However, for those of you who have a sentimental attachment to your crystal and can't bear the thought of living without a certain piece, there may be some options available.
Carder notes, "I do believe there are replacement companies which do gather some of the older products."
One such company is Replacements, Ltd., which can be found at www.replacements.com. Their user-friendly website is sorted by piece type, manufacturer and the corresponding inventory they have available.
Another replenishment company that offers Lenox crystal is Dishes From the Past, which is located at www.dishesfromthepast.com. Much of their inventory has corresponding photos to compare your pieces to and they also take special requests, as their buyers continually update their inventory.
According to their website, Past & Present houses a "60,000 square foot warehouse" full of discontinued products, including a vast amount of Lenox. Their website can be found at www.pastpresent.net.
Of course, there are always some pieces that will be nearly impossible to find. Carder says, "Unfortunately over a period of time some of the older decorations are no longer available."
He stresses that buyers shouldn't be discouraged from searching, though.
"There is always a chance that Lenox will still be making a piece. In fact you will probably find some of the better selling items that Lenox carries are some crystal pieces which coordinate with tabletop items."
Be sure to check the Lenox website before you give up, because the more popular lines are typically accessible longer than you may expect.
Carter notes "Some collections have been in the line for ten years and show no sign of weakening, so I would reiterate that our favorite items are available for some period of time."
The main factor that causes merchandise to be discontinued is simple customer demand.
Carder clarifies, "As sales begin to drop off, we go in to sort of a custom order process, but I think by and large we have managed to satisfy 90% of the customers."
Carder continues, "Unfortunately some of the older patterns were manufactured in places that we no longer work with, [so we] can't really reproduce them unless there would be some large special order for them."
The best way to protect yourself from losing pieces that are precious to you is to register your current Lenox patterns with the company and participate in their Lifetime Breakage Replacement Program.
A statement on their website reads, "With our Lifetime Breakage Replacement Program, you'll never have to worry about breakage, because we'll replace any broken piece that is in stock at Lenox, at 50% off the current suggested retail price. This offer is good for as long as you own your Lenox products."
Once you've done that, you're a phone call or e-mail away from a replacement at the discounted price if breakage should result.
