The Smithsonian Online Store sells collectible items, jewelry, decorative pieces, and merchandise inspired by Smithsonian collections and exhibits. This page provides aggregated shopper reviews and ratings to help you understand what customers experienced when ordering from the store, including feedback on product quality, shipping, customer service, and selection.
The Smithsonian Online Store Reviews
2.3
4 reviews
What Shoppers Say About The Smithsonian Online Store
Created with AI, based on recent reviews
The Smithsonian Online Store has earned a 2.3 out of 5 rating from 4 shoppers. Reviewers consistently praise the quality of the products themselves, noting that items are nice and well-made. However, the store faces significant challenges with fulfillment, customer service, and product selection. Multiple shoppers reported damaged items upon arrival, quality issues that emerged shortly after purchase, and lengthy replacement processes. One customer experienced order cancellation without adequate explanation, while another dealt with a defective pin that snapped and faced an inconvenient return requirement.
A recurring complaint among reviewers is the limited inventory and product variety available at the store. Shoppers would like to see expanded selection to match other retailers. The combination of quality product design paired with fulfillment problems and a narrow product range creates a mixed experience that leaves many customers frustrated despite appreciating what the store does offer.
Customer Reviews (4)
Sorted by: Most recentMarcus T.Oct 3, 2025
Terrible Experience Ordering to Canada - Watch Out! My whole situation went downhill fast. On September 29th, 2025, I placed an order for three items: a Murano Glass Decanter, a Baroque Pearl Necklace, and some Porcelain Pierced Gold Plated Earrings. By October 3rd at 5:05 am, I got an email saying the order was cancelled. When I called to find out why, I spoke with someone who told me they'd tried reaching me about my shipping address. I never got any calls. She then asked for my credit card details to fix things, and I provided them along with a request for email confirmations on future calls so I wouldn't miss anything. She said okay. Thirty minutes later, another cancellation email arrived. I called back a second time and got through to a more helpful representative who actually dug into what happened. Turns out they wanted to charge an extra $13.00 for shipping the decanter and cancelled because I didn't approve the increase. This whole mess was frustrating and poorly handled.
Sandra R.Dec 10, 2024
Ordered 3 Pins and Had Major Quality Issues I bought three pins and right out of the box, one showed up damaged without its clasp. They sent a replacement (the owl design) after I sent photos of the damage. Now today the second pin (penguin) just snapped. I called them up and they said I'd have to mail it back. There's no way I'm waiting around at the post office to return a broken pin. I'm done shopping with this store.
Rachel K.Jun 2, 2023
Good Quality Items, But Inventory Feels Limited The stuff they sell is actually pretty nice, but honestly the variety just isn't there. Wish they had more options to choose from.
The Smithsonian Online Store Review FAQ
How is The Smithsonian Online Store's rating calculated?
The 2.3 out of 5 rating is based on 4 customer reviews. The current distribution shows that 50 percent of reviewers gave one star, 25 percent gave three stars, and 25 percent gave four stars. This relatively low average reflects serious concerns about order fulfillment and product durability, despite positive feedback about quality.
What do shoppers like about The Smithsonian Online Store?
Reviewers consistently mention that the products themselves are of good quality and well-designed. Items such as jewelry, pins, and decorative pieces are described as nice and well-made, suggesting the store's product design and sourcing standards are sound.
What are the main complaints about The Smithsonian Online Store?
The most serious issues involve order fulfillment and durability. Shoppers reported receiving damaged items, having orders cancelled without clear explanation, and experiencing quality problems shortly after purchase. Additionally, multiple reviewers noted that products broke or failed within a short time frame, and the replacement process is inconvenient and time-consuming.
Is the product selection adequate?
Multiple reviewers expressed disappointment with the limited inventory and variety available. Shoppers want to see a larger product lineup and more options compared to competitors, suggesting the current selection is too narrow.
Would shoppers recommend The Smithsonian Online Store?
Based on the low overall rating, most reviewers would likely not recommend the store at this time. While the quality of products is appreciated, the combination of fulfillment issues, durability concerns, and limited selection outweighs the positives for the majority of customers who have reviewed the store.