I'm in Wyoming, I need new boots and my hotel is next to Boot Barn... well the natural thing to do would be go to the barn and saddle up to some new boots (like my livestock reference?).
Boot Barn had lots and lots of merchandise to choose from. They had all sorts of boots to try on from a number of different brands. I just wanted some fairly normal brown boots with a larger heel, which I'm sure there's a very technical cowboy term for. Great, lots of boots to choose from... as long as you wear a full size. I ended up fitting into an 11.5 not a 12 or 11 which they have tons of. They seemed to have very few half sizes in any of the potential half sizes. Also, what they have out is what they have. I was told they can order and ship to you anything they don't have at no additional cost to you. For an instant gratification person like me that's very tough.
My biggest disappointment with the experience was the general lack of customer service with a smile I received from anyone across two visits. I was asked if I needed help and I initially I didn't but when I did I was surprised at how poor the help was. If I'm visibly about to spend 150+ on a week day night where there's no one in the store you aught to happily help me. And if your website carries the boot with free shipping and potentially no tax you should at least match the bootbarn.com website price to gain my business. When I asked about the website vs store price I was promptly blown off and told they could have been even more expensive in the store. That's super, but I assert very politely that I don't care. This is a great example of companies needing to do a better job of acknowledging they have websites and train their staff to match or at least acknowledge the website exists in a response to a question regarding the website.
And yes, I did spend $10 more than bootbarn.com and $25 to $30 more than other websites buying the boots in the store despite the opportunities for better service.
All in all, there's a great selection of boots and western wear to choose from, it mostly full full full price and could be found cheaper online... even on the bootbarn.com website. If you like western wear and slightly rude retail employees you'll be in heaven. read more