Cowpokes Work & Western — Attraction in Anderson

I've lived in the area for almost 15 years and have never been to this store before; however, my daughter and her boyfriend wanted to go and look at their boots so I tagged along. While they were busy looking, I decided to browse around. I saw this sweater that jumped out, but I didn't want to buy it on impulse so I decided to think about it. The customer service wasn't the greatest, but my daughter found what she was looking for and we left. After a week passed, I couldn't get the sweater out of my mind and decided to go back and buy it. The customer service was even worse than the last time I went, as far as greeting and service. I went straight to the sweater, but they didn't have it in my size. I went to the counter to ask the only worker I was able to find to ask about my options for getting it. She wasn't all that helpful and didn't offer any advice so I inquired about ordering it through their online site. I was told it could be ordered online as long as the item was in stock. Luckily, she informed me it was in stock and in the size I wanted (there was around 25 available). Once the order was placed, I was told I would receive an email that my merchandise had arrived at the store. No other information was provided to me and I was already irritated with the poor service so I paid with cash and walked out of the store. As I sat in my vehicle looking over my receipt, I realized I was overcharged for the sweater (by more than $50) and the receipt showed my merchandise would be in around 10-14 days. Since the service was so horrible, I didn't feel like going back in to ask about the price discrepancy and figured I would get it straightened out when the sweater came in. Two weeks pass and I still haven't received any communication at all regarding my order so I called the store to inquire about the status of the merchandise. The person I needed to talk to had just left for the day so I had to wait another 2 days. She was pretty prompt with getting back to me; however she wasn't very knowledgeable about the situation so I had to explain what had transpired and having to place my order through their site and she said she would have to get back with me. She called me the next day and informed me that they never received the merchandise I ordered, the item was currently out of stock, and the company (Ariat) was no longer going to be supplying or selling the item I wanted. So many questions came to mind, too many to ask over the phone, as this was really disappointing and irritating because now I had to go back to the store to get my money back instead of picking up my merchandise. The customer service was slightly better this time; however, after I said I wanted my money back, I was asked if I was sure I didn't want to "just purchase something else." This happened in November...it is now January and I'm sure you could imagine my shock, frustration, and disappointment when I happened to get on Ariat's website, and low and behold they have the sweater (in my size, and at the correct price I should have originally paid for back in November). Totally opposite of what I was told...

I walked into Cowpokes to check out their hats. I'm looking for a winter western hat to go with my boots. And I'm always looking at western boots despite having several pair. A couple young gals behind the main counter inside the front door looked at me but didn't greet me, or inquire how I was, had I been in before, or was I looking for something in particular. So, I took myself on a self guided tour through kids' and men's clothing. Then I toured the hat department where a young man was pressing a hat for a customer. They were actively talking. On I went after trying on a few hats. Checked out the tack department. Made me miss my years in horses.

Next--Boots. Lots of boots. Some were on sale. Tried some on. Then on to the boot and shoe racks nearer the front of the store. Dan Post had two or three pair that tempted me. But no one engaged me in conversation except a customer entering the store who was heading toward the back. He said he thought he knew me from another store. I smiled and replied I just had a familiar face, but we had never met. Someone from behind the counter exchanged a few words with him as he passed between me and the counter.

Two women customers were in the shoe rack area trying on shoes, talking among themselves, walking over and looking in the mirror. No store personnel engaged them in conversation while I was in that area. I was there enough time to pick up and hold quite a few different boots, looking at sizes, composition, country of origin, prices, workmanship. Before leaving boots altogether, I again admired the Dan Post pair I liked the best. I did resist temptation, however, and crossed the front of the store the second time, back to where I had seen a hat I liked on a mannequin earlier. I had picked it up then and put it on, but would need a different size.

With that in mind, I headed back to the hat department where I was intercepted by the young man from hats. He and I looked at the hat I liked, tried to find my size and color. As we discussed what I actually had in mind for my winter hat, we ended up looking in catalogs. He was very helpful. But by this time, I was also getting very hungry. I decided to go eat and do some more thinking and looking.

Based on initially absent customer service, I was going to rate my visit a three. But then the young Hat Man from eastern Tennessee who works in tack as well as hats, gave me great customer service. I had seen him giving the same to his other customer.

Therefore I rated my visit a four.

While I sure saw a lot of attractive boots and hats, I also saw a super lovely bright colored cactus shirt. I wanted to try it on. More than that, I wanted to wear it. I don't know how the usual customer who enters Cowpokes thinks, but I know there were three or four times during my visit when had an interested sales person approached me, I would likely have bought something, especially that cute and colorful cactus shirt. ...

I’ve debated on posting this, I’m still pretty ticked off by it. I’ve been going to Cowpokes for years. I spend hundreds to thousands a year. I went in with my baby the other day, my mother, my sister, and my niece.. I was trying to find a pair of shoes for myself but debated on if I wanted to buy anything for myself or my baby. (Typical mother) I found some boots for my baby and a Apple Watch band. I was literally followed around the store the entire time not by one employee but three. The vibe given was that I was going to “steal” so they needed to keep an “eye” out. I’ve worked retail, I know that feeling. Not once have I ever stolen anything from any store or anywhere period especially Cowpokes… I tried to find jeans in my size in which I did, just not my length which was typical. But I couldn’t walk around the store without being “watched” not offered help, only offered if I wanted to put the boots and the watch band on the counter. In which I did, and I was still followed around. I couldn’t even look, at this point I was just anxious so I bought my stuff and left. And still spent over $100….. Which I don’t mind. What I do mind is going in to an establishment where I’m at numerous times a year, and followed around being watched as if I’m going to steal. Just because I can’t find exactly what I’m looking for, or can’t make up my mind on if I want that item or another… If I didn’t love Cowpokes so much or all the employees I have encountered up until this point I probably wouldn’t step foot...