Registering Online

[Sarah]

As a few of you know, I'm getting married in July :D :cool:

DF is American, and his mother asked me the other day where I was planning to register so that she could tell people for a shower in his hometown.

Well, neither of the stores I was thinking about (Canadian Tire or The Bay) would be all that accessible to DF's family/friends, so we thought about registering online with Crate and Barrel or the like.

Have any of you ever registered and not set foot in the store :eek:?? While things at Crate and Barrel look great online, I'm not sure what I'll think in person.

Any suggestions?

[cminmd]

I think Crate and Barrel and William Sanoma would both be great places to register. Both stores are very direct, if that makes sense. What you see is what you get. In C&B the glasses feel nice and solid, the silverware looks nice and has a good heft. I have never walked in an seen something and been surprised that it was cheaper material than I expected. That would seem strange to register where you have never been, but I don't think you will be disappointed. What the Macy's Empire Juggernaught has not invaded Canada yet?

[tbb113]

Sarah - Best Wishes on the upcoming marriage :D I don't think you can go wrong with either store. If you are worried about quality, etc...can you find things you like that are available in both Canada and the US? That way you can touch and feel them...and then register for them at a store that carries them in the US. Either that...or come for a visit and register in person ;)

[Peweh]

I registered at Williams Sonoma and Pottery Barn without setting foot in the store! But I had been there previously and was familiar with the items I wanted or at least the quality of merchandise. I just remembered I did go to PB to check out the silverware before actually putting it on there, because I wanted to make sure it had the right heft.

Good luck with your planning! We are always here if you need Bridal Advice or a good vent!!

[cangoss]

Sarah -
I think it's time for a trip down to Detroit!
Crate & Barrel is at Somerset mall, about a half hour north of Detroit.

I registered at Crate & Barrel and had no complaints about them. Their products are good quality, and their registry system works really well. I had no duplicates at all - unlike Marshall Fields, where I had a carload of duplicates to return. Two martini glasses arrived broken - they exchanged them at the store a year later (I kept forgetting to take them in) without any hassle.

Macy's (what used to be Marshall Fields) would be the other big option. They're now national, and that would be where many people of our parents' generation would think of shopping first. My sister is registered there, and the Macy's system seems to work better than Marshall Field's did. She has had a few duplicates, but nowhere near as many problems as I did. Macy's would probably give you more choices in terms of cooking gear than Crate & Barrel, where the selection in that category is somewhat limited (i.e. they only have one or two styles of crockpots, and a couple of lines of cookware).

Best wishes to you and your fiance!

[sarah2397]

I love Crate & Barrel! Their flagship store is right behind my office so I am in there often and I get alot of things there for myself and for gifts. Their registry is very well done too as I have know many who registered there. As far as looking at the catalog and the actual merchandise, as was said previously, what you see is what you get. Good quality for the price.

[DanaSD]

I registered at Crate and Barrel without going in the store (though I've been in there many many times previously). Their stuff is pretty true to how it looks online. Sometimes I was imaging things were a different size but they may list sizes but I never looked at them. Quality is great on everything - almost everything, the quality of their furniture items that they carry in their non-furniture stores (the lower priced furniture pieces) while its nice isn't the same quality as the rest of their stuff. It may not hold up very long. They do an excellent job at shipping, too.

I LOVE my dishes, glasses and serving pieces.

[badunnin]

Sarah - I have both WS and C&B near me, if you ever want to visit and shop!

[Sarah]

Oooo...thanks everyone :) It's always time for a trip to the Detroit Metro Area! Actually, my mom and I are going to Novi to look for a dress at the beginning of January.

Here's what I like from C&B. Having a house full of stuff already, we're trying to decide what we really need. I don't need flatware...I have tons. I do need drinking glasses tho.
http://images.crateandbarrel.com/is/image/CrateandBarrel/PicardieSuite?$lg$
and
http://images.crateandbarrel.com/is/image/CrateandBarrel/DublinSuite?$lg$

I also think this is great, and I seem to be going through more juice since Jim got here:
http://images.crateandbarrel.com/is/image/CrateandBarrel/ChaChaPitcher?$lg$

Hmmm....I think I may take my chances and then shop with Bethany ;)

[Sarah]

Gah! Why did my pictures not post??? I've never had a problem before.

[Jalapeno]

I'm getting married in March...I registered on-line at Crate N Barrel.

[Chefzhat]

Well. Humph. :D I didn't know you were getting married!!!! How wonderful! Good for you!

Debie

[tbb113]

I really like the second glasses and its a great looking pitcher

[badunnin]

*gasp* I need to have a shower for you!!!!

[Natasha]

Congratulations, Sarah!!! :D :)

That's it :)

Natasha

[Sarah]

If Bethany has a shower, I want Penzey's :D I even know what I need at the moment. I'm running out of everything. This cooking every night for a boy means I go through stuff :rolleyes:

I'm sorry, Debie. Didn't I send you the link to my blog?

[charley]

Another good one is Bed, Bath, & Beyond. (http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/default.asp?order_num=-1&)

[Chefzhat]

If Bethany has a shower, I want Penzey's :D I even know what I need at the moment. I'm running out of everything. This cooking every night for a boy means I go through stuff :rolleyes:

I'm sorry, Debie. Didn't I send you the link to my blog?

No. You. Did. Not.

:D

Get right on that, willya!

I'll help Bethany plan the shower!!!!!

[badunnin]

No. You. Did. Not.

:D

Get right on that, willya!

I'll help Bethany plan the shower!!!!!

And then the bachelorette party? Anyone? :D

[tbb113]

Detroit is too far away...but I'll join you all in spirit :)

[Sarah]

Ooooh boy. The Michigan women in one room is often a dangerous thought. But if I'm not shopping....then Debie and Cheryl both need to be there!!! :D

Tyra, it's too bad you're so far away. In spirit joiners are always welcome.

After I get through my friend's baby shower this weekend, I'll spend a little more time perusing.

[SandyM]

Big Congratulations, Sarah!!!

I (at one time) had the link to your blog, but lost it. Cheryl told me about it last weekend, though. I'm so happy for you!!

Hmmm........I see Zings in your future....... ;)

[Sarah]

I see Zing's in my future too, Sandy. Jim and I are going to Ann Arbor on our way to West Michigan for New Year's :cool: I'm out of olive oil. And balsamic. And Mexican hot chocolate (although I bought some good stuff at WS a couple of weeks ago). And there's always a need for the chocolate cherry bread addiction :D

[Canice]

I'll be another "in spirit" for the shower! :D

Looks like you've got all the input you need on the registration stuff, but I did want to send my congratulations and good wishes. :)