Frequently Asked Questions
How do I buy your excellent products?
Thank you for your kind words - you can buy from us by browsing through the products in our shop, when you see what you fancy, simply click the “Add to Shopping Bag” button and it will do just that. To review your products before handing over the digital cash, click on the shopping bag icon in the top right-hand corner of the site, here you’ll be able to remove items, or double-up to make sure you always have a spare. When you have your definitive selection, checkout as you would elsewhere and step through the payment procedure - all being well, we’ll send you an order confirmation email to… confirm your order.
I’m nice, can I buy one for a friend and send it straight to them?
Of course you can - there’s an option during the checkout process to choose an alternative delivery address.
I don’t live in the UK, can I still buy from you?
Bien sûr, natürlich, certo, sure thing, no worries - the free shipping option only applies to the UK though, so if you want us to ship elsewhere, drop us a line at enquiries@peoplewillalwaysneedplates.co.uk and we’ll sort it out for you. Please note that any import duties and taxes are your responsibility.
Can I buy from your extensive archive, some of which is now a part of the V&A permanent ceramics collection?
My my, you are well informed. Yes, it is possible as we still have stock of some, though not all, of our archived designs available as special orders. Send us an email at enquiries@peoplewillalwaysneedplates.co.uk and we’ll let you know what’s available and how to get your hands on it.
I’m a patient person, but it’s been a week and my order still hasn’t arrived, what should I do?
Patience is a virtue, but a delay of a week is unusual - we’d suggest you drop us a line at enquiries@peoplewillalwaysneedplates.co.uk and well get to the bottom of the problem for you.
I’ve changed my mind - I’d like to return my order.
No problem at all, you have every right to do just that - here’s the Ts & Cs small print bit:
“In the (hopefully unlikely) event that you are not entirely happy please notify us on enquiries@peoplewillalwaysneedplates.co.uk. You must return your unwanted Products for a refund within ten working days from the day you received the Products. The Products, including their original packaging, must be returned “as new” in a saleable condition. For all returns and refunds please obtain a proof of postage certificate from your Post Office or courier as we cannot refund products damaged or lost in transit. We will examine the returned Product and will notify you of your refund via e-mail within a reasonable period of time. We will usually process the refund due to you as soon as possible and, in any case, within 30 days of the day we confirmed to you via e-mail that you were entitled to a refund. We will refund the price of the Products in full. Unfortunately we cannot cover the cost of return postage. We will usually refund any money received from you using the same method originally used by you to pay for your purchase. This provision does not affect your statutory rights as a consumer.”
Oh no! My plate/mug/badge/print was damaged when I received it - what to do?
Catastrophe indeed - here’s another bit of Ts & Cs small print:
“Every one of our Products is thoroughly checked before it’s posted but if, in the unlikely instance, you do receive faulty Products please contact enquiries@peoplewillalwaysneedplates.co.uk within 48 hours from signing for receipt of your delivery letting us know whether you would like an exchange or a refund. We recommend you inspect your Products as soon as they arrive. It is important when returning Products that you obtain a proof of postage as we cannot refund items lost in transit. If you return a defective Product to us:
(a) and you have elected for a refund. We will examine the returned Product and will notify you of your refund via e-mail within a reasonable period of time. We will usually process the refund due to you as soon as possible and, in any case, within 30 days of the day we confirmed to you via e-mail that you were entitled to a refund. We will refund the price of a defective Product in full, any applicable delivery charges and any reasonable costs you incur in returning the item to us; or
(b) and you have elected for an exchange. We will examine the returned Product and will notify you of your exchange via e-mail within a reasonable period of time. We will usually dispatch the exchange to you as soon as possible and, in any case, within 30 days of the day we confirmed to you via e-mail that you were entitled to an exchange. We will refund the any reasonable costs you incur in returning the item to us.
We will usually refund any money received from you using the same method originally used by you to pay for your purchase. This provision does not affect your statutory rights as a consumer.”
I buy for a shop/commission products for a gallery or museum/run my school’s fundraising efforts/organise corporate gifting and promotional items for my company - I’d like to talk to you about your products.
Marvellous, you are a busy-bee. Just drop us a line at enquiries@peoplewillalwaysneedplates.co.uk and we’ll be happy to help.
I’m an internationally renowned brand looking to licence my IP and move into the homewares sector and I need product design services - help!
You’ve come to the right place - we’re good at that. Just drop us a line at enquiries@peoplewillalwaysneedplates.co.uk and we’ll be happy to help.
Are your ceramics dishwasher-proof? How can I look after them best?
This is a bit of a yes and no answer (sorry) - health regulations now stipulate that lead (great for pots, not so much for people) has been removed from ceramic inks and glazes. The knock-on effect is that mugs particularly are more likely to stain after tea/coffee. Rinse immediately after use and if staining occurs give them a quick soak in a weak bleach solution, then rinse and wash thoroughly. Our ceramics can go in the dishwasher, but some colours might fade slightly after repeated dishwasher use. If they’re precious to you, go the extra mile and hand-wash them.
Great company name, by the way, how did that come about?
Thanks for asking. Those of a certain vintage will remember British Telecom and its 1980s television adverts featuring Maureen Lipman as Beattie (see what they did there?), the proud granny to an O-level failure - take five minutes out and look it up on YouTube.