fidia Deruta f.a.q.

1) How is the virtual shop organised?

You enter the virtual shop via the SHOP link located at the bottom of every page on the web site.
The virtual shop is divided into SECTIONS. Inside each section you will find the CATEGORIES.
Inside each category you can see the PHOTOS of the objects as thumbnail previews, together with some information. When you click on the thumbnails you will see the ENLARGEMENTS, together with all the information relating to the possible purchase. The virtual shop currently contains more than 400 pieces.
To sum up:
SHOP / SECTIONS / CATEGORIES / PHOTOS / ENLARGEMENTS
Another way of looking for the desired piece is via the search bar located on every page of the virtual shop.
The search bar has four options:
- Search for the piece by directly selecting the CATEGORY.
- Search for the piece by selecting the PREDOMINANT COLOUR.
- Search for the piece by selecting the DECORATION.
- Search for the piece on the basis of AVAILABILITY.
You can select one or all four search criteria to find the desired piece. top

2) What difference is there between currently-available and other products?

A piece bearing the AVAILABLE tag means that the actual piece in the photograph is for sale.
The advantages of buying an AVAILABLE piece are easy to imagine:
a) It can be sent within 24 hours;
b) In hand-made objects, there are always small differences between one piece and another – in this case, you are buying exactly what you see. Obviously, this is not possible for all pieces, but when it is possible we would recommend taking advantage of it. top

3) What difference is there between the Lustres and all the other products?

The Lustre technique is described in the FIDIA’S LUSTRES link; here I would just like to emphasise that, as there is no guarantee of the final result (many pieces are actually thrown out), we prefer not to take advance orders. This of course means a reduction in the choice available, but on the other hand you will be buying a one-off piece whose iridescent qualities are unique. In some cases it is possible again to produce a LUSTRE piece which is NOT available. We prefer to produce the piece, and for you to buy it only after having seen it. Reproduction of a piece must be negotiated and is not always possible.
LUSTRE-decorated pieces are therefore always AVAILABLE, with the advantages that this brings: the piece can be sent within 24 hours of the purchase being made, and you only have to wait out the delivery time before you receive the piece at home.
In the unfortunate event of LUSTRE-decorated pieces arriving broken, you can either choose another piece (it will be impossible to find one identical) at the same price, or be reimbursed by the insurance. top

4) What advantages are there in buying a currently-available product?

This is one of our special features. Our on-line shop is very similar to our physical shop – the piece in the photograph is the actual piece offered for sale, so there won’t be any surprises when the piece is delivered to you. Any defects can be viewed on-line. The piece can be sent within 24 hours, which cuts down the time you have to wait before receiving the chosen
article. top

5) What do I have to do to buy?

When you find the piece you want, click on "ADD TO SHOPPING BASKET". The shopping basket will provide you with a description of what you have chosen. You can change the quantity of each single object and recalculate the Total. At this point we need to calculate the shipping charge and any taxes due. To do this, you should enter just the destination country. The total in the summary is the amount you have to pay to receive the goods at your home. You can recalculate the shipping charge and any taxes due as often as you want without obligation, because the order has not yet been sent. After selecting the best option, you can proceed with the order by choosing the method of payment and reading the GUARANTEES AND CONDITIONS OF SALE. Enter your personal data and send the order. Immediately afterwards you will receive an E-mail detailing the order you have made. At this point the order must be CONFIRMED by us via E-mail, which is done in a very short time. The method of payment will be entered on the order confirmation.
We prefer to issue an order confirmation rather than leave the whole procedure on-line because, as our products are hand-crafted, we often need further information in order to clarify the order precisely. This way, we feel we can offer better service with the aim of avoiding any surprises in the pieces you have decided to buy. top

6) How are the goods packed?

We use multi-layer shipping cardboard with the most suitable material to prevent breakages inside: for some pieces, e.g. plates with a diameter of more than 50 cm, this means a wooden box. Thirty years ago, this was a real problem; today, fortunately, we have the assistance of much more suitable materials
(see HOW WE PACK GOODS link ). top

7) How are the goods delivered?

We use U.P.S.. The majolica is delivered in a few days, although the actual time depends on the country to which it is being sent. top

8) Are there any risks in shipping a piece of majolica?

By its very nature, a piece of majolica is subject to the risk of breakage independently of the method of shipping. See HOW WE DELIVER link.
Our experience has taught us that insurance on the piece sent and on the transport thereof is the only way to avoid unnecessary risks.
In the unfortunate event that the piece should be delivered broken, it will be reimbursed promptly. You then have the choice of whether to order another piece or not, without losing any money.
The percentage of pieces which arrive broken is truly minimal. top

9) Can I check the status of my delivery ?

YES. At the top right of the home page there is a “TRACK” link. When you click on this, you can enter your code and check the status of the shipment from the moment it leaves our factory until final delivery to your doorstep. top

10) Can I rely on consignment dates?

In the case of currently-available objects there are no problems – you only have to take into consideration the time needed for delivery. In the case of pieces which are to be produced, the times indicated are usually those which are necessary. However, you should calculate working days, excluding weekends and holidays. We will let you know during the period you are waiting how the work is proceeding. top

11) Can majolica be us ed as tableware?

For pieces intended for use as tableware, we use glazes without lead, while for other pieces we use glazes containing lead, as has always been the tradition in Deruta. It is nevertheless a good idea to let us know if the piece is intended for use as tableware, because different customs practised throughout the world mean that objects which we consider ornamental are intended by others for use as tableware. top

12) Can majolica be put in the dishwasher?

CERTAINLY! There is no risk whatsoever in putting a piece of our majolica in the
dishwasher. top

13) Can I put majolica in the oven?

Deruta majolica can not be used for cooking food. Our majolica can not therefore be placed in any type of oven. top

14) Can I put majol ica in a microwave oven?

We recommend that you do NOT put our majolica in microwave ovens, as the extremes of temperature can cause the plate to break. This does not always occur, but it is
a real possibility. top

15) Can I serve oven-hot food on majolica?

Due to its characteristic thickness and earthenware porosity, ceramic dinnerware may be damaged by exposure to extremely hot temperatures. To only make attention when used the ceramics of deruta. We use always these plates for food. top

16) Prices in euro and prices in dollars.

The price of the objects is in euro.
The price in dollars is only indicative.
The payment is made in euro.
The real change (euro/dollars) is made from the bank. top

Maioliche FIDIA di Veschini Anna Maria - Via Vincioli 13 - 06053 Deruta email : fidia@fidiaderuta.com