Please go to our new link for Smith + Noble.
Classy DIY solutions. Smith & Noble used to be called Smith & Noble Windoware, and we were surprised when we went to review them that they have quietly grown into a windoware, rug and home decor company. While not offering scintillating design, they do offer a nice alternative to paying for expensive custom shades. You choose the shade, you do the measuring, you do the work and they'll send you exactly what you want.
Smith & Noble sells a wide range of windowware, from wood blinds, to solar shades, to honeycomb shades to curtain panels. They tend towards traditional and are noticeably absent modern, urban styles, but their solar shades come close. In our experience, they are very reliable and have excellent customer service...
Problems? We found that measuring windows for shades is tricky and on more than one occasion shades had to be returned. It can be done, just be careful! In addition, ordering off of their site can be confusing as there are so many choices to be made and color chips on the web are hard to read. You need to really know what you want in advance, and you will want to take advantage of their willingness to send you free swatches.
Finally, Smith & Noble is not cheap. A simple cotton canvas panel will cost you as much if not a little more than if you were to find it yourself at Pottery Barn or a similar store. Smith & Noble is not offering bargains, what they are offering is a wide range of choices so that you can choose exactly what you want. MGR
• Review from Epinions
• Smith and Noble history
• Ebates.com discounts at Smith and Noble
(ReEdited from 2004-07-27 - MGR)
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Comments (12)
I wish I have found this site before ordering 2 PanelTracs from S&N. I was fooled by their glossy catelogues. To be fair, they do have great materials and shipped me as many swaps as I needed.
Both PanelTracs arrived with flaws. The first PanelTrac was missing a panel. Customer service was quick to send the missing panel but it arrived without the lining which was useless. When I called again about the problem, this time they were slow to respond. They didn't ship the panel for about 3 to 4 weeks without any offer to expedite the shipping or anything.
With the second PanelTrac, one of the panels was cut or sewn crooked. That replacement didn't arrive for another 3 to 4 weeks.
This was a very disappointing experience with S&N. The panels aren't even complicated to make. How did they get it so wrong over and over.
And they still cost a bloody fortune.
I researched S&N online before buying and decided against it due to all the negative reviews on various web sites. Instead I ordered cellulat shades from the Shade Store (shadestore.com) and we are completely happy with our order. They immediately answered a question I had via e-mail (a tricky question too about various shades of white), sent samples out right away, and checked in to see if I needed any further help. Although I found the web site a little confusing to order from I had the option to do it all over the phone if I chose. We measured very carefully and all 8 shades came out perfectly. I also received a discount coupon via e-mail on future orders.
I have ordered roller shades for my dining room, living room, and roman shades for my bedroom in the past 3 years. I never had a problem with ordering, receiving, or mounting my shades (but I am good with measuring & tools, which probably helped). One roller shade I ordered was a bit long for the window (my fault), but I was able to recess the hardware into the wall slightly and install the shade.
Recently, I ordered 2 batches of swatches, and they were both sent to my billing address, not the ship to address indicated Not a big deal, but frustrating.
I have also used The Shade Store several in the past, and I like the fact they are local (with a local company that does measuring & installation). I did have an issue with a top down bottom up shade not working correctly, and some measuring / installing issues with another order, but they were resolved.
Smith and Noble has terrible customer service. You are much better off using The Shade Store or if you live in NY/LA/SF/Chicago, The Silk Trading Company. I'm having a very good experience right now with the Shade Store.
smith noble complaint
I purchased some very pricey wood blinds from smith noble. The clips that hold the valance on are flimsy little things that have all broken apart over time.Additionally, the end caps that cover the ribbon selvage have fallen off. I have been calling the smith noble customer service since mid April to try to get them replaced.Despite the fact that I would gladly pay to replace the parts the s n very unfriendly and defensive customer service has told me the following at various times and I have yet to receive the parts:
1) we don't handle replacement parts - you'll have to go to a drapery parts store
2) the parts on are the way - I've spoken directly with the factory and you should receive them tomorrow,via expedited mail
3) Maybe it's time for you to get some new window coverings
4) There is no order in the system
5) I see several orders in the system for you but for some reason they have all been cancelled
6) We were going to ship the parts to you via expedited mail but we called the (wrong) phone number that we have for you and someone answered and said we have a wrong number so we didn't ship the parts.
7) I'm shipping the parts to you next day air directly from our office in California so there will be no tracking number.
8) Once the order is shipped to you next day air directly from our office I'll have a tracking number for you.
9) Call me, Candice, back if you should have any further difficulties with this order.
10) We've never had anyone named Candice working here.
11) We did have someone named Candice working here but she is no longer with us.
12) We shipped the valance clips to you in May, you should have received them.
It has been a nightmare dealing with this company and I certainly will not ever order from them again. I'm putting these blinds in my rummage sale this summer. Good riddance.
This is your window covering expert. I am so sorry that many of you have had problems with the Smith and Noble company. Sounds like a few of you don't know how to measure. In general the Smith and Noble company is lacking in competence, in other words they #$%&*@! To the people who decided to go lavish with SN in their purchase are just throwing their money away, see your local off brand blind dealer instead and he/she will get right to the point with no delays, there are many blinds dealers in San Francisco bay area. The people defending Smith and Noble are just a bunch of little "apple shiners." My general feeling about the Smith and Noble company are "stay away."
Yeah I'm no fan of SN. I used to shop with them before. I've come to the conclusion that their colorblind. Why else would you send someone a blue shade when its supposed to be ivory?
For my last project, I decided to try someone else. I went with prioritywindows.com and I'm happy. Got the product on time (as promised!) and they didn't screw up the fabric or measurements!
Do NOT buy anything from this company. I ordered blinds from them and had one of my worst experiences ever buying something online. They also have TERRIBLE customer service. I wish I had read all these comments before I ordered from them.
Stay away from Smith and Noble. Stay far, far away.
I ordered 6 shades. I paid Smith and Noble to come measure. When the shades arrived, 5 of the 6 were about 1/4 to 1/2 inch too wide for the windows. I asked to return the shades to get my money back. Turns out their "satisfaction guarantee pledge" means that they won't give you your money back, no matter what.
They insist on coming back to re-measure, but a) I can't take time off from work again for this, and b) why would I want to run the risk of further screw ups and hassle?
Their customer service staff come across as Soviet-style bureaucrats. Evidently, Smith and Noble could care less about disappointing their customers and engendering ill will.
I guess my next steps are to file complaints with the BBB and my state's attorney general, as well as dispute the original charge with my credit card company. I'll probably send the shades back to the company's president for good measure.
Keep in mind that Smith and Noble's "partner sites" (i.e. sister companies) include Ballard Designs, Grandin Road, Garnet Hill, TravelSmith, Frontgate, and others. You can rest assured that I won't be giving any of them my business in the future either.
Thanks everyone for warning me! I was just about to buy stuff from S&N but after reading these reviews, I'm going elsewhere.
I will never do business with them again. The difference between the shades I ordered 4 years ago and the ones I got this year is so pronounced that I am surprised someone has not sued them for fraud. They have sunk the brand. I ordered the same shade I ordered back then. OK, maybe I could live with the canvas being inferior and a different "natural" color but the design, the chord mechanism - everything was different. There were extra seams and hems 1/2 the width as before. They offered to refund my money. I am sorry to see this happen. Must be new management or they sold the store.