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I was just going to make this a review about the crystal rocks glasses I recently got, but I realized the entire reason I got them was a result of me getting banned from Anthropologie.
Yes, you read that correctly.
I really don’t shop at Anthropologie often, but I do like their home accessories. I really love getting Christmas ornaments and ribbon there for the holidays, too!
In July, I got a coupon for 20% off my Anthropologie purchase for my birthday.
So, I ordered a pretty floral journal and a set of gold cheese knives (I really wanted those knives).
I got the journal in the mail, but the knives were shipped separately. After a few weeks passed and no knives arrived, I checked the status of my order.
I’ve never seen it before, but the UPS tracking number said that my package had been opened and was now empty, so the box was discarded and UPS said it reported this to Anthropologie.
However, I still paid for the knives and hadn’t heard anything from Anthro about a refund. So, I reached out to customer service.
They responded and said they would refund me as soon as they received the empty box from UPS… but UPS clearly said they tossed the box.
So, I disputed the charge with PayPal, and got my money for the knives back.
Cut to the end of August, and Anthro releases their Halloween and fall decor, and I load up my cart with some new rocks glasses and linen cocktail napkins.
I go to checkout, the purchase is complete, and then one minute later, I get an email saying my order was canceled with no explanation.
I make the same order again… and again… trying different email addresses… and nope, canceled!
I start to realize what’s happening, and Google something along the lines of, “Banned from Anthropologie,” and it turns out, this happens all the time!
I guess people who make returns typically are banned from Anthro and Urban Outfitters.
Of course, if there’s shady stuff happening, this makes sense. But I didn’t receive an item I paid for, and was due my money (or a store credit)!
I really wanted the items I was trying to buy, and considered having someone buy them for me and going around the whole thing… but then I realized that this is a perfect reminder to shop small or go thrifting.
Rarely do I support big businesses, and my money would be better off elsewhere.
So, I headed to Goodwill to see what they had, and the universe must’ve been on my side because they had a complete set of four crystal rocks glasses!
They are not the same as the Anthro ones, but they are similar in style, and I paid $16 for the set of four… instead of $75.
And, I know some people don’t like Goodwill, but they’ve done good by me, and it supports people in my community.
When I brought them home, I hand washed them and there was still an original sticker on one of them, so I googled it, and they are real Italian crystal glasses!
I’ve been using these glasses for a month now, and I love them! I use them for cocktails, juice, water, anything.
As someone who’s bought 99% of their clothes from Goodwill or ThredUp in the last five years, I know it takes a lot more work and time to find stuff you want.
But, it’s so much better when you do find something! Not only did I get the crystal glasses, but I got some Christmas wine glasses from the 80’s, too 🙂
I packed them away for now, but I know I’ll be so excited to have a drink from them when the season comes around!
As for the linen cocktail napkins, Etsy has a ton of options! I’m still trying to narrow down what I want (you can even get custom embroidered ones). But when I do decide, I’ll be supporting a small business, which I love.
So, thanks for the reminder, Anthropologie, that you don’t need my money.
I’ll happily take it elsewhere 🙂
What’s something you’ve thrifted that’s really special to you?
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