How to Get the Best Deals at Pottery Barn: A Shopping Guide
Learn how to save money at Pottery Barn with tips on timing purchases, using promo codes, and taking advantage of sales. This guide covers everything from return policies to utilizing free design services, helping you maximize value on your purchases.
If you’re planning to shop at Pottery Barn, knowing when and how to find the best deals can make a big difference in how much you spend. From timing your purchases to leveraging discounts, this guide will help you navigate Pottery Barn’s pricing strategies. This guide will help you navigate Pottery Barn’s offerings and maximize your savings.
1. Timing Your Purchases: When to Shop
Seasonal Sales
Pottery Barn, like many home retailers, has key sales throughout the year. The best times to score discounts include:
- Black Friday/Cyber Monday: One of the biggest sales events of the year, where you can find discounts on a wide range of products, often up to 50% off.
- End-of-Season Sales: These occur at the end of summer and winter, where you can find significant markdowns on seasonal items such as outdoor furniture and holiday decor.
- Clearance Sales: Pottery Barn frequently has clearance events, particularly at the end of a season or when they’re making room for new collections.
- Holiday Sales: Memorial Day, Labor Day, and July 4th are key times for discounts, especially on outdoor and seasonal items.
Friends & Family Events
Pottery Barn occasionally holds Friends & Family sales, where you can get a percentage off almost everything in the store, both online and in-store. These events are usually limited to a few days, so it’s essential to act quickly.
Annual Buy More, Save More Sales
During these events, Pottery Barn offers tiered discounts based on how much you spend. The more you buy, the bigger the discount, which can be an excellent opportunity if you’re furnishing multiple rooms or making large purchases.
2. Shopping Strategies: Making the Most of Discounts
Pottery Barn Credit Card
Using the Pottery Barn Credit Card can be a smart way to save, especially if you’re a frequent shopper. The card offers 10% back in rewards, special financing options, and access to exclusive cardholder events. You can use your rewards points to save on future purchases.
Sign Up for Email Newsletters
By signing up for Pottery Barn’s email newsletter, you’ll receive notifications about upcoming sales, exclusive promotions, and possibly a welcome discount code. This is a great way to stay informed and catch deals as soon as they’re announced.
Shopping Outlet Stores
Pottery Barn has outlet stores across the country where you can find discounts of up to 70% on furniture, home decor, and more. These items are often floor models, returns, or slightly imperfect, but they’re sold at a fraction of the original price. Shopping at outlet stores is a fantastic way to get high-quality Pottery Barn products for less.
Use Promo Codes and Coupons
Promo codes are often available during major sales events, but you can also find them online through coupon websites like RetailMeNot or by signing up for Pottery Barn’s email list. Applying these codes at checkout can lead to significant savings.
3. Navigating Pottery Barn’s Return Policy
Understanding the return policy is crucial, especially when purchasing items on sale or clearance. Here’s what you need to know:
General Return Policy
Pottery Barn’s standard return policy allows you to return most items within 30 days of receiving your order for a refund, minus any applicable shipping fees. Items must be in their original condition and packaging. However, custom-made items and certain other products may not be returnable, so always check the return policy before purchasing.
Holiday and Seasonal Return Extensions
During the holiday season, Pottery Barn typically extends the return window to accommodate gift returns. Be sure to check the specific dates when this extension applies to avoid missing the deadline.
No-Fuss Exchanges
If you need to exchange an item, Pottery Barn makes it straightforward. You can initiate an exchange online or in-store, and once the original item is returned, the new item will be shipped. Keep in mind that some return fees might apply, especially for larger items.
Refund Options
Refunds are generally issued to the original payment method, but if you prefer, you can opt for store credit, which may be processed more quickly. Store credit can be a good option if you plan to make future purchases.
4. Taking Advantage of Shipping and Delivery Options
Free Shipping Offers
Pottery Barn often offers free shipping promotions, particularly during major sales events. Sometimes, free shipping is available on specific categories or when you spend over a certain amount. This can be a great way to save, especially on large items like furniture, where shipping costs can be substantial. You can find more on Pottery Barn's shipping on their website.
White Glove Delivery
For larger furniture pieces, consider opting for Pottery Barn’s White Glove Delivery service. This includes in-home delivery, assembly, and packaging removal. While there’s usually a fee for this service, it’s often worth it for the convenience, especially during sales when the service might be offered at a discount.
Curbside Pickup
If you want to avoid shipping fees altogether, Pottery Barn offers curbside pickup at many locations. You can place your order online and pick it up at a nearby store, saving both time and money.
5. Shopping Open Box vs. Clearance vs. Sales
Open Box Items
These items are customer returns or floor models that are still in good condition but can’t be sold as new. Open box deals are a fantastic way to save on high-quality furniture and decor, often with discounts of up to 50% or more. Check the Open Box section regularly, as inventory changes frequently.
Clearance Items
Clearance items at Pottery Barn are usually end-of-season products or overstocked items. Discounts can be substantial, and these items are often new and in perfect condition, making them a great alternative to open box deals if you’re looking for something specific.
Sales Items
Regular sales at Pottery Barn often include discounts on a wide range of products, from furniture to home decor. While these items are new and come with full warranty and return options, the discounts may not be as deep as open box or clearance items.
6. How to Spot a Good Deal
Compare Prices Across Sites
Before making a purchase, compare prices across Pottery Barn’s family of brands, which includes Williams-Sonoma, West Elm, and Rejuvenation. Sometimes, the same item or similar products are available at different prices across these sites.
Read Reviews and Product Descriptions
Customer reviews are a valuable resource for assessing the quality and durability of Pottery Barn products. Additionally, carefully reading product descriptions can help you understand what you’re getting, especially when shopping for open box or clearance items.
Look for Price Drops
Pottery Barn items often drop in price as new collections are introduced or as seasonal sales approach. Keeping an eye on price trends or using a price tracking tool can help you time your purchase for the best deal.
7. Take Advantage of Pottery Barn’s Free Design Services
Another way to maximize your experience with Pottery Barn is by taking advantage of their free design services. Whether you're redecorating a room or planning an entire home makeover, Pottery Barn’s design experts are available to help you create the perfect space.
Personalized Assistance
Pottery Barn offers complimentary consultations that can be conducted in-store, at your home, or virtually. These services include layout planning, product recommendations, and guidance on color schemes and materials, all tailored to your style and needs.
Why It’s Worth It
This service can be especially valuable if you're unsure about your design choices or need help visualizing how new pieces will fit into your space. Even if you don’t purchase all your furniture from Pottery Barn, the professional advice you receive can help you make more informed decisions.
Making the Most of It
To fully benefit from the design service, come prepared with your goals, budget, and style preferences. Be open to suggestions and ask questions to ensure you get the most out of your consultation.Conclusion: Smarter Shopping for a Timeless Home
Use Spoken to Maximize Your Savings
Make sure you also check Pottery Barn on Spoken, as Pottery Barn practices white labelling. To make sure you’re truly getting the best value, use Spoken to compare prices across multiple retailers and track prices.
Quick facts
Do Pottery Barn furniture go on sale?
Yes, Pottery Barn furniture does go on sale. The company offers regular seasonal sales, holiday promotions, and end-of-season clearance events. Major sales often occur during Black Friday, Memorial Day, and Labor Day. Additionally, they have ongoing sales sections both online and in-store. Signing up for their email list can keep you informed about upcoming sales and promotions.
How to get the best deals at Pottery Barn?
To get the best deals at Pottery Barn, sign up for their email list and rewards program for exclusive offers. Shop during major sales events like Black Friday or seasonal clearances. Use promo codes when available. Consider floor samples or open-box items for deeper discounts. Compare prices with sister brands like West Elm or Williams-Sonoma. Join their credit card program for additional savings.
Does Pottery Barn use coupons?
Yes, Pottery Barn does use coupons. They offer various types of coupons, including percentage-off discounts, dollar-amount discounts, and free shipping offers. Coupons are often sent via email to subscribers, available on their website, or distributed through direct mail. Some coupons may have restrictions or be limited to specific product categories or time periods.
What is the Pottery Barn Trade discount percentage?
The Pottery Barn Trade discount percentage typically ranges from 20% to 30% off retail prices for eligible items. The exact discount can vary based on the specific product category and current promotions. To access these discounts, you must be an approved member of their Trade Program, which is designed for interior designers, architects, and other industry professionals.
What is the Pottery Barn Associate discount?
The Pottery Barn Associate discount is a benefit offered to employees of Pottery Barn and its affiliated brands. While the exact percentage can vary, associates typically receive a substantial discount on Pottery Barn products. The discount may extend to other Williams-Sonoma Inc. brands. For specific details, current or prospective employees should consult the company's internal policies.
Does Pottery Barn do student discounts?
Pottery Barn does not typically offer a standard student discount program. However, they occasionally run promotions that may benefit students, such as dorm room specials or back-to-school sales. Students can still take advantage of regular sales, email subscriber discounts, and seasonal promotions to save money on their purchases at Pottery Barn.
Geoff Abraham
Co-founder & President of Spoken
Geoff is the co-founder and President of Spoken. He is a Dad. He holds a BA from UT Austin (Plan II) and an MBA from Stanford. Geoff has built several successful businesses, including a bicycle taxi business in San Francisco which he ran for 10 years with his wife, Mimosa. He is an executive coach, and he actively invests in seed-stage startups via The Explorer Fund.
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