Registry question for NNJ girls... BBB or Macy's

akcrrr

Good morning all!
I am working on setting up our 2nd registry (we already did Target) and I am torn between Macys and BBB.

We do not have many people who are going to be coming in from outside of NJ so locations in other areas are not that important and I just wanted to get a feel for who was doing what.

I like the rewards aspect of Macys and the fact that we could always return items we do not want and get clothing, shoes, etc. but BBB has some things that I really really want

Help!

peaches85

I would do BB&B, but I'm biased because that's the only store I registered at.  I've heard some negative things about the Macy's registry, so we decided to avoid it altogether.

Also, I hate this expression, but I kind of side-eye the fact that you said you'd use returns from your Macy's registry to purchase clothing and shoes.  A registry is in place to help guests purchase things for you and your FI that you can use as you start your new lives together as a couple, not to replenish your wardrobe (whether they purchase those things for you directly or you return their purchases to buy those items yourself).

Just my opinion, though.

akcrrr

@Peaches85, Sorry if I offended with that statement regarding exchanging registry items and thanks for the advice.

I meant it as more of a nod to the fact that if we recieved gifts that were not on our registry (ie 25 towels or 4 roasting pans) that we would have a bigger selection of things to exchange them with at Macy's than at BBB.

I have heard many people make comments on the fact that they ONLY registered at BBB because they get cash back for returns and they are planning on returning everything to get the $ and I think that is horrible!

I am they type of person who does not spend $ on good towels or sheets or pots and am actually looking forward to some help and a push into getting things that I need rather than things that are in expensive. I just do not want to get "stuck" with things where my only exchange options are other things that I do not want.

akmackay

I did both- and both have different positives. Macy's tends to have great sales- so your guests can get better discounts. You also get the rewards at the end. BBB everyone has their coupons. While 20% seems great, a sale at Macy's is usually a lot less (also note that I found some items at BBB were originally priced higher than at Macy's- even with the 20% off those items were more expensive than the same item at Macy's at regular price). Guests bought both at BBB and Macy's, so I think ether way you are good. BBB also gave me back cash for my returns (which mostly went to buying things there anyway).

I know you already registered at Target, but I have heard horror stories with returns there and them not accounting for items bought, so getting dupe items. Just wanted to make you aware.

peaches85

No offense taken whatsoever.  I was just saying that I don't agree with your reasoning for wanting to register at Macy's.  Just as I think that people's sole reasoning for registering at BB&B to get cash back from returns is inappropriate as well... which, I believe, may be a non-issue at this point because I've heard that most, if not all, BB&Bs have stopped that.

Regardless, I think that if you were to get "stuck" with things you don't want from BB&B, there are tons of other household items that you could buy for your home there instead.  Also, I haven't gone through the process yet, but I think you may be over-estimating the number of items you'll have to return.  Assuming your registries have a nice price distribution and you don't duplicate items between registries, I would imagine you won't have to make tons of returns or exchanges, therefore eliminating (in part or in whole) your concern about being stuck with items you don't want.

Again, just my opinion.

Edit: I agree with Allie about the Target registry... I've heard nothing but really bad things about their return/exchange policies.

Denise91980

I used Macy's and BB&B and had good experiences with both, however I tended to register for more at BB&B. I feel that their prices are more reasonable and people can use coupons, so I tend to prefer them over Macy's, but didn't have a bad experience with either. I had to bring stuff back to both and neither one gave me any difficulty.

Sonita12

I went with BBB for a lot of my more expensive appliances just because I know so many people get all of those 20% off coupons that never expire. I figured a lot of people would be able to use those.

akcrrr

It's great to hear that people have had good experiences with both Macy's and BBB and i think that no matter which we choose we have some great options.

We decided to go with Target because of the variety of inexpensive items we wanted and the fact that I can't drive 5 minutes without running into one (North Bergen, Jersey City, Edgewater, Clifton, and Hackensack). I have heard mixed things about their return policies but I have personally never had any problems so I am hoping for the best!

akmackay

I know you haven't had return issues- but imagine returning something that someone else bought for you months ago, without a receipt. They won't accept it. I've had major issues with them on regular returns- and if they buy it online it is a different return policy (different company). Just be aware

felicia220

I personally prefer Macy's and that is one of the places that I registered.  

Peaches, don't hate me, but I got a ton of GC and some returns and I totally used that to get some new clothes (I lost a lot of weight from planning and nothing fit me).  I also got everything off my registry and didn't need anything else, so.......shopping spree it was.....haha.

Am I a bad person?

(I know what you meant, I just thought it was funny that it is pretty much what I did)  

peaches85

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_new-jersey_registry-question-nnj-girls-bbb-macys?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:90Discussion:da8bc1cf-ecfc-4c7c-b186-87bcea87054bPost:dabb49a3-d9e9-42e5-8d74-9b10827cd37c">Re: Registry question for NNJ girls... BBB or Macy's</a>:
[QUOTE]I personally prefer Macy's and that is one of the places that I registered.   Peaches, don't hate me, but I got a ton of GC and some returns and I totally used that to get some new clothes (I lost a lot of weight from planning and nothing fit me).  I also got everything off my registry and didn't need anything else, so.......shopping spree it was.....haha. Am I a bad person? ;) (I know what you meant, I just thought it was funny that it is pretty much what I did)  
Posted by felicia220[/QUOTE]
Hahaha!  Well, it's different because you didn't register there with the intention of using the GCs and returns to buy the clothes.  I guess just the fact that she straight up admitted that's her plan is what irked me.

PS - I could never hate you!  You're my cookware advice-giver!  :-)

raangoli

We registered at BBB, Macys and Crate and Barrel. I liked BBB for their selection and of course the coupons people could use. Crate and Barrel wasn't that much pricier for the things we liked, so we added that, too.

Now for Macy's, we got most of the things off of there for my shower, but the thing that drives me absolutely bonkers about them is their always fluctuating pricing. Since they're always having "one day sales" and specials when I registered for something it was on sale. Two days later it's at it's "regular" price which is waaaay more expensive than I would register for. (Mostly with regard to luggage or some kitchen appliances, etc.)

I just mention that as something to keep in mind about Macy's. They do have good sales and so your guests could snag a deal, but when they don't it seems like it's ridiculously priced.

[Deleted User]

Am I a spoiled brat? We registered at 3 places - Macy's , BB&B, and Williams-Sonoma.... There were particular things that we wanted that each place offered only. We're also having 250 guests and I've heard it's good to have a huge selection for everybody to choose from.

Macy's has sales all the time for your guests
BB&B has coupons all the time for your guests
Either place is conveninet for your guests - therefore the decision is based on whats convenient/ perferable for you

We registered at BB&B specifically for the Corelle everyday plates that Macy's doesn't carry, Everything that Macy's has can be found at BB&B (the BB&B in Paramus is huge) so you'll have a greater selection for your registry.

goaliegirl

I found that Macy's had better prices that BBB even with the coupons.    And Macy's has great sales.  I registered at both BBB and Macy's and found that more people bought stuff from Macy's.  I didn't have any problems returning things at the Macy's in Paramus, they were very easy.    I also returned a few things at BBB and had no problems, I actually got store credit instead of cash so that I spend the money on stuff we needed for our house.   

One other thing, remember that the coupons cannot be used for everything, be sure to read the fine print, as a lot of their high end items that are expensive you cannot use the coupons for.

Personally, I don't think you can go wrong with either.

cindy91788

I personally opted for BBB.. I think Macy's is generally overpriced..and any time I've been invited to a shower where the girl was registered at both, i always chose to buy the gift at BBB. I can't see spending $100 on serving dish.