Williams-Sonoma — Local services in Atlanta

My previous review is mysteriously gone.... so I'll happily share again. I visited this store in search of cheese board markers & chalk. I've shopped at other locations before and I expected a similar warm, knowledgeable and courteous experience in this particular location - not so much. Although there was an associate milling idly near the entrance, neither I nor the older ladies that came in directly after me were greeted. I took a mental note, but decided to press on towards my journey of finding cute cheese board markers anyway. I wandered around the store for about 15 minutes before taking the initiative to hunt down an associate and plead with them to gasp sell me some of the items in their store which were, in fact, for sale. The first associate hadn't heard of what I was looking for and suggested that I go to Sur la Table instead since they typically have a wider selection of curated items. Doubtful of the quick and dismissive answer, I searched for another associate. This associate knew what I was referring to, but wasn't sure where these items were placed in the store. More walking detected on my fitbit for the next 8-10 minutes. Finally, we conceded defeat and I proceeded to check out at the register with the copper cookware I found while searching for markers. Although we made direct eye contact for several moments, the second female associate 12" away behind the register did not offer to either hold my large, heavy WS item while I waited nor did she offer to take me at one of the other empty/ available registers. This was especially frustrating since the woman in front of me was experiencing difficulty. The working cashier apologized to me and said she was waiting on someone to help her. I assummed the idler wasn't able to commander the intricacies of pushing buttons on the guided registers and I didn't press the issue of my wait. Until... a man walked towards me to get in line and she called out to him to see if he needed help. Once he got over to the opposite register, she proceeded to check him out. What the heck William?!?? What the Sonoma is up with that??! I immediately pointed this out to the cashier helping the woman in front of me who noted that the associate should have taken me first since I'd been waiting there first. At that point, I walked over to the opposite cashier and plopped the cookware on the counter and asked her to put it back for me since she obviously wasn't willing to ring it up. I noted to her that she saw me waiting about 8 feet away on the opposite side. She didn't protest and I left. The associate who'd tried to help me find the cheese markers asked about the cookware and I relayed my experience at the register to her. Her response? "Oh, I know exactly who you're talking about. That happens a lot here." I walked, open - mouthed, completely befuddled as to how this state of affairs exists in a #Williams - Sonoma store. I walked out to retrieve my car from the friendly valet who remembered to ask about my shopping quest and felt vindicated when I received the appropriate gasp and expletive to my treatment inside of Williams -"So, no mo(re)". I headed straight over to Sur la Table and ultimately had the experience and options I was looking for from Williams- So no mo. Needless to say, I won't be rewarding WS with my money anymore after such a dismal experience. It felt distinctly sexist to me that the women seemed to be overlooked unless they were accompanied by a male during my visit. I was looked over to check-out while the male approaching me was hastily greeted and thanked for deciding to buy the $30ish cookie cutter he had. Meanwhile, I'm holding $400 of copper cooking goodness and can't be helped. So, I left. Ladies, please don't let yourselves be treated the way I was. When, or if, it becomes apparent to you that you're being mistreated- just leave. No muss or fuss, just leave and get what you're looking for from anywhere else that actually appreciates you. *Steps off of tall, wordy soapbox....

Well the day has come, out of so many years and different things you could possibly complain about on the internet, what causes me to write my first Google review would unfortunately also be about one of my favorite stores. I will say this review speaks specifically toward the PCM location personnel and not the company as a whole, but nonetheless, they have very rude and horrible, non-customer service oriented managers at this location. Do not waste your time (or money) here. The "manager" I interacted with today was a load of attitude and absolutely unnecessary, especially towards a customer that spends $$$ there. I had received a wedding gift from Williams Sonoma, but I was not registered there and did not have a return receipt. Unfortunately, it was a Staub cast iron that was gifted and I already have 2 from the Le Creuset collection. I had called William Sonoma customer service just yesterday and they assured me the gift was purchased in store and that they would be able to at least honor me with store credit. Once I arrived, after lugging around a cast iron pot from parking deck to store, I was told I could only do an in-store exchange for the cost of item but it would have to be then, in other words had to be exchanged immediately. I was on a lunch break and did not have time to peruse their limited selection and quite honestly what was the difference between an immediate in-store exchange vs. receiving store credit and shopping at my leisure (especially online with more selection and likely spending more than the credit anyway). Hence why it did not make sense and I asked to speak with a manager. This woman off the bat was cold, rolling her eyes, did not smile back and was being extremely curt saying things like "well this is final sale so we cant do anything, not even the in-store exchange"...mind you she was the same woman who the original cashier had pinged and she had said it was fine to exchange but was now saying it's final sale, as if i work there and would know that. I then mentioned there is no way I would have been able to know that and if there was anything they could do to just give me store credit since this was a wedding gift, even if it was at the final sale price (which is still well over $150). She proceeded to respond with a snappish "well now you know and we can't do anything regardless since it is final sale so try re-gifting it."...that was their managerial response. LOL, a total joke.

I'll be calling corporate and letting them know about my experience, but in the mean time wanted to warn the poor local souls who are debating coming to this location, STAY CLEAR AND FAR from here. You'll have better luck online or making the drive to...

I recently purchased bar stools that I love from Williams-Sonoma. The shipping charge for three was high but I was willing to purchase anyway. Since, we found out we are moving and for the stools to work in my new home I needed one more. When ordering the price was drastically different. The expensive $595 chair was now over $820 for ONE with the ridiculous shipping charge. I called customer and they wouldn’t budge. I then called my local store at Ponce City Market in Atlanta and was basically told the same thing. The manager, Lindsay, suggested I buy more items to bring the cost down, seriously?!!! She made extra efforts only to tell me the same thing, the shipping cost for one chair was $159. I paid $279 for shipping and handling for 3 stools($93 a stool) I have now paid $438 in shipping and handling and honestly could have brought these home in my car but it was not an option. You are forced into white glove delivery. The manager jumped through hoops I guess but was annoyed that I didn't praise her efforts. The very least they could do is to match the per piece cost first shipping. I ordered the extra stool because I need 4 in my new home and have taken the blow of this ridiculous charge but I will no longer support or purchase from this or any of their stores in the future. It is too bad because I have been a long time customer and do like their products but I refuse to be taken advantage of. Shame on...