The Secret Shopper: Picking Out Porch and Patio Items
This month the Secret Shopper sought furnishings and decor for the porch and patio. Since many of the larger furniture items are drop-shipped from the manufacturer, availability — and speedy delivery — were in shorter supply than usual. Instead of sipping lemonade on the deck, the Secret Shopper may need a hot toddy by the time some of these items arrive.
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| Catalog | Number of rings/time on hold | Items requested/in stock | Delivery time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston Gardens | 2 rings | 2/1 | in-stock item would be drop-shipped in 4-6 weeks* |
| Eddie Bauer | 30 seconds | 2/1 | in-stock item, 6 weeks; backordered item, 1 month till it was in stock, then 8 days |
| Frontgate | 1 ring/1 minute | 2/1 | delivery time would have to be scheduled |
| Gardeners Eden | 1 ring | 2/2 | 7-10 business days |
| Gifts.com | 1 ring/30 seconds | 2/1 | 3-4 weeks |
| Harmony | 1 ring/3 minutes | 3/2 | 7-10 days |
| Home Decorators Collection | 2 rings | 2/1 | in-stock item, 7-10 business days; backordered item, 3 weeks |
| Improvements | 3 rings/20 seconds | 2/1 | 10-14 days |
| L.L. Bean Home | 0 | 3/3 | 5-7 days |
| Plow & Hearth | 15 seconds | 2/2 | 7-10 business days |
| Pottery Barn | 4 seconds | 2/2 | 6 business days |
| Smith & Hawken | 2 minutes | 2/2 | 7-10 days |
| Tidewater Workshop | 1 ring/2-1/2 minutes | 2/2 | 2-1/2 to 3 weeks |
| Wood Classics | 1 ring | 2/2 | 3-5 business days unassembled; 3-5 weeks assembled |
| * Rep had to check availability on item not in stock and said she would call back but never did. | |||
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