My Favorite Art Supply (And Other Items!) Online Store
Written: Mar 20 '04
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With the name of Artmom, I figured that it is about time that I wrote about a topic dealing with Art. After all, I have been a member of Epinions since July 17, 2000, and I haven't written an art review since joining.
As the Art Director for a school district on Long Island, I order all of the art supplies for the six schools in the district. The Oriental Trading Company is an excellent source for these supplies. I have ordered through their website, located at www.orientaltrading.com, and their catalog (via the 1-800 number) on many occasions.
The selection of supplies is extrordinary. They have everything that an art teacher (or anyone remotely interested in arts and crafts) could ever want. From clay to crayons, Oriental Trading Company has it all. The low prices are astounding. I can order packs of colored pecils for all ot the students in art classes in the district for less than $50.
Oriental Trading Company offers specialty items, such as ink stones and rice paper, at a terrific price as well. If there is a special unit or one of the other teachers wants to teach something that requires a specific material, Oriental Trading Company is the first place I check. If they don't have it, I know that I would be hard-pressed to find it elsewhere. If I do find it elsewhere, I know that it will most likely be at an exorbitant price.
Art supplies isn't the only category that Oriental Trading Company carries. You can find different decorations and party favors for all occasions and celebrations, including weddings, birthdays, holidays and theme parties. Another category is dress up, where you can peruse different costumes, accessories and wigs for a wide variety of ages. They even have playsets and educational items for children. Other items include bulk candy, gift bags, jewelry, and carnival items.
I must warn you, I am not very computer literate. If ever I need something typed or researched, I ask my daughters (Candice923 and Julie713 to do it for me. I don't like purchasing items online because I am afraid of identity theft. I like old-fashioned catalogs and 1-800 numbers. Fortunately for me, Oriental Trading COmpany has the catalog option.
This review, however, is about www.orientaltrading.com. I have already informed you of the wide variety of items and low prices, both of which are avalable on the website. The website also has specials, such as clearance items and overstock, for a discount that you can't get in the catalog.
Shopping on the website is very easy. You can look up items by their category, or you can type in a specific word for a search. For example, if you're participating in my daughter's Quest For Crayons, you can do a search on "crayons" and bring back a slew of items that may match what you want to order. (I know that at least 2 members of Epinions have sent crayons to our house through www.orientaltrading.com.) If you have a catalog, it is even easier. Find what you want in the catalog, then type in the SKU# in the search box. This method will bring your item right to the screen for purchase.
Payment is very easy. You are brought to a secured page where you can enter your payment and shipping information. Oriental Trading COmpany accepts MasterCard, Visa, Discover and American Express online. (If you order through the catalog, you have the added options of Check, Money Order and Personal Check.) I have paid for items dozens of times online, and I have never encountered a problem.
Customer servce with Oriental Trading COmpany is great. You can contact them via email or through a 1-800 number. Response time is longer through email, of course. I am an instant-gratification type of woman, so I use the 1-800 number. I can't be bothered with waiting for a response. When calling the 1-800 number (1-800-228-2269), I either spoke with a customer service representative immediately, or was placed on hold for a very short amount of time.
Every single person I have encountered at Oriental Trading Company has provided me with excellent customer service. The positive attitudedes, knowledge of the products and willingness to help keep me a happy customer that keeps coming back. Because of the customer service, I highly recommend Oriental Trading COmpany to my friends and colleagues.
When making a purchase, you can choose Standard Shipping (7-10 business days) or Express Shipping (3-5 business days). Shipping rates are based on the price of the items you purchase. The lease expensice shipping is for a purchase up to $30, which is $6.95 for Standard. I have found that items arrive sooner rather than later. Of course, you are given a tracking number so you can follow your packages from Oriental Trading Company in Omaha, NE, until it reaches your final destination.
Oriental Trading Company's online store allows me to purchase all of the items I want for the price that I want to spend, whenever I want to place my order. Even if you're not an art teacher, give www.orientaltrading.com a try. You're bound to find something you'd like to buy.
Recommended:
Yes
What product did you purchase or try to purchase? Art Supplies of all sorts
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Epinions.com ID:
ArtMom
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Location: Long Island, NY
Reviews written: 15
Trusted by: 12 members
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