Getting a Break on China, Crystal

Most of us plan to plan for the holidays, so that when they get here we can enjoy them more. Right? This year I absolutely will not wait until the day before a holiday dinner to check the china, crystal and flatware to make sure I’m operating with a full set. And since china, crystal and flatware always make good gifts, I head for a bargain source for these items, check out the product and the prices.

Ross-Simons offers some good buys on major names through its catalogue, and you can place orders by telephone at (800) 556-7376.

But there is a local source that offers most of the popular lines at excellent discounts. The Cristal Palais in Agoura Hills never seems to disappoint. The sign in the window says, “We only look expensive,” reassuring shoppers that the ambience of a pricey boutique doesn’t necessarily mean high prices.

Lenox, Fitz & Floyd, Villeroy & Boch, Dansk, Royal Doulton, Wedgwood, Gorham and Noritake are some of the major names in china that are discounted from 20% to 35%, depending on the pattern. A 20-piece set of the Lenox Hancock pattern retails for $580 (“on sale” at the May Co. and Geary’s in Beverly Hills for $464) and is regularly priced at the Cristal Palais for $394.40, 32% below retail.

A 20-piece set of Fitz & Floyd porcelain in the cream with a gold Classique pattern is an excellent buy at $352. Fitz & Floyd is not carried by many department stores, but Geary’s price on this is $12 for a five-piece place setting, or $488 for a service for four.

Val St. Lambert, Swarovski, Mikasa, Noritake, Gorham and Rogaska are featured in the crystal department at discounts that range from 20% to 40% off straight retail. A famous Irish crystal (sorry, I can’t mention the name) goes for 20% less, and Val St. Lambert sells for a hefty 40% discount. A wine goblet in Gorham’s most popular pattern, Lady Anne, is $21.50; at many stores you’ll find it for $30. This might not sound like a big savings, but on a standard set of eight, it comes to $172 instead of $240, for a savings of $68.

Gorham, Reed & Barton, Oneida, Wallace, Dansk and Mikasa are some of the names in stainless steel flatware, and the price cuts run about 35%. It seems that young marrieds aren’t too keen on spending time polishing silver, so many are going for pewter. Wilton-Armatel is well represented, and the buys are terrific.

One chip and dip dish that retails for $80 is $44.99.

In this family operation, Don and Renee Singer run the Agoura store, and their son, Earl, manages the Orange County branch. Although the 1,000-square-foot store is often packed, extra services such as gift-wrapping, filling telephone orders and shipping are still offered.

Another service you don’t get at a large discount operation is special orders or price quotes over the telephone. Cristal Palais provides both.

Cristal Palais is at 5849 Kanan Road in Agoura Hills (818-706-7667) and 14441 Culver Drive in Irvine. (714-651-9944).