I have registered and un-registrered and registered again at 6 different store websites. I have signed up and deleted my account at several Universal Registries. I am completely convinced there is a science to creating the perfect registry, and I will not rest until I have found the formula…
I should register for a life.
BUT, my OCD quest will only help you, my fellow brides-to-be. Because I’ve been keeping copious notes, let me fill you in on what I’ve observed in the land of free shopping…otherwise know as The Wedding Registry.
Observation #1:
Universal Registries suck. Yes, the idea of them is brilliant. Register at ANY store you want, no matter how large or small, thus making your gift list unique and totally “you.” The problem is this: As a guest viewing your registry list, they are not able to select several smaller items to create a gift “package,” as many people do. Say your Aunt wants to buy you every baking gadget you’ve registered for…well, the problem is when viewing your Universal Registry list, you cannot check-off every item you want to give without it being considered a separate transaction. Yes, you can pull in your entire Crate and Barrel and Pottery Barn registries into the Universal one, but if Cousin Bobby sees one gift he wants from PB, and another one from CB, he has to pay for two different shipping costs, which is a real pain in the ass. Also, most of the Universal Registries are designed so poorly, most people can’t even figure out where to send your gift to once they select it.
If you HAVE to have a Universal Registry, the least retarded one I used was MyRegistry.com. Though don’t say I never warned you.
Observation #2:
The Registry is Where the Home Is. In other words, you should only register at stores where you live. Having just moved from NYC, I happen to love Crate and Barrel and Bloomingdales, which had several locations in the city. However, now that I live in Nashville we have neither of those chains. While I can easily order from them online, if I want to return something I have to ship it back. Neither of those stores offer free returns, so I’ll end up paying money on the items I don’t like. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to be schlepping back and forth to the post office. I’d much rather have to go to the mall.
Observation #3:
Be choosy. If it were up to me, I would be registered at 6 different stores. But a) it’s too confusing for guests, b) there’s that whole Universal Registries suck observation, and c) too many store options means some of the items you REALLY want/need will be overlooked. You should ideally keep it to two different stores, with a max of three. Deciding which two or three stores you want to include is the biggest decision…WHAT you want to get is the easiest part. After all, you know how to shop!
having been through it just a couple of years ago, i couldn’t agree with you more. that’s why if i could do it all over again, i would use a cash gift registry service (and maybe 1 traditional registry) to keep it simple: let the guests contribute to what we need and shop later with the gift money (hopefully hitting a great sale at the same time!)
I also went through multiple registries before landing on myregistry.com, but I don’t really follow your logic about universal registries sucking because of separate shipping for separate stores…that would be true even if you just had 6 separate registries at the 6 different stores! I think the point of a universal registry is to just have them all listed on one registry list, then it’s up to the guests what they choose to get you. Either way, it’s not too bad…try to relax and enjoy your wedding!
I think my biggest problem with the Universal Registry is that it doesn’t allow guests to “easily” choose multiple gifts. Say I choose two different stores to register at (the old-fashioned way)…guests can select which store they want to buy from, and can select multiple items that add up to the amount they want to spend (like, a set of towels AND sheets). When it comes time to check out, the process is easier if you just go through one store, because you pay one shipping rate and the address is already inputed for you. Most of the “older” folk that will be purchasing gifts can easily get confused with a Universal Registry having to input the address in multiple places. I am SURE I am overthinking it…but that’s what I do. LOL
I have a myregistry.com account and really like it. so unfortunately I cannot agree with the universal gift list comment. I tried wishpot though and deleted it though so I have to say that some work and some dont I guess (they didn’t offer a cash gift service which myregistry does so that was the dealbreaker for me and we were able to upload our instore williams sonoma instore registry there so guests could actually shop in the store)
Unless your 90 year old nanna is trying to buy something off the site it’s pretty easy if you ask me. Just go to the relative’s list and check the list to see what you want (in the notes section we commented on which specific store we added the item from for guests who preferred the information) and then instead of going back and forth guests can just click through one gift and search for the items on that store site separately. It’s not exactly neuroscience lol but I guess for people who are not that comfortable with computers I can see where your frustrations lie.
However, 6 stores is so excessive. I even think having three separate registries is confusing because how do you announce that. personally I would feel awkward (but I’m socially awkward so that’s not saying much hehe
) That’s why I am confused as to why you hate universal gift registries. Personally, I’m not a fan of registering for items that are knick knack baker’s tools such as whisks, mops, or a toilet plunger (not saying you did but I have friends who did that and I’m like ARE YOU KIDDING ME UGH hahah) but I am a bigger fan of universal registries than registering at separate stores.
Well, here’s my thing (and of course everyone is entitled to an opinion). I think that universal registries are an inconvenience for those people looking to purchase multiple gifts that add up to one bigger one. If you’re at one store’s registry–say Crate and Barrel–I can check off a set of glasses, kitchenware, etc. until I reach my budget of $70 ( my typical gift amount.) Then, I only have to pay for shipping once. The beauty of a universal registry, IMHO, is that you don’t have to stick with a set # of stores. I can register for a cool serving platter at Surlatable.com, and wine glasses at Williams Sonoma. If somebody wanted to purchase both of those for me, they’d have to pay for two S&H. If they’re just clicking on one gift in order to see my entire registry, then what’s the point of having a universal registry? It’s the same things as going to my wedding website, looking at the three stores I have listed, and choosing one of them from there. I still think the universal registry industry has a long way to go. If I think it’s kinda confusing and bulky (and I run websites for a living), then yes…I can only imagine how my parents 60-year-old friends are going to feel.