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Is Restoration Hardware on the decline?

Posted on August 18th, 2008 – 3:10 PM
By John Ewoldt

I’m a passive aggressive fan of Restoration Hardware. The clearance prices can be exceptional at 60 to 70 percent discounts. The towels and bedding are pricey but an exceptional value on sale. Still, I worry that the brand is slipping. Many of the items are made in China now. Some items, especially lighting, are plainly overpriced compared to similar or identical items at the competition. The fantastic selection of drawer pulls, which never go on sale, can be nearly duplicated at Menards for much less moolah.

The Fall Furnishings event in progress includes 20 percent discount on all drapery hardware. Not a big discount, but it’s the first time that the entire stock of drapery hardware has been discounted. All drapes are also discounted.

The current sale continues through Sept. 3. I’ll be watching for more cracks around the facade. (At least they dodged the bullet being bought out by Sears.) Anyone else think this traditional home furnishings store has peaked?

This entry was posted on Monday, August 18th, 2008 at 3:10 pm and is filed under Home furnishings. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

7 Responses to "Is Restoration Hardware on the decline?"

Matt P. says:

August 18th, 2008 at 5:12 pm

Years ago I started playing a game with my friends. The challenge was to go into Restoration Hardware (which, you know, defines classic American style) and find something made in America.

Nobody has scored a point yet. But my friends are amazed at how hard this game is. The workers don’t seem to appreciate it much.

It is funny to imagine what ideas a Chinese worker might for about America as they are stamping out another “classic” icon. Some items must be very foreign to them.

Not coincidentally, Resto Hardware has yet to score a cent from me.

scott says:

August 18th, 2008 at 5:23 pm

it peaked about 6 years ago when they stopped offering the vintage accessories and games

oldblue says:

August 18th, 2008 at 7:10 pm

So what is not made in China and sold in the us. Just got a “USPS” scale and guess what, made in China. Might as well open your doors with and sleep on China made.

James says:

August 18th, 2008 at 8:17 pm

I’ve shopped there maybe twice in the last 8 years. It’s overpriced. I don’t care how stores set up displays or the mono-chromatic packaging anymore, if you’re overpriced-you’re overpriced. No towel on earth is worth 20 bucks.

Jaime says:

August 18th, 2008 at 8:29 pm

Restoration Hardware products are clearly higher quality than “similar or identical items” sold by the competition. The finishes are far superior. The color palette is always modern and refreshing. Restoration Hardware is the leader, proven again and again when the competitors immediately copy them. Restoration Hardware is selling a lifestyle, with a high level of taste involved. If you want to go to Menards, you’ll get what you pay for.

David says:

August 18th, 2008 at 10:10 pm

Restoration Hardware is style driven, not price driven. Still, the company often demonstrates customer service problems. Far too many items are back-ordered, despite the promise of a cash-and-carry retail experience. Going forward the store needs to exhibit design courage, moving beyond the oh-so comfortable world of white subway tile and chrome light fixtures. The consumer is craving pattern, color, and texture.

Jean says:

August 28th, 2008 at 11:52 am

I loved RH…until this summer ruined that love. Long story short, I ordered an outdoor dining set on June 6th and am still waiting for them to deliver four chairs that aren’t damaged. At one point I had 12 damaged chairs in my garage; all were delivered by UPS when they were supposed to be delivered via white glove delivery from a moving company. Metal chairs with their coating completely chipped off in places and the back of one chair broken completely off (yes, the metal). Two additional sets were delivered to the local company also damaged. RH has credited me for shipping, credited my account for a bit of the cost and sent me gift cards. The only reason I’m still holding out is because I like the set—if they could deliver quality. Also, we didn’t need the set until this month anyway so I figured ordering in June would give enough lead time to figure out the kinks. Guess it wasn’t!