Great Customer Service An item in my first order was defective. The Essential sent me a new one in a couple of days, no questions asked. I really appreciated not needing a lengthy back and forth to get a replacement.

Excellent products Excellent products - sourced and sold ethically at often unbeatable prices. Overall I find The Essential has dramatically helped the way I manage my household!

The merchandise itself is good, BUT The merchandise itself is good - once it finally arrives! Shipping estimates are always wrong, add two to three months minimum to what they list. It's a dark pattern, they have been in business long enough to have data that would allow for a truthful estimate. They certainly should have the capacity to proactively communicate delays. Sorry the essential, you've fooled me more than twice now - shame on me.

I am a new The Essental customer I am a new The Essental customer. I've order several items and their logistics and communications are very poor. On the first order, it was sent in three separate shipments. I ordered a mid-weight down duvet, King sized (claimed to be made in Canada). Sent was a Queen sized light weight, not made in Canada. The linen duvet cover was King size, but the wrong color. A second order was for the Lounge Chair. I've sent three follow-up emails. Kevin replied to the first that he would check on the Lounge Chair, but I have not received any further response yet and the status remains unknown. As to the wrong duvet size and duvet cover, no replies. On top of that, I now have a big credit with The Essential b/c I purchased a Black Friday coupon. Money lost?

membership fees are a total rip-off, almost everything is out-of-stock! This site charges an annual membership fee for access, but gives you those fees back in the form of monthly credits to use towards purchases. If you're making purchases monthly, it seems like a great bargain. However, almost everything is out of stock, so finding something to purchase is nearly impossible. Then, ontop of that, shipping charges are insane (lowest rate is $22), but there is free shipping for orders over $75. Again, ok, that's not so bad.... BUT if any item is on sale in your order (even if there are regular priced items ALSO in the order), the monthly credits cannot be applied, because it's considered a stacking discount. The only way to cure that issue would be to make TWO orders: one with no discounted items, so that the credits can be applied, and one with all the discounted or on-sale items. However, the credits per month are only $15, but shipping is $22. So that means, the $15 credit is USELESS, and is a wash for shipping charges, unless you spend at least $150 ($75 per order). The site is absolute garbage and I will not be renewing after my annual membership expires.