Country Curtains--Wonderful Experience except for no emailed shipping notification
Written: Apr 10 '06 (Updated Apr 10 '06)
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,We moved into a new home in February 2005. We had lots of windows in need of curtains. I was willing to sew some of them myself, but I wanted something nicer-looking for our living room, as well as some sort of lace curtain for our main bathroom (to be paired with mini-blinds). My mom passed along an old Country Curtains catalog. I liked what I saw so I logged onto their website, requested a catalog, and eventually placed an order in November 2005.
About Country Curtains
As you might guess from the name, this company sells curtains, but don’t think they’re limited to “country” curtains only. There’s a nice wide selection of curtains that would be of interest to those who aren’t into the country motif, though the country look (checked, roosters, etc) is easier to find than with most curtain companies. They also carry curtain rods and other hardware, shades, bedding, accent pillows, and some other miscellaneous. Note that the selection of coordinating bedspreads, pillows, etc is rather small. This is mostly just curtains and assorted paraphernalia.
Navigating the Website
The website is pretty easy to navigate. The header of the front page has links for curtains, top treatments, rods & hardware, shades, bedding, pillows & coordinates, home accents, fabrics. The largest category by far is curtains, which is divided into tailored, tabs & pinch pleats, insulated & lined, tier & café, ruffled, laces, sheers, door panels, shower curtains. The selection of curtains is quite good.
Product categories show 8 pictures at a time, with a link to go to the next or previous page. There is also the option of displaying all category results at once. However, I don’t have a high-speed internet connection (I connect at about 24.0 kbps), so I found it a bit of a pain to scroll through all the screens of thumbnails and open potential ones. However, it was very easy to go to and request a free paper catalog (link at bottom of page). It arrived within the week.
Free Fabric Swatches
A wonderful perk is the ability to order free fabric swatches. You may order up to 10 swatches, of any of the curtains. Each product page has a spot to request a swatch right under the picture. You must create an account to request swatches. Once you have all the swatches you want, you can submit your request. They arrived within a week and were approximately 3x3 inches.
Placing Your Order
The shopping cart was easy to handle and understand. Your shopping cart contents will be held up to 14 days if you delay in placing your order. Your order may be placed as a guest, or you may create an account. Payment could be made via Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, or JCB. You may also order by phone, fax, mail, and online by catalog quickshop (entering catalog product codes and quantity into a form).
Shipping Information
Shipping costs were quite reasonable. Shipping on orders of more than $150 (my category) is $16.50. For a larger fee, you can receive express delivery or have your order shipped internationally. My order arrived about 1 1/2 weeks after it was placed, which is within the promised 5-7 business days. It arrived via USPS Parcel Post. My curtains were well-packaged, and a catalog was included with my order.
Email Notifications
I immediately received a notification that my order had been placed. I did not not receive any notice that my order had shipped. It arrived approximately 1 1/2 weeks later, within the promised time frame, but it was a bit of a surprise since I didn't think it had shipped yet. Email notification of shipping is pretty standard, and Country Curtains should provide it.
Returns and Exchanges
Returns or exchanges may be mailed back with a packing slip. In order to expedite an exchange, call first, and they’ll get your new item in the mail. You will be charged for the new item, but the cost of the first will be refunded when they receive it. Unless there was an error made on their part, they will not refund postage and handling. You are responsible for the cost of mailing your item(s) back to them. I had no need to return or exchange my order.
Did I Like My Curtains?
I ordered curtains and tiebacks for the living room and a lace swag for the bathroom. I was quite pleased with the quality of both.
My Opinion of Country Curtains
If I’m ever in the market to buy curtains again, I will check out Country Curtains first. I think they should add shipping notification, but other than that, I didn't have any gripes. However, shipping notification is pretty standard with online orders, and so I only give Country Curtains 4 stars.
Recommended:
Yes
What product did you purchase or try to purchase? Living Room Curtains and Tiebacks, Lace Swag for Bath
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About the Author
Member: Heather
Location: West Virginia, United States
Reviews written: 55
Trusted by: 20 members
About Me: Christian, wife, mother at home w/ 5 children under 9; #6 due Sep '10
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