Crate & Barrel

Full review
I used to really dread getting wedding shower invitations. Invitations meant shopping. It meant visiting the store of choice (wherever the bride was registered), sometimes standing in line to access the registry desk (which later turned into a computer screen and print out) and then wandering through aisle after aisle looking for the correct and matching item number. Looking for salespersons to assist became a real challenge and then finding that what the bride wanted was only available at another store’s location but not this one simply added icing on the old wedding cake. So, back to looking through pages of registry, roaming aimlessly down aisles trying to find a gift at the right price (what I could afford) to take home or ordering it from a different store and going to pick it up or ordering it to be delivered and hoping that it would reach me before the shower. The last option was never my best because I usually put off the shopping trip as long as possible.

Enter, stores with online registries. Namely, but not exclusively, Crate & Barrel, Bed, Bath & Beyond, Babies R Us, and Heslops, just to name a few that I’ve had experiences using. A whole new way to shop for wedding and shower gifts. “Ah,” my feet say, aisles at your fingertips and no heavy packages to carry around or store pick-ups. God bless the modern bride and groom! I have never yet visited this store in person, and for that I’m mighty grateful.

One of the best registry stores online today is Crate & Barrel. They really do things right. They even have an Assistance page that actually lists a telephone number in case you have a problem and need to get a hold of them. I sure don’t see that much!

The Site
The site is very easy to navigate and it loads quickly. You click, it is there showing you each category. The pictures of the items are colorful and all the information is complete. There are categories to: Shop & Buy, Register for an Occasion, Visiting the Gift Registry to Shop for a registered gift, and a Gifts Idea category. You can also shop from their catalog (I’ve never gotten one of these) and all you have to do is insert the catalog number.

At the gift registry page, you will need to know the last name of the bride or groom and the first one to three initials of their first name. You are then zipped to their registry and you begin shopping. My feet didn’t hurt once! Each item shows what it is, a picture, how many they want, how many they’ve received and how much the item costs. Click on your choice and add it to your Shopping Cart. When you have finished shopping, you go through check out and they give you a total including shipping and how long it will take to receive. This site has a Tracking page and I personally find that very helpful. However, I’ve never really had to use this page because Crate & Barrel ships efficiently and quickly. I have always received my purchases within a business week. Shipping rates are standard rates, with choices for delivery types.

You can choose (for $3.50) to have your purchase put in a Crate & Barrel signature box. For a small fee, they will also wrap it for you. It looks really pretty and is worth the fee. By the time you buy wrapping paper and ribbon, the cost is about the same.

During checkout you will fill out the name and address of where you wish the package to be sent. I seldom send to the bride because I’m usually buying gifts for a wedding shower but it’s nice to know that if you send wedding presents, they will deliver to the bride’s address as well. (Traditionally we give gifts for showers and money for weddings.) You fill in your credit card information on a secure site, click to finalize the sale and wait for the ensuing email that gives you confirmation of your purchase and a tracking number. (My feet still do not hurt!)

Crate & Barrel is a favorite of mine also because they offer not only standard and traditional products but unique items as well. I find it fun to “window” shop for myself as well. After 32 years of marriage, I doubt that I will be registering for myself anytime soon but it’s fun to get ideas for when my son or daughter may (will they ever?) get married. This is one place I’ll definitely recommend they use for their registry.

So, is there anything I don’t like about Crate & Barrel? Well, their prices tend to be a bit higher than I normally spend on myself. I usually watch for bargains and hope that the bargains match up to my wants. But, I have treated myself occasionally to a product from this site that catches my eye or is unique and that I can’t find at other stores. The site does offer an Outlet shopping page and while somewhat limited it offers many great items. I purchased some glass summer patio drinking glasses and I love them. The quality of the items sold through Crate & Barrel is great. They were wrapped securely and it was a successful purchase.

The site carries dishes, flatware, glassware, table linens, kitchen items, towels and bathroom items, pillows, bedding, furniture, vases, and much more!

So, if you are looking for a great place to open a gift registry (weddings, anniversaries, housewarming, birthday) this is definitely a site to consider. If you are looking for house items for yourself this is definitely a site worth a visit. And, if you receive a shower invitation with a Crate & Barrel registry card, take off your shoes and enjoy the shopping trip!