The Best Barstool Stores

Friday, October 4th

2024 Barstool Store Reviews

Wayfair

• Exceptional inventory of more than 26,000 barstools
• Prices range from $25 to $4,700 per chair
• Free shipping on all orders over $49
• 30-day returns
• "A+” rated and accredited by the BBB

Is there anything for your home that you can't buy at Wayfair? If there is, we sure haven't found it yet. When it comes to barstools, you simply won't find another retailer that even comes remotely close to offering Wayfair's inventory - which has doubled since our last evaluation of the store. Yes, it's true: Wayfair gives you over 26,000 options for barstools and counter stools for every imaginable style, height, and price point.

Use filters to your advantage

Unless you have a ton of free time on your hands, you'll want to make good use of Wayfair's filters to see only the barstools that fit the space you have in mind. What's important to you? Of course, you should already have the measurements taken, to know if you need counter height or bar height, but you can also select the seat height in the filters. What about the back style? Color? Fast delivery to your zip code? How about weight capacity or even sustainably-made furniture? All of those and more can be found in the filters here, making Wayfair extremely easy to shop.

You can find high-end barstools here

It's usually fun to see what the most expensive product is for any Wayfair category, but in our most recent shopping visit the highest-end barstool wasn't quite as ridiculous as the last time (priced at $10,000+ for a set of two). This go-around, the Windsor Swivel Bar Stool by Jonathan Charles Fine Furniture took the prize, priced at $4,699 per chair. Sadly, there were no customer reviews for this barstool with "a revolving mechanism set above four cabriole legs and an undulating rail” - fancy!

Tons of customer ratings on individual barstools

Most barstools at Wayfair, though, have plenty of customer reviews you can consider. For example, one of this retailer's most popular and affordable options is the Biggerstaff Backless Metal Indoor-Outdoor Counter Height Stool with Square Seat by Zipcode Design. With over 21,000 customer ratings averaging a perfect five stars, this barstool is a bargain at just $79.99 (on sale from the original retail price of $159).

All the information you need

We can't get over how easy Wayfair makes it to shop. Even as you browse the results in your list, you can see if it has more than one color option (like those Biggerstaff barstools? Over two dozen colors available), the current and list price, and whether or not it comes with free shipping (hint: you won't find many barstools that don't ship for free). Use the little heart icon to mark any seating that's a favorite, so you can see them all in one place. The product information here is also extensive, whether you're buying a $2,000 cutting-edge design to match your magazine-worthy decor or something inexpensive to put outside on the patio - but Wayfair keeps all of that thoughtfully tucked away in dropdowns, so you're not bombarded with any information you don't care about.

Returns aren't the most convenient

The only downsides to buying your barstools from Wayfair relate to returns. Since this is an internet-only mega-retailer, you don't have the convenience of taking your chairs back to a local store near you. The 30-day return period isn't the most generous we've ever seen, and you'll be responsible for paying the return shipping fees - and for taking apart any barstools that required assembly.

"A+” from the BBB

Wayfair does a brisk business in all things home, and as such it's no surprise that the company has received over 1,800 complaints at the BBB in the last year. Still, the Better Business Bureau gives Wayfair an "A+” rating and accreditation, largely because of the company's 100% response track record. And, of course, for any barstools you're thinking of buying, you'll probably be able to see exactly what shoppers thought of them in the product reviews - which is much more pertinent to your purchase than general customer reviews about their dog toys falling apart or their rug being delivered to the wrong address.

Best overall for barstool selection and prices

If you're in the market for barstools, look no further than Wayfair. Seriously, they've got it all: amazing prices, thousands of options, and a website that's a breeze to navigate. And here's the best part: Wayfair gives you all the details you need to make an informed purchase. You can see the size, style, and even get a feel for how the stools will look in your space before you even click "buy". It's like they've thought of everything. In case you haven't picked up on it yet, we're big fans of Wayfair's barstool selection. They've earned our highest recommendation, and we're confident they'll earn yours too.

Target

• Over 4,000 barstools to choose from
• Prices range from $30 to $1,700
• Free shipping on most barstool orders
• Many options available for in-store pickup
• Returns range from 90 days to one year

Is there anything you can't get at Target? Snacks? Check. Cute dresses? Check. Barstools? Check check. Whether you're adding them to the cart as one more thing for your online Target run or on a mission just to find the perfect seating, your new barstools are just a few clicks away.

Follow the directions to get the right barstools

We love that the first thing Target does is walk you through measuring your counter height and showing you which stools are the right fit - stopping you from being that guy who thinks they know exactly what to get... and winds up buying something that doesn't fit. Next, you'll be asked which features you're looking for and in what style, complete with thumbnail images showing you what those look like: backless or adjustable, modern or industrial, you get the idea. Otherwise, you can use the filters to specify your desired height, price, color, decor style, seat material, and so forth.

Oh-so-convenient for delivery and pickup

And yes, because this is Target, you've got options that some of its rivals can't offer. In-store pickup? Same-day delivery? Free shipping on orders over $35 or with your RedCard? Yup. That means you could be comfortably shopping in your jammies at 2AM, placing your order while the world sleeps, and have your barstools on your front step the next day. We won't judge.

Choose from 4,000+ barstools

There are over 4,000 barstool choices at Target, ranging in price from $30 to $1,700. As you scroll through the chairs that match your filters, you'll see right away how much they cost, which color options are on offer, whether or not you can pay extra for assembly, and whether or not it's in stock at your local store (assuming you have your preferred location entered on the site; you can always change it if needed).

Target shoppers spill the tea

Target's overall popularity means that some barstools have lots of shopper feedback. One of the most commonly-reviewed chairs here is the Copley Upholstered Counter Height chair, with 12 different color options and prices ranging from $48.75-$70. It had nearly 600 ratings averaging 4 out of 5 stars at the time of this review, and lucky for us, it was available at our local store for pickup within two hours. Target gives you plenty to consider within the review section, with average scores for ease of assembly, design, quality and value, plus allowing shoppers to upload images of the barstools in use.

Unbeatable return policy

The return policy here is generous. You'll get at least 90 days on most barstools (and everything else, really), with an extra 30 days tacked on if you paid with your RedCard. Should you happen to buy a chair that's a Target-owned brand or a registry item, that window lengthens to an incredible one-year timeframe. Good luck finding that anywhere else. And remember, you can always buy your barstools online and return them in person - eliminating the spendy back-to-the-retailer shipping fees you'll have with most of Target's rivals.

Everything you could want

You love Target. We love Target. Don't hesitate to buy your barstools here if you find a style that you adore. You'll have Target's excellent return policy to make it right if you don't wind up with the perfect seating, and you can always try another option from among the selection of over 4,000 barstools.

Home Depot

• Over 4,700 barstools to choose from
• Prices range from $20 to $1,820
• Most barstools come with free in-store pickup or free delivery
• Return window ranging from 30-90 days
• Easy returns in-store or by mail

Home Depot is "how doers get more done”, and if buying new barstools is on your honey-do task list, this home improvement superstore has you covered.

Easy-breezy to shop for barstools

When you first land on Home Depot's main barstools page, you might be a little speechless to see that there are over 4,700 options in the inventory. That's a lot to sift through. But, some of the items included in that selection aren't exactly your typical barstool - think ottomans, vanity stools, and so on - so you'll want to use the filters to narrow things down. In a hurry? Check the box under Get It Fast to see only barstools that are in stock at a nearby store right now. You may also want to click on the seat height (because you did your homework and took measurements already, right?) so that you're only considering furniture that will fit where you expect to use it. Other filters include seat material, color, features, price, and many more. Home Depot is a breeze to shop for barstools.

Product previews show you what you need to know

As you start to look through the chairs that match your preferences, it's easy to see at a glance what each one has to offer. That includes any available color options, current pricing, whether it's available for pickup at a local store or delivery (or both), plus any customer reviews. You can also click the heart to save any favorites to a list you can use later.

Ample customer feedback on some barstools

Despite Home Depot not exactly being known as a furniture super-seller, there are some barstools with over 600 shopper ratings. For example, check out the Augusta 29” Cappuccino Swivel Cushioned Bar Stool by Borsam. When we shopped for barstools here most recently, this chair had an average of 4.2 out of 5 stars across 677 reviews. That's impressive for a chair priced at $110. At least in our area, we were able to either have it shipped to the store for free pickup in about a week, or delivered to our home at no cost within a week and a half (we also chuckled to see that Home Depot was willing to send "up to 1,078” chairs in that style to our local store for pickup. Well, thank goodness for THAT).

Customer images and comments

Those reviews we mentioned also included customer images and plenty of helpful commentary. And, you'll also see that Home Depot has a Questions & Answers section on each barstool in their inventory. They don't always have something there, but you can always be the first if you need to know something before ordering your barstools.

Runs the gamut of style and price

It was also impressive that Home Depot offers barstools across a wide range of styles and prices. You can get everything from the Miles Counter Chair by Zuo for $1,630 and the Comfy Vintage Adjustable Stool with Swivel by Benjara for $1,609... all the way down to Winsome Wood's Counter Stool for $35. (There's also a little folding stool for just $20, but it's probably not what most shoppers have in mind when buying barstools online.)

Make sure to double-check the return period

You'll need to pay attention to the return policy on the barstools you're considering. Why? Home Depot's general return policy is 90 days, but on some items you'll only get 30 (like on that Borsam barstool we described earlier). You'll find that info near the "Add to Cart” button. Fortunately, most returns can be done in-store or via UPS, and Home Depot doesn't seem to make you pay for the return label they let you print through the website.

Surprisingly good for barstools

Home Depot is like that horse that comes out from behind and surprises everyone with a third-place finish in the big race. Who would have seen that coming? We didn't. But, we're very happy to recommend Home Depot as a store to consider when shopping for barstools: the selection is terrific, delivery and in-store pickup options make your purchase even more convenient, and being able to return your barstools to any Home Depot location could be a money-saver compared with rivals who make you foot the return shipping bill yourself. And, maybe you can check a few more items off your household to-do list while you're putting those barstools in your cart.

Overstock

• Over 3,700 barstools to choose from
• Prices range from $18 to $6,000 (for a set of 4)
• Free standard shipping on all orders
• 30-day return policy
• Optional rewards program
• "A+” rated and accredited by the BBB

Overstock is an online retailer that offers a wide variety of products, including furniture, home decor, bedding, and electronics. They offer a mix of branded items and products from independent sellers, giving customers a range of options to choose from. Overstock has received several awards and accolades for its business practices, including recognition for its commitment to sustainability and for being one of the best places to work in Utah. The company has also been featured in various media outlets, including Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, and USA Today.

Spin to win

Overstock always seems to have some kind of deal running that can save you money. At the time of our most recent shopping trip to the site, there was an extra 15% discount on select counter seats and barstools. There's also the "spin to win” popup that you'll probably spot as you browse the site for a while: you could get discounts ranging from 5-12%, or get $30 off an order of $300+. You're off to a good start already.

Shop here often? Consider Club O

Also, Overstock has a fantastic way to reward its loyal customers through the Club O Gold membership. By paying a small annual fee of $19.95, you'll receive a plethora of benefits that will make every shopping experience much more enjoyable. Not only will you earn reward points of 5% on each purchase, you'll also get access to exclusive sales events and many other exciting perks throughout the year. Additionally, Overstock recognizes the hard work of first responders, active military or veterans, and teachers by giving them a complimentary Club O Gold membership.

Filters are your friend

When you land on the main Counter and Bar Stools page at Overstock, you might notice two things: an inventory of more than 3,700 options to choose from... and some on the list that don't exactly match the idea of a barstool. We spotted footstools, ottomans, and a few other items that were something of a distraction. That's where filters come to the rescue: use those to indicate your desired seat or chair back height, frame materials or finishes, whether or not you want a single barstool or a set, and so on.

Results display missing one thing: other color options

From there, Overstock makes your job easy as you browse the matching results. You'll see the list and current price, a brief description, any available customer reviews, and a heart icon if you want to mark a barstool as a favorite to come back to later. Unfortunately, Overstock doesn't show you if the chair comes in other colors: instead, you'll have to scroll down in the item's description to see if anything comes up in the "Compare Similar Items” section.

Some chairs have ratings, some don't

The inventory in every category at Overstock is always changing, and that's true for barstools as well. You can usually expect everything from inexpensive padded stools for just $18 all the way up to a $6,000 set of four high-end counter stools. Whatever you've got in mind, Overstock probably has something to match it. Although most chairs they carry don't have more than a few dozen shopper reviews, several styles have ratings numbering in the hundreds. For example, the Madison Park Nomad Saddle Counter Stool, with a starting price of $100.79 and available in five different colors, had over 670 ratings averaging almost a perfect five stars.

Enter your zip for delivery timeframe

When you find a barstool you like, you can enter your zip code to get an estimated delivery date. That's also where you can indicate if you'd like to add extra warranty protection on your furniture.

Small improvements to return policy

Overstock has made its return policy a little more customer-friendly since our last review. You still have the same 30-day window from the date you receive your barstools to start the return process, but it no longer states that your items have to be in unopened condition. If you're sending back your chairs because of buyer's remorse (you didn't like the color or they don't fit the way you'd hoped), you're on the hook to pay the shipping fees back to Overstock. Just make sure you get them back to the retailer within 45 days of delivery. Also, returns for any reason might be included in the Club O membership, so check the details on that if you think you might not love your barstools for some reason.

Shoppers don't agree on this store

Feedback for Overstock as a whole is a little mixed. On the one hand, the retailer averages a disappointing 1.3/5-star average on Trustpilot across almost 2,000 reviews. Complaints mainly focused on the customer service aspect of shopping here, especially with respect to product quality and subsequent return hassles. On the other hand, the Better Business Bureau gives Overstock an "A+” rating and accreditation, pointing to the retailer's 100% response rate to all complaints filed there. And, on Google's ratings, the store had a solid 4.3 average at the time of this review, with nearly 85% of shoppers giving Overstock a 4- or 5-star score. While we're not overly concerned about Overstock's reputation, those differences were enough to shift the retailer's position in our rankings a little bit.

Still good but no longer a favorite

We still like Overstock for its selection of barstools, with free shipping on all orders and enough customer information on each chair to make a reasonably-informed decision about how it's going to hold up with day-to-day use. Because this store has had some issues with item quality, it might be worth checking to see if the barstools you like are on offer at an online retailer with a brick-and-mortar presence first - since you might pay a lot to return them to Overstock if you don't like them.

Walmart

• Over 3,600 options for barstools
• Prices range from $19-$300 (set of 2)
• Free shipping on many barstools
• Up to 90 days for returns
• Some returns can be made in-store

Let's face it: if you're shopping for barstools at Walmart, chances are good that you're not exactly looking for the highest-end, trendiest, most luxe furniture on the market. That's good, because you won't find anything priced over $300 (and even that's for a set of two barstools).

Find what you need faster with filters

Be ready to put Walmart's filters to work, so that you don't have to manually browse all 3600+ barstools in the inventory. You can start by clicking on image for the style you want - like bar height, counter height, backless, or swivel, or example - or get even more granular by specifying how fast you want your furniture to arrive, the frame material, the back style, whether or not assembly is required, and so on.

Thousands of reviews on some barstools

As you scroll through your results, you can see at a glance how much you'll pay, what the color options are (if any), and what the customer review average is. While some styles don't have more than a handful, other barstools not only have thousands of shopper reviews but also a really high average. For example, the Modern Velvet Counter Bar Stools are priced from $208.29 to $259.99 for a set of two and average 4.6 out of 5 stars across 1,240+ shopper ratings. Those barstools - and many others in Walmart's inventory - ship for free. Your selected barstools may also come with purchase protection options and/or expert assembly, for an extra fee. You'll see that on each individual product page.

Be aware of third-party sellers and what that means for your purchase

As you're browsing barstools on Walmart's website, you should keep in mind that not all of them will be fulfilled by this big-box retailer itself. Any options that say "Sold & shipped by" someone other than Walmart mean that you'll be dealing with a third-party company to get your stools. That can affect the return policy, so you'll need to read the details in advance to ensure you know who's in charge of shipping your furniture and how they handle any issues after delivery.

Free returns on most items

But don't worry, it's not all bad news. Walmart still offers free returns on most items, so if your barstools end up being a flop, you can send them back at no cost to you. Again, depending on who's doing the selling-and-fulfilling, you could have in-store return options for up to 90 days after your purchase.

Surprisingly good for barstools

In the end, Walmart is a decent place to shop for barstools. They've got a good selection and reasonable prices. Plus, with all their stores around the country, you might be able to pick up (and return) your furniture in person if you want to. Just watch out for those third-party sellers - they're a little like the blind dates of online shopping.

Arhaus

• About 70+ high-end barstool and counter stool designs to choose from
• Prices range from $249 to $1,399
• "A+” rated by the BBB

Arhaus is a home furnishings brand that specializes in unique and high-quality furniture and decor. The company was founded in 1986 in Ohio and has since expanded to over 70 locations across the United States. Arhaus is known for its commitment to sustainable and eco-friendly practices, and many of their products are made with natural and organic materials. They have also been featured in various publications and media outlets, such as Architectural Digest, Elle Decor, and The New York Times.

Upscale furniture

The barstool selection here definitely trends elegant or luxury. You won't find any playroom-friendly metal counter stools or designs that look cheaply-made. In fact, most of the options here have some kind of upholstery, whether that's fabric or even leather. Surprisingly, the prices here aren't as cost-prohibitive as you might imagine: we found some options on clearance for $249 each, and the most expensive options were still under $1,500 apiece.

Counter or bar?

One thing you should know before you get started shopping at Arhaus is that the retailer divides its seating into two separate pages for Barstools and Counter Stools. You'll want to start on the page that corresponds to the type of seating you're looking for. Between the two categories, you'll find just over 70 different styles: that's easy enough to just browse as-is, but using Arhaus' filters can give you a little less to sift through. Material, color, price, height, and width are just a few of the ways you can narrow down the results.

Beautiful design and attention to detail

Is it weird to say that we actually enjoyed reading the product descriptions on Arhaus barstools? Take, for example, the Jordan Swivel: "Built among the Italian countryside, nestled among acres of vineyards in full view of the Eastern Alps, our Jordan Dining Collection is crafted by a family-run workshop that we've partnered with for decades.” Can't you just picture yourself there? It becomes obvious very quickly that these are no mass-produced, quick-assembly chairs.

Shipping gets expensive

That also means you shouldn't come to Arhaus expecting "bargain” anything. That's certainly true for shipping: on that Jordan Swivel, for instance, to get one chair shipped would cost $299 for ground delivery.

Customer service doesn't live up to expectations

It's a shame to report that Arhaus' luxury image doesn't hold up when you look at client feedback. Although the company has an "A+” rating from the Better Business Bureau, for responding to all 250+ complaints that have been filed there, we were troubled by what we read there and elsewhere. When you're spending thousands - or tens of thousands - of dollars on high-end furniture, you expect a high-end experience. Customers received damaged items, orders came with critical pieces missing (like a whole section of a sectional couch), and Arhaus' representatives were so much less than helpful in getting a resolution implemented.

Wish they were better

If you're looking for barstools that are both stylish and environmentally friendly, Arhaus is definitely a brand you'll notice. Unfortunately, the many frustrations expressed by customers who've had a subpar experience with their furniture and service has dropped them in our ratings.

Pottery Barn

• 130+ barstools to choose from
• Prices range from $99 to $1,599
• Delivery fees start at $69
• White glove delivery available for an extra fee
• Free design help via chat or with an appointment
• "A+” rated by the BBB

Pottery Barn offers a range of furniture, decor, and accessories in an aesthetic style that is often described as traditional and classic, with an emphasis on timeless design elements and neutral color palettes. Pottery Barn's furniture pieces are often characterized by clean lines, simple shapes, and understated detailing. They tend to favor classic materials like wood, leather, and natural fibers, and their pieces are often designed to have a traditional quality that can withstand changing trends (but if you're looking at buying barstools from Pottery Barn, you probably know that already - and that's why you're shopping there).

Not the broadest selection of barstools

The selection of barstools at Pottery Barn is not as well-rounded as some of its rivals in our review: just around 130 styles to consider, priced anywhere from $99 to $1,599 per chair. But, most of those styles come in several different color choices, adding to the variety you have to choose from.

Use toggles and sorting to save time

Pay attention to the toggles and sorting options at the top, to make your Pottery Barn shopping experience a little quicker. For example, clicking the "In Stock & Quick Ship” button to "On” will make sure you're not wasting time dreaming of barstools that aren't even available. At the time of our visit, that dropped the selection down to under 100 barstools. You can also click on "Counter Height” or "Bar Height” if you already know what size will fit your needs. Other helpful filters include color, features, sustainability, in-store pickup, and price range.

Customer ratings would be helpful

We appreciate the level of detail contained in each barstool description at Pottery Barn, including a Q&A section from previous shoppers. It's easy to see the exact dimensions of any chair you're considering, how the chairs are constructed, and any applicable care information. The one noticeable feature missing? Customer reviews. PB doesn't show you any feedback from previous purchasers, so you'll have no idea how popular any particular design is (or how well it stands up under normal use).

Free design help available

Want some help deciding which barstools to buy? Pottery Barn offers complimentary design services with their Design Crew. Just click on the "book an appointment button” to schedule a session online, in-store, or even in your home.

Choose between two delivery types

Expect to pay for delivery of your Pottery Barn barstools: no free shipping offers here that we could find, anyway. During checkout, you'll choose between Doorstep and White Glove delivery. The former basically gets your barstools dropped off at the door, and it's up to you to take care of any required assembly as well as packaging disposal. White Glove brings you your furniture by appointment, dropped off in the room of your choice, assembled (when needed) and with the packaging recycled. What will that cost? At least on one chair we looked at, we were quoted $69 for Doorstep and $159 for White Glove; you decide which one is worth it to you.

Top marks from the BBB

Pottery Barn itself has an "A+” rating from the Better Business Bureau, as does its parent company, Williams-Sonoma. That's despite having over 3,500 complaints filed with the BBB over the last three years - which isn't that surprising for a retailer as large as Williams-Sonoma, with so many brands in the family (Pottery Barn, West Elm, Rejuvenation, Mark and Graham, and so on). The company gets high marks from the BBB for responding to 100% of those complaints, too.

Horrible ratings and reviews from customers

However, when you take a peek at what customers say about their experience with Pottery Barn and its merchandise, it's not encouraging. On Trustpilot alone, 92% of the 1,200+ reviews left there are the lowest possible rating of one star. Shoppers describe their purchases as low-quality and the customer service as even worse, especially when it comes to deliveries and returns. It's not uncommon for customers to wait for months for furniture to arrive, and then to only receive a partial order (like a dining room set with only half of the chairs).

Room for improvement

Who should shop at Pottery Barn for their barstools? Probably just the people who already have an affinity for the brand, and maybe they're trying to match what they currently have in their homes. Otherwise, shoppers will find a better selection of barstools with other stores - and not have as much to worry about on the delivery and customer service side of the purchase. Save Pottery Barn as a retailer to come back to if you don't find the barstools you like elsewhere.

At Home

• Just under 100 barstools to choose from
• All barstools priced under $200
• Best Price Promise
• 60-day return policy (90 days for Insider Perks members): free if returning in-store, $9.99 shipping fee when returning by mail

At Home bills itself as the "Home Decor Superstore”, and you may have already shopped at one of their hundreds of brick-and-mortar locations nationwide. The retailer proudly partners with Habitat for Humanity to build affordable housing and stronger, more stable communities.

Not a lot to choose from

You won't find anything too fancy in the barstool inventory of At Home - and you can still only filter your options by material, price range, color, and in-store availability. The most you'll spend on any chair is $199.99, and there are quite a few saddle backless styles for under $60. At Home shows you as you browse what color options are available for each barstool and how many stars it averages from shopper reviews, and you can click the heart to save any you like as a favorite.

Out of luck if you need shipping

Shopping for barstools (or anything else, really) can be frustrating with At Home - because it's so heavily based on whether or not you have a store near you. You have to click through each chair you like and then see if it's available for in-store pickup, local delivery, or standard shipping. (And, of course, you should double-check that the "Your Store” indicated at the top of the page is actually the one you'd want to use.) Most of the barstools we clicked on were shown as only having local availability; not many could be shipped.

Inventory is dropping

And, that doesn't even cover the fact that around a third of the barstools featured on the At Home online store were marked as "out of stock” or "limited stock” during our most recent visit, dropping the available selection to just around 60 styles. That's a significant drop since our previous evaluation of At Home, when the initial selection was closer to 200 barstools.

Best Price Promise is really... a refund policy, nothing more

We're also not overly excited by At Home's "Best Price Promise”: if you find a lower price on your barstool somewhere else, you can return it within 60 days. That doesn't really sound like much of a promise that goes above and beyond the standard return policy: no refund, no price matching, nada. On the other hand, that return policy for At Home is pretty generous. You'll have 60 days - which bumps up to 90 if you're part of the store's Insider Perks program - and it'll be free if you choose to return your barstools to a location near you. Otherwise, you can pay a $9.99 shipping fee and send them back by mail.

Get the perks of being an insider

Speaking of Insider Perks, it's free to join and comes with a 10% off welcome coupon. You'll also get a 15% discount on your birthday, notifications about new items and launches, and exclusive sweepstakes and giveaways. And if your annual spend as a Perks member hits at least $350, you'll get bigger birthday discounts and priority customer care access. We recommend signing up before placing your barstool order.

Mediocre reputation

At Home's overall reputation is somewhat "meh” too. While the company has responded to 97% of the complaints filed with the BBB (about 125 over the last three years), it still has a not-so-stunning "B-” average there. It's worth noting that quite a few of those complaints are related to online orders, not just issues with in-store employees or purchases. One pointed out that there's no customer service phone number on the At Home site; when you have a problem, you're stuck waiting for a reply to an email.

Still ranks low

Although we were optimistic that At Home would have made some improvements since our last review, that's just not the case. Their selection of barstools is about half of what it was several years ago, many models can't be ordered online for delivery, and customers who don't live near an At Home retail location are at a big disadvantage. Between that and the lack of attention to customer service, there's no reason to move this store up in our rankings among online stores offering barstools.

Frontgate

• About 35 barstools to choose from
• Prices range from $349-$999
• Free shipping on all barstools during promo
• "A+” rated and accredited by the BBB
• 90-day return policy

Frontgate has been in the home decor industry for over 30 years. From rugs and pillows to lighting and decor, this store has something to offer for every area of your home - indoors and out.

Only a few dozen barstools

Because Frontgate has been around so long and specializes in home furnishings, it was a surprise to find only three dozen barstools on offer at their online store. Maybe you'd find more if you visited one of their in-person shops (mostly located in Georgia) but we doubt it. Of those options, almost every single one was designated as "limited time only” or "clearance”, so be aware that you might not be able to go back for more if you don't order as many barstools as you need the first time.

Website is easy to shop

This online retailer makes it pretty smooth to find any seating that matches what you need. We recommend first toggling the "in stock” button (it's no fun looking at things you can't have, after all) and then using the remaining filters to zero in on the chairs that are the appropriate height, have the frame finish or materials you've got in mind, or even any features on your must-have list (like swivel or low back). Be sure to click the "show more” on any set of filters if you need more options - but remember that you're only choosing among 35+ barstool styles and could probably just browse them all for grins and giggles.

Plenty to see in the product descriptions

As you scroll through the barstools on Frontgate, it's really straightforward to see all of the color options available for each design, as well as the pricing. Options here range from $349-$999 per chair. When you click on any barstool you like, you'll also see which style/height options are offered for that design. When you select that, you'll then be able to choose the color. Each barstool's description is detailed, and don't forget to scroll down to the bottom to read shopper reviews on the design. Some barstools don't have more than one or two, while others have hundreds - and we're pleased to see that Frontgate doesn't filter out the lower ratings and comments.

Save by subscribing to the newsletter

Want to save a little? If you sign up for the Frontgate newsletter, you'll get a code via email to save 20% on your purchase. Just watch for the pop-up when you visit the site. Also, at the time of our most recent visit to Frontgate, all barstools shipped for free.

90-day return policy

Frontgate gives you 90 days to make a return on your barstools. If you happen to live near one of their brick-and-mortar locations, you might be able to take them back there. Otherwise, expect to be on the hook for the return shipping costs - and be aware that your refund won't include anything you paid for the delivery already. At the time of this review, all barstools came with free shipping; in that case, your refund would have the value of that delivery subtracted.

So many complaints

So far, so good - but what about reputation? We have a hard time understanding why Frontgate has an "A+” rating and accreditation from the Better Business Bureau when the retailer's feedback elsewhere is so disappointing. We found multiple comments from customers within just a few weeks of this evaluation saying that the entire experience was bad from start to finish.

Diving into the details

How do you feel about paying $124 in shipping to return a cushion that only weighs three pounds? That happened to one shopper. Another person placed an order for over $10,000 in merchandise that was supposed to ship in early December; as of early February, the order hadn't been sent and the customer couldn't reach anyone at Frontgate to get an update or to cancel the purchase. "Bait and switch”, "scam”, and "beware” are just a few of the words that jumped out at us when reading through customer feedback for Frontgate.

Try a different store for barstools

Although they score an "A+” from the BBB, that's not nearly enough to compel any savvy shopper to spend money here. Especially with such a small selection of barstools to begin with. Good thing there are plenty of other retailers who will deliver everything you could possibly need for your counter or bar seating - and you'll find those stores much higher on our list.

Barstool Direct

• Free shipping on everything
• 30-day returns with no restocking fees
• "Price Beat” Guarantee

The best way to describe the experience when shopping at Barstool Direct is this: "Just when you think it can't get any worse... it does.” We've evaluated this retailer several times over the years, hoping to see some improvements - because, really, with a name like "Barstool Direct”, you would think it would offer a superlative selection at the very least, and maybe even excellent service with a strong focus on this particular type of furniture. Unfortunately, that's not even remotely the case.

Your order will likely come from overseas

When you first land on the site, it already starts out a little sketchy: you see at the very top that you'll get free shipping on everything... buuuuut, you should also expect a "potential port container delay”. That's your first clue that anything you order is not coming from a warehouse in the US or Canada. Barstool Direct is a subsidiary of Peazz, whose stores also include Home Goods Center, TSC (Home, Toys, Pets), the intriguingly-named Puppet Hut, and more - and from what we can tell, all of those companies ship their products from China.

Lots of "sold out” items

Your next clue will be when you scroll down to see some of the featured barstool selections and see that almost half of them are already designated as "sold out”. That tracks with what we've found each time we've tried to shop using the Barstool Direct site. You might have better luck if you use the dropdowns at the top of the site to shop by counter or bar heights or by material/design (wooden, metal, backless).

Some high-end barstools on offer

Just for fun, we clicked on the "Over $400” category to see what Barstool Direct carries. Most items were - you guessed it - sold out, or they consisted of an entire table-and-chairs set. But, in the Counter Stools section, we did spot the Zuo Modern Latte Bar Chair in bright orange and chrome: a set of two was priced at $878.75, a 17% discount from the advertised retail price of $1,054.50. And, in the Bar Stools section, there were several Stone County Ironworks designs for over $1000 each, all with more than 10 chairs available in the inventory.

Information is hit-or-miss

So, let's say you find something on Barstool Direct that is exactly what you have in mind, and you're lucky enough that it's in stock. What can you expect next? There's a decent amount of information on most product pages: multiple views of the barstools, dimensions and weight, and so on. You might get a laugh out of the site's "Frequently Bought Together” recommendations: somehow, we don't think people are exactly stocking up on barstools and buying stainless steel counter chairs along with wood swivel stools and walnut-toned bar chairs, but okay. And, in theory, customers can leave reviews or put something in the Q&A, but we didn't see any barstools that had either of those.

Orders may never arrive

Now the "fun” part: each piece of furniture has an estimated arrival date, and on many of the barstools we checked out, we were told we could get them within two weeks. Fantastic! However, in reality, Barstool Direct has a beyond-bad reputation when it comes to delivering customer orders. It's so bad, in fact, that the Better Business Bureau gives Peazz (the parent company) an "F” rating, issuing alerts for both the retailer's licensing (or lack thereof) and "patterns of complaint” among the 80+ filed there in the last three years. Here's what the BBB says: "Customers have made a purchase and never received the items ordered... and are also experiencing communication issues with the company.” Those issues include Peazz' failure to respond to refund requests for those undelivered items - and they haven't responded to the BBB's requests for follow-ups on complaints either.

Avoid this store

Barstool Direct talks a good game, with a "Price Beat Guarantee” and supposedly a 30-day return policy with no restocking fees, on top of free shipping on all orders. Sadly, "talk” is all that is when the retailer goes completely silent as orders go undelivered and customers can't get their money back without filing a credit card dispute. No thank you! We can't think of a single reason why you'd want to spend your time or risk your money here.