Williams-Sonoma was founded by Charles E. Williams in 1956 when he began selling restaurant-quality kitchenware for homes in his store in Sonoma, California. In 1971 he began to publish a mail-order catalog.
By 1972 he was sending out thousands of catalogs and had taken out a business loan to open more stores.
The company went public in 1983 and bought Pottery Barn from Gap, Inc. In 1999 Williams-Sonoma introduced Pottery Barn Kids, then PBTeen in 2003.
Williams-Sonoma products have been featured on several television shows such as The Oprah Winfrey Show, Sex and the City, American Dad!, Friends, Frasier, The King of Queens, and Weeds.
Today Williams-Sonoma sells high-end kitchenwares, furniture, linens, housewares, home furnishings, specialty foods, soaps, and lotions. The company operates over 500 retail stores, has 26,000 employees, and had $4.042 billion in revenue in 2012.
Williams-SonomaWilliams-Sonoma was founded by Charles E. Williams in 1956 when he began selling restaurant-quality kitchenware for homes in his store in Sonoma, California. In 1971 he began to publish a mail-order catalog.
By 1972 he was sending out thousands of catalogs and had taken out a business loan to open more stores.
The company went public in 1983 and bought Pottery Barn from Gap, Inc. In 1999 Williams-Sonoma introduced Pottery Barn Kids, then PBTeen in 2003.
History
Williams-Sonoma products have been featured on several television shows such as The Oprah Winfrey Show, Sex and the City, American Dad!, Friends, Frasier, The King of Queens, and Weeds.
Today Williams-Sonoma sells high-end kitchenwares, furniture, linens, housewares, home furnishings, specialty foods, soaps, and lotions. The company operates over 500 retail stores, has 26,000 employees, and had $4.042 billion in revenue in 2012.
I have and continue to have horrible experience with them over and over
No one gives a dam
This company is so poorly run. Used to be a great company with great products. The logistics part of the company is also a complete failure.
We are real estate developers and builders, purchasing hundreds of products for our homes and projects on a regular basis. For years now, we’ve gone to WSH (Pottery Barn) for reliable products at a fair price point and decent service. That has all changed now. I am replacing the products I used to purchase from this joke of a company with other brands in a desperate attempt to not waste my time and my company’s money.
There doesn’t seem to be a responsible person working at this company. Products arrive damaged on a regular basis. Wrong products arrive regularly. Other people’s shipments sometimes arrive to us by mistake. Products arrive without the parts or with damaged parts. Or – products simply don’t arrive at all for months and months. As was the case with the Apothecary Vanity I ordered in July, 2021. After FOUR calls for delivery – I subsequently received four phone calls (usually AFTER the scheduled delivery date) telling me that the Vanity was “missing parts” and would have to be rescheduled. It’s now late November and we’ve decided to have our finish carpenters (who b/t/w/ ARE competent) build the vanity for us – so that we can close and deliver our house on time. No one from Pottery Barn, WSH, etc. has followed up with us on ANY of our missing, broken, lost items.
This company is a complete FAILURE. We’re looking elsewhere for the goods we need and suggest anyone reading this do the same. With this lack of service, the tide is soon to change and take this lackluster management team out to pasture – where competitive companies will swoon in and feast on their leftovers.
Funny I have this same story. I’m at the end of my rope! I recommend some one in corporate call me ASAP! I have spent a lot of money, I should have just went with Restoration Warehouse for what I wanted. I want my order completed. I use to run two different call center and sales floors and I’ve owned my own staffing agency! I’ll be expecting a call and I’ve been lied to at least 3 times by your so called customer service team!
I have a great deal of experience in dealing with high end retailers. I shop at particular stores for the quality of merchandise AND most importantly the high standards of customer service. Today I learned that you can NEVER assume that the NAME AND REPUTATION of a retailer can guarantee satisfaction. Since I shop at Crate and Barrel and Pottery Barn I assumed that Williams Sonoma would be just as good with customer satisfaction and quality products. I hope readers take these comments into serious consideration before spending any money with this store. I ordered a cashmier throw for a friend who is ill. She will be spending alit of time in many of her friends decided to turn her bedroom into a sanctuary decorated with many items that she probably wouldn’t treat herself with. The bedroom was done in whites and light blue. I wanted a nice finishing touch to drop across her layered bedding, a cashmier throw with a monogram. When the item arrived I could not believe my disappointment. First,IT IS NOT A THROW, it’s more of a wrap!!!!! Second, it has NO substance to the fabric. I have cashmier and it does not feel luxurious. Finally, and what really shocked me easy the monogram. Most monograms are placed in the CENTER of the item or at least EVENLY somewhere. This monogram was so small I had to look for it. It is placed at the bottom of the throw and it was just sewn on a slant…its not even STRAIGHT. It looks horrible and it appears that a child put it there. What was Williams Sonoma’s response? We don’t take back items for poor quality. They don’t honor your purchase and this was an expensive item I know I would have never received a response like that from Nordstroms or Neimans. This was soooo sad to think accompany can have such little regard for a customer. This item was a luxury item for a dear friend. I will write to corporate and send pictures but I have NO expectations for satisfaction. PLEASE do not purchase ANY of their cashmier throws, I know this piece will not wear well.
Jessica M who is supposedly a manager in the b2b department should be fired. I have been discriminated against as a person with a disability and her dishonesty, lack of care and lack of professionalism is a very poor reflection of your organization. I have worked with every major retailer in interior design and I have never had to jump through hoops the way i did for 7 months to get a simple tax exemption credit. Being diagnosed with MS it was very difficult for me to type a detailed letter with breakdown to receive a simple credit, but becuase i was forced to move during COVID my resale certificate address didn’t match my new address -i renewed online since the city of a chicago was shut down – so although i have a valid resale certificate (updated annually since 2008) and becuase i had to move my business when my landlord sold during COVID, i was told i couldn’t get a tax credit (even when i was assured before i bought $4k in plant pots i would 100% get credited if i sent in all paperwork). Each time so did,
I got someone else from chao enter
service saying the date or the description exemption or the address or more than 6
months has passed (after i spent 7 months) –
all over a $500 credit. The B2B division of the trade program is the worst i’ve ever experienced and i do business with all of your competitors – never a single issue. I told them that one of the biggest reasons I was filing after purchase was bc I was hospitalized and diagnosed with Multiple Scelorsis and I couldn’t type…I was told numerous times what unneeded to complete the request and as soon as I would fulfill it – it would be someone else or something else. Finally I get a “manager” (who I’m not even sure is a manager), her name is Jessica M., and after LITERALLY 30 emails i’ve concluded that this is one of the most corrupt and dishonest companies I’ve ever worked with. I have been treated so poorly
and for someone who has spent over $10k with your company – this is a huge eye opener. If I do j no it hear back from someone in the tax department – I will be pursuing legal action.
Good Afternoon,
I called a customer service number on February 18th, 2021 at 3:30 PM, Eastern Daylight Time.
There was a gentleman who answered the call and I explained to him that I had bought a tablecloth in January and I washed it for the first time and came out with a white line all across it and cannot be used again. He checked the purchase date which was January 5th, 2021 and told me that it was past the date of return and there was nothing that he could do. I told him that it was defective and he kept repeating the same mantra—“Nothing I can do—past the date to return.”
I was not happy as I’ve spent a lot of money in Williams-Sonoma and told him that I would like to speak with a manager and he said that there was no one there. After a long pause, he asked if there was anything else that he could do for me and I asked to speak to a manager and he repeated the same mantra and hung up on me. As a longtime consumer in MA, I have never been treated like this nor spoken to in this manner and this person should be fired on the spot. I called back right away using a different customer service number and a lovely girl named Ross said that she would replace it right away and proceeded to take my information. She was kind, knowledgeable, helpful and most understanding. I told her that I appreciated all of her help.
I am so frustrated with your company. We have purchased tens of thousands worth of products over the years and we have normally been extremely pleased.
We have had a $5k marble slab counter top that is now cracked because you supplied a bowed and thus faulty product. There is a sharp edge now exposed and it is a safety issue.
We cannot get anyone to respond. It is not a warranty issue. It is a breach of agreement issue. You either knew or should have known these products were faulty.
We need a response ASAP. It has been over a month and this is totally unacceptable.
Dear Williams-Sonoma,
Lisa and I have shopped with you FOR YEARS and have , for the most part, had GREAT experiences !!
Recently I used rewards certificates to purchase a Cuisinart “coffee center”
Order #391802870975.
The order was REALLY SCREWED UP from the beginning ! FIRST
BY ME !! I accidentally ordered the glass carafe, when I intended to order
the thermal version! The Williams-Sonoma rep. said, no problem, send it back,
and we’ll send you the new one!
When the NEW one arrived, it was the SAME glass carafe unit !!
Finally, the Thermal unit arrived, and Lisa and I were REALLY
Disappointed because we didn’t think the coffee was hot AT ALL , so as usual,
do to your GREAT return policy, we returned it.
WITHOUT EXAGGERATION, I have since then spent AT LEAST
6-8 hours on the phone with different “managers,” who I now think are EVEN
LYING ABOUT BEING MANAGERS, EACH GIVING ME A DIFFERENT
PROMISE WITH TOTAL PROMISE AND CERTAINTY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The first said Because ” Reward $” SORRY! Then put me on hold
Came back, manager told, she’d make exception, issue merchandise credit!
Second time Person couldn’t find ANYTHING LIKE THAT IN MY
WHATEVER ???
Finally, second to last APOLOGIZED for ALL I’D BEEN THROUGH,
and said she noticed HOW LONG it had been going on and she would
DEFINITELY take care of it.
Her manager got back to me and said that she was sorry, but she coulldn’t reissue rewars certificates, so what she was going to do was give me a merchandise credit, which should take 3 days to process, and I would
receive it in 7-10 days.
IF I DIDN’T , GIVE HER A CALL !!! VICTORIA IN LAS VEGAS !!
Wouldn’t you think that was really true ??? I guess I’m QUITE NAIVE !!
Today I called back, because I got an email saying I was issued a
MERCHANDISE CREDIT !!
FIRST the “manager” said there was a NEW POLICY where
reward certificates COULD BE REISSUED !!
Then SHE KEPT LOOKING AND LOOKING AND LOOKING
And said OH YES I DO SEE WHERE SHE ISSUED YOU A MERCHANDISE
CREDIT! You SHOULD BE GETTING IT SOON !!!
Then I said that I was a little concerned because of the email!!!
She asked for the amount !!!
Then she said, OH YES< IT LOOKS LIKE THEY GAVE YOU
A REWARS CERTIFICATE INSTEAD !!!
I would REALLY REALLY like to use some profanity here to
describe how I feel about this woman's TOTAL AND COMPLETE
LACK OF HONESTY AND INTEGRITY.
How you could have these folks on your staff is WAY BEYOND
MY BELIEF AND IMAGINATION !!
Lisa and I worked in a retail chain, that I'm SURE YOU KNOW,
for 20 years, and if an employee so blatantly lied, like this lovely lady,
they'd BE FIRED !!! And THAT'S THE TRUTH !!
You might consider holding a "Truth Seminar" for your
REAL MANAGERS !!
I have never dealt with a organization that is so disjointed and unorganized as WSH….They get a Big ZERO for customer services, quality control, staff, management skills etc…..I think the CEO should pay some attention to what is going on in the organization!!
Is Eric Marsiglia VP still employed? Have been unable to reach him to reach him on some new programs for LED Lighting of existing distribution centers.
WE have provided services and products for prior facilities
Attempting to reach Eric Marsiglia VP is he still employed by CO>?
The University Village Store in Seattle has the rudest manager, Sawyer, we’ve ever encountered at a Williams Sonoma! We honestly don’t see how they stay in business. They have now lost us as customers forever. With so many options, why pay their premium prices and be treated rudely? We spent nearly $2,000.00 at WS last week and WILL NEVER SHOP AT WILLIAMS SONOMA AGAIN. Buyer beware: you not able to exchange or return a small “sale item” within 3 days with a receipt.
My complaint is with the Fresno location in the Fig Garden shopping center. I worked there as a seasonal retail associate. I let them know I had sciatica but still many days I would be taken off the sales floor to do warehouse work. The final straw was when I was asked to do the housekeeper work as well. I quit on November 10th 2018, the normal pay period would have been the 23rd but I have still not received a pay check since the 7th. I have called half a dozen times and have revived the run around from all the managers. I contacted the department of labor today as well.
I’m making this complaint on Shawn Hilliard the GM of HR in Olive Branch Ms her office # 901-541-6451. I have been trying to reach her regarding my time off from work since February leaving several of messages. My attorney’s office has been calling her everyday for the past week and a half she will not answer . All we need her to do is e-mail my attorney’s office the days and hours I was off work due to an auto accident. She is being very unprofessional not answering any call or e-mails.
Today Jan 4 2017, I received a Pottery Barn catalog in the mail with sale items that ended on January 3rd.
Never the less I found some items in your catalog I wanted to purchase
This is the January 2017 Catalog with Blue Pillows and a Blue and white chair.
I wanted to order two sets of drapes and the associated hardware (rods)
The items I wnter to purchase are on page 172
Under the Topic “Control the Light” in the second column on the right
Listing says
“GROMMET WITH BLACKOUT LINING*
104″wide. Each 34-3896073″
108” $239 $179
The color I want is Ivory
The problem was not the price
The problem was that I called in 3 times and NOT a single person could even identify the product.
I still want to purchase two of these and the rod found on page 175
I want the rod in the third picture down but because the customer service representative could not identify the drape, we could not identify the diameter of the XL rod we needed.
I do not want to guess.
Can you please help me identify this Product for purchase
Thank you
Richard
“catch em doing something right”
My complaint is how I was treated in you store by two racism employee’s of yours. The main one is your store manager Jill and the asian sale person Delaney very rude. Contact me by phone if not I will file a complaint with the Ohio Atty General office today.
Unhappy Customer,
Geri Dover
To Whom It May Concern @ Pottery Barn / Williams-Sonoma, Inc. and the BBB,
I Alana walked in to Pottery Barns Valencia, CA branch and was helped immediately on August 9th, 2016. I was interested in purchasing a table and chairs for my family’s new home. We were interested in the Benchwright Extending Dining Table in Vintage Spruce size Medium, 2 Aaron Armchairs in Vintage Spruce, Benchwright Bench in Vintage Spruce size medium and 2 Aaron Wood Seat Chairs again in Vintage Spruce. When I decided on that set I requested to know when I would receive my order and was informed I would get it in 1 week, approx. the 17th of August. I approved the purchase, paid and left. When I got home I was looking at my order and my chairs said by the 16th-17th however the table said August 29th – September 12th and I noticed my shipping fees were more expensive than when I had put the order together myself, online in the comfort of my own home. I immediately contacted customer service and was informed that because the store had the chairs shipped directly to them I was under the amount I needed to spend to get the 5% shipping so it cost me an extra $80-$90 dollars to have an in store associate “help” me and I had to go to the store to pick them up, the customer service agent then informed me that, that was just a safe date for the delivery of the table, it could be more or less time. So with a deep breath I moved forward. On August 16th the first piece of my set arrived, the bench and I pulled it in to my house. On the 16th of August my 2 end chairs arrived and we decided to pull them all out of the boxes. While pulling the bench out we discovered there was no hardware to put the bench together. I again called customer service in the morning and he graciously apologized and informed me the request had been submitted, I would either receive an entire new bench or just the hardware in 3 days time. 1 week later I called again as I still hadn’t received anything, this agent informed me nothing was on the file he would immediately take care of it and call me on Friday August 26th to follow up and confirm I was satisfied he nor anyone else called. On September 2nd I walked back in to the Valencia, CA branch and said “I can take no more.” This is unbelievable service from a company that prides itself on being a “higher class” corporation. I was informed that they could go ahead and help schedule my table delivery for the next week and we set that up, mind you my 6 and 8 year old daughters are using the seats of the chairs as tables as we do not have a table in the house because we are STILL waiting on our Pottery Barn table we paid nearly $4000.00 for. So now on to the bench… The associate calls and speaks to someone and requests a PUD? Pick up of the old bench and drop of a complete new bench, they reply we are unable to do that, we can send someone to the home and pick up the bench, once it is received at the warehouse they would send a new bench out, or I could package the bench up and bring it back to the store myself and they would gladly send out a new bench that would arrive on Wednesday September 7th. I again said, “OK” and continued on my day. I received a call from Antoinette on September 6th asking me “Why is this bench at our store?” I explained what had transpired after she had gone on lunch and she apologized, said she was mortified by all of this and would look in to it and call me back, she called back a few minutes later again confirming that the table and bench would absolutely be delivered to my home on September 7th. HERE WE ARE SEPTEMBER 7 and I DO NOT HAVE A BENCH. I again call the store asking for a tracking number, the associate informs me; it should be there by Friday. I ask to please speak to the Manager, as I cannot take the utter disrespect your company is offering any longer, your company has FAILED in this situation. She was “unavailable” and someone else returned my call, said here is your tracking number sorry, again completely dismissive of any of my issues. I do not know what to do at this point but to take my business elsewhere! Your company clearly doesn’t care if it has my business or not, so pick up your stuff and I will purchase a table from a company that actually cares for their customers. I asked them, “Are you aware a company that clearly is concerned with customer service such as Target would go above and beyond, send a label so I could return from my home, send the correct item when the return label is sent so the customer doesn’t have to be put out and gives a gift card or a percentage off for the customers inconvenience. WHAT IS POTTERY BARN WILLING TO DO? I need this resolved ASAP, as this is a HUGE INCONVIENCE IN MY FAMILIES DAILY LIFE.
Sincerely,
COMPLETELY DISSATISFIED CUSTOMER
I PURCHASED TWO SETS OF END TABLES. DON’T KNOW THE NAMES THEY MIGHT HAVE HAD FOR WE OPENED THE BOXES AND THROUGH THEM INTO THE DUMPSTER AND JUST MY LUCK THE GARBAGE WAS PICKED UP SOON AFTER. WHEN WE WENT TO ASSEMBLY THESE TABLE WE WERE MISSING SOME PICIES AND SOME HARDWARE. ONE SET OF END TABLES HAS A CROSS LIKE A X AND THE OTHER SET HAS A STRAIGHT WOOD PIECE RUNNING FROM ONE CONNER TO THE OTHER. COULD YOU PLEASE REPLACE THESE? I WILL SEND BACK WHAT I HAVE TO YOU IF YOU WILL PAY THE SHIPPING BACK. PLEASE RESPOND SOON FOR I AM TRYING TO REPLACE FURNITURE AFTER OUR HOME BURNED.
THANK YOU FOR TIME IN THIS MATTER. JANICE EUBANKS glXXXX@hotmail.com