Consumer Guide to Buying Sand Dune Flatware
Many people start to think about flatware when they register for their wedding. Actually, anytime in your life is a great time to think about investing in flatware. Not only will you be adding a touch of refinement and class to your dining setting, you will also be investing in heirloom quality pieces that can continue to be passed down in your family for generations to come.
When you first start shopping for flatware it can overwhelm you. There are so many different price ranges, finishes, materials, and styles to choose from that you may not even know where to start. However there are many important questions to ask yourself before you pull out your credit card to purchase your new set
First pick one area of flatware to research and work your way out. A great place to start is with the world famous brand Oneida. You may even want to get more specific and start with their Sand Dune line.
Oneida has a rich and colorful company history starting all the way back in the late 1800's in a small commune in upstate New York. In fact Oneida Ltd and its silver works were the only interest to survive the communities rocky history and ultimate disbandment in the early 1900's. Regardless of its history, Oneida has grown to be consistently one of the top flatware companies in the United States and the world at large.
The Sand Dune pattern from Oneida is just one of the many patterns that this company has become so well known for. With a tear drop like shape coated in clean sophisticated line, this piece of flatware lives up to its hype as being "contoured, contemporary, and cool." The Sand Dune line is the perfect addition to your collection, but how does it stack up to other similar brands?
One brand that is comparable to Sand Dune is the Lenox flatware company. Lenox features very similar modern design aesthetics, but it also tends to favor more of a traditional element to its design. Lenox may offer a "breakage replacement" warranty, but with flatware there are not many instances where this is going to do you much good. However, with the Sand Dune collection being part of Oneida, they also qualify for the companies "pattern for a lifetime guarantee". This is a much more valuable incentive as if you happen to lose or have stolen a piece of your flatware set; regardless of whether it has been discontinued you can still buy a replacement piece. Something that Lenox does not offer.
Another brand you may want to consider is Mikasa. Compared to many other brands, Mikasa is quite new on the market, but is in now way any less established then other brands that have been around much longer. There are a couple of different lines from Mikasa that mimic the style and feel of the Sand Dune design. However, once again if you were to lose or have stolen any piece of your set, Mikasa does not have anything in place to help you replace those items. One such service that Oneida offers is an open stock policy allowing you to order only the piece that you need instead of investing in an entire new set.
There are so many options for comparisons in the market that you may not even know where to start. However, it's incredibly important to do your research when you start to consider a flatware purchase. You always want to look not only at the style of your flatware but also if the brand offers any extra services to go along with your investment.
Buying high end flatware such as Oneida's Sand Dune collection is not a cheap investment. This is why it's so important to not only choose a brand that you will be proud to display on your tabletop when company comes around, but also a brand that will help you protect your investment for generations to come