All I can say is that my mother owns a dresser and two bedside tables from pottery barn and she was very surprised by how well they were made when she first saw them in the store. The backs are entirely finished and they have held up well over the past couple of years. They are in a guest bedroom, so it's not like they received constant use.

I'd ask the store if their furniture is all made by the same manufacturer and then see if the quality of the pieces that are on the showroom floor are up to your standards. If their furniture is different manufacturers, ask if they have ane example from that company on the floor to check the quality.

Whenever I want to buy a big ticket item...I rent a van and drive to Delaware. Typically these types of stores will deliver FREE to a local store where you can pick it up. By going to Delaware you can purchase tax free & avoid the crazy shipping & handling. A friend of mine did this recently and saved over $800 on tax & shipping for her pottery barn dining room set.

Oh...also...

If you're in NYC, call the outlet out on Long Island and see if they have one. You could always hop on the LIRR to check it out.

There is an outlet for PB on LI? Please, where is it?

it's in the Tanger outlet center in Riverhead

Pottery Barn Outlet (631) 369-7699

They burn very nicely.

I'm in the market for a PB daybed I saw in their retail store. I'd love to go to Delaware but would I Love Upstate please explain "Typically these types of stores will deliver FREE to a local store where you can pick it up?" Which type of stores? What local stores? Sorry if my puzzlement seems dense. Thanks for more info.

Rick, you're probably hilarious in person, but a writer your not.

I purchased, over a decade ago, a trestle table with 2 benches. It is still gorgeous, useful, and most importantly - solid as ever: no creaks whatsoever. That's after a move, 3 kids - one of whom always finds his way to top of table to play board games, and many family gatherings. The benches are so heavy - no tipping over. Kids have even hung off edge of table to swing ("Stop that!" errrrrrr) and it is still steady and quiet. Love it.

Bought PB Kids cameron bookshelves/cubbies about three years ago. My handy brother-in-law couldn't believe how solid the wood was and how sturdy the units were after he assembled them (with really good instructions PB provided). Again, my three monkeys sit on the bottom bench and even step on the units to reach upper shelves - rock solid. Love it.

I have taught them to never even lean on the Ikea units.

Recently splurged (the $hipping!!!) and bought the Stratton bed with drawers (after 11 years of marriage I figured we deserved to get our mattress off the floor finally). Six drawers (I do wish they pulled out farther...) for linen storage/base support for our mattress 2" memory foam pad = heaven every night.

Madss - "you are" is "you're." Not "your." :)

Conventional wisdom, probably acquired at this site, is that PB stuff is usually well-made, but C&B is better quality at a similar price point.

Thanks everyone for your comments - I'll definitely call the LI stores as well.

I'm also not quite sure what the comment about Delaware stores means (my SIL lives there, so I can call her!), but if PB warehouses shipped the items to the stores, I could at least see the item before taking it home - and believe me I asked if I could do that!

I definitely don't want to purchase this to burn it...I save my ikea purchases for that!

Oh PB, how i wish i could buy your entire catalog :O)

-Julia

I was at the Tanger PB outlet over the weekend. Although they had a pretty decent selection of bedding and accessories, the furniture selection is a wasteland. The prices were not exactly phenomenal and it seems like there was just something a bit off about everything- missing hardware, scratches, dents, incomplete sets, etc. Also, BTW, I don't recall seeing this buffet (or any other) there.