Living in BVT for two and a half years, I have gotten to know the stores here fairly well. Since moving to BVT, I have gone to Shoe Tree many times to buy socks and shoes. But not until now did I have a bad experience there. I went in to look at some Birkenstocks that I had been interested in for a while, the Arizona style. I have a pair of Mayari Birkenstocks that I bought online in a 38 and wanted to know if I should buy a 38 or 37 for Arizonas. I was interested in buying the Arizonas at Shoe Tree because it is right in town and supporting local businesses is awesome. I go in there, ask for a 37 and 38 to try on because I had bought a pair of Mayaris online in a 38 and had them at home and wanted to see if a 38 would be okay for the Arizonas because I didn't want to end up buying some online and having them not fit. Now, by no means did I mean "Oh I want to try on these Birkentsocks here so I know what size to buy online". Nope. Not what I meant at all. The person working there, not Ralph, mind you, gets the shoes, comes back out, and before handing me the box, says, "So, let me get this straight. You came here to try on shoes to see what size fits you before going online and buying some?" And I said "Yeah!" Before I had the chance to say "I wanted to buy them here instead" the person immediately yelled "Are you kidding? That is not happening. You want to come in here just to see what size fits before you go buy them online? That is incredibly rude. Leave the store." So, shocked, I didnt know what else to say, and I just left. After being in shock, I realized that the person working there had misunderstood me entirely. Even if I WAS doing that (which yes, I know is very rude) the salesperson's reaction would still be innapproriate and bad customer service. I left the store feeling not only shocked, but embarrassed and humiliated. There were other people in the store as well! Public humiliation is not a component of good customer service. Sorry, Ralph, but this must be an employee I haven't met yet. You have always been more than polite whenever I have come into the store before. read more