Is melamine supposed to break (especially packed in a box during shipping)? Definitely room for improvement between the plastic/lightweight feel. Not a lot of weight to them at all. The pattern is ONLY on the top part of the plate so beware if you are looking for a super classy look. Comparatively speaking, the plate sets at Pier One are far superior but will also cost 3 times the price. Seeing as we cookout most of the year here in Arizona, these are going back. The extra money at Pier One will be a better deal in the long run considering how often we will be using them for outdoor dining.