Don't have any experience with these but I'm with you. Dishes must be MW safe or they don't belong in my house. And although I do have a few special serving pieces which I don't put in the DW, everyday dinnerplates have to go in there.

I have melamine plates (not plastic) from Crate & Barrel. They too say top-rack DW only and no microwave. However, I've often put them in the bottom rack of the DW and I use them in the microwave all the time. They've held up perfectly, although who knows, maybe microwaving them allows chemicals to get into the food? Not sure.

Here is a link that might be useful: C&B Melamine Plates

Usually when they say "top rack only" they mean "it'll melt or soften when the heating coil goes on to dry the dishes."

Since I never use that feature (not even sure my new DW has it), but always use "no-heat dry," I can put ANYTHING on the bottom rack.

Well, I guess you all are talking me into keeping them. While I'd LOVE to go back to the outlet soon cause they have sooooo many desirable good deals, I really don't NEED to.

(For anyone in the greater DC area, they have chartreuse and cobalt dishes and glasses that are gorgeous, but just not my house or garden colors)

Anything melamine heats up super hot in the microwave. Beware!