Lagostina review with an open letter to Lagostina regarding truth in advertising with Chinese made products promoted as “made in Italy.”
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A Lagostina Review – An Open Letter to Lagostina: Shame on You
Edited Oct. 2020: I’ve had to remove all the screenshots of the 1 star reviews, however, you can easily find them on Amazon. Questioning the fact that there are so many good Lagostina reviews? Maybe this is why.
Dear Lagostina,
It’s time for us to part ways.
When your PR company first contacted me to work together, I was over the moon. Lagostina, the Italian company with a reputation for quality, Italian-made products, wanted to work with Christina’s Cucina. I was totally on board because I thought our brands were a perfect match for each other. We had so much in common: high standards, a reputation for quality, and our Italian backgrounds.
If it wasn’t for my mother’s Christmas gift to me, who knows when I would have discovered the truth. Lagostina is no longer Italian, and most of your products are not made in Italy. Although, the biggest issue for me is that your company is not clearly presenting this information on your website or other retailers’ sites.
The discovery
My mother says I’m difficult to buy for, so when she saw how much I loved my Lagostina pots and pans, she bought me an entire set for Christmas. However, it was upon opening the box that I spotted (in tiny print, on the very bottom of that massive carton) “Made in China”. I cannot adequately express how I felt when I saw those three words, not to mention what my mother’s face looked like when I uttered them out loud.
Cooking rapini before I knew this was made in China.
I’m not alone: the typical Lagostina review.
I knew we were not alone in feeling deceived after reading several reviews on Amazon’s site regarding your company’s products. Below is a recent Lagostina review, and the reason for my choice of words in the title of this post. This customer’s explanation and why she is upset is exactly how my mother and I felt. I think Lagostina should truly be ashamed of this deceitful advertising practice. (Note: I disagree with the reviewer on blaming Amazon as they cannot possibly oversee every single product on their site.)
Since opening that box of cookware, I have spent a lot of time researching Lagostina’s US website and have yet to see the words “made in China”. When I first called Lagostina, I informed your representative how disappointed and upset I was, but there was no apology. I asked him if they could replace the Chinese made items with Lagostina’s Italian made counterparts, but he immediately refused, stating:
“They are not defective.”
Perusing Amazon’s Lagostina reviews gives a different viewpoint, and it’s rather shocking, to be honest.
Keeping vital information from consumers
The next day, I spoke to the Lagostina representative’s supervisor and explained my situation to her. She did have a response to the fact that most products are not made in Italy. She informed me that “Made in China is printed on the box”. I pointed out the fact that there is no box to read when ordering online. To this, she had nothing to say.
The verbiage on Lagostina’s “About” page, clearly leads the reader to think that your products are made in Italy. If you go to your website, see the photo at the top with the “made in Italy” stamp on the cookware? I would hazard a guess that after reading your “About” page (see the photo and text below), most people would come to the conclusion that Lagostina is an Italian company making solely Italian-made products. Sadly, I now know that this is not the case.
My mother had called Lagostina before I did. She explained that she had bought a set of Chinese made cookware for her daughter who was promoting the products as “made in Italy” on her website. Their response? “As a writer/blogger, she should have done her research.” How can one come upon information that is non-existent, or not clearly conveyed where one would think to find it?
The Lagostina Company is no longer Italian
There isn’t a significant difference in price between the Italian made and the Chinese made products, either. Actually, on Amazon the Chinese made pastaiola pot is about $5 more expensive than its Italian counterpart. It’s simply unfair not to inform your customers where your products are made. In fact, I just recently discovered that Lagostina is no longer even an Italian company:
“Groupe SEB (a French company) include All-Clad, Krups, Moulinex, Rowenta, and Tefal. According to the Groupe SEB website. They have faced considerable competition from low-price Chinese competitors, but have managed to maintain a constant sales level. A large proportion of their product lines are now manufactured in China.” -Wikipedia
I met my friend, Marie, for dinner the other night and she told me she had spotted a Lagostina pan at her local TJ Maxx recently. She remembered me telling her about the Lagostina brand, so she purchased it. However, she informed me that she immediately put it back in the box in order to return it when she spotted “Made in China”!
Lack of transparency continues
My contact at the PR company was also surprised to learn that most of Lagostina’s cookware is made in China. Luckily, she was much more understanding of the situation I was in. She agreed to send one of my giveaway winners an Italian made piece as a replacement. The PR rep also sent me a pastaiola pot that is actually made in Italy.
My number one priority is being honest and forthright with my readers. Now that I know that most of Lagostina’s cookware is made in China, I have no choice but to pass on the information to my followers. I also don’t like feeling as though I was purposefully misled. It is an understatement to say that from my perspective, Lagostina’s reputation has been tarnished.
I felt compelled to write this letter as a Lagostina review. Your customer service representatives seemed to not want to hear what I had to say, and I needed to let you know. I do hope that it has some sort of impact in the way that Lagostina (US) presents products on your website. Online customers researching on what they think is an Italian company’s site have the right to know where the cookware is manufactured–before the box arrives at their home bearing the words, “Made in China”.
Sincerely,
Christina Conte
To My Readers ~
I apologize for the Lagostina review posts that I wrote last year informing you that the cookware was made in Italy. As you can see from reading this letter to Lagostina, I had no idea that most of the pieces were made in China. Lagostina’s Heritage Collection is their only cookware line that is still made in Italy (at the time that this was written).
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I bought a set of Lagostina pots off Amazon last year. It mentioned that they are ceramic. The black paint is chipping off and the lid has a plastic piece that smells after cooking with it. It also seems like the inside corners of the pots are melting. I thought they were made in Italy as advertised on Amazon. Now I’m afraid that the pots are painted black instead of ceramic.
I’m not surprised, Lona. They are definitely not the the business of producing quality cookware anymore. Have you contacted Amazon?
I absolutely agree. I got a set for my mom for Xmas and one for myself.
I noticed the edges ar the top started to have holes or chips in them. I had only used them a handful of times (about 5) I reached out to customer service and asked if this was normal and more importantly, was this safe ? They told me they couldn’t replace them and their warrantee wouldn’t cover any of this as it depends on the usage and storage. I said I store it the same as I do my others and ita been in ita box for most of the year.i have another lagostina brand pot that was fantastic that was gifted to me which is why I bought two sets.
What a disappointment I reached out again these were practically new, I paid nearly $300 for the set (on sale!) And they sold me garbage. I asked again if it was safe stating they would know their own craftsmanship best. I was ignored and never got a reply back.
I will Never buy from them again. What a scam. My chef friend said it was terrible quality when I considered buying it and I didn’t believe him. I should have listened .
I’m not surprised, but I am so sorry, Lu, especially since you bought two sets! They are a deceitful company and make money by duping their customers. The word will spread though and they won’t be able to continue doing this forever. Sorry you had a similar experience to me.
Dear Christina,
It is with disappointment to see that the comment I posted last week has not been published. I do hope it is because of some technical reason and not because I disagreed with you in my comments.
Hi Pearl, nothing in my spam folder (sometimes comments do end up there). You can try again, however, if you’re going to say I’m racist (as many others have), I’m not going to continue to publish those.I do not have time to continually re-explain that having a product made in a certain country which has a reputation for extremely poor quality (with sometimes fatal consequences) does NOT make me racist.
I just purchased a Lagostina pot and I was so excited to own my first piece of Italian cookware. Aim the box, it boasts about heritage using phrases like “Impeccable Italian craftsmanship”, “Italian spirit“ and even “Italian culture”, but on the smaller side by the UPC, to my horror, it says: MADE IN CHINA.
Guess what I did? I SMASHED IT ON THE GROUND! Shattered the lid and banged up the pot and threw it away.
By definition “craftsmanship“ means by hand, not a factory in China! These deceptive marketing practices should be illegal.
Can you imagine the backlash if a California wine maker from Sonoma Valley wrote “Italian spirit, Italian culture, Impeccable Italian grapes” on the bottle? The attorney general or consumer affairs should investigate these frauds.
I can understand your frustration and anger, Alberto, unfortunately, you lost your money and still have no pot :( It would have been better to return the pot and give Lagostina a message that you don’t want their cheap products.
However, I totally agree that this situation should be illegal, just like your comparison to a CA winemaker. It is simply wrong and they are absolutely duping consumers! :(
I am so glad I found this site. I have been looking for white dinnerware and came across the Lagostina Firenze set that was perfect. In Canadian Tire. The price hadd been slashed to 1/4 of the original cost which made me wonder. Most of the reviews were positive but some expressed disappointment at the cheap quality of the product which is making me think twice. Have you heard anything about this dishware.
Hi Donna, I haven’t, but Lagostina is no longer an Italian company. If it doesn’t say where it’s made, you can probaby safely assume it’s China.
https://kitchenfold.com/guides/cookware-made-in-the-usa/
For those who are interested, here is a link to some American made products. Lodge does make an enamel pot, but that is made in China. Some of All Clad’s items are also from China. Hope this is helpful.
Thank you, more good information is always helpful.
Can’t thank you enough!!! I have been so frustrated with so many previous reputable companies (European, British, Amwerican & Canadian) now manufacturing in China with tiny (miniscule) writing on their packaging. My experience: 2010 purchased Natuzzi sectional from Sears Canada ($6,000), promised it was Made in Italy. Arrived with Made in China labels; would not refund $$. Sears Canada no longer exists. My voice feels like a pebble os sand on a large beach. And now dealing with cancer, I am tired. BTW, thanks for Covid, China😤
OMG, Deb! I am incredibly sorry, most of all that you are dealing with cancer. I will add you to my prayer list. I have a very close friend dealing with it too; big hugs to you!
I completely agree and feel the same as you do, and the Natuzzi being made in China is incredible! That price should have be 1/6th of that without the Italian workmanship and materials!!
I hope you heal quickly and completely, Deb. Stay strong and stay safe. <3
Thanks for this in-depth review. I was looking for information about this but didn’t get any information what exactly
I am looking for. Fortunately, I come across to your website and it helps to make my decision.
It’s really made my day.
Thank you again for this great article.