Tony Q.
Yelp
NOTE
The second star is because they actually have a decent selection of shoes, and somewhat reasonable prices. The absence of other stars is due to the service received, as well as the general policy.
TL;DR
Be advised that they don't give returns (only store credit), despite what the website gives the impression of. Also, if you want quality service, I would advice dressing well (or perhaps bringing your grandfather).
SERVICE
When I came in, after about 5 minutes of browsing, I received a gruff "Help you?" from behind. I explained I was looking for a specific type of shoe (not brand or anything, just style and weather requirements) and the sole response was "humph". Puzzled, I just said I was going to look around. I eventually asked the gentleman to try on a couple of shoes, and after a terse "let's get your size" he went back to retrieve them. After bringing them out, he didn't say a word to me or even look at me; he just continued scanning the store. I found a pair I liked and said I was going to look for another pair. He told me "alright, it'll be at the front for you", and when I found another pair I received similar terse but minimally-perfunctory service.
I thought it was just how he regarded customers, but while trying on the second pair, an older well-dressed gentleman asked he if could try something and the person who had barely uttered 10 words to me the entire time responded "I'm sorry sir, I'm with a customer right now, but I'll be able to help you in just a moment if that is alright." There was a marked difference in tone, and a deference / respect never shown when addressing me. After our engagement was complete, I continued watching to see if he handled this other customer differently, and sure enough I witnessed much greater warmth (a smile even!). Only at that point did I notice that every other customer in the store was over the age of 50, and I asked myself ... did I just experience ageism? I'm younger than what appears to be their standard clientele, and since I'd not experienced that before it was new to me. Or was it just because he dressed like he had more money than me, and was a "bigger fish to hook"? Either way, it was clear that I was a lower class of customer to them.
This similar discrepancy in service later, but honestly the predatory policy choices are more prominent of an issue. I was perfectly content never visiting their store again until I tried to return a pair of a shoes ... that was enough to instigate a review!
POLICY
Unlike what is called out as their return policy on their website (or, as I learned later, their "online return policy"), the store does not offer actual refunds ... only store credit. I discovered this after reading their 3-paragraph return policy that is at their register. It shocks me in this day and age that a retailer can avoid giving returns without refunding the amount (because they will be able to resell that unused item), especially since none of it is explained at the time of purchase nor is available anywhere other than at the register at time of purchase. I consider this to be a predatory "gotcha", and frankly unacceptable in today's marketplace. I hope they enjoy the few hundred bucks they received from me, because it is the last they'll get.