So, I normally don't write reviews like this, and I'm actually not often inclined to write reviews at all, but this time is different. I tried calling the manager on several different days, but the employee who "sold" me my boots kept picking up so I'm writing a review instead. I put that in quotation marks because it was the most passive sales service I've ever experienced from such a big purchase. With the reputation of Red Wing shoes, I expect that most stores are not run with the type of inconsiderate customer service as this one is, so take this as a review solely of the store.
I walk into the empty store, and I'm greeted with a nonchalant face and a meager "Hi." I start looking for the boots I want (I had a good idea). And she asks if I need help. Pretty good. I say I think I know, but I'll let her know. Not seeing the Roughnecks anywhere, I start to ask her if she has them but I'm interrupted with a sharp "No" and she looks back at the computer. Ok so I'm shopping for nearly $300 boots and this isn't a good start. I ask her if she has the new 6" Mocs and Roundtoes in size 10. She looks for all of 10 seconds, comes back with the Mocs, and says they don't have the others. She hands me one shoe and goes back to the computer. I try it on, walk with my mismatched shoes for a couple of minutes, and then ask for the other one. No questions from her the whole time about how they feel, no information about how they should fit. They feel big so I ask for the 9.5. Again she hands me a single shoe and goes back to the computer. Try it on, ask for the second, walk around in them for at least 5 minutes trying to gauge if they feel right, contemplating spending the $300 on shoes that I find out only by looking on my phone that I can't return.
She "helps" some other customers (one of whom waited nearly 10 minutes for help, only to find out that his custom order that was supposed to be ready wasn't there, and even though he had work that day she "couldn't make them appear" nor could she substitute them for anything else, and only when he grilled her to look again did she find them. Whoops). I literally had to ask "I should be able to wiggle my toes, right" and get a curt "yes". I contemplate again for a while, now feeling unenthusiastic about shoes I've wanted for YEARS, and ask about orthotics. This is literally the only thing she's mildly helpful about, because she points me to a pair of insoles that are stiff and returnable up to 90 days. I finally decide to get them, so she, again, unenthusiastically tells me to come up, gives me the total (shoes + maintenance supplies + insoles=$419!!!!) and takes my card. Barely a "have a good day" and I'm off. The only reason I bought them was because I knew they were good and I needed them, but this is the kind of service you expect at Ross, not a boutique shoe store with those kinds of price tags.
So now I'm left with boots I'm only somewhat certain will be good for my feet, that I can't return. I don't have any idea why she works there. read more