Calling all Emma Bridgewater experts!

[frogalo]

I ordered this mug for a Christmas gift for an Emma Bridgewater fan as I know they don't have this one. It seems to have a small flaw in the inner printing on the mug which is disappointing. Is this kind of thing typical for an Emma Bridgewater Mug or should it be even and joined up? It says inspected by Karen on a sticker on the underside. I didn't get it off the Emma Bridgewater site but I did pay full price for it off another website and I'm worried it will seem like I've bought a cheap seconds mug rather than get a proper one.

Any advice?

Na I wouldn't be happy with that!

No that should be a second at very least.

Is it this mug? If so, send the one you have back and get this one from Emma Bridgewater direct:www.emmabridgewater.co.uk/collections/winter-animals/products/midnight-hare-1-2-pint-mug-1?variant=40198451003464

It shouldn't look like the one you have.

Ok thanks I appreciate that I'll contact the online shop I bought it from and do a return. Should have just ordered from Emma Bridgewater direct in the first place!

Emma Bridgewater mugs do often have little quirks because they’re sponge-printed by hand, but that looks a bit more like a mis-alignment rather than the usual tiny variation. Proper “firsts” are normally joined up more neatly than that.
If you paid full price from a retailer (not the factory seconds outlet), I’d definitely contact them and ask for a replacement or refund. You haven’t bought a seconds mug, but it does look like one slipped through quality control.
If it’s a gift and it’s bothering you already, I’d get it swapped – the recipient will probably notice too.

@BrightMintTea I did pay full price and I checked the page again and it doesn't say seconds. I've emailed them a photo of the flaw and asked them to get back to me. Hopefully they will do a refund and I will order direct from EB. It does feel a bit petty but it's just a nice EB mug should be a really nice gift and I'd hate for them to think I cheaped out on a flawed one to save a few quid.

Just to say I frequently get seconds whilst paying first prices from Emma bridgewater directly.
Best to purchase in store if possible.

I ordered an Emma Bridgewater mug from John Lewis last year as a present. That had an inspection sticker too and a really bad flaw. Sent a photo and JL sent another one out.
That does look like a seconds.

@NewGoldFox Oh No I thought ordering direct would be best! I'm not sure I will be able to get one of these Mugs (winter hare) locally. I checked her website and there are no local stockists so I have no option but to order online. Do you get a replacement from EB if you order direct?

@24Dogcuddler John Lewis didn't have it in stock so I didn't get it from there although would have as their customer service is always good. The place I did get it from have good ratings on Trustpilot so hopefully they are helpful.

EB do seem to have problems with their QC/inspection process.
I ordered 6 different mugs in spring (2 as gifts) and 2 had misaligned transfers.
They replaced them, but it was a PITA.
I, also, would only buy in person from now on. I will not pay full price for an inferior product.

@JoshLymanSwagger Thanks, I don't have the option of buying in person but will try and get a replacement. I have ordered from the EB website before and it was fine so hopefully I get a return / refund and I'll order direct.

Yes they are normally quite good about replacing items that aren’t up to scratch but it is a faff.

Well the company I ordered the mug from have got back to me promptly saying they will send me out a new carefully checked mug with a pre-pay label to send the old one back so that's a good result!

Very good result. Glad it's sorted.

Glad it’s sorted, op. I don’t rate EB stuff at all anymore. Last mug I bought from them was one with an initial and it looked like my kid had painted it himself, it was awful 😂

@mimbleandlittlemy Yes very pleased, fingers crossed the new one is flaw free!

@PinkPonyClubDancer I don't love all the designs but this one is really beautiful actually, quite fancy it myself but I'd never pay that for a mug just for me!

I've got a dresser full of EB pottery but have stopped ordering in the last 6 months due to awful seconds being sent out as full price, and I've had collectors items delivered smashed to pieces that can't be re-ordered as they're limited edition, which is why I ended up keeping a £60 flat plate that's horribly pitted.

They appear to either be letting their production standards go or they're using cheaper materials. Or both. Glad you got the mug sorted, I've got a few midnight animal mugs and they're gorgeous when perfect!

@MrsLizzieDarcy Thats really disappointing to hear especially as they really are collectors pieces and the price reflects that, the quality should be top notch. Hopefully the new mug is all good!

I'd phone customer services to order over the phone - explain the problem.

Oh good, I've just seen this post!

That is good customer service OP as that is a terrible flaw.
Just to warn you there was a thread here a while back about mug handles breaking off, there were a lot of posters who had this issue, myself included so keep an eye.

Not happy. Check if you purchased slight seconds by mistake.

@Copperoliverbear It definitely wasn't seconds, I did check and it was a full price item. Also the shop said they wouldn't typically accept this flaw but must have missed it.

@ThePoshUns Yes I was pleased they offered an exchange as I do want the mug as it's a gift but I don't want one which has that kind of flaw.

I like the brand but have had a couple of items flaws. I have a personalised mug with an apostrophe in the wrong place but it’s on the bottom so doesn’t bother me. If it’s part of the actual design or in a visible place then no I wouldn’t be happy with flaws, it’s not a cheap brand