Stokes - Reviews and experiences

By the time I opened the boxes, both the dinnerware and glass sets had pieces shattered inside. I emailed customer service that same day since the nearest store is an hour away, hoping they’d send a return label or at least explain the exchange process. Nothing came back. I tried again a week later, still no reply. Pretty disappointing, especially for a Canadian company. Now I’m likely driving in for a refund, which really wasn’t the plan.

it felt way too light, and there were several empty boxes but no appliance. The shipping weight backed that up. I emailed support that day. Three weeks later, still nothing. Maybe it works for others, but this was pretty frustrating.

I’d had a nagging feeling before ordering, mostly because the return policy seemed vague, and that turned out to matter. Once the item arrived, I started the return process right away. They sent a return number, but no address or shipping details. Using the invoice address got the parcel sent back because the location was closed. The odd part was getting a refund figure for the item while still covering my own postage. I emailed twice and heard nothing. So, yes, the initial doubt stuck around.

I was bracing for a hassle after reading a few mixed comments, especially since I needed these plates for weekday dinners and the occasional family brunch. Turns out the order showed up sooner than expected, packed properly, and nothing was chipped. I had one small question about tracking, and customer service got back to me the same day with a useful answer, not a canned reply. Price felt fair too. Honestly, I’d order again.

I got an email from someone claiming to be a recruiter for Stokesstores Inc and it felt off right away. They wanted a text-only interview on the Teams app, then said I'd have to work from a cybercafé or the library for two weeks before any equipment would arrive — I don't have a computer, so that's not realistic. They expected unpaid training too; when I said I'd need pay for that time they just stopped replying, which was annoying but probably for the best. I've had decent remote interviews elsewhere, so watch for this pattern.

contact the manufacturer. Fair enough, but the in-store guy’s follow-up — something about "plenty of breakfast options" — felt dismissive. I was sceptical the company would care, but the manufacturer’s support set up a replacement and courier pick-up within a week. Delivery was quick, so I ended up satisfied despite the awkward store visit.

looked good online, felt hopeful. Then I found multiple plates smashed. I tried chat, called the nearest store (which, surprise, was in another province), and both directed me to send an email and wait for a ticket. Got the automated “24–48 hours” reply, and nothing showed up after 48. Frustrating, felt stuck with broken dishes. I kept at it though, sent another message, and finally a rep actually answered and offered a refund and a prepaid return. That moment — when the email said the refund was processed and pickup arranged — I felt relieved, honestly a bit pleased. Not perfect service and delivery was a mess, but at least it ended without me having to drive to Quebec. Small win.

their warranty isn't reliable — I wouldn't bet on getting parts. Bought a Remy Olivier pot last September and in June the glass lid cracked on its own. It supposedly had a 25‑year warranty, but the store just told me to contact the manufacturer. The Remy Olivier website was dead, so I emailed Stokes in early July expecting a 48‑hour reply; it took four weeks and their answer was "we don't have the part." The item is still sold at Stokes but they won't honour warranty. I've had better luck with other brands, so yeah, disappointing but at least no one was hurt and it still cooks fine.

I nearly wrote the order off. I saw the sale on Instagram and a friend had raved about martini glasses, so I grabbed the Black Friday deal. I ordered pasta dishes, martini glasses and soda dispenser. Shipping dragged on over two weeks. When it arrived some boxes were crushed. A few dishes were smashed and a couple of glasses were chipped. At first I couldn't reach anyone by phone and their email wouldn't accept my photos no matter how I compressed them. Super frustrating. After a couple of follow-ups someone finally replied and they arranged replacements plus a partial refund. The second delivery arrived intact. I knew I was happy when I set a new glass on counter and it sat perfectly — no chips, no wobble. Not perfect overall. The delay and photo trouble were annoying. But the resolution worked and that mattered. I like to support Canadian businesses and this one came through.

I bought two kitchen items for my 94-year-old mother and it went downhill fast. The cast-iron pan with a white interior stained on the second use — just heating some walnuts left a mark that would not come off no matter what I tried. The blender was even worse; it only worked if you tightened the base so much you’d think you’d break it. Took a long time to figure that out. I brought both back to the Kingston store hoping for a simple exchange or refund. The staff were polite but wouldn't accept either item because they had been used. Joan and John stuck to the rule and didn’t offer much wiggle room. I understand policies, but this felt like being denied for a product fault, not normal wear. I’ve had better return experiences at Canadian Tire and Costco, which made this stand out even more. I’m annoyed, a bit disappointed, and now I’ll probably shop elsewhere for simple kitchen stuff. The store itself was neat and the people weren’t rude, so it’s more about the inflexibility than attitude.

call ahead before you go, or be ready to walk away. I was annoyed enough I won't rush back, though I hope they sort the communication mess — could be so much better.