Weekend Roundup -- Registery experience -- Good & Bad (LONG)

After going through a pleasurable experience registering at Fortunoff, we were very, very disappointed with the service at Macy`s. We first registered at Fortunoff last week, going through the extremely friendly and helpful Ann before heading out with our scanner and finding a bunch of things we thought would be neat to have, since we already have many of the basic neccessities. Our information was entered directly into the computer and by the time we got home, we were already on the fortunoff website under the registery section. Big difference at Macy`s. We first went to the one at the South Shore Mall in Bay Shore. We were told they could open our registery, but we would have to schedule an appointment to go back and meet with the consultant regarding the registery and to receive a folder of information. Well, I didn`t like that. I told them it was hard enough getting there the first time, and the girl responded by saying the appointment would last just a few minutes. Well, hearing that it would be a quick meeting requiring just one of us to be there made it worse .. made it seem like more of a waste of my time. I mean, if I`m going to have to go out of my way to get back there, I don`t want it to be for a brief meeting, that already seemed worthless. I mean, let`s face it, wouldn`t anyone want all the information BEFORE going through with something, not after??!! Plus, they didn`t have the cards that get inserted into shower invites. So we left to go to Sunrise Mall in Massapequa. Well, they didn`t have anyone on staff at that time either. We were told we could fill out the paper work then wait 45 minutes for someone to show up. That seemed insane to us. We just wanted to get this done! So we said in 45 minutes we could be at Roosevelt Field. That`s where we ended up, in Roosevelt Field, with half the day shot! Macy`s at Roosevelt Field at least had a bunch of desks and people working in the Registery Department. While I didn`t like having to fill out paperwork, and couldn`t understand why they needed both our parents names, addresses and phone numbers since everything will be shipped directly to us, we went through with registering. We did find a few things to add to our list, but not much. They basically had everything we already requested or had. One thing I noticed, a flatware pattern we chose at Fortunoff was $11 more expensive per setting at Macy`s. I haven`t really figured out how to get the website thing going for the Macy`s registery. I believe I need to go to weddingchannel.com and do something there, but I`m not quite sure. Plus, the help at Macy`s did say that when you make changes via the internet, it takes 24-48 hours before they show up on the net. So I`m not sure if that timeframe includes our registery list appearing to begin with. Bottom line is, Fortunoff was so awesome to deal with. They made everything so easy, while Macy`s seemed to make things much more complicated then things needed to be, plus we were running all over Long Island just trying to get the registery done. That was our goal for Monday, and I didn`t want to postpone it because some of the Macy`s stores lacked help - Bay Shore and Massapequa had no help -- make sure to call ahead if you choose these stores to open your registery.

Sounds like a long day!

Our experience at Fortunoff was also, and has been, great. We never even bothered with Macy's even though originally we were going to. And even though Fortunoff is not necessarily convenient for people outside of LI, many people have ordered off the website...have fun checking on your gifts!!

It was!

My mom actually gave me a hard time as I grinned about checking my gifts on-line. She has threatened to buy things we haven`t registered for just to keep it interesting! LOL The only thing that made me go through with the registery at Macy`s was the Longchamp glasses they sell. They are sharp-looking and heavy-weighted. I don`t think you can beat the quality of them for the price ... set of 4 for $12 and change, including flutes, tumblers, etc. I believe they are 24% lead crystal.

Weekend Roundup -- Registery experience -- Good & Bad (LONG)

Kel, I share the same feelings about the Fortunoff/Macy's registry experience. I also found that I got quite a few doubles because Macy's failed to remove things from my registry. Grrrr! :(

Weekend Roundup -- Registery experience -- Good & Bad (LONG)

We did the same thing at Bay Shore and Massapequa, however they had no one working the job at that time. Both girls has quit and no one was hired to replace her!! We ended up in Roosevelt Field and yes the 1million questions about parents was stupid. We had fun with it though since it was our first store but JcPenney for us was MUCH better! To access your account, go to weddingchannel.com, you then hit bride and groom login. Then I think you need to set up a password and its very easy from there. HOWEVER- Macys online does not have half the stuff thats in the store. My kitchenaid mixer attachments that are in the store (that stupidly I didnt scan) I cant get them from the site... and to go back is a chore...Just remember- that part is OVER now :)

Different experience with Macy`s (REALLY LONG)

Kel, I`m sorry you had such a bad experience, but I didn`t mind the registry process at Macy`s. I had to register three times, but it was understandable. Twice I went on Saturdays (once without an appointment and once with an appointment). Since Saturday is their busiest day, you can only use the scanner for an hour. It is understandable though, because so many people are there are Saturdays and they want to accommodate them. But, when I went the 3rd time during the week, it was fine because the store is less crowded and you get more attention. I did everything without the help of a consultant, she only went over the list at the end (duplicate items, etc.) FYI, it is pretty easy to view and update your registry online. Go to Macys.com and then go to the tab for 'bridal registry', which automatically transfers you to the Wedding Channel. Then, just insert your name and wedding date. I didn`t register at Fortunoff because there are very few of them around. I also thought that the best thing about Macy`s is that they are ALWAYS having sales. Example: my friend registered for China and during there recent sale (going on now), for every $150 you spend on the pattern you get two free soup bowls, which she had also registered for and are about $70 a piece. So, the bridal party is getting her all her place settings and will be able to get all the soup bowls for nothing. Sorry this is so long.

Macy`s

The sales at Macy`s along with their many locations were what had Macy`s on my list for registering. I was concerned about the lone Long Island location for Fortunoff, but anyone who can`t get to the store can order by phone or by internet. My concern with Macy`s now is if someone goes to a store that doesn`t keep their bridal registery fully staffed. I just can`t see how our registery account will be properly taken care of by such stores, and the internet site just seems to have an exceptionally long update time. While I`m sure duplicates are likely with any store, it just seems much more likely with Macy`s since they don`t have a full staff at all stores. But I do agree, weekdays are definitely the way to go .. with everything, not just registering. Hopefully my initial experience with Macy`s registery is not a preview of what to expect in the coming months.

Macys Massapequa

A while back they lost their registry people. I don`t know if they hired new ones. That is why people may not seem to know as much there.

Macys

A few people have shopped off our registry and have had no problem either at the store or on the pc. I dont know how it works in the store but they had no problem so that might be the easy part.

Carrie - Macy's Massapequa

It wasn`t a matter of people at Macy`s Massapequa not knowing much, it was a matter of the bridal registery not being staffed ... there was no one there. They are short on staff, leaving the registery without help for at least portions of the day.

Fortunoff - Registry Cards?

Did anyone get registry announcement cards when signing up with Fortunoff? I didn't? I wonder if you can get these off their web site? I live in S. Jersey so it is tough for me to get to a Fortunoff on a regular basis.

Weekend Roundup -- Registery experience -- Good & Bad (LONG)

I, for one, am not registering at Fortunoff`s because of the crowds and the fact that when I purchased a Wedgewood place setting for a friend`s wedding they made me drive to a separate location to pick it up. I am not inflicting that hassle on anyone.

Fortunoff - Registry Cards?

I got them in the mail with a bunch of ohter stuff a few weeks after we registered.