Allens Boots — Attraction in Austin

RETURN POLICY IS RIDICULOUS! Bought my husband a pair of boots for Christmas. They didn't fit so we went back to return them and look for an exchange. Unfortunately, they didn't have anything that he liked in his size so we decided to just return them. At this point, I'm informed that they have a STORE CREDIT ONLY return policy.

Mind you, when I told them that the policy was never mentioned to me when I was purchasing the boots, their answer was "Oh, it's written on the receipt". I said "Oh, the receipt you give me AFTER I have purchased $550 worth of boots?" He said,"Oh, and it's posted on the wall over there." (Next to a ton of other signs and decor things up on the wall, so it doesn't even stand out) I even told the salesperson that he was the one who had helped me and he never mentioned it during our conversation of why he liked his Ariats better than his Lucchese's.

So now I have a $550 store credit and no Christmas present for my husband. It is totally taking advantage of the customer to sell them something that they can only return for a store credit unless you make that absolutely clear up front.

I even had a conversation with the salesperson that I wasn't sure my husband would like to new block toe style that is so popular now. He said, "No problem, as long as he doesn't wear them outside and scuff the bottoms, you can just bring them back." Never stated that it was for only a STORE CREDIT or I wouldn't have taken that chance on my husband not being able to find something he liked and then having $550 locked up in store credit.

I purposely drove all the way downtown to Allen's Boots from NW Austin to support Shop Small and the whole Keep Austin Weird thing by buying local. If this is how little they appreciate my continued business, I guess I'm headed back to Cavenders or Sheplers where they don't insist on keeping MY money when I need to return...

We spent Memorial Day with my daughter in Austin TX. and of course spent several days on Congress Ave. I love Tesoro’s Trading CO and I found out they were closing shop soon for good ( retiring) so I made one more trip into their shop. Then we went up Congress and stopped in Allen’s Boots ( wanted to show my granddaughter the beautiful boots!) when we walked in we were greeted and made to feel welcome I was looking at boots and explaining their beauty to her and one of the associates asked if she’d like to see some really cool boots ! She was so cute ! I told her I love to take photos of all the different colors and textures of the BOOTS and she made Ashtyn feel so special 💕we even took a couple photos and then we left Only when we returned home to St Louis did I realize the bag with the souvenirs was missing :( silly things but she was disappointed I backtracked where we were and called Allen’s Boots and immediately was greeted on the phone by one of the girls we met and she found our bag! I told her the story and she was so sweet ! I asked to talk to a manager and wanted to thank him Blake (Abbott) answered the phone and I told him the story and I told him it would be awhile but my daughter would pick it up He insisted that he take the time to mail it to me he called me “A best customer “ even though we joked about me buying my FIRST pair at the OTHER boot shop! That’s where I made my mistake my first pair should have been from Allen’s where it doesn’t matter if the boots are $200 or $2000 you are treated with courtesy and respect and I and Ashtyn will remember Blake and his crew forever Thank you Blake , Megan and Caitlyn ( hope spelling is correct!) Caitlyn , have fun at O.U. You will go far and remember always stay “humble and kind” Regina Jenkins and Ashtyn Annmarie P.S will include pics...

In years past, it was THE boot store of Austin. I even worked for the owner over 2 decades ago at that location. But i was exchanging a Christmas gift that day. They were somewhat busy. I asked if they accepted checks. The cashier, who honestly didn't know, asked the manager. Ther manager was brisk & quite a bit gruff with his answer. His tone was borderline rude. The young lady on the register was their only employee of color i saw that day. Most of the crowd was White and many were evidently wealthy, going by their selections of boots. Mr. Greenberg had always treated everyone like they were THE VIP that day, but this manager, he definitely had his favorites and i wasn't 1, especially after I asked about accepting checks. I expected more from Allen's. I hope this was a 1 time thing and not the new norm. If it is, I'll be sadden to have to find a new boot store. My family has been shopping there for over 40 yrs. It'll be a shame if i have to change because the new managers don't know how to treat everyone equally. I had other forms of payment and i understand if they've changed with the times. But there's other ways to tell your customers that. Not with an attitude. I met many singers and some actors there in the late 90s. And i vividly remember making Larry Gatlin wait while serving an electrician, shaping his hat. Mr. Gatlin appreciated that, that we treated everyone with pride &importance back then. Gary P Nunn said it was THE reason he wouldn't go anywhere else in Austin back then. Too bad the young cashier and myself weren't shown that same courtesy. Mr. Greenberg, you might want to check on your staff. PS, the salesman was excellent. The problem was...