Williams Sonoma

Wish zero stars was an option here. I won’t ever purchase something from this store after the unexplainable level of rudeness and complete lack of service I have now experienced on 2 occasions. Here’s what happened: my mother gave me a gift card so that I could get a quality pan to cook with as I am expanding my cookware. I chose a pan online that had great reviews and paid for the expedited shipping as I was excited to get the pan and start using it. A month later and I have no usable pan. Unfortunately, the pan arrived with chips, flaking, and obvious defects. I attempted to contact customer service via phone as the receipt suggested on 3 separate occasions, and wasn’t able to get anyone on the line after holding for 20 minutes.(I’m pretty patient) So, I figured that I would need to exchange my pan to a local store. I called in advance and spoke to someone who guaranteed that I could exchange it by bringing it in and having an associate order a replacement. That same day I drove to the store and politely explained the situation which seemed to annoy the person assisting. At no point was I asked if I’d like to look around or exchange for something that day, which I would have happily considered. Well, they were obviously not listening at all as they simply started typing away, then asked what my reason for returning was. I told my story again. So, I was handed a new piece of paper and told that I was all set. But I had questions. When will I get my pan? They stated that they had no idea. Okay. Why is the amount on this paper about $ 20 more? No idea but you don’t owe anything. Um, okay. The only thing that gave me hope was that I was told to bring back the next one if it wasn’t right either. Not exactly reassuring, but appreciated nonetheless. About a week later, my new pan arrives and… It had similar issues to the first one. So, back to the store I went. I started to explain that I had a return and was cut off mid sentence. I attempted to take the pan out of the box and was told to just leave it. She took the receipt and started typing away. No conversation, no eye contact. She then asked me why I was returning it. Ahem, I said it was defective earlier, but she wasn’t listening. I told her that unfortunately it was defective. That was met with a «ok». No offer of apology, no offer to exchange. So, again I’m handed a slip of paper and told I’m all set. Silly me, I had questions! Why is the amount about $ 40 more? «I can’t manipulate the numbers. It’s an estimate.» I didn’t ask anyone to «manipulate» anything. I was simply trying to point out what looked like a mistake. So, how do I get reimbursed? «You’ll get a merch credit in 5 – 7 business days.» Ok, but I paid with a gift card. «You’ll get a merch credit.» Is that the same as a gift card? «No.» Hmm, what’s the difference? «A merch credit isn’t the same as a gift card.» I stood there in an «is this really happening? moment» and then walked out. Please heed my warning: if you ever walk in the store and expect to leave happy, you’re going to be quite disappointed. I’ll be contacting the store manager to share my experience as well.

My review applies to an issue I had trying to return an item. A couple of weeks ago, I purchased a pair of salad tongs. Today, I tried to return them and was told they were a non-​returnable item by the store manager. She would not let me return them either for a credit on my credit card or a store credit. She said they were on the clearance table and that means no returns. On the day I purchased them, I asked an associate if they had salad tongs and she brought me a couple different ones. I chose a pair and purchased them. I noticed they were on sale, but I didn’t go back to the sale table and the associate didn’t tell me they were non returnable. Today the manager said it was on the receipt that they weren’t returnable. The receipt does indicate items ending in .97 and .99 are non refundable, but what good does this notation do AFTER the purchase?
I’m really shocked that the manager was so unwilling to help me. Customers should be made fully aware that something they are purchasing isn’t returnable.

I love this location, and their free technique classes are the best!

I don’t know how I keep giving birth to Star Wars and comic fans, but I do. We’ve purchased Star Wars pancake molds, cookie cutters, cupcake liners, aprons etc… All Star Wars. I’ll even admit, I have pulled out and worn the Star Wars or Spider-​Man aprons on occasion.
They also carry the BEST waffle iron brand. –All Clad. Waffle irons that leave your waffles crispy on the outside and tender on the inside and evenly cooked. I own two and will keep both running at once when we have guests over. My oldest daughter is leaving home and has admitted she might try to sneak one out of the house to take with her to college.
Interesting products such as Ebelskiver pans and recipe books to go with. –I give these as Christmas gifts for my foodie friends. If you like to cook and you want to try something new, they’re a huge hit with my friends and family.
Their home cleaning products are excellent. Very high quality. Made with essential oils. They really smell fantastic and make your skin feel good and your house smell good. PLUS, they are very earth friendly and aren’t tested on animals. Even the all-​purpose cleaner.
I don’t buy the packaged foods here. I just can’t justify a $ 22 apple; I don’t care how good it tastes. Nor a $ 17 jar of spaghetti sauce. Not when I can make my own! I pass on the packaged foods and mixes, but they have so many products that are worth the money spent.
In all honesty, I think WS can sometimes think a little too highly of themselves when I see the prices they sometimes ask. I can’t deny they put out excellent products though.
And their gift wrapping is super cute. Probably my favorite of any store I’ve paid to send gifts wrapped. Very classy looking.

This store (the chain that is) bothers me a bit because no matter which location I go (I’m talking across the country…) I’m always treated as if I am not good enough to be there. And I’m not a loiterer and have made purchases before, so I don’t know what the problem is. If you’re a WS clerk, maybe you can enlighten me: is it part of the training to have a «more gourmet than thou» attitude? I don’t get it.
This place has all the fancy cooking supplies you could want, and more (lots of unnecessary stuff — do you really need molds so you can make pancakes in the shape of Yoda’s head? If you do, maybe you have a little too much money on your hands). Still, the basic items they have are of good quality.
All told, though, I do prefer Sur La Table for my frou-​frou cooking needs, and there’s one within walking distance.

Great store! They have pretty much anything you might need/​want for your kitchen. Every time I’ve gone in the employees are inviting and helpful.
Only downside can be the prices. A jar of pasta sauce for $ 20+? But there are definite items in here I would splurge on that are of high quality.
I would recommend making a registry here if you are engaged!

I do enjoy this store. I feel it may be smaller than some of their other stores, but I have always been able to find whatever I needed ~ be it cooking supply, baking supply, table linens, seasonal items. If they don’t have it in stock, it is shipped to your home. I love the way they package some of the specialty baking items ~ everything needed to make a perfect gift.
Often, they are preparing a food item and the smell is welcoming. Isn’t that the trick to selling your house? LOL
Anyway ~ cook on.

I’ve been a big fan of this place over the years. There are some places I go to for special needs or for special events. This is one place I go. Now this place is NOT cheap but you do get what you pay for. If you want quality, this is a great place to start. The best brands for kitchen items are here. Just about anything your kitchen would need, come here. While you pay a bit more than you would in discount places, but the items last.
Food items are also pretty specific to your needs as well. A nice selection of olive oils, baking mixes, as well as starters for guacamole, 40 garlic chicken and chili are right there for you. You may be better off going to a Crate and Barrel for daily items like plates and glasses but for cookware and the like, come here. It’s even better when items go on sale. I bought my Dad some BBQ gloves a while back at 50% off and these weren’t cheap to begin with (I went back and got the same ones for myself). The integration of all things food (food itself, cookbooks, knife sets, etc) is very well done.
For me, it comes down to the people. I also visited the Wheaton location (which is now closed) and at the start of the month, I would always pick up the new recipe cards (my collection is pretty impressive). The thing is they WELCOME you to do so. The people know their stuff well. I listened to one person explaining why one should consider having a heavier pot (ala Le Creuset) in their collection. They don’t believe in the «hard sell» (if they do, it’s the most subtle ways I’ve even seen it done). The people are always considerate to me, even on my «recipe card visits» each month. It’s a shame the catalog is in limited supply but I do understand the decision. People seem to enjoy being there and genuinely want to help you. Now the only thing about this location is it’s in Downtown Naperville, where parking is a premium. Finding a place to park is the worst part of the battle. That’s isn’t their fault.

I have to give big ups to the owner of Succulent Seafood for turning me on to this place after being out of oyster knives, which I couldn’t find anywhere.
Pretty much the fancy stuff that you can’t find at Crate & Barrel you’ll find here as they didn’t carry it either. Luckily, they had one oyster knife which was $ 14.95 but at least it was American made. Service was good as everyone there really knew their stuff and weren’t playing the pushy sales person card either.
Not really a place I’d recommend if you’re on a budget, but if you’re like me that has oysters (difficult to open with a butter knife) sitting in the fridge for sometime and want to enjoy them pronto, then this is the place to go.

Serious addiction, as if there was any other option.
Williams Sonoma, I would like to have you place a cot somewhere in the vicinity of your stores and allow yours truly to take residence for the sake of being similiar to a very favorite culinary store E. Dehillerin.
That being said, one WS is basically like all WS stores. Plus or minus the service and for this particular location. We’re giving you big ups for the genuine smiles and more than helpful service.
The weather is shifting and lord knows I love the seasonal items that seem to drift in through each store, this including the ever fragrant Mulling Spices ($ 10.99) that will make you forget about that cinnamon broom you bought at Trader Joes and make you curl up on your couch feeling, oh so warm and cozy. Knowing what I wanted, I stood at the counter waiting to be helped and was not waiting more than a minute before being directed to the back to my special little section. Squeeling with delight, I snagged a tin and checked the rest of the merch for future purchases.
Now for the rest of the shop. While this is a compact space, it’s filled with everything you’ll possibly need in the kitchen. White Porcelein Bakeware, Wusthof Cutlery, Goblets, Table Linens and of course Cookbooks. Now this is where you feel the size of the store, there is a nice selection of books that are their own WS brand but the other selection is somewhat minimal. Prices vary per purchase, but if you’re looking at value and not price you will not be let down. After all, culinary items are no different than classic couture depending on the purchaser.
Overall, there is nothing more exciting to know that a WS is walkable from home and any of the merch can turn a frown upside down all in the name of culinary delight.

Yes, they have great items to look at in here — and really who doesn’t need 4 types of toaster appliances that do the same job, but it is pricey –though not as bad as Sur La Table. I have yet to see a clearance section here, like they have at Sur, and their food products are very expensive, but exotic.

Plenty of great housewares here, and don’t let the sticker-​shock spoil the visit — this is the stuff you’ll be buying after you get that next promotion. They sell some of the best knives, cladded cookware, and utensils you can shake an asparagus stalk at. They also do cool cooking classes and demonstrations. You can usually sample something they’ve just whipped up. It’s a small store, so a decent cross-​section of products. You might need a more specialized store if you’re a guru chef. Talk to Mary Ellen, she’s great.