Recently, I bought a pair of New Balance shoes from Republic Shoes in the University Hills Shopping Center and within a week noticed that they were defective. Upon trying to return the shoes for a refund I was told that this was not their policy. I was told that they would try and find something else that would work.\r
While this was going on, I asked if since the shoes were defective, would they return them to New Balance and get a refund? I was told by the store owner that they would receive a full refund from New Balance for their investment. I asked then since that was the case, if I could receive a refund and be on my way. He denied me a refund, I even offered to pay a restocking fee of at least 15% to cover their shipping costs and the time that they worked with me. Keep in mind that I paid $180.00 total for these shoes, which means I would have just given them $27.00 for their time. I was denied that and told that I would just get a store credit if I could not find anything suitable. \r
This was frustrating since that meant they would keep my money and not have earned it by giving me anything I could wear. I was polite and said that I just wanted to make it a win win and this did not work either. The store owner then just walked away from me while an employee continued to try and find a pair of shoes for me. I let the employee know that I could just return the defective shoes and contest the charge with my credit agency, this is when he became loud and rude and stated, "" You can try that but it'll never work, that never works for anybody."" I explained to him that I don't have the finances to just take a credit and go somewhere else for shoes at which point he said, ""Well it sounds like you need a better job or at least need to find some side work."" \r
In the end I settled for a pair of shoes which retail from New Balance at $140.00 and a *free* pair of insoles which would make them fit more comfortably. The sales associate said he would just be, ""...giving these insoles away to me...a value of thirty nine dollars ... I am just giving you thirty nine dollars."" I asked if the shoes he just gave me in exchange retail for the same amount and he told me that they did. Let's do some math now and compare $140.00 to $180.00. \r
This experience is disappointing for a couple of reasons, one is that my initial visit was pleasant and I was made to feel welcome and was told that I was going to be taken care of, no matter the circumstance should the shoe not work out, by the owner. My follow up visit was a Jekyll and Hyde experience, having the owner treat me with indifference and neglect. C'mon, I offered to give him money even though they will be getting a full refund on the defective product. \r
Oh and by the way, I was told I was not allowed to leave the store with the replacement shoes and original purchase receipt. Even though it is a carbon copy of which they still retain the original. Just a tad shady in my opinion, I would've needed it in order to contest it with my credit agency. Why did I not contest it? I need some shoes on my feet, and I just don't have any more time for this nonsense.\r
I will never return to this store and will ensure that local residents are aware of their poor return policy and downright rude ownership and sales staff. I was not getting my money back so I settled, next time I need shoes I will be shopping elsewhere.\r
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