We are communicating by E-mail through automated internet translators. It took three attempts to get my inquiries answered at all. Several more to figure out how to order samples, and then three attempts to get the wire transfer payment to go through (they kept giving me the wrong IBAN number!). Then two weeks after the transfer finally went through I get an E-mail telling me something went wrong with the shipping but it's on the way, and that they will cover the added expenses. Then I get a call from UPS's customs office asking what the heck this is that I've ordered from Italy (the forms are filled out in Italian), then two days later I receive it via UPS Express! That cost them over 70 Euros even for this little order.

Well, it's all been very worthwhile and even sort of fun. I keep reminding myself that if it were easy to order from these guys, everyone would do it, and then I would not be looking at such great briar!