Fine china service at Gump’s in San Francisco
Gump’s: An amazing shopping experience – Travel Photo Mondays
It’s not too often that you will hear about amazing sales at this iconic and luxury San Francisco landmark that typically doesn’t offer its remarkable goods at bargain prices. But for the January time frame when the store is clearing out all the Christmas items and last years merchandise and other not so popular inventory for sale, the place becomes a mad house. Even so, I love to visit the store just to enjoy the space, outrageous bric-a-brac and the luxury vibe of the place.
Me, I really didn’t need another Christmas tree decoration or some expensive bric-a-brac, but I did want to find something simple, unique – a tea-pot that has lacked from my china cabinet. What a perfect time to find a deal when their housewares items are also for sale at the same time.
Giant Buddha at Gump’s in San Francisco
Let me take you on a quick tour of this jewelry box of a store, if you have never been to Gump’s before:
Gump’s exterior at San Francisco
Looking below to Gump’s main level
Giant lanterns at Gump’s in San Francisco
Christmas bargains – a deal or not?
Under $25 items at Gump’s in San Francisco
Christmas sale on the bottom level
Christmas sale at Gumps in San Francisco
Housewares and furnishings upstairs
Dining vignette at Gump’s in San Francisco
A tea service – Gump’s in San Francisco
Teapot shopping
So I mentioned that I was in need of a tea-pot, something simple and fairly basic and I knew that Gump’s also sells their own branded products at decent prices and hopefully for a better price at this event. But I didn’t find any basic tea pots, instead I was drawn to this lovely pot in the bargain table that I picked right away thinking I scored the most amazing find of the century.
Tea pot on the bargain bin at Gump’s in San Francisco
What do you think a real stunner right and guess what? It’s on sale at 50% off today and a limited edition hand-crafted Meissen porcelain pot selling for the bargain price of $3,995. That’s right – the retail price of this sweet little pot was actually $8,000….yikes! No wonder this little darling pot has sat all on its lonesome, let alone the bargain table bin for the savvy shopper. Sigh, I had to gently place it back on the same table.
14k gold teapot at Gump’s in San Francisco
Well, further down, I did find another beauty that the sales associate told me was a better price and 14 carat gold facing. It was simple and graphic, not as pretty as the goldfish teapot, but I was looking for a real deal and something to showcase a nice tea experience. Okay, I’m game so I turn over the pot to check out the deal – $1,050, what do you think is it a bargain for this beauty?
Creamer and suger service, Gumps in San Francisco
Okay, a tea-pot is definitely out of the question so I’m thinking about scaling down to an affordable creamer and sugar set, these two are priced to sell at $35o each, ah gulp no thank you.
Fine ceramics and bric a brac, Gump’s in San Francisco
Those looking to fill up their empty cabinets and bric-a-brac shelves will find a plethora of ceramic and other gilt beauties to gawk at in the collectibles department. Average prices range from $1,000 to 5,000 for items in this display case, see any worth bringing home?
Exquisite china for sale at Gump’s in San Francisco
Okay, I must admit even though some of the stunning collectibles and one of a kind pieces were not in my exact spending price range, I really enjoyed looking at them and seeing the excellent craftsmanship and details. The store was fun to explore with all the beautiful eye candy and well edited vignettes. If you are in San Francisco for a visit, check out Gump’s on Union Square, just for the fun of experiencing a truly unique San Francisco experience.
Thanks for visiting today’s post on the Gump’s shopping experience, hope you enjoyed the visit. Please do click on the other links below to bloggers participating for Travel Photo Mondays link up.
I wanted to visit this place because I’m in love with pottery.
Many beautiful pictures and also super interesting items. I know it’s not easy to resist the temptation to buy what we like. I understand this very well, because anyone loses his self-control during these times that are not easy!
Love this place…
oh I love these tea pots and other beautiful items.
And a beautiful huge statue of Buddha!
This time I am too late to add a link,but still want to join with linking a post…. 🙂
Thanks for the opportunity to window shop from the comfort of home—or, actually, from the comfort of an Amtrak train.
Oh, you’ve brought back memories. My sister used to work in the china and glassware department there. Of course I’d visit her in San Francisco every chance I could get to escape college and cold in Minnesota!
Beautiful tour of this SF icon. Your photos make me feel like I am right there with you.
Oh, the days when the Gump’s Christmas Catalog appeared in the mailbox. What a store! Never lived in NoCal for real, but the various thrills ordering by phone (pre-online days) from Gump’s made me feel as though I might be worthy. Amazing treasures, nothing compares.
Got to say, my first thought was run Forrest, run, but wow, what a store. Almost like a museum.
That looks like an amazing store! Though I have to confess I didn’t see a single item which would catch my interest. Maybe this is once again proof that Europeans have a different taste to Americans. Never mind, otherwise there wouldn’t be variety 😉
Good luck finding your tea pot. 😉
I have been to Gump’s before but never for the Christmas sale. I enjoyed going along with your on your tour and would like to have that big Buddha but am not sure where I would put it.
Gumps looks like a treasure trove of goodies. I love those teapots!
Gump’s is so famous, but I’ve never been and didn’t realized how big it was before. Thanks for the tour.
I had never heard of Gump’s before now, what a beautiful shop!
Too funny! I thought you had really scored until you got to the price of that first teapot – wow! I guess “bargain” is all relative. Thanks for leetting us join you on your shopping trip!
(I still can’t access the most recent travel photo monday except through the link you’ve put on G+ and other sites. Not sure if it is a cookie/cache problem with my computer, but it is strange.)
I can understand why you fell in love with that little teapot but … This looks like the kind of place that, if you have to ask the price, costs W-A-Y too much!
Looks like a great place for shopping! Loved the ceramic figures.
wow so many interesting items!!
I would have a hard time resist buying these
I collect Chinese and Japanese antique porcelain. That must be the Good Stuff because I think the MOST money I’ve ever paid for anything … and these were authenticated, official antiques of considerable antiquity from China and Tibet, was about $500. But I know that people who have the means and want perfection often pay more for a teapot or vase than I pay for a car. I guess they don’t live on social security and pension.
Oh, too tempting – I love tea pots!… and spending money…
wow! feels a bit like Harrods in London, which we visited about 10 years ago. I loved that tea service in your first shot. Just wandering around these stores is a travel experience. Have a great week and thank you for hosting.
Beautiful photos and interesting items.
Actually, it’s not easy to resist the temptation of shopping. I understand you quite well.
I would have lost my self-control too!