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During the last two years the options for buying Deruta Majolica online have increased dramatically. As a result, it has become very important for consumers to know who, what and, most importantly, where a supplier is located before entering a transaction.
Starting
about 2 years ago, many web sites have popped up in Italy lured by
the opportunities in the American marketplace. Unfortunately,
in a rush to obtain revenue from American consumers, many of these
sites have ignored
basic
facts.
After
nearly 10 years of importing majolica, we can assure you that fine
Deruta ceramics don't move across international boundaries nearly
as quickly and easily as a 16-digit credit card number does across
a trans-Atlantic telephone cable. While it is true that credit card
information will arrive in Italy only a nanosecond or so later than
it will in
the USA, this fact is generally not in the customer's best interest.
Since
1995, we have heard many complaints from customers who have either
ordered goods in Italy or over the web from various Italian companies,
with unhappy results.
If you
are considering purchasing and arranging delivery directly from an
Italian vendor we suggest you read the following:
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Fact
1:
Even
in this day and age it is still very difficult and expensive
to ship single boxes of fragile of Deruta majolica internationally.
The boxes are subject to many handlings that are always opportunities
for breakage. In addition, many times there are high (and
often undisclosed) shipping costs, duties and customs delays
for
the customer to contend with as well.
At
Deruta Imports, our goods are packed by trained factory personnel
directly into a 40' ocean-going container,
then unpacked by us upon arrival; a far safer method
of transit. We then
re-pack your item with our state-of-the-art foam packing
equipment and ship UPS Ground to you.
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Fact
2:
Shipping
even a single box from Italy to the U.S. is considered “importing.”
That means fees, red tape, and involvement of both American
and Italian customs, often with a hefty duty fee due, courtesy
of US customs.
At
Deruta Imports we handle the importing hassles for you, and
our deep stock in Massachusetts ensures prompt deliveries
and
order
fulfillment.
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Conclusion:
Lured
by what appeared to be low prices, these unfortunate customers
took a plunge and ordered products from some of these
companies and websites. Some waited over a year for
products, only to pay expensive (and undisclosed) air
freight and
customs fees. In other instances, items arrived broken. And
in the worst cases, others never received their items, even
though their credit card had been fully charged at the order’s
inception!
These
problems are exacerbated by the time difference and language
barriers, and the sad-but-true fact that once problems
arose, the unfortunate customer–a continent away in America–found
themselves to have very little real leverage to correct the
situation.
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Why Deruta Imports?
- We have been importing the finest hand-painted Deruta majolica
in volume since 1995.
- Due
to our
volume and longevity, we have better prices than any US-based importer
we have identified.
- Our
extensive stock located in Massachusetts.
- Toll
free phone ordering and assistance:
1-866-DERUTA-1 (1-866-337-8821).
- Regular
business hours of 10AM -5:00PM EST Monday-Saturday (closed Sundays).
- 24/7
Secure online ordering capabilities.
- Zero
Breakage Policy.
- Automatic
order and shipping confirmations by email.
In
short, we handle the ordering, customs, and breakage headaches
so that YOU DON’T
HAVE TO.
We pride
ourselves on providing a high level of service at all times. Please
feel free to contact us if you have any questions.
Thank
you.
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