As I mentioned here not long ago, I recently got married. My mother threw me a shower. (Strictly speaking, a family member is not supposed to make a shower, but my mother is such a great party giver, and was so into the idea, we did it anyway.)

I registered at two stores. One: Bed, Bath & Beyond. The other, we'll call Reese Stores.

I was, of course, unfamiliar with the process of bridal registration. When I entered BB&B, I found myself immediately overwhelmed and confused. Floor-to-ceiling merchandise displays and pounding Muzak will do that. However, a terrific employee named Don soon came to my rescue and helped me find the items on my list.

Don pointed out the features of some of the better-made (that is, costly) things, but took care to listen to my wants, as well. If I expressed interest in a lower-priced item, he acknowledged its quality, as well, instead of trying to make me feel insignificant.

It was lunch time, but, when I mentioned this, Don told me he was fine. He gave me all the time I needed. (Of course, I emailed the store a note of thanks.)

Nor was Don unique among employees of this store. One of my shower guests said she'd had a happier shopping experience at Bed, Bath & Beyond than she had at Tiffany's! (She, too, made a point of telling company management.) I would hear this many times from many guests.

Now. Let's talk about Reese Stores. Not quite as happy an experience.

When I got there (after receiving dubious directions), I found the place under construction. That was all right. It would be mean, indeed, not to overlook a thing or two like that.

However, I found Reese's bridal registry a mighty different matter. Where Don had created my registry page, helped me come up with an easy-to-remember password and followed me with the tagging gun, Reese pointed toward a computer and handed me the gun. Big deal.

I dislike touching public computers. Ditto tagging guns. Although the staff clearly tried to be accommodating, creating the registry on the spot proved impossible. I spent nearly an hour trying to do so. I ended up spending almost as much time on the phone with the company from home. Eventually, the registry was created. But I had to start from scratch choosing items to include.

Over several days, if not weeks, I'd end up on "hold" for long periods, frustrated. Worse, one of my guests reported that she tried to buy several gifts from them online, and, finding each one out of stock, telephoned--only to receive such rude treatment that she hung up in tears. Imagine.

See if you can guess how many items I received from Reese Stores? Two. From Bed, Bath & Beyond? Nearly every one I requested. What do you think of that?

What a win-win registries can be: The honoree receives presents she truly wants. Guests know the gifts they give will be appreciated for more than the thoughts behind them. And stores make out like bandits.

I chose both establishments for the merchandise they carry. Reese stocks an astonishing array: washing machines and garbage disposal units beneath the same roof with curtains, rugs, mattresses and box springs. But I wonder how long this venerable store will be able to compete.