Complicated Registry Wording. Please Help

Ms.Jade

Hi Ladies, 

I'm discovering that everything I want can be found on Amazon.com. But since I know that many people wait until the last minute to buy shower gifts, and that not everyone likes to shop online I'm really excited to know that Amazon has a feature that allows your guests to mark an item off of your registry as "Purchased" no matter where they bought it. This means that my guests can buy something at Target or BRU or anywhere else, and mark it off of my Amazon registry. In case it helps to know, I'm also Team Green so we're expecting that we'll get a pretty good number of things off of the registry and fewer people buying clothes since that's what seems to happen in my circle of friends. 

Any ideas how on earth to word this on an invitation or insert card? Any suggestions for polite and succinct are appreciated.  

iluvmylab

I understand the dilemma you are trying to avoid, but I don't think there's any way to word it that doesn't seem pushy IMO.  I think with online stuff, you are setting yourself up for duplicates and problems returning things.  All you can do is hope that people can follow the directions amazon provides and hope they give you a gift receipt.  It might be best just to spread it word of mouth.

Corts

I have a registry from Amazon. Even though the prices were better than anywhere else I think people avoided it  because they were afraid of the shipping charges (even though anything over $25.00 was free shipping). I don't think there is a polite way to state the "buying somewhere else" option....people will see that when they look at the list online or you can have the host spread word of mouth to anyone who asks what you need.....but it may be a touchy subject to word.

backinpgh

It doesn't matter what you say, people won't do it. It's hard enough to get people to look at the registry period. Adding extra steps won't bode well and people will likely ignore your instructions.

We did Amazon as well as Target and BRU. I just duplicated the items and marked them myself as they were purchased. Barely anyone used the Amazon registry other than my young hip friends, so it's mostly a wish list for us for after the shower.

Happily Overwhelmed

I'm with you here. I always like to tell people about the features to save a big pain...but it's not really our job in this circumstance. If we say anything it looks gift grabby. There's no right way to tell people.

We're looking at Amazon too. It's probably not the best for us either because our friends are last minute shoppers and family is more anti computers (lots of grandma's friends...). For us we like Amazon for the prices, free shipping, return policy, etc. But know our registry there will probably be ignored. Last minute shoppers probably aren't going to want to see what you want online when they won't have time to order, receive, and wrap. For these reasons we are also registering at a local store and not really expecting much from our registeries. However like what money they can save us!

If anything I'd spread the word to the hostess, your mom, etc. Let the people close to you spread the word a bit. But I personally wouldn't go overboard with making a special announcement on this subject. Like others said, people don't tend to pay enough attention to this stuff and it will probably go right over their heads anyways. As long as the more important people know I'd leave it at that.

[Deleted User]

On the Amazon registry, there is space to write a note for every item.  I checked the Target and BRU websites for every item on my Amazon registry, and if it was for sale in the store, I added a note under the item that said "Also available in-store at Target and Babies R Us" or wherever.  That way if someone waited until the last minute or didn't want to shop online, they could check to see if a specific item was in stock at their closest location and pick it up there.

If someone really waits until the last minute, amazon gift cards couldn't be easier.  Just buy, print, and stick it in a card!

ETA: There is also a box to enter information about your registry in general.  It would be more helpful and less awkward to put a note there that reminds invitees to check off an item if they decide to purchase it somewhere else rather than on the invite.

BakerMommy

overture:

On the Amazon registry, there is space to write a note for every item.  I checked the Target and BRU websites for every item on my Amazon registry, and if it was for sale in the store, I added a note under the item that said "Also available in-store at Target and Babies R Us" or wherever.  That way if someone waited until the last minute or didn't want to shop online, they could check to see if a specific item was in stock at their closest location and pick it up there.

If someone really waits until the last minute, amazon gift cards couldn't be easier.  Just buy, print, and stick it in a card!

ETA: There is also a box to enter information about your registry in general.  It would be more helpful and less awkward to put a note there that reminds invitees to check off an item if they decide to purchase it somewhere else rather than on the invite.

 

NewFamily09

I have no idea, but what an awesome feature!  When I was pregnant with DS1 and had a registry, I looked everywhere for a way to do this.  How cool.  I think your guests will really appreciate being able to shop anywhere.  Definitely mention it to them somehow.

kelle017

BakerMommy:

overture:

On the Amazon registry, there is space to write a note for every item.  I checked the Target and BRU websites for every item on my Amazon registry, and if it was for sale in the store, I added a note under the item that said "Also available in-store at Target and Babies R Us" or wherever.  That way if someone waited until the last minute or didn't want to shop online, they could check to see if a specific item was in stock at their closest location and pick it up there.

If someone really waits until the last minute, amazon gift cards couldn't be easier.  Just buy, print, and stick it in a card!

ETA: There is also a box to enter information about your registry in general.  It would be more helpful and less awkward to put a note there that reminds invitees to check off an item if they decide to purchase it somewhere else rather than on the invite.