The Savvy Traveler

On 10÷15÷15 I brought in a purse that I bought at the beginning of the summer that had come apart two weeks after I started using it while crossing a busy street in Manhattan. I first asked the salesperson if I could have the purse repaired. She asked if I had the receipt. I said no. She went to get the owner who asked me if I had the receipt. Again I said no. She said that she couldn’t do anything to help me. I said that I wasn’t trying to return or exchange it, just have it repaired. She said that it was my responsibility. I disagree. I bought the purse in good faith for over $ 100. I used it for less than two weeks. It should have lasted longer. I said that it it doesn’t represent the quality of The Savvy Traveler. She kept insisting that I had to take responsibility for the repair. I said that she was leaving me little choice but to write a negative review on Unilocal.She countered that if threatening her with a negative review would make me feel better than so be it. I told her that it actually makes me sad to have to write a negative review. I try to patronize small businesses whenever possible but I don’t feel like I should be penalized for doing so. If I had purchased a comparable item at Nordstrom or REI even without a receipt the stores would have found a remedy. Please understand that I never asked for money back or a new purse, just a repair. I finally asked if having a receipt would make a difference and she said that it wouldn’t. The owner was rude and dismissive. I’ve been going to Edmunds every so often for about a year and have seen a remarkable turnover in retail stores. I think that the business owners owe it to each other to give great customer service. It is the only thing that can set them apart from big stores.

Will not stand behind their merchandise and were downright rude when we expected them to even suggest where to get it repaired.

my husband and I always loved this store and bought many items over the years and enjoyed browsing around since we travel a lot. Bought a top that was on sale earlier this year. Was my size but didn’t try it on because I had many layers of clothing on (very cold day). At home I discovered that the neck was awkward and didn’t fit well at all. Went back to exchange it and was told that they have a no return policy for sale items. We questioned the lack of having this pointed out to us when we paid for it (not even a sign on the counter). A rather snippy young lady pointed out that it says so right on the charge slip. True but didn’t see it until she said so. Let’s remember that you don’t get a sales slip until the charge has already been run through the machine.. nor do we tend to read the detail of a sales slip.
I tried several more times to bring this to some resolution, including writing to the Edmonds Chamber of Commerce since I believe strongly that the core problem centers around the lack of verbalized information that would have either prevented me from completing the purchase or taken off my layers of clothing to try it on. I don’t expect every store to have such a stringed policy that shows little flexibility but there is something to be said about Nordstrom’s or REI’s customer service orientation
We are sad to say that we have become ex-​customers

this store is exactly what it days it is! neat & practical things all in the name of travel! if i was going on a big trip soon this is the place to shop for clothes that are wrinklefree & versatile!

Be very careful about the return policy. If things are not returned within 10 days you will not get your money back only a store credit. I will NOT shop there again.

I’ve shopped there before and have loved the range of products available. I stopped in today to browse, searching for the perfect day backpack. Something small but not too small. I thought I’d found the perfect bag size-​wise — except for the straps, I just couldn’t decide if the straps had enough padding or not, similar to another bag I have that I don’t use because of the straps. So instead of making an impulse purchase I decided to photograph the tag so I could remember the name of the product, then think it over and be able to show it to the salesperson later if I decided to buy the bag. I barely had my phone out to photograph the bag when I was approached by a saleslady who told me she didn’t want me to do that. She took the tag away, turned it over so I could photograph the other side but kept her hand firmly on the bag and tag so I could’t even hold it anymore. Made no sense because the name of the model was on both sides of the tag so what was the point. She said people take down information then order the products elsewhere. Okay. I could have jotted down the information or just memorized it so what difference does a photo make.
I photograph products all the time and get no complaints. It makes it so much easier to text a photo to someone before purchasing a product to ask, «do you like this color, or that color,» or to show the photo to the salesperson after I’ve made my decision of which product I want instead of saying, «you know, it’s the grey one with the purple pockets,» because hey, there can’t possibly be more than one choice like that. Recording the actual name makes it even better if it needs to be reordered from their source.
Instead of asking me how she could help me or offer me advice regarding the product or shown me additional choices, she took the product out of my hands and made the choice that much easier for me.
Never shopping there again.

I’ve always had fun looking at the different items in the store and talking with the staff. I’ve usually found exactly what I needed, though I find the selection to be a bit sparse when it comes to techy gadget accessories (example: I was not able to find stylish laptop bags in an array of sizes). If you need a pair of quick-​wash undies, wrinkle-​free, easy-​pack clothes, tubes for toiletries, travel maps/​books, or anti-​theft purses, this is the place! I’ve bought some great multi-​function purses here, too. I’m a fan!

Went here in Sat. and the minute I went to the back for the women’s stuff, a little old foreign woman followed me — right on my heels — as if I were there to steal something. I was not.
It’s unfortunate that this store does not carry anything in a plus-​size for men or women. I guess places like this figure that plus-​size people don’t travel? Nothing could be further from the truth.
I am returning what I bought there today and I hope it goes well, considering some of the comments I see on Unilocal (interesting they appear to have 2 different Unilocal records).

Fabulous store, with a very extensive selection of anything and everything one might possibly need for travelling. The store is deep, so there’s a lot to see in here, including maps and travel guide books, travel clothes, all sorts of gadgets for travelling — some stuff I’ve never even seen or heard of before. My kid and I browsed for quite a while in here, and I picked up some cute, collapsible water bottles. They even had funky perfume atomizers and travel hair blowers and tiny packable towelettes of every sort imaginable! The staff were friendly and I found the prices comparable to other travel stores.

My husband and I are going on a two week trip to England, and I’ve been hitting this place up quite a bit.
This place can be pretty pricey, but not everything is expensive. They seem to pack all of the designer, overpriced merch at the front of the store. Just walk right past it and you’ll find their large selection of travel supplies, books, maps, clothes, and pretty much anything else. Most of these items, in my opinion, are not too bad on the price scale. I do suggest going back and forth between this store and Rick Steves’ — his selection is smaller, but the prices are not as scary. His store also gears to more practical luggage needs, as The Savvy Traveler leans more torward style. Pick your preference.
I find the employees here to be very friendly and non-​assertive. Granted, I have never purchased a big ticket item like luggage, so maybe it’s different when the cash out is bigger. However, in my experience they have asked me if I needed any help, and left me alone when I just wanted to look on my own. When I have needed help, they were more than happy to do so. They’ve never been rude, aloof, or condescending.
Definitely come here if you are planning a trip abroad, they pretty much have everything.

I stopped by Savvy Traveler the other day and talked to the the lovely Alexandra. The windows display were colorful and fun! They had new purple bags in which were stunning. Always a tasteful, fun, and welcoming place to be.

I love going to this store. You know why? Because it generally means I’m fixin’ ta go on a trip! And who doesn’t love the adventure of a new trip?
The staff here are super nice, and this store has just about anything you’d need, whether it’s guidebooks, luggage, power converters, clothing, etc. They have all of your basics here, but they also have tons of things which you might not have even thought of (like I mentioned in my previous review: Ladies! They got yer pee funnels here!!!)
I can’t wait to go here again… just need to figure out which country will beckon me next!

Great store! Lots of product selection, helpful sales associates, non pushy itinerary soldiers.

Purchased a purse there 6 months ago and a seam came unsewed. Note – this is not defective merchandise and unlike LLBean this store will never take merchandise back after 10 days) I didn’t really want my money back, but after waiting to talk to the staff (she was busy talking about a trip to Italy with another customer and barely aknowledged me) she pointed out that I had used the purse for 6 months and the brand I’d purchased was cheap quality, not meant to last. I was quite irritated by the her condescending remark: «It’s been well-​loved.» For the record – I don’t fall in love with purses but I do expect them to last longer than 6 months. Buyer beware of less expensive shoddy merchandise that this store will never take back or aknowledge.

This is a great place to pick up all manner of travel goodies. They have everything from travel sized toiletries and guide books to wrinkle free clothes. They are a bit pricey, but I imagine most places in Edmonds are pretty high rent, so they have to be. This is the perfect place to pick up something you had no idea you would need for your trip, but then can’t imagine traveling without. Stop in before your next trip if for no other reason than it will get you excited for your upcoming adventure!

The Savvy Traveler looked like a decent shop, but I wasn’t in the mood to browse after the staff insulted me. I asked if they had any luggage that didn’t have wheels at which point two salespeople laughed and said, «You prefer to schlep your stuff around!?» with a look that implied «you moron» at the end of that sentence. They seemed genuinely confused by my preference for backpack style luggage as opposed to roll-​away style. For the record, the RIck Steves’ travel store just down the street had a choice of both types of luggage. The staff there seemed to prefer, like me, a backpack style but I didn’t get the sense that they would laugh at or insult somebody who preferred the rolling luggage.
Save yourself the frustration and walk over to the Rick Steves’ travel store a couple of blocks away. They have books, luggage, and lots of travel advice. Rick Steves also does a lot of charitable work so at least some portion of the profits made at his store will work its way back into the community.

I am going to France in two weeks! (5 min break for minor break down on everything not accomplished)…I went to Brookstone at the mall (ick) and the idiot couldn’t really explain the different between a converter or an adapter, so I came here– and thank you Unilocal god! The lady working was VERY helpful and nice, she helped me then I wandered a bit while she helped another person. They have everything and more then you could possibly need for quite possibly any type of trip. You could spend a small fortune in here but not looking like an idiot tourist is not the goal here– so go shop here.
Also check out the biodegradable undies that apparently people take on trips? WTF America! Could we waste any more– or be any crazier about hygiene? I’m not sure I’ll be back, it’s a specialized store but I will be sure to wander through when in the hood.
Thank you!

Great store in the new Renton Landing development. They have everything you might need for all your travel needs — luggage, language books, travel guides, gadgets, accessories, clothing, and more!
They layout of the store is very breezy and there is lots of room for browsing. The staff is very helpful and friendly and answered all of my questions knowledgeably and kindly.
It is super to have such a useful and unique store close to home!

Best travel store in the Puget Sound area. Seems REI has stopped stocking little travel items and I head to Savvy Traveler before every international trip. Prices are not high, maybe just on some clothing items. They have some nice clothing choices. Tons of gadgets and little things that really help one a trip whether to a poor village or a cruise. Close to Rick Steve’s travel store so you can swing by there too. The Savvy Traveler is a great little gem of a store. Friendly service every time.

I’ve been in here three times and have never been approached by the staff to see if I needed help. The last time I was in here, I was downright ignored by 2 employees restocking right near me. No thanks, Savvy Traveler. I spent my $ at Rick Steves instead.

Heading out on a jaunt to another country? Stop here first for maps, books, and accessories that make travel a little easier in these days of long check-​ins and stripdown searches. They even have travel clothing that doesn’ t wrinkle! A miracle for certain.
Slightly expensive but this is Edmonds and they fleece the tourists whenever possible.
Classes on packing light are invaluable.