It is official!  Our registry is finally complete after several grueling weeks.  Here is how it went.  Before going to any stores we made a list of what items we may need or want on Google Doc (spreadsheet).  This was an easy way to hold a list of items.  We also did research on what items we wanted where.  This way we got more bang for the buck.  Our list was like this:

Product           Item           Store          Amount           Price           Color

* Product:  name of product (e.g. luggage, steamer, dishes, etc.)

*  Item:  This is the name of the item at the store (e.g.  The Cellar “Basic” White Wine Glasses, Set of 4)  You just copy from the website and paste

*  Store:  Where the item was register or wanted (e.g. Macy’s, Target, etc.)

*  Amount: How many of one item (e.g. 1, 2, )

*  Price:  How much the product was (e.g. 49.99)

*  Color:  What color you would like in a product if necessary. (e.g. black, purple, etc.)

This is a good way to keep everything organized and help you know what you have already registered for and what you want.  I would print out my list and take it with me so I know what I still need to register for and what products I have chosen from the location and can add to the registry online.  Many products that you may like will not be in the store that you are at registering.  This is why doing research and knowing what you want is important so that after registering on-site you can go home and add items you did not see that you like onto the list.  

Target

Target was a good place to go.  We went in to the customer service desk, and they were very helpful.  They told us to go to the Registry Kiosk to start our registry.  Once we filled out information about ourselves our registry code was printed out for us at the Kiosk.  Then, we took it back to the customer service desk.  There they handed us a packet in a nice folder that held information about registering with them.  They handed us a scan gun to begin our registry.  They informed us to specifically scan the items that we wanted, not the codes that are on the racks.  It was a lot of fun, and the scan gun was easy to manage.  The scan gun allowed you to easily change the amount of a product, delete a product, and see what item that was scanned.  Overall, the people at Target were friendly and helpful, and the registry process was easy.  Not all of the items that we knew we wanted from Target were in the store, but we were able to go online and find the item and then click add to register.    

Kohl’s

Kohl’s was not as friendly or helpful as Target.  Luckily we had gone to Target first, so that we kinda knew what we were to do.  Before going to the customer service desk we went to a Kiosk and began signing up.  Their kiosk was hard to administer because it was all touch screen instead of a computer keyboard.  Once we finished applying, a print out of our information was printed as well as a list that we could use to go off of to help us choose items.  We took the information to the customer service desk.  There we had to provide a Driver’s License as collateral before receiving the gun.  The people did not provide us with any information.  The gun did not provide a visual display of the items that we were scanning, and were difficult to administer.  Luckily we were able to change, and add things online after we were done.  

Amazon

Amazon was easy.  I went to their website, and set up a wedding registry.  Not very many people think of registering there.  Due to this I made sure that Amazon was added to our Knot Wedding Website on the registry section so that people will know that we registered with them.

Dick’s Sporting Goods

Dick’s Sporting Goods does not have a wedding registry.  In order to notify guests we put the links of the items on our registry pay on our Knot Wedding Website.  This way they can click on the link and it will take them to the product we were requesting.  

Macy’s

Macy’s holds events all over the country.  Luckily living in Chicago there is a 12 story Macy’s by us.  The event is called a Sip and Scan.  They had a DJ, horderves, drinks, vendors to tell you more about products, and even a gift bag at the end.  It was a lot of fun.  In order to attend we RSVP to attend the Sip and Scan event.  We went in and quickly checked in, they took our coats, and gave us a scanner, and a list of things we may want to register for.  Everyone was helpful and provided us with a lot of useful information.  There were many couples at the event so we also had the opportunity to interact with couples who were going through the same stuff we were.  Overall it went well.  Scanning the silverware was probably the most stressful because there were several barcodes and it was unclear on what one you should scan for the type you wanted.  The scanner was a little difficult.  It was not as good as the Target scanner.  You were able to easily add the items, and you can change the quantity, and delete items.  The screen was so small that it was difficult to use the touch screen.  There were items that we had found online that were not in the store so when we got home we added them.  Once we were done they uploaded our information and gave us a gift bag that had shaving cream for him, chocolate for me, two nice bags, and self help booklets to help with the rest of the wedding planning process.        

Bed, Bath, and Beyond

We recently went into the local Bed, Bath, and Beyond to start our wedding registry.  When we walked in we talked with a Bridal consultant.  She asked us what we were interested in, and provided us with a lot of information.  She was there to help us select the best products for everything that we were looking for.  She asked us if we would want China.  We did not, so she did not go through the types and styles with us.  She told us about the incentive program.  If we registered for a certain amount of money in a brand then we would receive a free gift.  We also would receive a percentage off of all items that are not purchased off the list.  We filled out information about ourselves, she entered us into their database, and gave us a clipboard and some pamphlets and sent us on our way.  She offered to stay with us the whole time.  Since we are the couple that does not like to be hounded, and we had a list of items we knew we already wanted from there and a list we have not found yet, we opted out.  We went through the store fairly easy, and the gun was easy to use as well.  It was a touch screen, and worked well.  The Bridal Consultant checked in on us throughout the store to make sure that we were doing ok, and did not have any further questions.  Overall, it they were accommodating and helpful.  Once we were done they printed out the registry for us.  

Wal-Mart

There is not a Wal-Mart near us, so we did the registry completely online.  I already knew what items that I wanted from Wal-Mart, so it was fairly quick. I also searched for the items from my list that I had yet to register for.   I think doing Wal-Mart last to find the items that I haven’t found yet a good idea.  Wal-Mart has a lot of stuff, and usually the items you have not registered for yet are small items.  To start my registry, all I had to do was sign up to create a registry, which took maybe 3 minutes, and then started clicking away.  I was done in no time!  

Wal-Mart - Free Registry

For Wal-Mart you are able to create and change your wedding (or any type of registry) online, or in the store.  It is easy to create, and easy for guests to use.  I went to Wal-Mart’s website, and they do not have a whole lot of information about their registry program.  Some places have incentives for people to register with them.  Wal-Mart unfortunately does not have any incentives.  One thing that is nice, is that Wal-Mart allows guests to order items from their website, and have them sent to the couple’s house.  Wal-Mart allows gifts to be returned by mail or in the store.  It seems as if when you return them you will most likely receive store credit.  You cannot exchange an item over the mail.

Target - Free Registry

Target is a good place to register.  They have an incentive program.  Any remaining items that are not purchased, and are still on your registry you get 10% off of the item.  Target also allows you to register online and in the store.  Target makes it easy to return unwanted gifts.       

Amazon - Free Registry

All Amazon purchases over $25 has free shipping.  Guests can have the gift shipped to their house or the couple’s house.  Amazon also allows its users to add any item that they see on another website to be added on their website.  Like other retail stores, Amazon also allows guests to view what has already been purchased.  Gifts are allowed to be returned depending on what type of item it is.  You can share your registry through a variety of social media providers.  There is not an incentive to register with Amazon, but is a good way to search for the best prices for gifts. 

Bed, Bath, and Beyond - Free Registry

You may create your wedding registry in store or online.  All items can be returned through the mail or in the store.  Bed, Bath, and Beyond has a pretty hefty incentive program.  It all depends on how much money of a particular brand you put on your registry.  For example, if you register for $99 of Cuisinart cutlery you will receive a Cuisinart Ceramic 4pc prep set. There are gifts that you can receive for several categories.  Just by registering for a certain amount of money for a product, you can receive a lot of gifts right off the bat.  It is just as easy as Target and Wal-Mart for the guests.  

Dick’s Sporting Goods 

For those of you that are adventurous, and would like to receive camping or hunting equipment, Dick’s Sporting Goods is a good choice.  Dick’s Sporting Goods does not have a registry program, but has the capability to provide electronic gift cards.  If you want something from Dick’s Sporting Goods make sure that it is stated on your Wedding website, or find a good wedding registry website that allows you to show all that you are registering for in one location.  This way guests can get gift cards for you to get the item that you want, or are able to buy the gift themselves.     

Kohl’s - Free Registry

Kohl’s provides an incentive to register with them.  For any item that a guest purchases at Kohl’s, you will receive 10% in rewards.  If you need to return an item, you can return the item in store or through the mail.  It does say that a gift receipt is needed when you are returning in the store.  Guests can seen what items are bought, and what still is available to purchase from the list.  

Macy’s - Free Registry

You can register at Macy’s online or in a store.  If you have a Macy’s Credit Card you can receive 10% on rewards whenever you use your card from the day that you register.  When guests purchase a gift from Macy’s you will receive 5% in rewards.  Both rewards programs start as soon as you register, and ends 90 days after the day of the wedding.  The total amount of rewards that you received during this time period will be given in the form of a gift card 45 days after the wedding.  The downside to this is that the gift card expires 6 months after you receive it.  If you are planning on using the card on items remaining on your registry that would be perfect, but if you do not have anything to purchase you may need to start Christmas shopping early to make sure you use the money. :)  Their return policy is same that it always is.  

     Recently I had to purchase Microsoft Office 2010.  I threw the CD and the Product Key away after a uploading it to my computer.  I thought it would be ok given it says on the package that you can only utilize the CD and Product Key once.  Little did I know how wrong I was.

     Shortly after uploading the software I had to exchange my computer thus losing Microsoft Office.  When the exchange occurred Best Buy told me that as long that I had my  receipt with the information about the Microsoft Office purchase on it, Microsoft would honor it and provide me with a new one.  

     I contacted Microsoft through their chat operating system.  I talked to an individual for what seemed like hours, just to be told that they could not do anything for me without the Product Key.  Needless to say I was not too happy to this response.  Due to this, I decided to contact Microsoft by phone.  Talking to Microsoft was torture!  I talked to several different people, and was put on hold several times. At the end I was on the phone with them for 45 minutes.  Towards the end of the conversations, I was talking to two of their employees at one time.  At times they were talking to each other, and it was very confusing.

     The result of the phone call was for me to go back to Best Buy and have them fax my copy of my receipt to one of the individuals that I talked to on the phone.  Then they were to review the receipt and I would have to pay around $30 for them to ship me a new Product Key.  $30 is a lot less than the $130 for a new Microsoft Office CD and Product Key.  

     I went to Best Buy, and they they had never heard of faxing the receipt to Microsoft.  Not to mention the fax number that was given to me from Microsoft employees was not complete.  They then contacted Microsoft and received different information from them than what I was told the previously.  there was nothing that they could do.  

     Overall, I have learned that Microsoft is not the company that you want to have problems with.  They all say different things, and do not provide the best customer service.  Best Buy on the other hand, they were quite accommodating.  Most importantly I have learned that when you purchase Microsoft Office you should always keep the CD and Product Key (Even if it says you can only use it once!)  It is always better to be safe than sorry.  In my case I am sorry!