Factory Seconds

In the manufacturing process defects arrise. These defects can be so minor that are even unnoticeable. Aynsley has a factory shop based at the Sutherland Road, Longton. Factory seconds are sold 17% below the RRP (Recommended Retail Price).

The defects range from dust particles in the glaze to decoration errors. Aynsley adds factory second marks in three stages of firing.

1) The first stage is decoration and before the glaze stage if there is a decoration fault a letter A or S are commonly used next to the Aynsley logo stamp.

2) The second stage is glazing and if there is a fault at this stage the cross of the crown on the aynsley logo is scored with a pen rotating drill which scratches the glaze to deface the logo

3) The third stage is gilt work and faults are recorded with a scratch to the crown. This stamp example shows failures in two of the firing stages.

In this example a non glazed S is used to mark the quality as a second

The lower case "a" is also used in the following:

This is a first quality stamp with no additional marks:

Factory seconds have their uses it would be a waste to destroy a piece when its fully functioning and can be used.

The issues are when someone attempts to sell a 1st quality piece when they are seconds. This is very common practice on famous internet auction sites. This practice runs the risk of the seller having to refund and pay for the return of pieces sold by deception.