Williams Sonoma help me decide

[1growingsprout]

OK, heres the deal... im sick and tired of my Wal-mart cheapo kitchen stuff...
particulary the $3 pukey green plastic mixing bowls...
I want to get a set of melatime bowls from WS.. they are pricey about $30 for the set of 3 but they aren't crappy YKWIM??
i have 2 WS spatulas and they last forever, im ready to toss the cheapies...

does anyone has WS stuff>? is it worth the cost ?? iim not looking to restock the kitchen all at once but slowly as things wear out... I mean im cooking for soon to be 7 kids...( 9 if niece/nephew return)
I could go HOG WILD in WS but shopping ebay seems to save a few $$ as well...

any thoughts??? i really want t/his DH says fine , $$ isnt really the issue... i guess i just feel guilty ya know

[MaddieMay]

Don't have any of their stuff (although I hear it's great), but I know they have outlet stores. Maybe check and see if there is one in your area.

[Snowdrift]

I got a set of the WS melamine bowls on clearance a couple of years ago for next to nothing. It seems every year they do a spring color or three and clearance them out quickly. Maybe wait until just after Easter or so and look for clearances?

[Nimbus]

I 've had a set of WS mixing bowls for 11 years and they are fantastic. Got them with a gift certificate someone gave me and I love them. Also had a friend in college who worked their and she swore by their products. They're bit more pricey but a good investment if you can swing it!

This may sound trite, but there's something to be said for beauty in everyday things. As long as it's not extravagant and it doesn't make you feel guilty, it's enjoyable to use well crafted, aesthetically pleasing items to do your day to day tasks.

[Ruthiegirl]

We received a few WS things as wedding presents 8 years ago. Somethings have been awesome -- baking pans, cookie sheets, high temperature mixing spoons -- that stuff has really lasted.

We did get some dish towels that I thought were awful -- not very absorbent and the decorative stitching twisted and shrunk so the towels would lay not flat.

Since I spend so much time in the kitchen, I really love having a couple of things that are enjoyable to use. And after all these years, these spoons and pans are infused with a lot of memories and love.

I think a few durable bowls is a fine investment. Just buy them on sale.

[KariM]

I love their stuff! When I lived in Indiana the local mall had a store and we gradually stocked up on a lot of stuff.

Of course, I was also working full-time then and we could afford it.

I think it's quite frugal to purchase well-made quality items that will last a long time. Sometimes those products cost more initially but often will cost you less over the long term.

[quirkylayne]

I've seen good knock offs at places like Marshalls and TJ Maxx.

[pumpkin]

I don't have the bowls, but a good portion of my kitchen is stocked with supplies from WS. So far they are really holding up well. We chose to buy our dishes from there because we knew several people who had 20 year old dishes that still looked like new. We also have yet to break a dish which is odd because they have gotten dropped. My old set, while expensive, was just not as sturdy.

You just have to be smart about what you buy. Several of the things they carry can be found elsewhere for less money. Other items are the same price or close enough for us to justify the convenience of buying at WS since its so close for us.

[srain]

I replace things with higher quality stuff by buying used. Thrift stores and yard sales often have that sort of thing or nicer IMO handmade stuff. If you're willing to devote two hours a month looking for used stuff, you could probably redo your entire kitchen within six months.

[LEAW]

We have WS dishes, which I LOVE because they are the right weight, size, and make me smile to use them. They are also very expensive and break easily with a clumsy husband and toddler. I have been replacing from ebay as I can. We got them as wedding gifts.

We also have many cooking tools and gadgets, the pancake batter thing ROCKS (my husband is making pancakes several mornings a week becuase of it) and spatulas and measuring cups/spoons. When you are in the kitchen a lot it's nice to use items that not only work well and last, but that feel good in your hands.

We've sent off some things to goodwill, soome to dd's play kitchen, etc. as we have been able to replace them.

Pampered chef also has nice tools and a great replacement policy, we own several things there too.

[mosesface]

Originally Posted by quirkylayne

I've seen good knock offs at places like Marshalls and TJ Maxx.

:
i'm all for quality kitchen gear, but wouldn't pay full price a WS unless i absolutely couldn't find something comparable at tjmaxx or another discount store. it's definitely worth scouring their kitchenwares aisles!!!

[msjd123]

I am definitely a big believer in buying quality items that will last, so I think you should go for it, but with one small change: Crate & Barrel. I worked for C&B for a while, and one thing that I didn't realize was that they use the same sources, sometimes the same products but in different colors, than WS. C&B is often just a little cheaper, but the quality is the same. Of course, if you're really coveting those WS bowls and nothing else will do, then by all means, go for it, but I just thought I'd throw that out there!

[rainbowmoon]

do you have your heart set on WS only? just in case you are open to it, you may want to check out www.crateandbarrel.com (and they have a really great outlet section on the web!)

ETA-you might check ebay too for the WS bowls you want. I often get things NIP for 1/2 price there!

[rainbowmoon]

ahhh sorry didn't see the previous post!

[Leilalu]

check ebay first....

[tiffany21074]

the only williams sonoma i have is stainless steel measuring cups and spoons, and they are by far the best quality i have ever owned. i would definately check ebay first though, it is bound to be cheaper.

[duckie]

I used to work for WS when I was in college, and of course became addicted to the high-end stuff when I had a really good discount, but with that said, I really do feel it is worth it to spend more on the quality tools if you truly are going to use it. I find I cook more when I have quality tools because it is actually enjoyable (if cooking is your thing, and it is mine). Plus, their customer service is the best, and if you have a problem with something, they normally take it back/replace it no questions asked (I recently brought back a Waring blender that randomly broke on me after about a year, and they replaced it with a newer model), and, having worked there, I know CS is a priority of theirs. With the state of CS in many companies so abysmal, I am so willing to pay for good service! So, after all that, I say go for it (and I promise, I don't still work for them!)

[courtenay_e]

I agree w/ the suggestion for crate and barrel for those bowls. Also, many of the name brand stuff CAN be found cheaper on the sites of the companies where those products ORIGINATE. For instance, their le creuset stuff can be gotten at le creuset's outlets for a third the cost of WS. BUT, yes, their stuff is really nice,and generally of a higher quality. I agree about their kitchen towels, though. I worked for a family that only used their towels and I hated them! I don't use them myself, as I have found other, cheaper towels to be much more absorbant.

[Amys1st]

I love WS stuff. I also visit their bargain table when there and get great stuff. We have cloth napkins and their dishtowels and all are great products- sorry for those who dont like them, send them my way!

I have their 11 glass bowl set and the marble sheet for making dough etc. Since we are major cooks in our house we have very high end things and all is about 10 yrs old and all still perfect from almost everyday use. I bought a lot at WS, chef's catalog and I bought a few pieces of LeCresuet in Paris. Also, ebay has some great items too. I think if its something you will use, get it and besides- you deserve it!

I did have an issue with one all clad pan, and it was replaced for me, no questions asked, but also showed me how to prevent the issue again.

[courtenay_e]

Oh, yes, and I actually found MUCH better prices for most of the brand name pots and pans they sell at potsandpans.com, of all places!