Restoration Hardware Online Store: Cool Stuff Straight to Your Door
Written: Apr 06 '04
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Recently, my husband and I finally bit the bullet and replaced our Early Attic living room furniture with our very first grown-up living room set. The only problem? Suddenly we had gorgeous new Berkline furniture and Tiffany-style lamps, while at the dining room end of our living room/dining room, there hung the ugliest chandelier anyone had ever set eyes on. From its huge dangling crystals to its nicotine-stained brass (from the previous owners) to the fact that my husband and father-in-law had rigged a coat hanger in it to hold it higher so adults would quit hitting their heads on it, I hated it with a passion. It had to go, but where to find a replacement? Tiffany ceiling lamps to match our other lamps were more than we wanted to spend, so my husband set off on a search for the perfect ceiling lamp.
Now, we are slaves to Restoration Hardware Online Store.
~&~ The Basics ~&~
The Restoration Hardware Online Store has the same clean, one-screen navigation that I love so much in other online sites. The splash page displays seasonal items as well as a link to whatever sale is current. Navigation runs along the top, and is divided into categories of Furniture, Lighting, Bedding, Bath, Windows & Floors, Hardware, Accessories, Gifts, and Sale. If you have your Restoration Hardware catalog handy, you can also order directly from the catalog using the box at the top of the screen.
Navigation along the bottom has a link for applying for a Restoration Hardware card, Shop by Catalog, Request a Catalog, Store Locator, Company Information, Customer Service and Gift Registry. Navigation is the same on every page so you aren't constantly trying to find the link you are looking for when the design changes like some other sites.
Once you get into each category, navigation is presented with large boxes for each subcategory (for Lighting, Table, Floor, Ceiling, Outdoor, Wall, Collections). Text-only navigation is also provided along the left side, along with featured links to sales and shopping by catalog.
The Shopping Cart link along the top of the screen automatically updates when you add items to your cart, showing you number of items in your cart. At checkout, you have the option to save your information as a registered customer, or shop without registering. Checking out is a little rough, as they show you a three-step process at the top of the screen (Shipping > Billing > Review), but then Shipping is four or five screens.
Accepted forms of payment are Restoration Hardware Card, Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover. Shipping methods are limited by the merchandise that you are buying; for most larger items, only UPS Ground shipping is available.
~&~ My Experience ~&~
The item that we were ordering was the San Sebastian 13" Flush Mount Ceiling Lamp. If you've ever been in a Restoration Hardware Store, it's a very small version of the lights that hang from the ceiling in their stores.
My first choice was the 11" version, but the site was very quick to alert me to the fact that the 11" was out of stock, and I was able to go right back and order the 13" size, unlike some sites where you can't find the availability until you go to checkout.
Order confirmation and shipping confirmation was sent out promptly, and the light arrived within one day of the promised day. The light was packed VERY well (I'm always impressed when anything glass shows up via UPS and it isn't a big box of shards).
My only real complaints with the Restoration Hardware Online Store have to do with the checkout process (which I think is like navigating a maze; you never know how much more you are going to have to do to get to the point where your product is ordered), and a few quibbles with the item received. The instructions for installation were a bit vague, and the hardware assumed that your box was flush with the ceiling, not inset as ours was, but that's more a problem with Restoration Hardware the company than the website.
The checkout form, however, is a work of art. It is so nice to be able to see a thumbnail of the item I was ordering. Other sites should immediately copy this idea! I can't tell you how many times I'm shopping for toys or cosmetics and can't for the life of me remember exactly what I ordered when I go to check out.
~&~ Overall ~&~
I'm now a slave to Restoration Hardware. We do not have a store in my area, so the Restoration Hardware Online Store is my only method of getting their products. Ordering from the online store will also add you to their mailing list, so you can drool on the paper instead of your screen as well.
Recommended:
Yes
What product did you purchase or try to purchase? San Sebastian 13" Flush Mount Ceiling Light
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pippadaisy
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Reviews written: 1086
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About Me:
Divorce seriously cuts into the amount of time for reviewing.
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