Best online store for kitchen supplies

[abud]

By best I mean best quality for a reasonable price.
I need to buy a bunch of kitchen gadgets like a food mill, a hand-cranked pasta maker, and a pizza stone.
Is Amazon really the best?
thanks!

[KitchenBarbarian]

http://www.webstaurantstore.com/

Prices range from around the same as retail to super super cheap. Some things are only sold by the case, but I've saved hundreds on the things I have bought there over the years.

[jeanmarieok]

My problem with the webstaurantstore is the high shipping costs. My products might be $40, but have another $30 in shipping costs.

[John Francis]

Amazon is my first stop and usually my last. They don't carry everything I've ever wanted, but most of it, and the prices are at least competitive and sometimes bargains. When I can't find something there, such as the spice rack I wanted, usually no one else does either, and I have to go to the manufacturer's site.

[MplsM ary]

Just beware that Amazon's return policy has changed and a re-stocking fee of around 50% will be Imposed if the reason for return is not Amazon's fault. I found that out the hard way. My fault - I should have paid closer attention to their change in policy.

[John Francis]

I didn't know that - thanks for the info. However, I always research what I buy online before putting in my order, and wouldn't return something merely because I decide I don't like it; only if it's defective, or if they send me the wrong thing in error. And I haven't had to do that yet.

[MplsM ary]

i didn't encounter the problem until my school posted the wrong ISBN for a brand new edition of a textbook. I couldn't buy it used anywhere. I should have rented it but I like to refer back to some textbooks after the semester's over. The outrageously priced $200 textbook ended up costing me $300.

I buy stuff from Amazon maybe once a month and had never run into this before, since I'd never had to return anything. That's a really good track record. I grew complacent, when I should have been paying better attention.

Ever after I try to warn folks of the policy change if they are not aware. It's not a slam on Amazon, who have every right to do as they please.

[cutipie721]

I usually just google the things I want to buy, and let it tell me which stores carry them. You might find your new favorite store!

[Chemicalkinetics]

Amazon is actually very good in term of price and speed, although it is not focus. It is still my first place to check.

I find cutlery and more to have a good selection and easy to navigate.

http://www.cutleryandmore.com/

In term of restaurant kitchen supply, Katom is great.

http://www.katom.com/

[Sid Post]

Katom is pretty good. Shipping is a bit tricky because items are often dropped shipped so, one paella pan or 4 are the same price in terms of shipping (i.e. one is too much and 4 is a bargain in terms of shipping).

Their Vollrath prices delivered totally beat the local places (i.e. I got two pans for the price of one locally). I'll keep one and ebay the other.

[Chemicalkinetics]

< Shipping is a bit tricky>

I agree. It is only worthy if you buy multiple items. In addition, a lot of the products are backordered. Once I bought several knives from them, and one of the knives (a paring) took almost a month to receive. However, the prices are very good.

[kaleokahu]

Fante's in Philly sets the bar. City Kitchens in Seattle comes close.

[tim irvine]

Another vote for Fante's. One cool feature is they'll have several versions of an item ranging from a knockoff to a better knockoff to the original.

[flourgirl]

I live about an hour and a half from Philly and I've never been to Fante's. I really have to make that trip.

[cheesemaestro]

Fante's is a fabulous store, but if you're looking for the best price, it's not known for that. Still, it's a wonderful place to browse in and a bonus is its location. It's in the Italian Market section of Philly, where you can also visit all of the wonderful food shops and bakeries.

[genie]

You must decide on the quality you want. Then a site like shopzilla.com & others, will do the price comparison. I had trouble w/ Amazon a couple yrs ago, took a while for credit co to fix, but recently ordered from snapware through them .Total mess, no response from snapware. Amazon took care of it in a week!. So, much as I like a good price, I watch others' opinions of the price And Service of a place when I buy online.

[JayVaBeach]

www.williams-sonoma.com

Williams-Sonoma offers premium supplies, cookware, dinnerware, bakeware, cutlery, table linens, cookbooks, specialty foods & more.

[ccbweb]

At, in my experience, higher prices with very high shipping costs. A few of their things are exclusive items (some cookbooks, a few All-Clad items or small appliances) and might be worth it if you really want them.

[Claudette]

I agree ccbweb, plus three of my four mail order items were completely messed up and customer service was not helpful. I'll buy from the stores but never again from their mail order.

[MMRuth]

I'm a big fan of bridgekitchenware.com

[fauchon]

So am I....IMO Bridge is just about the gold standard ... I find them honest & trustworthy in their recommendations....Upstairs at Zabar's is excellent for kitchenware and so is Broadway Panhandler in the Village.

[Kelli2006]

Ive never been to Bridge but I want to make the pilgrimage soon. Cooking.com and Chefs catalog have a decent selection, and their shipping charges aren't outrageous.

I like Prince for pastry supplies.

[cutipie721]

The only problem I have with Cooking.com and Chef's are their privacy policy. I made one purchase from them, and I received PILES of catalogs from other companies.

[Claudette]

So that's how they got my address! Grrrrr....

[dcruz]

You're right! Amazon is great! It actually pays off to purchase in bulk and some products have a 2 year shelf life. About the shipping, its not bad considering in the end some products are still less than purchasing from the "middle man." There is a known restaurant just outside of Detroit called Lelli's of Auburn Hills, they purchase a line of awesome products called "Flavor Glow." These products where only available to through distributors and I can now purchase directly on Amazon! Well at least some of their products are, hopefully all soon. Can't wait to see their line of baking goods! These are quality products at a great price and not those cheap quality products that sell for less of a cost. I am a firm believer of quality bringing you success in the future.

[ijhhot]

the good thing about amazon is that other retailers use the sight to sell their items and you can compare prices and availability easily. you can also return things really quickly and no hassle. sometimes the amazon item will be cheaper because you will have complete control over the shipping charges. the merchants that work through amazon are rated and also the merchant is required to honer the transaction policy.

i also like paying through amazon, for added protection. you can also use amazon like google to search for what you want, sometimes i go to the other sellers site to look at additional options and compare shipping.

also if it is being sold buy amazon they will tell you if it is a reconditioned item or a closeout, many other vendors do not disclose this important info. i have had good luck with bed and bath 20 % coupons in many cases you just walk into the store and find that with the discount the item is a bargen. you can also find coupons on the web by googling the name( Kitchen Aid+coupon).
i have even shopped amazon in England and Canada for some items.

[Suzyummy]

Amazon has good prices and good selection from different vendors. I would find exactly what it is I am looking for....and then do a search for it on Ebay and compare with Amazon. There are many vendors there that sell new (NIB=new in box) items....just figure item price and shipping and see if it's worth it.