Everything for the Kitchen -- and More!
Written: Jan 08 '04 (Updated Jan 09 '04)
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I had purchased a small 19-inch Granite Ware Roaster for my mother, and I knew she would like the same roaster in a larger size. So I went comparison shopping via the internet and decided to purchase the roaster from the Kitchen Etc. online store. I have shopped at a two brick-and-mortar Kitchen Etc. retail stores and trusted their products and service.
Entering & Navigating the Website
The opening page of the website is well presented. Navigation is simple. On the right side of the page is a menu of categories to choose from. The categories are broken into two areas:
Tabletop
Crystal, Dinnerware, Casual China, Fine China, Flatware, Giftware, Glassware, Serveware
Housewares
Bakeware, Cookbooks, Cookware, Cutlery, Electrics, Food, Furniture, Gadgets, Storage & Org, Textiles
If the above categories aren’t of help, there is a search box at the top of the page. Type in a word or phrase to obtain a list of results. The results page shows mini-pictures of the items, lists the price, a brief description and whether the items are in stock. Click on an item to read more about it. I typed in the word “roaster”, and the search feature returned 45 items. I typed in the word “graniteware”, and the search engine showed 13 items, including the roaster I wanted to buy.
Along the top of the home page are buttons that offer other paths to Kitchen Etc. areas: Registry (for Bridal gifts), Services (your account, pattern notification, gift cards), Customer Service (shipping & general information), Corporate (careers), Stores (events, store locator). There are also buttons for Hot Prices, Clearance, This Week’s Specials, Gift Ideas.
Product Pages & Pricing
Each item page shows a large photo of the item and a description. There are buttons to click that will print the page or e-mail the page to a friend. You can also add the page to your “Wish List”. Related products are shown at the bottom of the page along with a list of most recently viewed items, which makes comparing item features easier.
Giftcards are available for purchase in either $25, $50 or $100 amounts. There are no shipping charges or sales tax applied to gift cards.
As with any store, it’s a case of comparison shopping for the best deal. I did a lot of searches comparing various items between Kitchenetc.com, Cooking.com and Amazon.com. In some instances, Kitchen Etc. had the best price, especially if the item was listed under their “Hot Price” category or was on Clearance. However, Cooking.com often equaled or beat Kitchen Etc’s prices -- and Amazon.com usually offered better pricing than both these online stores. I would definitely shop around before deciding to buy at Kitchen Etc.’s online store.
Shipping Costs
All orders are shipped from Exeter, New Hampshire. Since I live in Massachusetts, I received a faster shipping time than merchandise being delivered, for example, to California. Kitchen Etc. offers Ground Shipping (7-10 business days) and Rush Service (3-4 business days). Rush Service is not available to all locations or for all items, and shipping to Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and U.S. Territories will cost more money. Shipping charges are based on the dollar amount spent. Here is a breakdown of the shipping fees:
Up to $14.99 -- Ground $4.95 / Rush $14.85
$15.00 - $24.99 -- Ground $6.45 / Rush $19.35
$25.00 - $49.99 -- Ground $7.95 / Rush $23.85
$50.00 - $74.99 -- Ground $9.95 / Rush $29.85
$75.00 - $99.99 -- Ground $11.45 / Rush $34.35
$100 - $124.99 -- Ground $12.95 / Rush $38.85
$125 - $149.99 -- Ground $14.95 / Rush $44.85
$150 - $199.99 -- Ground $16.95 / Rush $50.85
$200 - $299.99 -- Ground $19.95 / Rush $59.85
$300 - $399.99 -- Ground $22.95 / Rush $68.85
$400 - $499.99 -- Ground $24.95 / Rush $74.85
$500 - $749.99 -- Ground $29.95 / Rush $89.85
$750.00 and Over -- Ground $37.95 / Rush $113.85
Ordering & Payment
When finished shopping, click on the “Checkout” button. A screen opens itemizing the items in the shopping cart. Click “Proceed to Checkout” and a new screen opens. At this point, you are given the option of registering with Kitchen Etc. or of proceeding with the purchase without registering. Click the appropriate button and a screen opens where shipping address information is entered. The next screen further itemizes the order and also includes the shipping charges and any applicable tax. If you have a Kitchen Etc. giftcard, you can enter the giftcard number on this page, but only one giftcard can be used per order. Kitchen Etc. accepts Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express credit cards and offers encrypted secure shopping. (If not comfortable ordering online, print the order and either fax or mail it to Kitchen Etc.) At the bottom of the page, you can choose whether you would like to receive e-mail from Kitchen Etc. Click the “Submit Order” button and a summary page appears that you can print out for your records.
Kitchen Etc. also sends an e-mail notification summarizing the order. In the e-mail is a link to view the order tracking information when it is posted. Clicking on the e-mail link opens a Kitchen Etc. website screen. At first glance, it looks like the screen is only showing an Order Summary. However, beneath the item name, in very small print, is the day the order shipped and how it was shipped (ex: via UPS). Beside this information is a red link that says “Tracking Info”. Click on the link and a pop-up screen shows itemized tracking of the order. Viewing this information, I see that I placed my order on January 3 (Saturday). UPS picked the order up at Kitchen Etc. on January 6 (Tuesday), and the order was delivered to me the next day.
Should you wish an item gift wrapped and sent with a message, Kitchen Etc. offers this service. The gift wrap charge is $7.50 (no matter how many items are purchased) and the price appears at the end of the ordering process on the Order Summary page.
Items can be returned within 30 days of purchase date for a full refund.
My Online Shopping Experience
I chose to shop at Kitchen Etc. because I knew their name and had shopped at the Kitchen Etc. brick-and-mortar retail store. When I went comparison shopping online, I found some online stores (none that I was familiar with) that offered the roaster for $19.99 instead of Kitchen Etc’s price of $24.99. However, once the shipping charges were totaled, Kitchen Etc. was the best buy. I could have purchased the roaster for a dollar less at an online hardware store, but I didn’t know anything about the hardware store or its reputation.
Within minutes of entering the Kitchen Etc. online store, I located the Granite Ware Roaster using the Search feature and placed my order. The ordering process was simple, no glitches. I requested Ground shipping. Shortly after placing the order online, I received an e-mail announcing that my order had processed. The e-mail contained a link, which I could use to track the order once it shipped; but I did not track the order since it arrived so quickly.
The Granite Ware roaster arrived via UPS. The box was well sealed, and when I opened it, the Granite Ware roaster was protected with bubble wrap and packing material. My mother is delighted with her newest Granite Ware roaster and can’t wait to use it.
Summary
I’m very happy with my Kitchen Etc. purchase and shopping experience. In this instance, Kitchen Etc. was the only store name I knew that sold this item. So I played it safe and ordered from an online store that I was pretty sure would deliver the product in a timely fashion. I’m pleased that Kitchen Etc. provided quality and service at a good price. Before making the choice to buy here again, I would definitely comparison shop. I have no complaints about Kitchen Etc. other than when comparing a variety of products and prices, I found Kitchen Etc. prices on the high side. But if Kitchen Etc. offers the item I want at a good price or is the only store name I’m familiar with that is selling a product, then I will definitely purchase from them again.
I hope you have found this review useful.
Enjoy your day,
Dawn
Additional Store Information
www.kitchenetc.com
Customer Service Toll-free # 1-800-232-4070
Monday - Sunday (9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. EST in the U.S.)
Customers outside the U.S., dial # 1-603-773-0020
Fax # 603-778-0777
Kitchen Etc.
Attn: Customer Service
32 Industrial Drive
Exeter, NH 03833
Please read my other reviews.
Granite Ware 19-inch Oval Roaster
Le Creuset Bean Pot
Amco 4-cup Stainless Steel Measuring Cup
Pyrex 4-cup Glass Measuring Cup
Calphalon Professional Non-Stick Sauce Pan with Lid
T-Fal Perfection Saute Pan with Lid
GE Refrigerator with Top Freezer
Maytag Gemini Oven
Copyright 2004 Dawn L. Stewart
Recommended:
Yes
What product did you purchase or try to purchase? Roasting Pan
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