Maybe go and get a box before you make the exchange...that way, if there are any broken ones, you can switch them out at the return counter so that you have a box with all dishes intact. The store will probably let you do that, so they only have to damage out one box of dishes. It's a win-win!
P.S. I bought plain white dishes with a simple silver edge this year for the same reason
I love them, and we've been using them since Thanksgiving. They will be our special occasion dishes, and our regular light blue stoneware is for everyday.