Smith + Noble....Curtains + Slow Shipping
Written: Jan 12 '04
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...A "first things first" to know about my shopping experience...
I went into Smithandnoble.com 'blind'. That is, I had seen some roman shades in a Country Living article, noted the source, and went to the site. No catalog in front of me, and a vague sense of what the company had to offer.
Secondly, I visited knowing that I have an entire house with windows still needing to be dressed. This may mean that I was either stressed, feeling a bit desperate, or it could mean nothing at all. Take it for what it's worth.
The Site
Upon entering the website, one is greeted with easy access departments across the top of the page and also information on any sale or special offering that may be going on. For example, they were currenly offering 10 free fabric swatches, no strings attached.
Each page I visited while browsing through their various window treatment options had at least a few photos of their treatments "in action". (Well, they were just laying around a window, but you know what I mean.) Furthermore, good information was given in the pre-order stage while many websites fail to mention certain details until you've spent about 10 minutes filling out an order form. Not the case here.
Links were all up and functioning smoothly and the added benefit of saving my choices without purchasing was a real load off what's left of my mind. This meant I could do some preliminary choosing, save them, even label according to the room the treatment was intended for, and come back later should I want to finish the order or simply look again at my choices.
The Merchandise
Though not just window treatments, Smith & Noble has a focus on window treatments and certain accessories built around a very extensive array of fabric options. "Options" in the case mean varieties in type, color, print.
In windows:
- Window top treatments such as valences and fabric-covered cornices.
- Shades of a wide variety: roman in various forms, traditional shades, honeycomb
- Blinds: traditional, wooden
- Drapery in a range of fabrics and looks, from formal to casual to somewhere in between.
For each of these options, the appropriate hardware is available as well as additional add-ons to further customize both window covering and/or finials and tie-backs.
In accessories:
The same fabric utilized in window coverings can be purchased as yardage, as a toss pillow in various styles, or covering a smaller ottoman.
Finally, there are some limited furniture choices as well, again revolving around the Smith & Noble fabric line, allowing customers to further coordinate a room.
Ordering
The online order process is more blessing than bane, with most steps covered in a very systematic process. From initial selection of item, choices are whittled down from basics like size to something like customized trim. Along the way the customer is taken to various pages in a form as if being interviewed by a decorator on the spot.
A few clicks and utilizing a major credit card and the order is placed. A follow-up confirmation email arrived in my box no more than one minute after my order was placed.
...A few things to know after the order...
Shipping Done utilizing UPS, I received email notices upon the shipment of each item I had ordered. The packaging was exemplary not leaving much opportunity for damage while in transit. All hardware was included along with instructions clear enough for my husband.
Receipt, however, took longer than the 5-7 business days suggested for any hardware I had ordered. In my case this meant a curtain rod and set of drapery hold backs. Each item ordered shipped separately, none of them arriving on the same day.
Telephone People I had contact via 1-800 number with customer service when I was told I had missed a selection decision in my order. My customer service representative was cordial but then peeved when I did not have a catalog from which to make my selection - reading my choices to me was apparently not in her job description. The change did happen promptly and the item was subsequently received as ordered.
In the end, I am pleased with my Smith & Noble experience. I would utilize their service again, and upon receiving a real paper catalog I must say that ordering on line was much more understandable than attempting to order utilizing the catalog. Shipping was excellent in terms of packaging and I imagine because of the custom nature of certain items, waiting a few extra days is not exceptional.
Good website, great source for decorating tips, excellent product, mediocre operators, and less than prompt - but nicely packaged - shipping.
Recommended:
Yes
What product did you purchase or try to purchase? drapery, blinds, hardware
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