Williams Sonoma

I was pretty disappointed in this store. I was looking for new cookware and a knife set but I found very few sets of either. They had nice stuff, but not much variety. Their website is pretty good, and they seem to have great deals but I’d like to see them in person bfore buying… unless I’m on
a half hour before I go to sleep.

The most horrendous of service! Sales people wandering around seemingly doing nothing yet couldn’t be bothered to help. Even if they were busy, they could at least acknowledge a person to let them know that somebody will be with them shortly, no? The one sales rep that I was able to flag down, before I could let him know what I needed, blurted out that he was not a cashier… So? How does he know that what I need required a cashier? At least let me finish my sentence. I had stopped coming here about six years ago because of the rudeness and now six years later they are just as rude. All the other Williams-​Sonoma stores that I know of (South Coast Plaza etc…) are all amazing! This location stands alone it it’s rudeness!

Williams Sonoma is my toy store and I spend way more money here than is good for me. This particular location has a wonderful selection of kitchen tools and gadgets — Le Creuset, All Clad, Mauviel, Kitchen Aid, Henckels, Wustof, Shun… they have it all.
Customer service is hit or miss, and I am afraid it tends to be sub-​par more than it is great. Every now and then I will find a helpful sales clerk but more often than not they don’t bother to talk to me or act like it’s a chore to gift wrap or look and see if something is in stock in the back

Generally speaking I don’t come here much but was at trader joes and realized I needed some things before thanksgiving dinner. The sales associates are super helpful and the layout makes it easy to find things. Lots of people but check out was quick, smooth and they email receipts. Love that! Parking was easy and the location is gorgeous — water views! There are so many beautiful items from cookbooks to brine mixes for the holiday Turkey. I had to stay focused. I am here for two items… Must not break the bank by grabbing things I don’t need.
My kitchen towels are very worn and beat up looking. They are embarrassing lol so picked some up. Gotta throw the old ones into the recycle bin.
I also needed refills for the guest bathroom soap so I grabbed these too. Managed to grab a holiday chestnut one that smells amazing. I grabbed a winter forest candle that I had no intention of picking up. Ok so that wasn’t on the list but overall I did well.

My husband and I went into this location for a simple exchange. We had a gift receipt, but they kept mentioning how lucky we are since they don’t do any exchanges or returns without the receipt. Half way into the transaction, their computers froze and remained that way for the next twenty minutes. As we waited, we walked around the store trying to figure out what to buy with our store credit. Everything was just so overpriced that we felt like it was throwing away money. The computers never came back up, but we wouldn’t have bought anything anyways.

Came here for a cooking class for my friends bday. Jaclyn Rovere was our instructor. We loved her she was so friendly and patient and we had a lot of fun with her. She had delicious recipes for us and printed everything out step by step and personally I learned AAAAA Lotttttttt forever thankful!!!

The entire staff at the Crystal Cove Williams Sonoma is incredible!!! Time after time they make sure every detail is taken care of. They are truly 5 stars. They go above and beyond with anything you need and have incredible product knowledge. Here is a picture of a custom housewarming basket Alex just gift wrapped for me. Amazing!!!

Great selection for such a small store and very nice customer service. They do cooking demos on the weekend which you should attend if you can.

Perfect shopping experience. I called the store to inquire about a blender I was looking for. I was fortunate to get the manager, Jackie, on the phone. As I know absolutely nothing about blenders or appliances, I asked what was the best one they carried and why. She not only recommended a brand and a model, she could tell me off the top of her head, the horsepower rating on the motor, the details of the warranty and half dozen other things.
I ran out to the store to get there before they closed at 7 pm, and did not get there until exactly 7 p.m. But she let me in, answered a few more questions I had about the nearly $ 700 price tag, had someone else ring me up while she pulled an unopened box from the back, then even offered to carry the box to my car for me.
What service, what training, what people skills.
Thanks Jackie! (I hope I spelled your name correctly.)
Dan
Newport Beach

I’ve loved Willams & Sonoma for years and have never had any complaints about service until this location.
After a recent move my husband and I visited this store with my mother and a teenage relative on a holiday weekend between some family gatherings and we were treated like village peasants.
We came in wearing casual wear, jeans and simple shirts. It’s a holiday weekend for crying out loud and we’re at a family function. Every sales attendant who spoke with us treated us as though we must be poor «white trash» who couldn’t afford to shop there.
I was very disappointed in the service. There were several things I was considering purchasing, and not small ticket items, for my new home but due to the service walked out empty handed and determined never to enter this store again. If they want to treat their customers poorly I will gladly take my business elsewhere. I do not wish to be treated like trash by a sales associate being paid $ 10.00 an hour to sell me serving ware.
We must have looked young in our leisure outfits and since my husband and I were standing there chatting with my teen relative the associate actually turned away from us and asked my mom if her kids were giving her trouble and went on to talk for quite some time about trouble with teens. Rather amusing, she looked quite the fool as neither of us have been teens for many years.
To me there is no excuse for multiple sales associates to treat customers so poorly. I will continue to shop at W&S’s other locations but here locally I will do my shopping elsewhere.
Very disappointing. I would steer clear of here if you value customer service.

I don’t like to write reviews often because I am pretty easy going and not much bothers me.
I went into this store to combine my gift cards that I received as gifts. I was waiting behind another person completing their transaction. As I walked up to the counter, the employee left the cashier area without even acknowledging me and started folding papers. I was thinking, why would she not acknowledge me. Then, I realized because I didn’t look like I was buying anything and I had a bunch of gift cards in my hand. She finally turned around after a minute. Not sure if they work off of commission but I was taken aback because of such non-​customer friendly. I asked if I could combine the gift cards from their sister stores and she said no and that was it. No, I am sorry we can’t do that or anything friendlier than the answer no.
I had 2 Williams Sonoma gift cards, 1 Pottery Barn and 1 West Elm. All the cards can be used at William Sonoma so it didn’t make any sense they could not combine them. Either way, I will not be back to this location because of their customer service.

I have been a loyal customer to WS fora y years, until I moved to Laguna Beach and although I love the store in general, I’m giving this location one star because the sales people in this local are so obnoxiously rude I’ve never experienced anything like it before. And it’s not just one incident, I’ve lived here four years and each time I walk into the store thinking «this time will be different», well once again, the sales woman acted as if I asked for her first born when I politely asked for a porcelain creamer, unless you plan on spending over $ 500 be prepared for them to look at you like you’re a pauper.

Worst customer service ever. Every time I go into this location I am amazed at how bad the service is but today takes the cake– I waited for the person in the coffee area while she and another customer (who wasn’t purchasing anything) exchanged iphone tips then when I asked for the item I was there to purchase, she said it was in the back, I waited around with my bored 7-​year-​old (never fun in a housewares store!) for a LONG time and finally she appears out of a different door carrying some other item. I had to follow her through the store and stop her to ask about my item, she got annoyed with me and said it wasn’t her fault, she had been forced to go take her break. What? Seriously? I stood around while she took her flippin’ break? Serious customer service fail!!! And I don’t appreciate the attitude after I have been standing there waiting for her iphone tutorial and ten minute break. Ugh. Never ever again!!!

First off, I love williams sonoma. Just not this location. The customer service is horrible!!! I live on Balboa Island, so this is the closest location however I will drive to South Coast Plaza. I shop a lot a williams sonoma, and am totally tired of being treated with disrespect and being ignored by the sales people here. This is an ongoing problem here, it has happened many times over the past couple of years. If you want high quality kitchen wares and high quality helpfulness go to south coast!!!

Two stars for the famed Williams Sonoma? Where the sheer beauty of the store and it’s EXTREMELY pricey contents are enough to fill a serious cooks wish list? It’s is enough to be nearly orgasmic.
Well, maybe not because the nasty, rude, and unhelpful customer service they give you here. It’s seriously out of control. Maybe it’s the proximity to Million (Kobe Bryant) and Billion-​aire folks (Donald Bren) that makes them crazy. Those famous folks are mostly like you and me. At least, I hope so. Anyway, this is a review based on many visits here. Each tiime I have been treated poorly or ignored. Tonight was the last straw.
This afternoon, I went in to buy a new fangled zester, that was highly recommended by famed Chef Sara Moulton.
It’s not expensive, ($ 14.95) but I go there to find things that Target doesn’t carry.
Me:” Do you carry the V– Zester recommended by Sara Moulton? They showed WS carries it“
Beth: (Customer service lady– coldly) «No, we have never heard of it. Do you know what a zester does?»
Me: (A bit taken aback,) «Yes, do you think it will be on WS website?» It was recommended, and WS was listed as the seller“
Beth: No, we have no idea. (Turns away to speak to another person –ignores me completely while I am still standing there)
Later, I am looking at the All Clad Copper Core Cookware, needing a saucepan,(very expensive) holding a spoon rest. Beth reappears, and witheringly utters «You can do better than THAT for a purchase today. !! A few more arrogant comments by Beth followed about the CdM crowd. This was said so snobbishly I was really shocked that any sales person would speak to a customer with such a meant –to –embarrass remark. What are they, on commission ?
I left there vowing to do any further shopping at Sur la Table! Very nice there!
Oh, and Beth, you REALLY need to treat everyone the SAME, even a cousin of Julia Child’s, who just buys a lowly spoon rest!
P. S. if you are interested, go to
for the All Clad Outlet for irregulars… no one can tell the difference at less that half the price! Excellent workmanship, still made in the USA!

One of the few spacious and free-​standing, non-​mall, Williams-​Sonoma. Very neatly organized with a wide selection of products.
Staff was very friendly, courteous, and the aroma of the store was amazing. They’re always cooking up something delicious! They had samples of the peppermint bark. In my opinion, that is a Christmas must-​have! I buy boxes of these. They are one of the very popular Christmas item they have, along with the hot cocoa. These things fly off the shelves.
Came into the store just to browse. I’ve been on the look out for a really good stainless steel, copper core, heats quickly, beautiful pot. Nothing has really caught my attention until I explored a bit deeper into the All-​Clad line. The staff is very attentive and friendly. A few staff members immediately greeted me and informed me with options to fit what I was looking for.
Purchased All-​Clad cookware along with some cleansers for the kitchen and cookware. My purchases were coming on board with me on my flight. The cashier made sure they were very well wrapped and easy to carry. She was actually very concerned about whether it would pass through security! Very friendly staff and treats your concerns like it is theirs. Quick and easy, in and out of the store, very convenient location in Crystal Cove.

I love Williams-​Sonoma and this location definitely beats the one at South Coast. Everyone’s friendly. There’s never a huge crowd. Amazing views of the ocean. They usually have something tasty to eat. Their sauces are freaking delicious. I suggest trying a few things: Short Rib Braising Base, Sangria Roja, Tikka Masala, the Burger Starter. Oh screw it. Everything’s good. Just buy every sauce in the store.

I’m a big fan of drive up store locations like this one. So much easier to get in and out of a store in a hurry rather than fighting the large mall parking lots and garages.
I absolutely love the Crystal Cove Promenade shopping center. Beautiful location with amazing ocean and Catalina island views.
I was recently at the South Coast location trying to buy some things, but they were out of everything I wanted. The store was crowded and the people were annoying. I decided to go over to the Newport Coast location and they had what I was looking for. The woman who helped me was so friendly and helpful. It was a refreshing change from the other location. It also wasn’t crowded at all. As other Unilocalers have mentioned they had some yummy baked items for tasting. I know the other store didn’t have anything like that…
I will always remind myself to go to this location only. No point in dealing with the mall locations…
BTW-​I bought my first Vita-​mix Blender… I highly recommend it for anyone who makes iced drinks and smoothies on a regular basis. Who wouldn’t want a blender like Jamba Juice uses! I’m still trying to get used to it because it blends so differently than your basic blenders… Hopefully soon I will get the swing of it!

Spectacular (ocean view) location. Plentiful parking. Well stocked store. I am currently enjoying trying out their sauces & starters. Meyer Lemon & Beef Stroganoff are easy & delicious!

Everytime I walk in huffing and puffing all sweaty after Bar Method class, William-​Sonoma feels like coming home to my mom after after AYSO soccer practice.
They feed me a hot cup of soup.
They hold my hand asking if I need help, not in a an annoying intrusive way, but in a way that makes the hair on your forearm stick up.
They recently sold me a frosting piper. I had picked the bag type out being a professional froster newbie, but they took time to show me all my possibilities, explaining the ins-​and-​outs of each. In the end I bought a $ 30 mechanical frosting piper.
It’s kind of like an upscale home depot for women.
Awesome.