WS for entertainers and hosts, SLT for chefs and cooks

I like Sur La Table because they seem to have more "normal" types of things and the prices are reasonable. That said, if I need something quirky then Williams Sonoma is the first place I look. I have liked the cooking classes at both Williams Sonoma and Sur La Table.

I like them both, but have found SLT better quality overall (of course there is a lot of overlap). WS gets things that are "exclusive" and specialized to their brand, and they have often been flawed. WS is the only place I've had to return houseware items.

WS on sale. Generally overpriced otherwise.

I like SLT, WS seems mega bougie. SLT is as well of course, but it’s a bit more low key.

I think they are comparable. Its a tough business to survive in, that they are both still standing says they have loyal customers.

I like both--SLT seems be a bit more budget minded (sort of) and I have taken many cooking classes there over the years which I loved. I bought a copper coated chicken fryer at WS last year and it was a great price and shipped fast. I've never ordered from SLT, only shopped in person before they closed their locations near me.

SLT is a fun place to browse, and I enjoyed their cooking classes, but I think that WS has higher quality merchandise.

I like WS better overall. I don't shop for cookware there, but I do like WS's prepared sauces and braising liquids. Especially their Chicken With 40 Cloves of Garlic... yum. I also like their hand soaps, diffusers, and dish towels. The Bethesda WS has a nice selection of table linens.

Haven't been to Sur La Table in many years. I took a few of their cooking classes, back in the day.

People hate on WS, but I will say their customer service has been reliable and quality solid.

I used to love browsing SLT when they had a store here, more than WS honestly, and I'm happy with everything I've bought there over the years. They sort of seem to exist, but I thought they were in bankruptcy—? I've been reluctant to order from them since the bankrupty was announced last year, figuring that if they were winding down, they might have supply issues, but I haven't tested that proposition.

A friend who used to manage an SLT store says that in the last few years before bankruptcy, their quality went way down, especially in tabletop.

Which do you like?