Stix & Stones

The reason for this low rating is not for the product in the store. That (the product) was great. However, the experience I had there was so irritating I have to slam them. I bought a blown glass ornament for the garden. It stood atop at least four-​foot section of rebar (a simple metal rod – for those of you with soft hands). When I bought the piece I specifically asked if it came with the rebar. The sales guy, in no uncertain terms, said it did. My wife, by the way, assures me I have this part of the story correct. And, I know from training and experience, she is always right. So, I paid for the thing and we all agreed I could come back on my way out of town the next day and pick it up. Well, the next day comes, I go to the store, and they don’t give me the stupid rebar. I tell the lady-​clerk I was promised some rebar. She is a sweet girl, and clearly not wanting to engage with me, she goes in back and returns with a 34-​inch section of rebar. Now, mind you, the rebar from yesterday was a good four feet tall, maybe more because you can’t really see how deep they have it stuck in the barrel of sand. To use the section she just handed me would mean that after pounding the rebar far enough into the ground to make it stable there would be less than two-​feet sticking out above ground. Consider that the ornament itself is 34 inches too. Now, once the beautiful 34-​inch piece of blown glass is mounted atop my 22-​inch rebar pedestal I would have a piece of garden-​art reminiscent of a giant top-​hat perched atop a little person. It’s going to look silly.
Of course none of this matters, and it’s not even close to the point. I’m getting there. The girl actually called the boss/​owner/​manager in front of me and with me whisper/​shouting supportive and encouraging information in the background explained what I had been promised and that I was demanding a full 4+ feet of rebar. After a minute of watching her nod and listening to what sounded like Charlie Brown’s parents coming from the phone I heard two words and I knew I was done – Home Depot. The young lady hung up the phone and told me the larger pieces were «hand picked» and for display only. She said, the boss/​owner/​manager said I can go to Home Depot and get my own 4+ feet of rebar. That’s not the point I say, I was promised the big rebar! There is not even a sign that says, «The big rebar is for display purposes only. You will have to get your own 4+ piece of rebar. Ours is hand-​selected and we can’t replace it.» I huffed, took my ornament, and the impotent little rebar they gave me and left the store in shame. What had been a great shopping victory with my wife yesterday was now just a frustration. Yes, I could have just returned the whole thing, but it was actually a gift for my mom and I know she will love it.
Look, I know I can go to Home Depot and get my own rebar for $ 5, which I’m going to do. But, that’s a pain in the neck and the whole point of this little story is that Stix and Stones made a promise and for a lousy «hand-​picked» piece of rebar they absolutely couldn’t part with, they went back on their word. What is your word worth Stix and Stones? The answer – Less than a $ 5 dollar piece of rebar.

Friendly and welcoming staff. I LOVE their art. This is my go to place for art work when decorating my home.