The R Store

Had an extremely poor experience at the R Store today. I came in looking for boots and politely asked to try on a pair in my size. While I was still in the process of putting on the first shoe, the owner repeatedly asked whether I intended to buy them. I had literally only one boot on at that point. When I asked to try another size, I was met with audible huffing and puffing, as though assisting a customer was an inconvenient interruption to something far more important. Shortly after, I was told, not asked, if I would be purchasing the shoes. At that point, the dismissive attitude, rudeness, and complete lack of basic customer service made the decision easy. I chose to take my business elsewhere. This shop lost a customer today, and based on other reviews, this appears to be a recurring issue. Which is unfortunate, because the store actually has some great stock… just not enough to make dealing with the owner worthwhile.

As with other 1* reviewers, I’m genuinely stunned by the attitude my friend and I received, and even more amazed that this ‘small independent shop’ seems content to let such behaviour tank their own business. We’d ordered in several sizes of boots for a very specific outfit for a Christmas event. From the outset, the chap serving us made it painfully clear that, as the ‘plus one’ friend, I wasn’t worth his time- unfortunately not an unfamiliar attitude, as women are still not seen as 'the money'. Irritating, but not enough to walk out. What *was* enough was that after trying on three pairs that we had ordered in and simply saying we weren’t purchasing today (because we were planning to return the following morning to buy the final pieces), he snatched the boots away, slammed them into their boxes, shoved those boxes out of sight, and then proceeded to ignore us entirely. When we attempted to ask basic questions, he just vanished from the shop floor. If this had been an individual purchasing, you'd have questioned what the hell happened. With two there, you're fortunately able to walk out and ask each other what the hell happened. Having now looked at other reviews, it's evidently not an isolated incident and an issue that is costing them thousands. Customer service in an online age of availability and convenience is paramount for one off sales and building a regular customer base- the only real differentiator between boutiques and big-box or online retailers, you’d think they’d have twigged by now. Neither of us will be bothering with them again. Rude, arrogant, sexist, and overpriced. Have a search locally within half a mile and online.

I visited the R Store to be sized and fitted for a pair of boots. The service was excellent and the owner was incredibly knowledgeable. I've since been back to purchase another pair of Red Wings and once again the service was excellent and the quality of products instore are superb.