Good Feet Store, Avon CT - Deceptive Advertising, Fraudulent Practices
One star is one too many. The Good Feet Store (GFS) employs purposefully misleading advertising that lures customers into its stores and then uses deceptive, and even unethical, sales practices based on the psychology of selling and designed to convince customers to purchase an exorbitantly priced three-step system of arch supports. Additionally, the GFS has a "no-return/no-refund" policy that is unfair to the customer and inconsistent with the common practice of other merchants, then using it to defraud customers.
A brief summary of my experience follows. I went to the GFS because I needed to replace a pair of walking shoes having seen several of their ads on local TV.
* Through its well-orchestrated sales experience, the GFS persuaded me to purchase nearly $1900 of expensive merchandise, including the $1600 arch support system designed to resolve medical issues that I did not have - no arch or alignment problems. I was sold products I did not need and could not use.
* I attempted to return in less than 24 hours later after only an hour's wear because it was causing discomfort. The manager cited the GFS's "no return/refund" policy which I was not aware of until after I attempted to make the return. I had merchandise that had no value for me and the GFS had my $1900.
* The GFS used its fraudulent practices to make even more money from my transaction. After my unsuccessful attempts for over a week to get a refund, the store manager finally allowed me to return the merchandise, because she could resell it, but only for a store credit. However, in addition to the very expensive arch support system, the GFS only sold five styles of footwear and a very limited set of low-price items most which are 'accessories' to complement the arch support system that I had returned. As a result, there were no products that I could use. So, now the GFS would be able to make money on the resale of the merchandise I returned and also by keeping my $1900. This is a very lucrative type of transaction for GFS. If this is not fraudulent, it is certainly unethical and not in "good faith."
The GFS does an incredible job of selling "hope" to often vulnerable customers and making a quick sale. Capitalizing on customers' trust in local businesses based on their many years of experiences with honest and ethical retailers, the GFS readily takes advantage of the consumer misassumption that the GFS is operating under the same standards. I was not alone in my abhorrent experience with the GFS. There are many examples on web sites such as Google, Yelp, Reddit, and TrustPilot where customers have written reviews or made claims about the GFS practices.
I spent over two weeks trying to resolve a problem with the Avon Good Feet Store (GFS) and did not get my refund of nearly $1900 until after I submitted a complaint to the Better Business Bureau and the BBB interceded. read more
