Pier 1 Imports

First of all, let’s get one thing straight: what I look for in an import-​style store is a variety in selection and price. Pier 1 fits the first category, but not the second. There are all kinds of items scattered throughout the store, and a tolerable variety of sizes, styles, and colors for each category. (Want a lantern? How about mini, medium, and large in red, gray, and white? Choices, choices.) Unfortunately, however, it’s almost impossible to find anything for a college student budget, and I’m even looking with an eye to modifications and multipurpose uses for items. I guess Pier 1 has to stay at the «splurge store» level, which ranks it lower on the grand Import Store Scale.

I always go into Pier 1 with the hope of finding something neat and kitschy, and I always come out reminding myself of why I vow never to go back: they sell a lot of junk. And by junk I don’t mean that it looks junky, but rather that you get things that simply don’t last. Like the end table I bought a few years ago, made of strangely exotic looking wood … until a corner of it chipped and I discovered that the «wood» was actually particle board with a printed cardboard covering. Or a lamp with a switch that stopped working after about a week. In all cases they’ve taken these items back and offered a refund … but why shop somewhere in the first place, when you know that the merchandise is going to fall apart?

We’ve purchased various items from tables to chairs to tableware and glass from P-​1-​I in the past and this location is not unlike the other I’ve been to elsewhere — QA and QC are still in check and when you see the blue Pier 1 Imports sign, you know what you’re getting.
This particular location is alright as far as the usual quality of items goes. My experience with service has been fine. In fact the other night we traipsed in after an unproductive mission at the World Market (WM) next door to be pleasantly surprised by the selection and service at hand. Our mission? Finding some furniture and ideas on how decorate our new abode, of course. We found several items and were able to track down a sales person at the register to borrow a tape measure to check the dimensions of the items in question. No problems for us.
In the past I’ve purchased a table for $ 299 here that has since stood the test of time. It’s fairly sturdy and solid wood in construction at this price point which is pretty impressive — however, having been made of a soft wood (pine, I believe) it has gotten dented, chipped and warped along the way. Another impressive note regarding the furniture is that I noticed (on the last visit) that all of their dressers have dove tail construction and slide on wooden slats — pretty impressive considering that this type of detail is usually found on pieces double the price they want.
Another tip (as in most places) is to search through their clearance or sale items. We found a few items that were reasonably priced for the construction. The «As-​Is» bin, however, looked a bit shady[1]…I’d stay away from those items unless you have killer ninja carpentry skillz at hand. ;-)
While some items/​areas are clearly marked, general organization of the store can be a bit hap hazard sometimes… and you kind of feel like you’re wandering around a bazaar or a fake antique shop — except that everything is brand spanking new. Sale and «As-​Is» items are just interspersed throughout the place. Some big furniture items like dressers and beds are on the RHS (from entrance), but desk and storage items are on the LHS. We had a hard time finding coffee tables which just seemed to be thrown in somewhere between.
4 consistent stars for quality and the service we received here. While I’d put the quality at a step above WM next door… it does tend to get pricey here unless you go for the clearance/​sale items. [Style also seems a bit more froo froo here than the chunky stuff at WM.] Just beware of the «As-​Is» items since they can be hit or miss sometimes.
[1] We noticed one console table with the top chipped and the drawer pull MIA.

I can not say I am happy with this store. I waited 15 minutes at the counter to pay for an item (incense). No one was around to assist me or take my money. I left it on the counter and left.
This chain seems to be famous for poor customer service. I had a problem with the Cary store also.