Frequently Asked Questions

Our Products

Where do your products come from? Are they really all from Italy?

Yes, our products are 100% Italian. We make frequent buying trips to Italy and have developed a network of some of the finest artisan producers and craftspeople in Italy. We bring in many containers of products every year to our warehouse, and are always on the lookout for something new.

Why is your pasta so expensive? I can get it for 99 cents a pound down at Safeway?

There are many reasons why there is such a wide range of prices for what may seem like the same item, but it you were to conduct a taste test, the difference would immediately become apparent. Start with the wheat; mass market pasta uses a kind of durham wheat designed for high yields, but at the expense of flavor and texture. It may have been grown with pesticides and chemical fertilizers. Our pastas are made with wheat grown in the older style, which is more labor intensive. Many are grown organically. Our producers take great pride in taking the time to do everything perfectly, using traditional methods. Some of the pasta machines they use are over a hundred years old, which create a unique texture. The proof is in the eating, and you'll fall in love with the rich flavor and texture of our pastas. Try some of the Senatore Cappelli varieties, made with an heirloom durham wheat that you will find nowhere else.

How can I find out about new products?

• We publish an email newsletter about ten times a year, with stories about our products, recipes, and featured new products.
• We also feature a list of new products on our home page, with a complete list on our new products page.
• If you use an RSS newsreader, subscribe to our feed, by right clicking on the orange RSS icon on our homes page and subscribing to the feed at the URL there.

Do you publish a print catalog of your products?

No, because a print catalog is expensive to produce and quickly goes out of date. We do have an online catalog, though, where you will find a an easy to read summary of all our products.

Can I get my local store to carry your products?

Yes, we are also wholesalers, and have a growing roster of retail dealers. If you'd like your favorite store or restaurant to feature our products, please have them contact us for details.

Ordering

Do you ship to other countries?

Yes, we can deliver to almost any part of the world. We use the USPS Global Mail Express service for international orders, and you should receive it within 3 to 5 days.

I'm having difficulties placing my order - can you remember me if I come back?

Yes, it is easy to set up an account with us. When you check out, you will be asked to fill a form with your billing and shipping addresses. Before you fill this out, click on the Customer Login link on the form, located to the right of Billing Information. Enter your user name and password, and click the new customer box. Now go back and fill out the form, and your information will be stored. The next time you come to shop, click on the Customer Login link to log in, and your information will be used to fill out the form.

What if my billing and shipping addresses are the same?

Just click the Check here if your shipping/billing information are the same box, and your billing information will also be used for shipping.

What forms of payment do you accept?

We accept VISA, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express credit cards. We now also accept PayPal.

I live overseas, and can't get my credit card to work with your site.

Try using PayPal. You don't need to be a PayPal member, and you can enter a credit card instead of using a PayPal account.

Gifts

Your gift baskets are beautiful, but I can't find one exactly like I want - is there a way I can create a custom one?

You bet - see our custom gift baskets to see how easy it is to create your own special gift. You can make a custom basket of any size, from small to large, and choose just the right products for the perfect mix.

Privacy

Will my information be kept confidential?

Yes, we are as concerned as you are about privacy and identity issues. Be assured that any information you give us will never be sold, traded, or given to other companies in any form. We will never send you an solicited email. The only communication you receive from us will be confirmations of your order, and our newsletter (but only if you subscribe to it).

Is your payment processing secure?

Yes, we use a third party processing service to process orders, which is run on a very secure site with 128-bit encryption. We do not store your credit card information on our servers.

I'm concerned about using my credit card on the Internet.

Using your credit card with a secure web site is probably safer than handing it to a waiter at a restaurant. Still, we respect your feelings and you may order over the telephone if you prefer.

What about browser cookies?

We do use browser cookies to help store information that helps us remember your preferences between visits to our site. They are not used to record personal information, and are not connected to cookies from other sites, so they do not represent a security threat.