Overheard whilst shopping

Visited a tony housewares store this afternoon--more to look and dream than to actually buy anything. I found the Davenport of My Dreams, and several other things I'll never afford, and in the process overheard a truly strange customer interaction.

The other patrons of the small shop were a middle-aged woman and man. They were very high maintenance--running the very nice clerk to the back every 3 minutes or so, asking the clerk if he could get her a soda, loudly saying things like "What I'm trying to do, is match this to our crystal chandelier. The one in the living room, not the foyer." (which made me think of this skit from SNL)

What they ended up buying were large-ish decorative ceramic balls, the kind you display in a bowl. While the clerk was wrapping them, she asked "So, the warranty from the company is for 30 days, what kind of warranty do you offer or is the 30 days from your company?"
Somewhat confused, the clerk asked her, "We do have a 30 day return policy, is that what you mean?"
"No a warranty." slight eye rolling from customer, "I mean, if they break--is the warranty only for 30 days?"
Yes, you read correctly. A warranty on ceramic spheres. Kind of like for say, computer equipment or a car.

The clerk said, "Well...um, I suppose if they just were sitting the the bowl and broke because of, um, bad um, workmanship..."
Customer, impatiently "I mean, if when I put them in the dishwasher they break..."

Okay. Here is where I was so startled that I let out a little chortle and had to leave the store before I dissolved into giggling. Thinking there was a warranty on what was basically a high-class tchotchke, that is silly enough. But for the love of sweet baby Jesus--why would you put them in the Dishwasher? You are not going to serve food on them. I'd think a little light dusting and the occasional swipe with a damp cloth should do it.

But the dishwasher? How clean do they need to get? And once these are clean, what next?

"Hmmm. You know, my crystal bell collection is looking a little dusty. Better throw it in the clothes washer! That cat looks a little shabby too, better get out the carpet steamer!"