So I asked Restoration Hardware if they would accept Bitcoin...

[keithers]

I have been furnishing a new house over the past few months.  Man, the costs add up quicker than you would believe.   I have been picking up sofas and coffee tables (as well as some chairs) from Restoration Hardware (because I think they have some of the best stuff).

www.restorationhardware.com

Since all their stuff is so pricey  (5-10k for a sofa), I decided to ask them if they would accept BTC.   They got back to me today with the below response:



      Thank you for contacting Restoration Hardware. I am delighted to know that you enjoy our pieces, and that you wish for us to receive Bitcoin as payment.
 
At this time, please be advised that we offer a variety of payment options, and I would be happy to submit your request for us to pursue Bitcoin.
 
Please know that I have noted your comments and forwarded them on to the appropriate department.
 
We always strive to offer our customers the best products and services possible. Your comments will help us to better achieve this goal in the future.
 
Please let us know if you need further assistance via email at webcs@restorationhardware.com or by calling 877-777-7059.
 
Again, thank you for contacting Restoration Hardware.
 
Sincerely,

Stephanie Goldsmith
Email Customer Advocate
Restoration Hardware



It would be cool if they actually looked into adding BTC as a payment option, as to my knowledge, there aren't any higher end furniture stores accepting BTC.    Anyone else shop there?   Maybe if additional people asked...it would help steer them in the direction of BTC acceptance?

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[tzortz]

I will try to ask too.

[keithers]

I will try to ask too.

Cool!  I think it would be great if they accepted BTC because they have such awesome stuff for homes...

[gjgjg]

nice, thats a positive response. i usually ask when im in a new store, its almost automatic for me now. ill be embarrassed when someone says yes and i dont have my wallet details handy!
i email many online stores about it too, most replies are junk worthy. hope they follow through on it!

...im looking forward to a time when i can just pay without asking:p

[truehold3r]

That's a smart idea, we should do the same with more and more companies.

[RawDog]

That's a smart idea, we should do the same with more and more companies.

True fact.

Stephanie Goldsmith
Email Customer Advocate
Restoration Hardware[/i]

It takes 30 seconds!  Go here: https://www.restorationhardware.com/customer-service/contact-us.jsp and submit a note about your desire for bitcoin acceptance!  Do it now!  Mention Overstock.com as a positive example of a retailer who pulled it off and loved the result.

[koshgel]

Sending a request as well.

Most open-minded businesses will accept new payment methods if there is enough interest. More chance to make money from new customers.

[truehold3r]

Done, let's spread the word!

[keithers]

Sending a request as well.

Most open-minded businesses will accept new payment methods if there is enough interest. More chance to make money from new customers.

Awesome guys, let's see if we can make it happen  

[seriouscoin]

awesome, i will send them an email after work today. Btw, did you tell them to use payment gateway services like Coinbase and Bitpay?

[keithers]

awesome, i will send them an email after work today. Btw, did you tell them to use payment gateway services like Coinbase and Bitpay?

No, I didn't...if you email them, can you mention it?   I thought of doing that right after i sent the initial email...

[seriouscoin]

awesome, i will send them an email after work today. Btw, did you tell them to use payment gateway services like Coinbase and Bitpay?

No, I didn't...if you email them, can you mention it?   I thought of doing that right after i sent the initial email...

Ok i will, but you should also follow up with another email and mention it as well. So they know there wont be exchange risk involved.

[dKingston]

That's a fantastic idea! I contacted them as well! They a have lot of wonderfull stuffs! I'm going to buy lot of thing if
they start to accept bitcoins!

[keithers]

awesome, i will send them an email after work today. Btw, did you tell them to use payment gateway services like Coinbase and Bitpay?

No, I didn't...if you email them, can you mention it?   I thought of doing that right after i sent the initial email...

Ok i will, but you should also follow up with another email and mention it as well. So they know there wont be exchange risk involved.

I replied to her and mentioned both coinbase and bitpay, and the fact that would also save a lot in transaction fees in addition to getting new customers.   I brought up overstock.com and Dell as well.   I'll post it here if I get a response.

If anyone else gets a response copy and paste it into this thread...

[franky1]

      Thank you for contacting Restoration Hardware. I am delighted to know that you enjoy our pieces, and that you wish for us to receive Bitcoin as payment.
 
At this time, please be advised that we offer a variety of payment options, and I would be happy to submit your request for us to pursue Bitcoin.
 
Please know that I have noted your comments and forwarded them on to the appropriate department.
 
We always strive to offer our customers the best products and services possible. Your comments will help us to better achieve this goal in the future.
 
Please let us know if you need further assistance via email at webcs@restorationhardware.com or by calling 877-777-7059.
 
Again, thank you for contacting Restoration Hardware.
 
Sincerely,

Stephanie Goldsmith
Email Customer Advocate
Restoration Hardware



It would be cool if they actually looked into adding BTC as a payment option, as to my knowledge, there aren't any higher end furniture stores accepting BTC.    Anyone else shop there?   Maybe if additional people asked...it would help steer them in the direction of BTC acceptance?

simply emailing webcs@... is good, but also i would advise you to find the CFO and the CEO of the company and email them direct. as no one can be certain that a minimum waged customer adviser is actually going to pass on messages.

word it tht you are a loyal customer and find it a pain having to convert your investments ack into dollars, to the pay using a credit card and then pay off your credit card bill. that you would rather pay direct from with bitcoins, and that the company will get atleast $xxxx worth of sales per year because you have plans to buy products x, y, and z in the future

[gogxmagog]

I made a joke at the place I buy silver about bitcoin when he refused to take my mastercard due to the fact that they lose their spot fee due to the charges from the cc company. Much to my surprize, the gentleman informed me they DO take bitcoin, there was one guy in the back room who took care of those transactions. I asked him why they didnt advertize, at least mention it on bitcointalk, twitter or what have you, but he didnt want to talk about it, it was all the department of this "guy in the back"

I guess they dont want the business? It is pretty much guaranteed that if people know you accept btc, btc will come... I'm just puzzled as to why they dont advertize it at all, they are an antiques store that deals in coins and bullion, but mostly nice antiques, great glass stuff. I am going to go in and spend some btc on a xmas gift for my wife or maybe some silver for my stack, then I can ask the "guy in the back room"

Sort of the opposite problem to OP but odd just the same. BTC is at a weird place in its adoption. There is a lingering aire of uncertainty about it all still. There's really nothing to compare it to in history, which depending on your view, is either the greatest thing ever or a total nightmare of insecurity and doubt. this will change.

[gjgjg]

I made a joke at the place I buy silver about bitcoin when he refused to take my mastercard due to the fact that they lose their spot fee due to the charges from the cc company. Much to my surprize, the gentleman informed me they DO take bitcoin, there was one guy in the back room who took care of those transactions. I asked him why they didnt advertize, at least mention it on bitcointalk, twitter or what have you, but he didnt want to talk about it, it was all the department of this "guy in the back"

I guess they dont want the business? It is pretty much guaranteed that if people know you accept btc, btc will come... I'm just puzzled as to why they dont advertize it at all, they are an antiques store that deals in coins and bullion, but mostly nice antiques, great glass stuff. I am going to go in and spend some btc on a xmas gift for my wife or maybe some silver for my stack, then I can ask the "guy in the back room"

Sort of the opposite problem to OP but odd just the same. BTC is at a weird place in its adoption. There is a lingering aire of uncertainty about it all still. There's really nothing to compare it to in history, which depending on your view, is either the greatest thing ever or a total nightmare of insecurity and doubt. this will change.

Strange, they do the 'hard work' of getting a BTC system in place then dont bother promoting it! Why dont you email the info to the websites that have listings of stores that accept it? like http://coinmap.org/
Also the blockchain app has an option to list the nearby places.

[HarmonLi]

With prices that hight, they really may try and appeal to a high-stakes market. I think they could be very well off selling their furniture for BTC! Huh, I'd like to buy something, but the current BTC prices are just to low...

[RawDog]

We shouldn't stop here.  Let's find other important retailers who need an introduction to bitcoin and send them some encouragement. 

I wonder, is there anyone of you out there who would like to organize this?  This thread sure was effective.  I hope we can make more thread just like this.  Anyone?

Good job on the OP.  Maybe he can find another great retailer and link to its comments page to encourage others to send a request.  Keep up the good work!

[keithers]

With prices that hight, they really may try and appeal to a high-stakes market. I think they could be very well off selling their furniture for BTC! Huh, I'd like to buy something, but the current BTC prices are just to low...

Yeah the prices are pretty high, but I am telling you, the leather sofas and things like that seriously last forever.   A lot of them even look better after you have had them for a few years and they have worn in...

[keithers]

We shouldn't stop here.  Let's find other important retailers who need an introduction to bitcoin and send them some encouragement. 

I wonder, is there anyone of you out there who would like to organize this?  This thread sure was effective.  I hope we can make more thread just like this.  Anyone?

Good job on the OP.  Maybe he can find another great retailer and link to its comments page to encourage others to send a request.  Keep up the good work!

Thanks man.   I responded back to her and brought up coinbase and bitpay as payment processors, so I will let everyone know if they get back to me.

I think it would be a good idea for anyone here to be emailing companies that they  frequently shop at, and request that they accept BTC.   This will hopefully get some retailers in other industries to accept BTC.  A lot of the companies that accept BTC now are tech companies, but if we can get a more diverse crowd of retailers to accept BTC, it will definitely help for massive adoption...

[blatchcorn]

      Thank you for contacting Restoration Hardware. I am delighted to know that you enjoy our pieces, and that you wish for us to receive Bitcoin as payment.
 
At this time, please be advised that we offer a variety of payment options, and I would be happy to submit your request for us to pursue Bitcoin.
 
Please know that I have noted your comments and forwarded them on to the appropriate department.
 
We always strive to offer our customers the best products and services possible. Your comments will help us to better achieve this goal in the future.
 
Please let us know if you need further assistance via email at webcs@restorationhardware.com or by calling 877-777-7059.
 
Again, thank you for contacting Restoration Hardware.
 
Sincerely,

Stephanie Goldsmith
Email Customer Advocate
Restoration Hardware



It would be cool if they actually looked into adding BTC as a payment option, as to my knowledge, there aren't any higher end furniture stores accepting BTC.    Anyone else shop there?   Maybe if additional people asked...it would help steer them in the direction of BTC acceptance?

simply emailing webcs@... is good, but also i would advise you to find the CFO and the CEO of the company and email them direct. as no one can be certain that a minimum waged customer adviser is actually going to pass on messages.

word it tht you are a loyal customer and find it a pain having to convert your investments ack into dollars, to the pay using a credit card and then pay off your credit card bill. that you would rather pay direct from with bitcoins, and that the company will get atleast $xxxx worth of sales per year because you have plans to buy products x, y, and z in the future

Yup they pretty much have no choice but to say they will look into it.

The all it takes is one senior member who thinks Bitcoin is a scam to say no

[protokol]

Looks like very nice stuff, but also bloody expensive!! I recently bought a lovely second-hand leather 3 seater sofa for £10 (someone was redecorating and needed it gone). It's very comfortable, I don't know if a similar sized sofa from these guys would be worth 500+ times more money haha...

Good luck in getting them to accept BTC though, seems like it would be a perfect customer base, I know if I had a few hundred thousand pounds worth of BTC I would be straight in there with an order for some Italian Destroyed Leather sofas, damn that leather looks dope...

[keithers]

Here is another idea I just thought of (but it is kind of far fetched at this point in time).   We could actually start emailing Comenity Bank.

The reason I bring up Comenity Bank is because they handle the financing for credit cards for many of the major retailers (Victoria's Secret, Restoration Hardware, Zgallerie, Pottery Barn, etc).

If we could get them to be one of the first banks to support BTC, that would open up just as many doors as Coinbase has with their merchant agreements. 

[master-P]

Based on my experience, it never hurts to ask. If a merchant you shop from does not offer Bitcoin as a payment method, I always write a short letter/e-mail to them requesting them to add BTC as a payment option and give a brief introduction of what it is and how it can benefit them as a merchant. If everyone does this, merchants will feel the pressure to add BTC for their customers as well as to compete with other merchants who are also beginning to adopt BTC as a payment method. Eventually, every merchant or online retailer will be accepting BTC as a payment option, just one small step towards the Bitcoin revolution

[TKeenan]

a lovely second-hand leather 3 seater sofa for £10

Yeah, 'Restoration Hardware' is probably not for you.  However, I guess technically speaking you'd meet the strict definition of 'restoration' if you are taking 10 quid junk off your friends and reusing it.  Restoration Hardware has a different gig going on though.  

[zorke]

I have been furnishing a new house over the past few months.  Man, the costs add up quicker than you would believe.   I have been picking up sofas and coffee tables (as well as some chairs) from Restoration Hardware (because I think they have some of the best stuff).

www.restorationhardware.com

Since all their stuff is so pricey  (5-10k for a sofa), I decided to ask them if they would accept BTC.   They got back to me today with the below response:



      Thank you for contacting Restoration Hardware. I am delighted to know that you enjoy our pieces, and that you wish for us to receive Bitcoin as payment.
 
At this time, please be advised that we offer a variety of payment options, and I would be happy to submit your request for us to pursue Bitcoin.
 
Please know that I have noted your comments and forwarded them on to the appropriate department.
 
We always strive to offer our customers the best products and services possible. Your comments will help us to better achieve this goal in the future.
 
Please let us know if you need further assistance via email at webcs@restorationhardware.com or by calling 877-777-7059.
 
Again, thank you for contacting Restoration Hardware.
 
Sincerely,

Stephanie Goldsmith
Email Customer Advocate
Restoration Hardware



It would be cool if they actually looked into adding BTC as a payment option, as to my knowledge, there aren't any higher end furniture stores accepting BTC.    Anyone else shop there?   Maybe if additional people asked...it would help steer them in the direction of BTC acceptance?

I would suggest that bitcoin payment processors like coinbase setup a "suggestion box" for websites/stores that people would like to see accept bitcoin. That way coinbase could draw up a sales presentation and proposal for that company

[gogxmagog]

I made a joke at the place I buy silver about bitcoin when he refused to take my mastercard due to the fact that they lose their spot fee due to the charges from the cc company. Much to my surprize, the gentleman informed me they DO take bitcoin, there was one guy in the back room who took care of those transactions. I asked him why they didnt advertize, at least mention it on bitcointalk, twitter or what have you, but he didnt want to talk about it, it was all the department of this "guy in the back"

I guess they dont want the business? It is pretty much guaranteed that if people know you accept btc, btc will come... I'm just puzzled as to why they dont advertize it at all, they are an antiques store that deals in coins and bullion, but mostly nice antiques, great glass stuff. I am going to go in and spend some btc on a xmas gift for my wife or maybe some silver for my stack, then I can ask the "guy in the back room"

Sort of the opposite problem to OP but odd just the same. BTC is at a weird place in its adoption. There is a lingering aire of uncertainty about it all still. There's really nothing to compare it to in history, which depending on your view, is either the greatest thing ever or a total nightmare of insecurity and doubt. this will change.

Strange, they do the 'hard work' of getting a BTC system in place then dont bother promoting it! Why dont you email the info to the websites that have listings of stores that accept it? like http://coinmap.org/
Also the blockchain app has an option to list the nearby places.

I feel it is only fair to speak to the guy in charge first. I do not know his reasoning behind the non-advertising policy but it is his decision.

If his only reason is he is too busy or doesn't have time I will offer to spear his info to the various outlets. So far the only other places in my town that accept btc are a breakfast joint, a natural body lotion/soap manufacturer and a weird store that sells used VHS tapes, books, and action figures. The gold/silver/antiques guy is the only btc friendly store in town I really want anything from.

[gjgjg]

I made a joke at the place I buy silver about bitcoin when he refused to take my mastercard due to the fact that they lose their spot fee due to the charges from the cc company. Much to my surprize, the gentleman informed me they DO take bitcoin, there was one guy in the back ...

Strange, they do the 'hard work' of getting a BTC system in place then dont bother promoting it! Why dont you email the info to the websites that have listings of stores that accept it? like http://coinmap.org/
Also the blockchain app has an option to list the nearby places.

I feel it is only fair to speak to the guy in charge first. I do not know his reasoning behind the non-advertising policy but it is his decision.

If his only reason is he is too busy or doesn't have time I will offer to spear his info to the various outlets. So far the only other places in my town that accept btc are a breakfast joint, a natural body lotion/soap manufacturer and a weird store that sells used VHS tapes, books, and action figures. The gold/silver/antiques guy is the only btc friendly store in town I really want anything from.

Fair enough, maybe his bank threatened him!
Nice that you have local options for BTC, it's more interesting than whats on offer in my town!

[DDuckworth]

I have been furnishing a new house over the past few months.  Man, the costs add up quicker than you would believe.   I have been picking up sofas and coffee tables (as well as some chairs) from Restoration Hardware (because I think they have some of the best stuff).

www.restorationhardware.com

Since all their stuff is so pricey  (5-10k for a sofa), I decided to ask them if they would accept BTC.   They got back to me today with the below response:



      Thank you for contacting Restoration Hardware. I am delighted to know that you enjoy our pieces, and that you wish for us to receive Bitcoin as payment.
 
At this time, please be advised that we offer a variety of payment options, and I would be happy to submit your request for us to pursue Bitcoin.
 
Please know that I have noted your comments and forwarded them on to the appropriate department.
 
We always strive to offer our customers the best products and services possible. Your comments will help us to better achieve this goal in the future.
 
Please let us know if you need further assistance via email at webcs@restorationhardware.com or by calling 877-777-7059.
 
Again, thank you for contacting Restoration Hardware.
 
Sincerely,

Stephanie Goldsmith
Email Customer Advocate
Restoration Hardware



It would be cool if they actually looked into adding BTC as a payment option, as to my knowledge, there aren't any higher end furniture stores accepting BTC.    Anyone else shop there?   Maybe if additional people asked...it would help steer them in the direction of BTC acceptance?

Check out the thread:

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=699803.0

I'm awarding prizes there and we need some bumps to get more attention, personally I think the thread needs a new title, but that's for a later discussion.  Great job on getting their attention, I'm surprised it wasn't just a blatent "no" as a response!

[doubleredrolex]

I made a joke at the place I buy silver about bitcoin when he refused to take my mastercard due to the fact that they lose their spot fee due to the charges from the cc company. Much to my surprize, the gentleman informed me they DO take bitcoin, there was one guy in the back room who took care of those transactions. I asked him why they didnt advertize, at least mention it on bitcointalk, twitter or what have you, but he didnt want to talk about it, it was all the department of this "guy in the back"

I guess they dont want the business? It is pretty much guaranteed that if people know you accept btc, btc will come... I'm just puzzled as to why they dont advertize it at all, they are an antiques store that deals in coins and bullion, but mostly nice antiques, great glass stuff. I am going to go in and spend some btc on a xmas gift for my wife or maybe some silver for my stack, then I can ask the "guy in the back room"

Sort of the opposite problem to OP but odd just the same. BTC is at a weird place in its adoption. There is a lingering aire of uncertainty about it all still. There's really nothing to compare it to in history, which depending on your view, is either the greatest thing ever or a total nightmare of insecurity and doubt. this will change.

Probably doesn't know how it would affect him regarding the IRS and taxation. He would have to charge the item fee, plus tax and pay the tax to the govnt... Im not sure how that would work either. Its probably just an "under the table" transaction so they don't want to advertise.

[doubleredrolex]

I always thought that if i had a small business, i would accept BTC and advertise that fact. Then everyone with BTC would go there just because they take BTC and its fun and easy to use. Like your local mechanic or hair dresser etc. I don't know of ANY stores in my city that accept BTC. Ive asked a few times and i always get a blank look like they have no clue what Im talking about.

[keithers]

I always thought that if i had a small business, i would accept BTC and advertise that fact. Then everyone with BTC would go there just because they take BTC and its fun and easy to use. Like your local mechanic or hair dresser etc. I don't know of ANY stores in my city that accept BTC. Ive asked a few times and i always get a blank look like they have no clue what Im talking about.

I think it is because many "mom and pop" type brick and mortar retailers are really hip to what is going on in the tech scene. There really isnt a reason to not accept BTC at this point. It is free additional marketing and sales

[TKeenan]

RH got back to me with this...

Dear Tim,
Thank you for contacting Restoration Hardware regarding your feedback in our payment systems.
 
Your feedback regarding this matter is greatly appreciated. I am glad that you have taken the time to provide us with your thoughts regarding this system. Your comments will help us to better achieve this goal in the future. We are always looking into new and exciting ventures.
 
Should you have any other comments or concerns, please feel free to let us know. Restoration Hardware Customer Care can be reached by email at webcs@restorationhardware.com or by phone at 877-777-7059.
 
Again, thank you for contacting Restoration Hardware.
 
Sincerely,

Nicole Menezes
Customer Care Advocate
Restoration Hardware

A little disappointed - it seems pretty empty.

[keithers]

RH got back to me with this...

Dear Tim,
Thank you for contacting Restoration Hardware regarding your feedback in our payment systems.
 
Your feedback regarding this matter is greatly appreciated. I am glad that you have taken the time to provide us with your thoughts regarding this system. Your comments will help us to better achieve this goal in the future. We are always looking into new and exciting ventures.
 
Should you have any other comments or concerns, please feel free to let us know. Restoration Hardware Customer Care can be reached by email at webcs@restorationhardware.com or by phone at 877-777-7059.
 
Again, thank you for contacting Restoration Hardware.
 
Sincerely,

Nicole Menezes
Customer Care Advocate
Restoration Hardware

A little disappointed - it seems pretty empty.

Yeah ...seems like they have some default verbiage that they respond with when fielding questions like the one we are asking.   Hopefully if enough people email, then it will be presented to upper management, or at least someone with some power in the company.    I think if they get the same question from a bunch of us (about BTC), they will have to at least seriously consider it.

[keithers]

Has anyone else that emailed gotten any sort of response?  I am hoping that we can make our questions at least reach someone that makes financial decisions for the company.   I just spent another $2500 on a chandelier for my home there, so I would be super stoked if they accepted BTC