Crate & Barrel

I guess I am joining the party of those who think the service at this store is lacking. I signed up for an online coupon which I could not get delivered to me no matter what I did. I wanted to purchase an item and asked the staff if they could help. It was a pretty short response NO. It is unfortunate that the merchandise and marketing of this company are more capable than their capacity to provide reasonable customer service.

I really like this Crate & Barrel. I chose C&B for our registry since we weren’t really doing a big wedding and just wanted some basics on the list if people did ask. Since we are a little older we had lots of the essentials in our home already, it seemed silly and extravagant to do a registry at anything more high end.
I like their dishes, bake ware, appliances, carpets and home décor, and the silverware selection. That was important to me. My most grown up registry item was getting a FULL, coordinating set of silverware. Not a mismatch of Ikea, forks clearly stolen from airplane first class meals, and potluck orphans! The set I chose is perfect for us, the design is super nice and made somewhere other than China. I was tempted to do Heath ceramics for their beautiful USA manufactured silverware, but actually didn’t like the design enough to go with it.
Everyone that works here was exceptionally pleasant, and we had a lot of fun during one of their registry events, when they close the store to the public, serve refreshments, give you little scanners to build your list, and have brand reps. there to demo various appliances.
I haven’t had any furniture ordered from this location, but I am looking at (daydreaming about) a media unit for our house from C&B. I would prob. not get custom upholstery done here, I may shop more locally from a store in Berkeley that offers a bit more customization. I do think the mark up on furniture is a bit steep for the quality, but it sure does seem competitive with what’s our there. Better than West Elm, Ikea, and EQ3, imho.

Some things are over priced but at the same time you get what you pay for! I absolutely love my linen bedding from here! So far its held up well too! Downside, I had to go to two different stores to complete the set.

Ordered a piece of furniture in late Feb, was told by the salesperson the order would be delivered ‘early March’. Still waiting. No correspondence, no apologies. Radio silence.

I’ve been shopping at this store for many years. I can’t say enough about the design of the store and the variety of products available on the floor. More importantly is the service. Everyone in the store really makes the shopping, selecting and designing of any space a pure delight. One of their best sales people is Paul. He comes as close as you can get to a personal space designer that you can find in the retail environment. He knows the C&B inventory like no one else .He just helped me and my husband design a cost effective and spatially considered lounge area on our deck. It looks beautiful… and doesn’t overpower the space. He has helped us countless times during a 2 year remodel on our home. He’s patient and through and doesn’t give up until he solves any challenge like exchanges and or damaged deliveries or anything that might happen that he can then make right. If you happen to like C&B products and their price points and you live in Marin this is about as good as it can get. The folks at that store like their jobs and it really shows.

Good sale! we were assisted by Sara. She is so nice. We bought an indoor outdoor rug for the back of our car when we have the seats folded. It is such a cool rug and goes with the car perfectly. Sara made the sale and she was super! Funny and friendly too.

This is for their online purchases, not store. I ordered a bed, said it was available in 5 – 7 business days. The actually ship date was 11 days once I spoke to the customer service team. Was on hold for over an hour with prompts promising me «it will be 30 more seconds» about a dozen times. Order now cancelled and I will go to someplace with some degree of service.

High praise for Carla P. I have been displaced by a fire and had to refurbish a studio while I Wait for the Reno. Carla was the best thing that has happened to me since the fire. She really understood. Was helpful and showed me stuff that helped make the temporary place a home! Crate and Barrell, you have a wonderful employee, so even if you hate crate a barrel make the trek to Carla, she understands what it takes to meet the needs of the person. She is worthy of the trip and she know her stuff!

Wow! I was really surprised to read some of the poor reviews of the Corte Madera store! Perhaps the store has revamped its customer service policy over the past year or so! Because I had the exact opposite experience!
I found the sales staff to be attentive and helpful and found so many lovely items in their store. As a new shopper to Crate & Barrel, I was really pleased with the Corte Madera store.
In my opinion, one of the best evaluators of any retail establishment is the merchant’s ability to solve a problem or complaint. In the case of Crate and Barrel, I had purchased a vase that although advertised as waterproof, was not. Mine apparently was the only one with this defect. Unfortunately, the vase leaked water very slowly on to my solid oak dining room table. The stain was very deep.
After evaluating the defective product, the manager of the store went above and beyond the call of duty. She made sure that not only would she refund my purchase but would take responsibility by ascertaining that my table would be refinished as well, at their cost. I was able to choose a reputable firm who did a great job. Crate and Barrel’s insurance company expedited the payment for the repair. At all points during this process, my concerns were addressed courteously and professionally.
I was so impressed with their professionalism, concern and positive response, I just had to add my review on Unilocal!
My hat is off to Crate and Barrel!

I’m surprised to see negative reviews about the service. I have always been blown away by how friendly and helpful their sales associates are. Perhaps it is because I treat the sales associates like people, not subordinates. I live in SF but choose to shop at this store. I have bought a couple pieces of custom upholstered furniture and lots of kitchen stuff here. I got a lot of great advice on choosing the right fabrics for my pieces. They’ll let you know about upcoming sales. During one visit I realized that my wine glasses were being discontinued. A sales associate tracked down a dozen at a store in So Cal and had them shipped to my house for free.

I see why there’s nothing but bad reviews for Crate and Barrel in general, and for the Corte Madera store in particular. These guys lie about having something in stock, trying to get you to do a store pickup, and then call you to tell you it’s not there an tell you it MIGHT show up sometime if the truck is big enough.
This is NOT how to win business in 2013. Very dumb move. I will take my business to West Elm, Target, Bed Bath and Beyond. Anywhere but Crate & Bottom of the Barrel.

Painfully slow service. it took 30 minutes of the prime part of Sunday to return an item and find out that another item was not in stock even though the staff said it was. I’m not sure why things can’t speed up here but it seems I’m not the only one with this opinion. Save your time and shop online or go elsewhere.

We’ve bought several things at this Crate & Barrel. I perused the reviews and have to agree with the comments regarding how nice the store looks but we’ve had a different experience with the staff. Last year we saw a small leather couch marked down. We were thinking about buying it if it went on sale and there it was, floor model on sale, marked down 40%. We got the salesperson over who said she wanted to check if the price was the most recent markdown. It was not so she marked it down again so it was even cheaper! That was so nice of her. Couple of months later we saw a chair I’ve had my eye on for years, the metropolitan chair with natural cow hide fur cover instead of smooth tanned leather. Kind of cowboy chic/​funky. Anyway, again it was a floor model sale but not as good a markdown. We debated whether to wait a week or so for another markdown with possibly someone else snatching up the chair. What to do, what to do. The salesperson came by and saw us hanging out, sitting on the chair, way longer than is natural and we got to talking. She explained that this particular style was being discontinued. From what she told us, other stores may also have the same chair marked down. Discount hounds that we are, we thought we’d check with the other Crate & Barrels and see if they had the same chair and what their mark down was. FIrst the outlet in Berkeley (we’re shameless, aren’t we?) They didn’t have it. San Francisco did have it and lucky for us, it was marked down more! First thought, let’s get it there! Second thought, will Corte Madera C & B match the SF store price? The sales associate called the SF store, then talked to her manager and we got the same price! That was so nice of her. Sure, you can walk in circles for hours at the store and begin to believe that you are invisible. But on the other hand once you shout out that you need help and you have the attention of one of the sales associates, they are helpful and willing to take those extra steps to make the customer happy. We certainly are with our experiences there.

Please know that I am reviewing the Corte Madera location, not Crate & Barrel as a whole. I went to the Corte Madera location today to get a shower gift. There were several people working, yet no one even tried to assist me. No greeting at the door, though several workers were talking to each other. When I walked to the rear of the store, I looked obviously like I needed assistance and 2 women workers were talking to each other, looked at me, then continued their conversation. As I made my way back to the front door to get the h_​ll out of there, I passed several more sales people who had more to do than sell such as talk to each other, stare into space, etc. NEVER AGAIN at this location. The manager, if present today, should be ashamed. If not, he/​she should send in a «mystery shopper».

IIt was early so no shoppers yet. Two SA I passed by didn’t even greet me but continued to talk. Finally after browsing and not finding what I wanted I asked one SA to help. She was helpful in directing me to the area. But when I got to the display there was no follow up like did u want me to get you out one so you can see? Just walked away. The table cloth were hanging up nicely so felt bad taking down their display and no inventory on the below shelves to look at. I figured oh well it’s a tree skirt with simple red green plaid design how wrong could it be.
So I went back to register ask them to get one for me to purchase. The lady said thy are upstairs pausing as if I should know where it’s at and I should just go get it. After a moment she went to get it. She must have left to the Netherlands to get it. So after circling the store again and went back to the counter I said I’ll be back to purchase. Please ask her to hold it
When I came back after looking at a few stores I went back. She had sold throne she grabbed! Ugh. I wouldn’t have been so annoyed if she didn’t take another trip back to Netherlands to get it. I stood there for another 15 minutes. Impatient i asked the other lady at the counter if i should grab it myself. oh no its stocked all the way in the back? FINALLY she came back. How do they do their stocking system? I mean what if was really busy? Would they run upstairs each time a customer wanted something? Really frustrating.
I like the SF location. Ladies here in their 50s seem as if they’re working for part time gig or forced to work for whatever reason just aren’t trained or interested in customer service. Think they’d rather be at a nail salon on Saturday.

The service sucks here! Is this store managed?
Such a beautiful store. You are greeted with a modern display of orange & white visual deliciousness. The furniture is interesting and much was my style.
This brand is no longer about kitchen though. It does have its selection of high end knives & pans. a tiny bit of crockery, etc. Furniture and accessories are what pays the bills now-​a-​days. It is at the higher end too. Semi custom in most cases.
So, why, in this troubled economy, when even South Marinites are watching their wallets and the stock market plummets, is the staff SO DAMN LAZY? Are they sales people? Are they trying to sell anything or just watching the clock until they can get over to Safeway on their way home? I mean seriously! Come on!
I was never greeted. THEN, I was in the store over a half an hour, watched four sales people pass me, alone, clearly avoiding eye contact with me. Like they could not be bothered. When I finally tracked down a low-​blood sugared employee, and asked him about carpets, he walked me over to them, grunted, pointed in their direction and left me. Nice job. Carpets are $ 700 and up, most at $ 1,000+. You do not have to crawl down my throat, but come on, sales courtesy, please.
I dealt with one other person about some outdoor furniture. I had to approach her. THEN, she waited for me to enlighten her with my request. She gave me a half hearted answer and explained that they really had nothing at this store because there was no warehouse.
The whole thing was disheartening. I decided not to give this store my hard earned money! I was looking for several pieces for a new home. Too bad.

Yesterday I went into Crate & Barrel to see if they had a painting that I saw at the Crate & Barrel in Walnut Creek. Low and behold they had it and it was on sale. I asked for assistance and received immediate attention. She (sales clerk) checked their stock and found that they have them boxed. Since I have a small sports car I thought I had to come back to pickup. She assured me that their stock room staff could assist. Came to loading area and stock persons said no problem he took the pictures out of the main box and was able to individually load them into my car. What a «Wow» experience.

Terrible service.
I have been in there twice trying to get some help to be sold a three piece sofa/​chair set only to be ignored by every single sales person on the floor.
I have sat on the furniture, studied the swatches, checked the prices, lifted the cushions, checked the piping, you name it. BIG clues to a sales person that «Hey, I can either continue to sell these dried branches in an vase for $ 500 — OR — I can sell $ 4000 worth of furniture to this younger middle aged guy who may have just moved into a larger home. However since people that young probably don’t work for Google or Facebook, or other internet giant, I bet he can’t afford it. More branches for you, old guy?»
Apparently they preferred to help the elderly purchase wine hardware gadgets rather than a nicely dressed 37 year old dude. No eye contact. No welcome. No sale. This happened over the ENTIRE store, not just the furniture section over a 45 minute period — on both visits.
Went over to their competitor across the walk way and it was night and day with similar designs and quality and great service. I came home with three swatches of fabric and will be returning to purchase there if it works out.
Insult to injury: one of their Camden (yes I remembered the name! The one on the left facing the matching sofa) display chairs has faint, greasy stains on it near the crotch. I can only image what goes in there after hours. Check it out. It’s hilarious. Hopefully Crate and Barrel will see this and fix it — not like they’re getting my business back.

The only advantage to Stockton Street in the city is the parking lot.
The staff here was not nearly as helpful as the one in SF, and it is a smaller store.
But if you live in Marin, I would think this would be SUPER convenient.
It did have everything I was looking for.
And the displays made me want to buy a house with a yard so I could get a patio set.

I have been waiting for months for the new Crate and Barrel to open across the highway from it’s old location at The Village. The bigger and better store does not disappoint! They have so much more, especially in the furniture section, particularly in the bedroom and furniture area. The old kitchen classics are of course on display, with even shinier appliances ready to be taken home.
The staff is really accommodating and very friendly, I’ve already been in twice since they opened, which was very recently.