Sunday, February 14, 1999

Registering--not only at traditional stores

By JOHN EWOLDT

Minneapolis-St. Paul Star Tribune

When it comes to bridal registries, tradition rules. There’s the interminable choosing of patterns, colors and themes for drawers, cabinets and closets full of stuff that many couples probably end up rarely using.

So who needs tradition? Couples who want to part from the norm have a lot of registry choices these days.

A couple wanting to spend spare moments hiking into the wilderness could register at REI, for example. The couple on their second time around with furnishings galore could put lumber for a new deck on their registry at Home Depot.

Even at a traditional registry at a department store, the couple could get an early idea about who "rules" the remote control by arguing over the bar-code scanners that couples use to "zap" items to add to their registry.

Listed below are examples of retailers with unusual registries as well as some traditional ones with good perks. The toll-free numbers and Web sites listed can be used for ordering unless otherwise specified.

Some stores may not advertise a registry, but couples should ask if some sort of registry could be set up.

Bed, Bath and Beyond (1-800-462-3966).

You’ll find traditional gift registry items but a deeper selection in categories carried at everyday low prices. No appointment is necessary. A consultant assists with the scanning process, if desired. Complimentary gift wrap is offered on registry items. A coupon for 10 percent off all items on the uncompleted registry is mailed after the wedding. It’s valid for purchases made on one day. Cash refunds given only with a receipt. Gift receipts not available. No interest-free financing.

Bloomingdale’s (1-800-888-2933 or http://www.bloomingdales.com ), Macy’s (1-888-922-7433 or http://www.macysbridal.com ), J.C. Penney (1-800-527-4438 or http://www.jcpgift.com ).

All of the major department stores tend to offer perks for signing up, such as a token gift. Bloomingdale’s offers a home planner book. The best perks are the coupon books that J.C. Penney includes as part of the package with discounts of 10 to 25 percent off regular and sale-priced merchandise. Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s mail a coupon for 10 percent off all items to complete the registry. The return policy at most stores is to give store credit with a gift receipt or no receipt. J.C. Penney is most likely to give cash back, if requested. Appointments are recommended at all stores.

Most of the department stores are good about notifying customers of soon-to-be-discontinued tabletop patterns. Verify at the time of registry. Department stores will ship most items for a fee. Ask about no-interest payment plans at Bloomingdale’s and Macy’s. All stores offer complimentary gift wrap.

Department of Housing and Urban Development (1-800-225-5342).

Couples can accumulate the down payment for their first home. Money contributed earns interest until withdrawn from the participating lender. Bridal etiquette experts think the idea is gauche, but you decide.

Home Depot (no toll-free number or gift Web site).

For the couple who wants to improve the odds of getting items that both will enjoy, Home Depot provides a wish list for building materials, lumber, lighting, patio and garden items and kitchen cabinets. Items are written down by the couple and the list is available to guests by coming into any store or having the list faxed. Items may be charged over the phone and picked up by the couple. Items cannot be mailed. No coupons, token gift or gift wrap.

Kohl’s (1-800-837-1500 for store locations only).

Couples don’t need an appointment. Start at the kiosk and get a scanner at customer service. No perks are offered. Couples can get cash back for items purchased as part of the registry. No gift wrap or phone orders.

Linens and Things (1-800-568-8765 for store locations only).

No appointment is needed to sign up for the registry, but you’ll need time to write in the 12-digit bar codes for each item. The registry packet includes 18 coupons for $5, $10 or $25 off selected items. Couples also receive 10 percent off any registry purchases, including sale and clearance merchandise, for 18 months after the wedding. Returns without a receipt receive store credit. Cash back is allowed with a regular or gift receipt.

Online services (The Knot, http://www.theknot.com; Modern Bride, http://wwwmodernbride.com ; The Wedding Channel, http://www.weddingchannel.com ).

Many online bridal services have sprung up. I chose three where couples may register and guests may order. All include plentiful advice about wedding coordination such as menu planning, budgeting, bridal gown search and relationships. The Knot offers gifts for tabletop, kitchen, bed and bath, camping and patio from $15 to $500. The Modern Bride site originates from the magazine by the same name. Like the other sites mentioned, it includes links to local retailers. The Wedding Channel offers the ability to create a personal wedding site including a password to make designated parts of the site available only to friends and family. The site’s main sections include a groom’s corner, honeymoon suite, wedding planner, fashion and beauty in addition to shop and registry.

Pier One (1-800-689-0797).

Couples can easily add inexpensive items such as candles for $10 or an armoire for $800 at Pier One. Other gifts commonly placed on the registry include place settings, bar ware, window treatments and pillows. Appointments are recommended only on weekends. Couples use scanners to compile a list. Guests can check the registry or order gift certificates at http://www.Pier1.com but not place merchandise orders. Couples receive an 8-by 10-inch gold frame for registering. They also get a coupon for 20 percent off all regular and clearance merchandise (not sale items) during one visit. Returns with a regular or gift receipt can be exchanged for merchandise or cash. Gift wrapping is extra.

Pottery Barn (1-800-922-5507 for store locations only; no gift Web site).

Couples can register in any store without an appointment. The registry is done manually. Coupons are mailed to the couple after registration. Cash refunds are available without a receipt. Gift wrap is available for a fee.

REI (1-800-828-5533).

Recreational Equipment Inc. can help the couple who want to mix it up outdoors. Camping stoves, tents, his-and-her thermal underwear sets and a mini-espresso maker made for backpacking are a few popular items from the registry, which is manually selected. Appointments are not necessary. No free token gifts, coupons or gift wrapping. Cash or merchandise credit is given for returns with a receipt. If the purchaser is an REI member, the purchase can be tracked for 90 days and the couple may get cash back. REI offers store credit without a receipt.

Sears (no toll-free number or gift Web site).

Couples may choose traditional bed and bath items or expand into appliances, Craftsman tools or camping equipment. Couples use scanners to fill out their registry, and guests use kiosks (with instructions in English or Spanish) to access the list. Guests may call any store and have the registry faxed to them. The return policy allows cash refunds without a receipt. No bridal gift wrap.

Target (1-800-888-9333).

Target’s Club Wedd gives the couple and their guests practicality at a discount. Popular items include blenders, place mats, towels, TV tables and spice racks along with nontraditional items such as dog food, cases of soft drinks and lawn mowers. Touch-screen kiosks are available at all stores. Guests may have the registry faxed to them by calling a toll-free number, but no mail or phone orders are accepted. No gift wrap is available. Couples do not need an appointment to register. Scanners are checked out from customer service. No coupons or free gifts currently, but coupons may be included in the new Club Wedd packets due in April. Gifts from the registry may be returned for store credit only without a receipt.