldn't feel it, it was part of the porcelain. But with the newer plates, it does feel like a decal pasted on. It is definitely inferior.

And of course these newer ones are made in China or in Thailand. I would NEVER eat from any of these plates (since the melamine scare). Now, I am just looking where to dump them. I don't want to sell or give them to anyone. So, they will probably end up in the garbage.

A bit of advice - don't buy any spode dishware.

On Thanksgiving we were shocked to open up our china storage cases and find that the green band on our Spode was chipping off. Mind you, these plates have been used only a few times over the past 12 years. We store them in cushioned cases, with bubble wrap between each plate. We have NEVER put them in the dishwasher. They have been treated and stored with great care as they were a gift from a deceased loved-one.

Now on Amazon, I see that there is a clear problem. Too many people are reporting paint failures for this to be caused by dishwashers or improper care. The people that have had their sets for 20+ years - obviously there was a time when Spode took great care to produce quality china. Today however, you never know what you will get. The Spode name is no longer necessarily a sign of quality.

What I am most surprised about is this comment on the Spode website: "Certain tableware patterns will expose you to lead, a chemical known to the State of California to cause birth defects or other reproductive harm." Certain? Which? The ones that are flaking apart on our holiday tables??

When lead paint chips/peels/flakes, lead dust can land anywhere. This is a serious health concern far more important than just our plates not looking good! E-mail Spode and let them know that this is unacceptable!

12/29/08 Update: We had these plates tested for lead and they were VERY positive. Ours were made in England, early 1990's. Spode has offered to replace them, but I don't want them in my home. If you already own them, please at least do a cheap home test kit before you let children use them.

Now seeing several posts from buyers unsatisfied with recent purchases of Spode china (particularly the Christmas Tree pattern). Be aware that Spode was purchased by Portmeirion and has now off-shored this pattern to Malaysian and Chinese manufacturers. That said, you can continue your collection but the quality will not be the same. :(

Portmeirion also purchased Royal Worcester...

Since Spode went through bankrupcy, the quality is not what is used to be. The glazing is not glass smooth as the original items made in England. The glazing in Indonesia/China is rougher and the christmas tree now feels like a decal. However to complete a set is is acceptable, but I wouldn't start a set now.

Purchased these last year and used them at Christmas. They made a gorgeous table setting and have not had any problems with them. They are very well made. I am buying another set so I can invite more guests!

This is the best price you will find for these discontinued flat bottomed Spode mugs. If you are a collector of this set and started with the flat bottom, now is the time to order them. I did receive one box with a broken mug. The replacement system Amazon has is terrific and the new mug arrived before they received the broken one back.

This design is very pretty but the first time we poured a cup of coffee in the mug it cracked and immediately and started leaking. This set is not dishwasher safe nor microwave safe. I am very disappointed and now I'm stuck with a full set of dinnerware that really can't be used!

Mugs were as advertised and fit well with my mother-in-laws collection of the Spode Christmas Tree dinner ware. Delivery was on time, in time for Christmas.

I loved the Spode Christmas plates I purchased! They were free of blemishes and were extremely well packaged. They arrived quickly and safely. The price was not remarkable, neither high nor low, although I could have purchased them in a discount store for less. But I would have sacrificed a better selection of items at the store. I will probably add to the set next year.