Should I Report Terrible Service?

[ShinyObject]

I have large and weird feet. I went to a special shoe store here in town twice. The woman who waited on me (who I think might be related to the owner) was ignorant and semi-rude the first time, but I got my shoes. I really didn't want to go back a second time but summer is coming and I need lighter shoes. Well, she couldn't seem to figure out my size, although it didn't seem to occur to her to use the fancy computerized foot measuring system they have. First she tried to tell me that my foot was narrow, although I'm currently wearing a wide width that barely fits. Then she didn't know what size to get. They would have to order shoes for me. Natter natter natter. Finally she told me to come back when the fitting specialist is there. He's only working 3 days a week from 9am to 1:30, so I have to be off work to see him and damned if I'm taking vacation time for that.

I just happen to be off tomorrow and need to go, but I dread it. I want to tell him how awful this woman is, but she's apparently his only employee and I don't want to risk making him mad as my opportunity to get fitted is so limited.

[blas]

I feel for ya. I have really fat feet. Being a shorter woman, but having size 9-10 shoe size is pretty odd, so I usually buy pants a little long so you can't tell how huge my feet are.

I really am pretty much limited to Payless, for heels and fun shoes. They make "wide" sizes that allow me to squeeze into 8 1/2s and 9s instead of larger.

Thankfully, Sketchers (for active shoes) tends to have a heart for us fat footed gals, because I wear 8 1/2s in Sketchers and Puma shoes.

[UncleImpy]

I completely sympathize. I wear size 14EEEE (Yes, I can walk on water if I get a good running start. They are indeed licensed as personal watercraft) - I don't even try anymore. Red Wing shoes for good walking boots, or order em online. Dont even try DSW or the other brick and mortar stores anymore.

[Aethian]

I completely sympathize. I wear size 14EEEE (Yes, I can walk on water if I get a good running start. They are indeed licensed as personal watercraft) - I don't even try anymore. Red Wing shoes for good walking boots, or order em online. Dont even try DSW or the other brick and mortar stores anymore.

I second red wing, as a lady who wears Men's 8 1/2 EE. Expensive but dang do they last.

[BlaqueKatt]

I really am pretty much limited to Payless, for heels and fun shoes. They make "wide" sizes that allow me to squeeze into 8 1/2s and 9s instead of larger.

If you have one nearby, try DEB, cute shoes in larger sizes(they even have COMFY stilettos, yes comfy, they feel almost like walking in pumps, sizes up to 10, and prices are around $25-$40), I get my jeans there, as they have jeans that actually fit my butt, and huge biker legs.

[Stormraven]

Gee, and here I thought 10½EEE was wide.

[Seenoevil]

I feel your pain. My shoe size is 7 1/2 EEEE (no my feet aren't square... but I like to pretend they are). I end up having to buy size 9 1/2 just to fit my width. I've grown used to having a lot of room past my toes

[Miss Fatale]

Can you do the fitting and then complain after that? You might find it helpful to write out a short note -- get your thoughts organized. Or you could ask for a number and call later.

Specialty shops can go either way -- they might not care because they have no competition. On the other hand, they might care a lot because they have a smaller pool of customers to choose from.

But I think you have valid complaints. Good luck!

[Pixilated]

I might mention it, although almost apologetically (e.g. trying to avoid sounding confrontational, LOL) ... he needs to know his employee (even if she is his only one) is doing a lousy job. I'm betting you're not the only customer who's had this kind of lousy customer service from her.

[RichS]

11 1/2 EEEEE here - I usually have to buy 12 EEEE New Balance, but sometimes I'll get lucky. Last year, I found a pair of Dr. Scholl's dress shoes in a 12 EEEE that fit great, but another style and size by the same manufacturer didn't

Reminds me, need to get another pair...

[Merriweather]

I have large and weird feet. I went to a special shoe store here in town twice. The woman who waited on me (who I think might be related to the owner) was ignorant and semi-rude the first time, but I got my shoes. I really didn't want to go back a second time but summer is coming and I need lighter shoes. Well, she couldn't seem to figure out my size, although it didn't seem to occur to her to use the fancy computerized foot measuring system they have. First she tried to tell me that my foot was narrow, although I'm currently wearing a wide width that barely fits. Then she didn't know what size to get. They would have to order shoes for me. Natter natter natter. Finally she told me to come back when the fitting specialist is there. He's only working 3 days a week from 9am to 1:30, so I have to be off work to see him and damned if I'm taking vacation time for that.

I just happen to be off tomorrow and need to go, but I dread it. I want to tell him how awful this woman is, but she's apparently his only employee and I don't want to risk making him mad as my opportunity to get fitted is so limited.

I have a general rule I go by if I'm trying to decide whether to complain - if I were the manager/owner, would I want to know? (Obviously if they're a bad owner/manager, nothing will make it better or worse, so we'll assume they're the good type of manager you would be). I would definitely like to hear any complaints that were specific, likely to affect other customers as well, and were within the possibility of correcting. So no to complaints that simply say "your store sucks", no to complaints that we don't carry the item you wanted but no one else would (such as video games at a shoe store), and no to complaints about you don't like the type of business in the shop next door.
But I would definitely want to know if an employee isn't giving decent service.

Try to make it as possitive as possible - "I love shopping at your store, it's so hard to find what I need elsewhere, but I'm afraid on both visits I was unable to get the assistance I needed from your employee" then give some details, focusing on the things they couldn't or wouldn't do, rather than on general rudeness/attitude. I'd rather be helped by a competant but rude employee than by one who was nice but had no idea what they were doing. And in fact, it's even possible their rudeness springs from being in a job they don't know how to do, it can be frustrating to be expected to do things you weren't trained properly to do.

Today, all stores have to worry about competition. Twenty years ago, if you had a specialty shop that was the only one of that type for 50 miles, you could get away with anything. But nowadays, people will just go on line for specialty items - every store has competition now.

And when you do get good service, let them know, and that you'll shop with them rather than online because of that.

[PepperElf]

heh one of the guys in my bootcamp had to get red wing. they didn't have boon dockers in M16 size. yes, for some odd reason i don't remember his name, but I remember his foot size.

and that they were red. they had to dye his shoes black and even then it didn't look right. he even got in trouble over it after boot camp (one instructor refused to accept that he couldn't stop the dye from fading back to red) so he had to run a request to have them re-dyed.

[EricKei]

Big footed dude here. US size 16 EEEE ^_^

Can't exactly shop for the damn things at payless of mart of wal, either ~_~

[IamEmancipated]

If size 9 or 10 shoes are unusual, it just makes you part of a special club. All the women in my family wear at least a size 9. One of us, one of us...

I have weirdly wide feet too. I usually end up going as long as possible without buying new shoes because when I do buy new ones they tend to bust out the sides (curse my foolish vanity for boots) or I have to get used ones at Goodwill or something so I know they'll survive me. Or go barefoot. I hate socks anyway.

[Sparky]

Little to add except that I used to have a friend who wore size 11AAAA.

If she ever found a pair of shoes that fit, she bought them. Didn't care what they looked like.