StoneDine review: StoneDine Cookware 137

Look everyone... The old saying is still and will ALWAYS be true. "You get what you pay for"! I DO NOT work for or in ANY WAY affiliated with the company or product IN ANY WAY and I have to tell you that this is HANDS DOWN the best cookware I have ever owned. Cooking is one of my hobbies that I really enjoy and having a GAS stove and the right cookware means EVERYTHING to good food! If you thing you were "suckered" into thinking that you get ALL THIS cookware for only $29.95 you are an IDIOT! Want to write me personally? I'm not afraid to give out my email --- ks6p@yahoo.com

Ditto! Word for word. Exact same thing happened to me. When I called back, a CSR directed me down the page, and there's the full price of $299.97 in tiny gray print and far from near the giant white in bright red bold print of "$29.97 and still further down the page from the "Order Now" button. I returned the package unopened and it was signed for a week ago. I called customer support, and they keep extending the time to expect a refund because it takes "a while" to process the return. Naturally, I lose the shipping costs, so I have ended up paying to return the 28 lb. package, and have nothing to show for it. It may be a good product, but they operate under very shady business practices. I can only hope to get a refund without invoving my CC company. I'd avoid this Brand Developers like the plague.

I was just on the website and it clearly states the price if yo9u read the smaller writing. It clearly states the entire price before you even enter any information. As a person, adult that has been shopping for more then a week, I know buyer beware and to read before buying. and if it sounds to good to be true it probably is.

Not only does the say you can TRY (not BUY) the cookware for $29.97 PLUS S&H, it clearly explains the time frame of 30 days to do so. Right next to the photograph of the pans, is the actual infomercial you see on TV. Directly below the photograph of the pans is a new frame, blue bannered, stating what your FREE GIFTS are & what you must do to earn them...the 11" skillet is yours to keep with your ORDER (after the 30 TRIAL). The knives are yours to keep just for trying the product. LESS S&H. That means you don't get the $25.oo initial shipping & handling back, AND you must pay the shipping & handling to return it. No secrets there! The only way to avoid the return S&H is to NOT ACCEPT DELIVERY when the package arrives. Of course, you will not have the opportunity to to TRY the product OR keep the free knives because you elected not to accept the package.
Included in that frame describing the free gifts, right below the BRIGHT RED printed lucrative offer of the free knives to keep is the information regarding your obligation to make 9 additional payments of $29.97, AND it even gives the TOTAL of $299.97 PLUS S&H. That print is no smaller than the print describing the free pan & knife set. Next to that frame is the ORDER FORM. Same page, no navigating away & losing information. no smoke & mirrors. At the bottom of the form, below the RED "order now" banner is further information explaining your option to keep the cookware AND gifts for 9 additional payments plus S&H, and a paragraph explaining the refund of your initial payment less S&H with NO ADDITIONAL payments if you return the product. It is the smallest print on the page, BUT it is also the most lenghty information on the page so it's not like you can overlook it unless by CHOICE.
Below that you can opt to try just ONE piece of the set for 3 payments of $29.97 plus S&H.
At the very bottom of the page is the site map, in the wide blue banner, which states at the end, once again, the trial period of 30 days, the option to return or keep the product and the full amount you will pay if you keep it.
That's not once, not twice, but THREE TIMES the information appears on the FRONT of the add.
I agree with some of the earlier posts...does anybody know if the product is GOOD? I'm thinking about ordering it, since I have all the ordering information I need right on the front page!

2Stoopid4U, I like how you felt the need to post that. Did that make YOU feel superior? Idiot...

I like the people calling others stupid for not reading the ad and then repeating info in prior posts over and over like they have discovered cold fusion. Oh to be that superior!

That is what is wrong with some americans we are just too lazy to read the fine print. It clearly states on their home page the price of the pans and if you think you can get a set of pans for thirty dollars maybe you should try the dollar store. Come on people who the hell can buy a good set of pans for 29.95? I think if you are brillant enough to put your credit card info in before you know what you are buying then you are an [censor]. Can anyone just say if the pans work well? I read one review where they actually said they liked the pans.

So far I am still undecided. I have heard a couple people say you could not find the total price for the item. Actually you can https://secure.stonedine.com/index.aspx?AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1
About 1/2 way down the page just under the picture of the 11" pan (free gift) it tells you, albeit in small print what the cost is. It works out to about 10 total payments of $29.97. Total for all payments is $299.97 + SH.

If any of you have purchased anything online before, you know better that to assume anything. Especially if you're purchasing from an infomercial. You have been around long enough to know you BETTER read everything. If you don't see the information your looking for READ IT AGAIN. If you still don't see it...look for another source to find the answers BEFORE YOU DOLE OUT YOUR HARD EARNED CASH.

The fact that the total cost is in the small print on the website, does not necessarily mean this is not a good product. But, I will wait and see what types of reviews are forthcoming in the near future before I buy.

[ "Fool me once shame on...uhh..umm...ahhh..."WE CAN'T get fooled again!" ~ George W. Bush ]

i was skeptical about this product, so i looked up the website to see the full price. It does tell you the full price at the very bottom of the screen. (the fine print). My question is of course: is it really worth the 300 dollars for only 7 pieces? who knows unless you pay the 30 bucks to try and then have all the issues of trying to return the product and not being able to. That's why i'm glad I have an attorney on my side for things like this.
If you have found you are in need of legal advise even for the small things like this, then you need prepaid legal. check out this website for yourself. it's worth it!
http://www.prepaidlegal.com/hub/loyball

I don't understand all this, I have had a set for a little over a year now and they still work as well as day we got them. We found the total price was clearly there on the website, you just need to READ. It's like my son who is an executive chef said you want a good quality set you have to pay for it or you can buy a set at wal-mart, and buy a new one every few years.

I think the mentality here is getting something for nothing. This isnt a yard sale folks. You are getting a brand new set of cookware from the company. I think everyone needs to learn a lesson from this. Companies can get in serious trouble for false advertisement and if everyone was as reactive to more serious issues like stopping the government and rich people from giving our tax money and jobs away. This country wouldnt be in the shape that its in. Why doesnt anyone complain about the lasting quality of high priced items like furnaces and appliances. the landfills are filling up from all the waste. Companies are wanting 3 times the amount they did for appliances today, they last half as long and they cost ridiculous amounts of money and are made of cheaper quality. Cars are being made of plastic and cheaper materials and we are paying 4 and 5 times more for them. Think about it..a heat pump system costs over 5 grand and if you put it on your credit card you wont even have it paid off by the time its ready for the trash heap. Sorry for going off on a tangent but this country is in serious trouble because people wont refuse to pay the prices that companies are asking for cheap crap and the rich are capitalizing on it. This country needs its pride back..we dont make anything with pride anymore...its all about quantity. Clocks today only last 20 years because they are made in a manufacturing facility ..the clocks made 100 years ago are still running...Do the math folks...our economy is sucking all of us DRY!

For any of you that are interested, I thought I would post my experiences with the pans thus far! I have had my pans for about five months and use them every single day. Not only do they cook very well, but the only way you can tell that they have been used is by marks on the bottom of the pans from my old burners. I think that they are worth every penny that is stated on the first page of the website, and thus far, the company has been good about only withdrawing the $29.97 each month on the stated day. For you skeptics, and people that can't read, If you don't like what you see, or have not tried the pans, don't post here! You are just mad because you think the site is misleading! So any of you that are interested in actually trying the pans, I would say without a doubt that you won't be disappointed!

wow, what a bunch of ignorant people posting. Folks, just like one person stated here, READ, READ and READ. Any time you have an offer to try it for xx days, there is ALWAYS a hidden cost and it's up to you to find it. That is just it works on the Internet and if you don't like or understand how to buy on the internet, log off and go to a store and buy direct so it doesn't confuse that feable, unintelligent mind.

Their site clearly states what it costs on the home page, and if they are able to ship it in 45 minutes, that's excellent customer service! You also have to research and find out where the company is - this company is in New Zealand/Australia, so they are almost a day ahead of folks in the USA. So that makes it even more feasable for them to ship quickly.

As many others have stated, spending several hundred dollars on cookware is expected and if you are getting an entire set for $29.97, stop complaining because you get what you paid for - crap. DO the research against any company offering products or services and get competitor prices before you press that SUBMIT button to place your order and you won't have buyers remorse.

Purchasings any product in stores or online - read, research, compare, research, read and then buy when you have all the information and knowledge about the product you are about to purchase. While the add looks good, the site is informative, their FAQ has one question: Q:Does the StoneDine coating give off any fumes? Is it safe?A:StoneDine's coating is approved for use in contact with food in compliance with the Federal Food Drug and Cosmetic Act and all applicable regulations from FDA. Furthermore, we have a professional quality system and our quality managers initiate regular tests in our laboratories to assure an equal and safe quality.

There is no YES or NO answer here. So the real question is, how safe is it compared to T-FAL or other Teflon Coated pans? What happens when it becomes scratched, do you stop using it like the other pans?

There appears to be more questions than answers and if that is the case, I tend NOT to buy. Look up http://www.consumersearch.com/cookware - you won't see StoneDine listed. Why? Because it isn't the best there is! So because it is not the best, you must take it as is or don't buy it at all. 'nuf said.

I think anyone selling any product should be up front and post a price for their product in the beginning and not wait until you have entered your information on the site. I think if this type of business continues that yo should call the consumer fraud unit or the Attorney General's office in your state and file a complaint. If enough people do this maybe this will force the businesses to be more up front about their dealings. I had a company that I ordered a thirty day free trial just pay shipping and handling and before the thirty days was up they had charged me for a new bottle on my card. I immediately called the company and they gave me an RA to return the package when it came in. I returned it and its been several weeks to two months and I still haven't seen my money.

If you order by phone, from the commercial you are lead to believe it is only $29.95.

But if you go to the website and scroll down and read, right there on the home page it says $29.95 for the 30 day trial, BUT, "*If you're delighted with and keep your cookware, just make 9 additional payments of $29.97. Your total for all payments is $299.97 + S&H."

So, the commercial is misleading if you just call and order, but if you do the smallest bit of homework, it is easy to find out the true details...

WELL NDCplus

I can tell you I am no employee of the company but you don't know me and I don't know you. So that would do no one any good, But just to let you know, I am no employee.

I have the product and I LOVE IT

It's humerous how the majority of the posts towards the end of this thread have a heavy trend towards promoting the product or insulting the original complaint.

How much more obvious can it be that employees working for the company are trying to spin this away from the original complaints of misleading advertising and abuse of the consumer?

I just went to their homepage and in the middle of the page in the section that tells you about the free knives, at the bottom of that section it tells you what the full price is, plain as day. There is no need to go through the check out process to see the full price. You don't have to even leave the first page you click on to see the full price. It states how many payments and what the total will be, right off the bat. I call that full disclosure. I don't know how good the product is, but I don't see that they are hiding anything.

I have been researching these too. My cousin uses "stone" pans and loves them because they cook so evenly. I had no problem finding the total price on the website. Also, I saw some comments of Stonedine versus Stoneline, they are the same thing.
"Stoneline commonly known as Stonedine is a unique German product new to the market..." www.stoneline.co.nz

I will get these at some point, but probably after they are in stores.

Caveat emptor!

But how is the product? Still no answers...

I have the full price right here... And it was t

Even if you're not satisfied and return the product, keep the 11 piece knife set with Lifetime Warranty (a $49 value) as our FREE gift to you!

*If you're delighted with and keep your cookware, just make 9 additional payments of $29.97. Your total for all payments is $299.97 + S&H.

If you are not satisfied for any reason, simply return the product within thirty days and your initial payment will be refunded (less S & H) and there will be no additional payments.

Enlarge Try It Now! he first thing that i looked for noprblem finding it.

All,

From this web site: https://secure.stonedine.com/index.aspx?AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1

*If you're delighted with and keep your cookware, just make 9 additional payments of $29.97. Your total for all payments is $299.97 + S&H.

If you are not satisfied for any reason, simply return the product within thirty days and your initial payment will be refunded (less S & H) and there will be no additional payments.

This can be found on the MAIN page in plain sight (NOT HIDDEN)

All you have to do is read people.

I just received my StoneDine cookware a few days ago and I love it! I fried potatoes with about 2 tbsp of oil and they were fantastic. I cooked sirloin and rib eye steak with NO OIL of any kind and it came out juicy and tender!
As of today, I have no complaints. Also, my order came with an offer to pay the balance before the 2nd payment and save another $29.97...which I did. If you are not satisfied you can still return them for a refund..It's a win, win to me!

I read all of the online ad. in the fine print at the bottom of the ad, it said the total price was $299 + S&H

however i do believe the product is highly over priced.

//I recently went to the web page 09/09/2010 and found the full price on the first page. I want to know how the product is. Is it worth $299.00 or $29.99?

I saw the same on the website today NkRomancer. Maybe they read some posts and are making an attempt at customer service. I didn't purchase these today but I may down the road. I'm keeping my mind open.

wow... I just read many of these posts and I'm wondering if most of you are on drugs. I also saw the commercial and before going to it, I decided to do some research first so I came here to view comments. I would have gotten better responses talking to a tree. I just checked the site out and on the very front page, it says that you can try it for 30 days for $29.97 plus s+h. Then you scroll down to the next picture and it says " if you're delighted with and keep your cookware, just make 9 additional payments of $29.97. Your total for all payments is $299.97 plus s+h."
It doesn't get much clearer than that. I don't see any deception.
Just to make sure I covered everything, there is still the issue of the $29.97 for 3 months... if you read carefully, that is for the 11" pan only which sells for 97.00 alone, but you can try it for 3 monthly payments of $29.97 plus S+H.
I realize that these items are expensive, but you don have to use oil or butter or any additive to cook a healthy meal. That is priceless.

The website is in no way deceptive or misleading! On the very first page of the website, it clearly states that if you are happy with your product after 30 days, pay another nine installments of $29.97. What intelligent person would ever think that a set of gourmet pans would only cost 30 bucks?! My opinion is that you people are upset that the total price is not to your liking and you're trying to get sympathy for an impulse buy. I bought these pans because I do cook a lot and they are perfect for my purposes. And they work very well. I am extremely happy with them, and before I gave my credit card, I had the sense to know what the price was before I bought it!

The ad on tv shows a web site address. I looked at the site and NOWHERE on the site does it tell you the actual price. It may well tell you the figure AFTER you have entered your credit card details. I am sure it would be impossible to cancel your trial. I can never understand why any state attorney's or consumer protection office cannot just pull the plug on the site?

[cletusvandamme] you sound extremely stupid, read read read, the website clearly states you'll make 9 payments of $29.97 after your initial $29.97 payment

Yes the site is deceptive but I do have to admit you shouldnt give out your credit card info without knowing all the details. but I did my reserach first and realized I am a total buthole to company's who dont sell a good product. I will dispute charges like crazy if the company wont work with me on the sending the item back and I always win in the end. yet is a chore to some degree over the phone, but its worth it all together. Now that being said I did purchase the pot set for my wifes birthday, knowing the total price. Anyway they came in the other day and they are very good set of pots and pans, but not $300 worth. I bought a set very similar at walmart for around $99 years ago. Now the set is worth really about $15o so yes they are very well overchargering people but beware, they are very deceptive but most infomercials are. but I thought I would try it out anyway but these will be going back.

As a cook, I know that gourmet pans costs 100s if not 1, 000s of dollars. The ordering of stonedine was easy, and clear( The info about the 9 additional payments of 29.97 was on the very first page of the website)! I think before ordering you should check out the FAQS page and double check what you are paying before you submit your order! I have spoken to an aquaintance that has used the stonedine product and they are quite happy with it. I think it is well worth the 299 to buy it. I hate to down anyone's intelligence, but common sense tells you too double check what you are buying and how much you are paying before you buy it!

I did fall for the impulse buy & I did it on a Sunday & I opted for the full payment to get FREE shipping that's when I found out the full price. I really didn't have a problem with the "full price" because I've worked in food service for many years and the best cookware is not always the cheapest cookware. My problem is it is right before payday & I just don't have the money in the bank so called first thing Monday morning. I got ahold of someone right away & she said they would cancel the order & I could call back to place it again but this time opt for the payments.
I think I'm going to wait until it goes on the "As Seen on TV" shelves in the stores now, that way I won't have to pay the shipping.

I disagree.

The website even says, "if you're delighted with and keep your cookware, just make 9 additional payments of $29.97." That's complete and total disclosure. They're not being deceptive. They're not making outlandish claims. This isn't a Kevin Trudeau infomercial promising you unicorns, rainbows, puppies and the lost city of Atlantis in a book.

Infomercials in general are designed and geared toward people who are impulse buyers - it's the basis behind Direct Response Marketing (print/radio/tv advertisements with 888 or 800 numbers). In this case, a really awesome CTA (call to action) - the notion you don't need to cook with butters and oils - that you can literally flip an egg in the pan - cook a steak and have it be restaurant quality (not that i'm out to cook a steak in a pan but you catch my drift) - and do it all in less time because of the hot stone.

It certainly got me motivated to order a set for my dad for Father's Day.

Only in the past few years could you buy "As Seen On TV" products in the stores (usually on the endcap where you're more susceptible to make an impulsive purchase) - and now you will even find major branded products using this Direct Response Marketing practice to further support their retail efforts (especially if they need to move inventory - in order to stay on shelves, you have to prove you can move X amount of dollars in product per quarter). Think OxyClean, Head On, etc.

You trust those products because they're in stores, right? But a store can't let you try it and bring it back if you think it doesn't live up to its expectations. They'll more than likely issue a store credit and tell you to have a nice day - unless you make a big stink.

While yes, I do think that in some instances, an infomercial or website can be misleading to the consumer if you don't read the fine print), I know that the FTC and credit card companies are cracking down because they're tired of footing the bill for people who have disputed credit card charges for continuity based products or products where the credit card will be tapped multiple times (a la trial offers).

Things to note when ordering anything from TV/Web/Radio/Print Ads:

1. Nothing in life is free - know that going into an infomercial product purchase. Yes, free gifts that come with your order are free gifts (in this case, a knife set) - and you can keep those even if you return the main product. There is however, a little thing called "Risk Free" which is what this industry thrives on...

2. The coined term "Risk Free" means that there is no risk to the consumer.
*Example: I buy this widget I saw on TV and have 90 days (3 months) to try it out. If i'm not committed to the widget and the promises (or claims) the widgets advertisement makes within that 90 days, I can send it back for a full refund - less the cost of shipping and handling

3. Shipping and handling - many trial offers will boast that normally this product costs X but today - you won't pay X - you won't even pay *name a lesser price* Today, you can try it out for just the cost of shipping and handling. Why can they do this? Probably because they're not making money on shipping the product out and they've figured out what they need to do from a sales perspective so that they can.

4. Many infomercial products will authorize your credit card for the full dollar amount of the product or partially - you may see a charge show up for $1 or for the full amount immediately - the companies merchant processor is checking your bank account to make sure you have sufficient funds for the purchase.

Just some advice to remember - even when you feel like being impulsive!

OBVIOUSLY, we can all agree, the company is engaging in deceptive practices. There's simply no reason not to have in big bold lettering "THIS WILL COST YOU $300!" otherwise. Yes, you should definitely know what you are getting into when giving out your credit card, but when you are being scammed (this is a classic con, the bait-and-switch), it's not always obvious that you are being scammed (otherwise, no one would fall for it).

Since their business practices seem pretty shady, I would suspect the quality of the product is sub-par as well. If you're going to shell out $300, I'd suggest going with Calphalon, Circulon, or one of their half-decent imitators.

c'mon "flairside", everything that has been said about this companys' deceptive practices is true...i too looked at their site, and many others...nowhere could i find a full price for the set, which set off warning signals for me. while being extremely careful when buying something online is good advice, not everyone will always do that...the fact is, when you run across a business that will not post the actual cost of a product, will not stop an order, and will make you pay money to send it back, they are scammers...they try to take advantage of the old and the inexperienced...not everyone is as brilliant as you, (he said facetiously), and the fact that they play on that is justification enough for folks to [censor] about these creeps, and to warn others

I saw the commercial, and my husband and I were very curious on the price as well. No where on the site is there anything about full price, and I in no way wanted to go near the order now button, but, I do have info for anyone looking for good non-stick cookware. I have recently purchased a Paula Deen skillet. I LOVE IT! I will be ordering the complete set, plus the bakeware. The only thing i found out the hard way: my husband put the skillet in the oven. not sure the temp setting, but the handle cracked and browned just a little bit! And, it is tremendously cheaper than stone ripoffs! I got my skillet at walmart, but they are on qvc also. Happy shopping!
And, you may contact the BBB for help with the crooks, they probably would like to know what is going on.

Look, this set is worth 299.00. Any topline gourmet set is going to cost you similar if not more. They do hold out on telling the overall price till the end but you can back out at any time. I got 2 day shipping and the item was in transit within 45 mins. Ive had a great experience with this company so far.

Willthecook-
Check the website again. You posted a link to amazon, for StoneLINE. Wer'e talking StoneDINE. I'm sure it will catch some people, the add shows the same wording as the infomercial.

Truly Ms. cletusvandamme,
I clearly do not think you took much time to read through it also if you expected to get all that for $29.95 + s/h simply put you were not thinking at all! Thier ph number and contact email address is clearly on the website, also from what I read of your email you knew it was more than $29.95 but did not know exactly how much, you should clearly have checked that out before ever giving the credit card information. I suppose the lesson here is: Read through every detail before you readily hand over your credit card info and if you do not, don't come back and slander the company because you chose to be inept!
Good luck next time.