5 Secret Ways to Save at Pottery Barn: Part 2

Whether you’re buying a basic set of dish towels or a king-size bed with an oversized, tufted leather headboard, pretty much anything you pay full price for at Pottery Barn is going to be expensive. Fortunately, if you’re dead set on furnishing your Barbie dream home with Pottery Barn decor and furniture, there are a variety of ways to save money. If you haven’t read the first installment of this article, 5 Secret Ways to Save at Pottery Barn: Part 1, do so now. Then check out my second round of money-saving tips here!

1. Shop (with a cautious eye) at a Pottery Barn Outlet

Pottery Barn currently has eight outlet locations. Unlike some other popular outlet stores (like Coach Outlet and J.Crew Factory Store), the Pottery Barn Outlet doesn’t sell “made for outlet” merchandise. Rather, everything sold in the Pottery Barn Outlet store was once sold in a Pottery Barn store or on PotteryBarn.com.

There are four main categories of merchandise sold in Pottery Barn Outlet stores:

1. Overstock: Items that didn’t sell in PB stores or online
2. Store displays: Floor models displayed in PB retail stores (These items may be damaged or have imperfections.)
3. Catalog returns: Items are generally undamaged, but may have been returned
4. “Chip and dent”: Damaged items that have been returned or damaged items that were never sold

Pottery Barn Outlet stores mark all overstock items with a white price tag and all store display, catalog return and “chip and dent” items with a red tag. While Pottery Barn Outlet prices may be anywhere from 10-80% cheaper than Pottery Barn retail prices, it’s important to inspect each and every inch of a Pottery Barn Outlet item for damage and imperfections, especially since all sales are final—absolutely no returns allowed.

Check the chalkboard

At some outlet locations, there will be a chalkboard by the front door that lists special “additional off” sales. These chalkboard specials can add an extra 20-50% off the already discounted price.

Be early

Arrive at the outlet as soon as it opens to scoop up the best deals before anyone else gets them. And while you’re there, make sure to look through every nook and cranny of the store for items that are hidden at the bottom of shelves or under other merchandise.

Haggle

The outlet store managers have some discretion to offer customers an additional amount off the marked price. Don’t be afraid to ask—the worst thing that can happen is you’re told no.

Go on Facebook

Check out the Pottery Barn Outlet Facebook page for current special deals and promotions. Every week, the Pottery Barn Outlet page posts a list of ways to save at the store for that specific week.

 

2. Work it girl! Get a job at Pottery Barn and enjoy a generous employee discount

While entry-level sales associates at Pottery Barn do not get paid particularly well (usually just a couple of dollars above minimum wage), they are rewarded with a generous employee discount: 40% off full-price items and 20% off sale items. You’ll also get first pick of clearance items and discounted floor models/store displays.

3. Buy discounted Pottery Barn gift cards online

Save money by buying discounted Pottery Barn gift cards from websites like Cardpool.com, GiftCardGranny.com, Raise.com and GiftCardRescue.com, which typically sell gifts cards that are 5-15% off the gift card’s face value. While the inventory of Pottery Barn gift cards on these sites constantly changes, you’ll still likely be able to choose from a broad range of gift card denominations and gift card formats.

Search for all PB family store cards

Pottery Barn gift cards can be used at Pottery Barn stores in the U.S. and Puerto Rico, by phone or online with the following stores:

• Pottery Barn Kids
• PBteen
• West Elm
• Williams-Sonoma
• Mark & Graham

Likewise, a gift card from any of these stores in the Pottery Barn family of brands can be used at Pottery Barn, so you should also search for discounted gift cards from Pottery Barn associated stores. For example, I found a Pottery Barn gift card for 6% off its face value, a West Elm gift card for 7% off its face value and a Williams-Sonoma gift card for 8% off its face value. When it comes to saving money, every little bit helps!

4. Take advantage of the Pottery Barn registry to get a 10% completion discount

Pottery Barn offers a registry completion program where they offer 10% off any items remaining on your registry, as well as any items you wish to add (extra items you didn’t include in your registry). You may take advantage of this discount as many times as you would like for up to six months after your event date. You’ll receive a letter in the weeks after your event date explaining the details.

Create a registry for any occasion

Registries aren’t just for weddings and babies. Since Pottery Barn doesn’t restrict the type of event you can register for, you can create a registry for any reason. And even if you’re the only person purchasing gifts off your registry, you’re still eligible for the 10% completion discount. So what are you waiting for, go ahead and create that registry for National Donut Day or your half-birthday! Click here to start creating your registry.

5. Take advantage of Pottery Barn’s Weekly Wow special discounts

Every week, Pottery Barn offers “Weekly Wow” specials featuring a selection of items at a discounted, special, Weekly Wow price. To stay abreast of these Weekly Wow specials, sign up for the Pottery Barn email list (click here to sign up) or check the Weekly Wow section on the Pottery Barn website.