Tramontina, have had a set for a couple years now and can't recommend it enough.

Seriouseats did a pretty thorough comparison of them to All-Clad a couple years ago.

http://www.seriouseats.com/2010/08/equipment-the-all-clad-vs-tramontina-skillet.html

I used Cookware & More to build my All-Clad collection over several years. The pieces are seconds but the defects are cosmetic and very minor. The cookware is as wonderful as advertised.

Well, the first thing you can do is "downgrade" to the plain old Stainless All-clad, and save several hundred dollars. I'm not convinced the copper core really improves cooking performance much. The plain stainless All-clad is awesome. It's still expensive of course, but quite a bit less than the copper.

In doing research for my wedding registry I came upon American Kitchen, which has a similar construction to All-Clad and is much, much cheaper. Plus it's made in the US, which your mom might really appreciate! I haven't used them yet since my family feels you shouldn't use gifts before the wedding, but it seemed like enough of a viable option to me to register for several, so there you go.

All-Clad is great but why does she need the copper core? The D5 is quite a bit cheaper and cooks like a champ. It has five layers, three stainless steel and two aluminum. Copper does conduct better than aluminum but really isn't necessary for even cooking.

I will second Kevin's recommendation for the Tramonita. $240 for a 10 piece set, or $149 for an 8 piece (that includes smaller saucepans) from the big-box store with a W. I picked up the 10 piece set before moving over a year ago, $200 around the Christmas season. I couldnt be happier with its performance, or the price. From there you can add the dutch oven, a couple non-stick pans, casserole dishes, and still come in WAY below the All-Clad, while getting cookware that is 9/10 as good and a small fraction of the price. Your mother wouldn't be disappointed.

I would just buy a few of the stainless steel pieces and a Copper Core sauce pan if she melts sugar or chocolate, or makes delicate sauces. She really doesn't need copper pans for every task.

I agree with the suggestions about Cookware & More, as well as the 'copper core' being unnecessary. The D5 works terrific. My only other piece of advice would be to not choose alternate brands or pans. If it turns out the quality of these other pans is not what your mom wanted after a year or two of using, then she'll only end up dishing out more money for the good stuff. Best choice is to get her what she wants now (which she has probably researched & chosen for a reason), even if that might mean not the complete set.

All-Clad is now made entirely in the USA too. Anyway, if she must absolutely have the copper core, I'd recommend going with a different cookware line. If the copper core is not essential, get the regular one with aluminum core. C&B sells the 14 piece set for just under $1,200. All-Clad is known for their great quality, so I think that their regular aluminum core will perform just as good as their copper core. I have one Le Creuset tri-ply pan, very similar construction to an All-Clad, and wow, it's like a magical tool.

I don't recommend buying the pieces individually. You'll end up paying more for them in the long run than buying a set.

The Cuisinart Multiclad Pro line is fantastic! I had lusted over all clad for a while, but I began to read reviews all around Amazon and these consistently receive rave reviews. I have been buying pieces over the past few months to upgrade my older cookware and I can not be any more satisfied. Beautiful pieces of cookware that cook beautifully every single time and clean up like a dream. Rolled corners for pouring, beautiful tight fitting lids and incredibly even and quick cooking. I have cooked with All Clad and after using the Cuisinart line for a few months, I think people are paying for the name. Yes they are tempting and gorgeous pieces of metal, but go into the finest restaurant in the world and they will have cheap restaurant-supply-store stainless steel pans, which should tell you something. Don't let the price fool you, these pieces are wonderful.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_15?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=cuisinart+multiclad+pro&sprefix=cuisinart+multi%2Caps%2C189

We got a set from Costco (Kirkland brand) for our wedding in October and LOVE them. I've never cooked with All-Clad, so I can't compare, but we love these pots and they have a copper bonded 5ply base. They are also very pretty:
http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11631728

It can be satisfying to have a matching set, but it might not be the most functional solution. A set could include a pan she doesn't care for, or something she won't use much. I'd recommend looking at your mum's cooking habits and buying several nice pieces based on that.

For instance, I couldn't live without my cast iron skillet, my factory-second Le Creuset dutch oven, and my 2.25-quart Farberware saucepan. One of my other favorites is a tiny Betty Crocker brand pot that I use when I'm melting butter or making a little roux. (Who even knew Betty Crocker ever made cookware?) Sure, it's a motley crew of pots, but each one is great at its job.

She's your mom, she wants a specific brand and type of cookware. I say honor her request with multiple purchases. How many times have you asked your mom for something and she got it for you even though she thought otherwise?

HURRY! Macy's has friends and family discount until sunday (04.30). 25% off including ALL CLAD. This is the only time that a discount can be used for ALL CLAD items in the store. You can also get the discount online......

TRAMONTINA! I don't have the full set, but the 10" skillet and 3 qt. saucepan with lid have been very good to me. I think I paid $60-65 for the two pieces... and Walmart accidentally sent me a second skillet, which I gave to a friend. Win.

If you have access to a Williams-Sonoma outlet, it's well-worth routine checks there- they have discontinued shapes and sizes that aren't necessarily seconds, but you really have to go more than once to snag the great deals, since it's a hit or miss proposition. I've gotten quite a few swanky All-Clad and Le Creuset pieces there for well under $100 each.

Rumor has it: The Costco Kirkland brand of 18/10 stainless steel pots and pans are made by the same OEM as All-Clad stuff. I have an extensive set of All Clad pots and pans and I'm inclined to believe it. Granted it's definitely not the same as the D5 series, but it's very well constructed and performs just as well. At $190 for a 13-piece set, it's a really great value.

Go with Tramontina. And really, I doubt she needs the copper core.

I am very impressed with my cuisanart pans but if your mom specified what she wanted it is probably better to get her exactly what she wants even if it takes a couple years of christmas/birthdays.

While I've never used it, people always talk about Tramontina being a fantastic set of cookware. I don't recommend sets of cookware because inevitably you end up with stuff you don't want/need. Buy the best pieces for the purpose you need and if you treat it well you shouldn't have to replace it. I have saved up money on a number of occasions and have waited for sales so I can buy a single pot/pan...and I value each piece of Viking, Emile Henry, and Le Creuset I have.

Like Rex S we have the Cuisinart and it is terrific. We got a basic set that included all pans we would use on sale a few years ago and have added a few other pieces since. Heavy duty, well constructed, cleans up beautifully--I don't think we will ever need new pots or pans again.

Nobody needs a whole set of All-Clad. Just like knives, it's ok to mix and match brands and get a few key quality pieces. For example, I don't use All-Clad for non-stick even though they make it. For my stock pot (which is really only used to boil water for pasta), I just use a cheap one from IKEA. But for saute pans, pans that can really get that crust on scallops, I use All-Clad. And for those times, I get seconds from Cookware N More. I've bought a handful of items from them and cannot tell what the "defects" are or why they are labeled seconds. They look 100% perfect to me.

I 3rd or 4th Tramontina.

Hmmm! I hope you don't just give her a gift of something other than what she's specifically asked for without discussing this with her. Seems unwise.

What's going to be more awkward..... watching her open a gift that is not exactly what she asked for, or seeing your gift go unused because it's not what she wanted? Yes, the All-Clad is expensive, but if it's what she wants, try buying her a piece or two to start with. The All-Clad is amazing but an investment. Start small. I personally would shy away from buying an entire set of cookware, as I feel half of it is under-used (my own experience). And I too have heard good things about Cookware and More.

You really don't need 8 pans plus lids. I have survived 20 years of marriage and good cooking with owning 3 key All-Clad pans, which I purchased individually (one I bought at Home Goods cause it may have a defect, which I can't find).

The 12" covered skillet, best investment, sautees beautifully, never gets hot on the handles and cleans up like a dream.....and yes, the copper core makes a BIG difference in heating and cooking.

You don't need an AllClad for boiling pasta water or making eggs, so just buy 3 pieces for you collection. I also have a 9 qt Le Creuset Dutch Oven which is amazing.

Good cookware and knives make all the difference......splurge on one piece at a time.
Just sayin'.....

Definitely buy one piece at a time - and if you have any siblings, see if they want to go in on the gift with you. My brother and I jointly purchase gifts for Mom or Dad all the time.

I am a personal chef and have been using the copper core All Clad at work for years. I bought myself the (MUCH less expensive) Emeril line of copper core cookware and can't tell a difference...

I second the Emeril line. It's made by all clad, still has the copper core, and is WAY less expensive.

I want to 2nd (or 3rd, 4th) the Cuisinart recommendation. Got a full set for like $150 off Amazon and absolutely love it. Great pans, great sizes, great tight fitting lids, couldn't be happier!

We only have two All-Clad pans (10" and 12" skillets), but oh my, they clean up like a dream. So worth it. I agree that you don't need an All-Clad stockpot (we have a Better Homes and Gardens one that is amazing) or an All-Clad dutch oven (we have the Le Creuset). The only other All-Clads I want are a 5-quart saucepan and a saucier.

If you live near western PA, All-Clad has a factory sale 2x a year. Once in June (I believe) and another one in early December. The discounts are nuts. I got 60% off on a 14" skillet because it had a ding in the handle. And a copper core pot, which I do definitely recommend for chocolate and cream things. Cooks Illustrated did a head to head a few years ago on All-Clad vs. Tramontina and said that All-Clad was better, but for the price, Tramontina was the next best thing.

I work five minutes from cookware and more. They are great! Twice a year they have sales for an additional 20% off their already discounted prices. They also give 20% if you buy four pieces at any time. I have several pieces from there and quality is excellent. I think the stainless is just fine. I would also advise against a set. We got a set when we got married and have since replaced too small and unused pieces with stuff from cookware and more. My most used pieces are 10 and 12 inch skillets and 4 quart saucepan. I use a 2 quart frequently as well. A stockpot is nice but that's an area where you can save. I use my le crueset Dutch oven for making sauce and braises. Good luck

Often you can find discounted All-Clad pieces at Home Goods etc. Bed, Bath and Beyond has specially priced individual pieces sometimes and so does William-Sonoma.

Dont settle for emeril. There is a reason why his line is so much cheaper (and that is after his royalties). Yes, its made by all-clad, but the construction is not the same. Only the bottom of the pans/pots are multi-ply, like all-clad, while the sides are not.

If you never used all-clad, Tramonita might seem great. We have been using All-Clad for a long time. Couple of years ago, we found a nice-looking Tramonita frying pan for $25. It looked similar to all-clad, so why not try it? Well, it is not all-clad and not even close in performance: food sticks to it badly and it is very difficult to clean. Back to old and trusty all-clad.
And btw, professional kitchens all use All-Clad. You do get what you pay for.

Man, I found a lots of alternative here:
www.allcookwarefind.com/Stainless-Steel.

I personally love Cuisinart Multiclad pro and Calphalon contemporary. They're both try-ply 18/10 stainless. The price is more attractive, though.

America's Test Kitchen gave an amazing rating to Tramontina's Tri-ply clad stainless steel set available @ Walmart. Since Allclad was not price option for me, forking the cash over to Walmart for the Tramontina set was a pleasure. It is amazing set. I highly recommemd it. It use it everyday with a smile on my face :)

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Tramontina-8-Piece-18-10-Stainless-Steel-Tri-Ply-Clad-Cookware-Set/19581112?findingMethod=rr

There is actually a cheaper alternative then All-Clad. I have been researched and designed a new line of cookware Engel-Riviere which features All-Ply™ technology and consists of a copper core as well the best thing about it thou is the unique features it consists of from each cookware being individually serialized to the handles featuring hollow handles and full stainless steel rivets an industry first. I could keep on going but you can check out Engel-Riviere.com for more info or feel free to ask myself as I am here to help.