At GiftCollector it is rare that we come across anything super unusual speaking to our customers about why they want to buy our products. We sell dinnerware mind you. But part of the great fun of talking to the general public in the customer service department is to hear about our customers’ lives and the stories behind the items (dinnerware and collectibles) that they choose to have in their lives. I’ll admit most of the time we are filling orders for the expected special occasions: weddings, graduation, birth of a child, or anniversaries. That is why when we hear of an unusual need for what we sell, it adds even more fun to what we do.

Last week I received a call from a frantic woman asking lots of questions about the availability of the Johnson Brothers Old Britain Castle Blue Teacup. “Is this in stock? How long will it take to ship to California? How big are these teacups? Wait, let me tell you what I am trying to do here.” She then proceeded to tell me about how she was the prop master for the new remake of Pyscho. “Remake of Psycho? Wasn’t there a remake in the 90′s?” I asked, she said “Yes, yes, but THIS one is going to be fantastic!”

She explained that the cast will be star studded. Anthony Hopkins playing Alfred Hitchcock, Helen Mirren playing the film maker’s wife, and Scarlett Johannson as Janet Leigh. Uh hmm, well now back to the teacups…

Spode Blue Italian Teacup and saucer

Since a teacup would be used in the opening scene and then smashed at the end of it, she requested that 12 sets were in order, just to make sure they had enough for the amount of takes that it might require. I checked inventory and unfortunately we did not have enough to send right away and they were needed next week in Los Angeles. So I thought what would be better than a teacup that was once made in England to one that is actually STILL made in England…the Spode Blue Italian Teacup and Saucer. So I suggested to her the aforementioned teacup and saucer in its place. The price was a bit more but I told her, “if the director is looking for an authentic British blue and white teacup for his British cast then this is the one.” She thought and then responded, “well maybe they can get the scene in 6 takes.” I went on to explain that the Spode Blue Italian dinnerware is still made in England and the teacup specifically has detail inside of the teacup, a feature that most fine china companies have ceased to continue because of the difficulty and cost involved. “Sold”, she said. “The director is going to love it. How fast can you get them to me?”

This is a good day in the customer service department at GiftCollector.