MoMA Design Store - Midtown — Local services in New York

This review is in regard to the online store.

Old time admirer/visitor/customer here.

This year, I decided to get a membership - to both support the Museum (even though I do not live in NYC) and their programs.

For reference, members also get "up to 20% off" (but most of the time is a solid 10% across the board) in the Museum's store, get free shipping over 35$, free gift wrapping, earn points and can redeem those. So little things to make them feel seen and appreciated.

I was happy to see an email offer for 20% off one item yesterday. I checked, and the item I wanted was only 10% off for members. So I assumed the higher discount (visibly displayed on their website & offered without strings attached to anybody), applies to me as a member as well (obviously - in lieu of the "regular" 10%, NOT in addition). Wrong. I could not apply the 20%, so I emailed customer service. The answer I received:

"Thank you for contacting MoMA Design Store I appreciate the provided Screenshot. MOMAGIFT cannot be combined with your Member discount I apologize. Please Checkout as a Guest in order to take advantage of MOMAGIFT."

I email back, in frustration, as I did not expect a member to have to jump through hoops to get something effortlessly available to everybody else. I did not sign up for a membership to spend my time begging for a coupon. The answer I received was equally stunning:

"Checking out as a Guest will still give you your Rewards points. The only thing that may happen is that it may not give you free Shipping, which I can adjust for you. I apologize for your frustration and you can take advantage of the sale by checking out as a Guest for this one promotion. Also, I will share your feedback with the powers that be."

Sorry, MOMA & MOMA Store. My time is more valuable than spending it on emails with customer service asking for 7.95$ reimbursement.

I know so many more meaningful ways to spend my money in the future - and that INCLUDES other memberships. "The powers that be" can stay in...

The MoMA Design Store is a prime example of how the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) skillfully integrates art and commerce, creating a seamless experience for visitors. Located on the main floor of the museum, the design store offers a carefully curated selection of art-inspired merchandise, from iconic furniture pieces and unique home decor to innovative gadgets and MoMA-branded souvenirs. Each item reflects the museum’s commitment to design excellence, making it feel like an extension of the MoMA’s exhibits.

Inside the museum, you’ll find the main shop on the upper level, where visitors can explore a wide array of products just as they exit the galleries. For those who venture downstairs, there’s a café offering a variety of refreshments, and yet another shop on this lower level.

Stepping outside, across the street, you’ll find the dedicated MoMA Design Store—a standalone space that captures the essence of the museum in a retail format. This store is especially worth a visit, as it houses unique design pieces that range from art books and stationery to creative home accessories, each piece handpicked to reflect MoMA’s influence in the art and design world.

Overall, the MoMA experience is both cultural and commercial, giving visitors a chance to take a piece of the museum’s artistic spirit home with them. It’s a thoughtfully crafted journey from gallery to shop, where every detail feels like part of MoMA’s celebration of...

I just walked into the MoMa store - the one underneath the museum.

I previously bought a handful of things in a rush before Christmas, just like everyone else.

Today I went to return a few things that were not gifted and had literally been sitting in the bag since the day I bought them.

I was told that the print I bought was “un-sellable” because it didn’t lie 100% flat on the counter. I asked if this was in the return policy - they said yes. And then the cashier told me this bag had “clearly been through it”.

Thanks for the judgment!

He would not accept the return.

Very annoying. No proof that I didn’t buy the print in that condition to start with, and the print itself has not been taken out the plastic and was certainly not egregious, literally sitting in a bag with other gifts - we live in nyc, we take everything in our hands/bags etc., so no it wasn’t perfect, but no it was not “un-sellable”.

Anyways - after the attitude/judgment from the cashier, I walked across the street to the Design Store and returned the print.

They accepted the return.

Please stop wasting customers time. Surely MoMa isn’t absolutely feening for the $18 worth of gift shop merch to keep the museum alive.

Again, please stop...