Replacements, Ltd.

Full review
Ever since I got married in 2002, I've been collecting pieces from my china pattern. Unfortunately, my pattern was recently discontinued, which makes finding pieces a bit challenging. I've bought a bunch of stuff on Ebay, but a few harder to find pieces have proved to be elusive. For the last couple of years, I've been wanting to buy a sugar bowl for my pattern. I came really close to getting one, too, on Ebay. But some auction sniper came along and snatched it in the last 30 seconds.

The one (and only) good thing about my husband's deployment is that we get a little extra money every month. I've been using it to pay off bills and engage in a little retail therapy. Part of my therapy is buying pieces for my china collection. During my latest "therapy session", I was lucky enough to score a brand new sugar bowl from Replacements, Ltd.!

Replacements, Ltd., founded in 1981, is based in Greensboro, NC. I knew about the physical store because my sister lives in Chapel Hill and had mentioned it to me. Replacements, Ltd. carries a huge selection of china, stoneware, crystal, silver, stainless, and collectibles. There are thousands of patterns listed on the easy to navigate Web site.

I found myself on the Replacements, Ltd. site after doing a Web search for a Lenox Royal Scroll sugar bowl. I guess the couple of glasses of wine I drank earlier loosened up my inhibitions. I saw that Replacements, Ltd. had the piece I wanted in stock and quickly ordered it. Good thing, too, because as I mentioned before, sugar bowls in my pattern seem particularly hard to find. The site lists all of the pieces that are in stock, as well as other pieces that were made for the pattern but are being sought.

One thing to know about ordering from Replacements, Ltd. is that the ordering process is somewhat old fashioned. There's a disclaimer that says all Web based orders are subject to prior sale. When I made the decision to buy, Replacements, Ltd. supposedly had four sugar bowls with lids in stock. But it would have been possible that the bowls were not actually in stock because of a prior sale. Apparently, the site doesn't keep track of inventory as purchases are mad, so orders aren't official until someone makes sure the items are actually in stock.

After I made my purchase, I got an email letting me know that it was in the system and I'd get another email confirming it. The confirmation email came promptly the next morning. I noticed that I was charged then, too. Yesterday, I got a shipment confirmation email letting me know that my item had shipped the day before. I got my new sugar bowl today via DHL Home. It was actually delivered by my mail carrier. The bowl was very well packed and there was some literature about Replacements, Ltd. included in the package.

Replacements, Ltd. accepts all major credit cards. Orders can be submitted via the Web site, by phone, or in person. Domestic shipping rates range from $7.99 to $49.97 and are based on the price of the item, the speed of shipping, and where the item is going. Replacements, Ltd. also ships internationally, but it costs a pretty penny.

Got some china or silver you want to unload? You should know that Replacements, Ltd. also buys many patterns of china, silver, crystal, and collectibles. And if you have some china that needs to be repaired, Replacements, Ltd. may be able to help you with that, too. Layaway is also available for up to three months. A 25% deposit of the purchase price is required.

Replacements, Ltd. offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee and will refund the purchase price of an item within 30 days if the buyer is not satisfied. I happen to be very satisfied with my new piece, though, and I'm relieved that I won't have to worry about Ebay snipers for that particular item again! Since I'm now in Replacements, Ltd.'s system, I'll get email bulletins that show which pieces are available.

Replacements, Ltd. is not inexpensive, but I think the prices are fair. It's a great source for finding hard to find china, silver, crystal, and collectibles. I'll definitely be going back there as I find myself needing more things to fill my non existent china cabinet. I would recommend this site to anyone who's looking for that one missing piece and can't find it on Ebay!

Replacements, Ltd.'s Web site: www.replacements.com