Shop Avara — Attraction in Dallas

I’ve always loved this boutique and have purchased many items from Avara over the years, both online and in-store. I’ve even had several friends start ordering from them because they love the outfits I wear. However, after my recent experience, I won’t be shopping here again.

I tried to return some items purchased online on April 24 but was told they couldn’t be returned due to the 21-day return policy. As someone who lives outside of Dallas, it took several days for my order to arrive. With the busy season of end-of-year school events, dance recitals, and Mother’s Day, I simply didn’t make it back to the store in time. We missed the return window by about 10 days.

What’s frustrating is that in the past, I’ve returned items in-store without any issue. The staff would just begin the return process while I shopped. At no point was it made clear that exchanges weren’t allowed or that mailing items back was the only option in this situation. When I explained what happened, the employees just said I should’ve mailed the items back. That’s disappointing, especially when you live close enough to stop by the store, but not close enough to make it down on a whim. We can only do these on the weekend. With Dallas traffic, it can take over an hour to get there.

It would have been nice to at least be offered store credit given the circumstances and my history as a loyal customer. It’s unfortunate because I genuinely love their clothes and have recommended them to others, but this experience has left a bad impression. Just a heads-up to other shoppers, make sure you know the return policy...

After this recent experience I WILL NOT be shopping here ever again. (Could this be a new trend? I see a very similar ONE-STAR review just written a few weeks ago). A pity that Avara’s customer service doesn’t come close to satisfaction at a minimal level.

I purchased a top online June 1 at about 12:45pm. Order email transmitted correctly - one top. Curiously, about 2 hours later my purchase was updated and I received another email - mysteriously the update to my order added a pair of shorts. I did not authorize this and urgently sent an email to help@shopavara.com. Immediately. No response. NOTHING but crickets.

So, with life getting busy - waited for my order to see what was shipped. Surely, an email sent within 15 minutes would catch up with this order before shipment - ? No such luck, I was charged for both items - and, both items were shipped.

I don’t live in a terribly convenient area to even go to a post office - so, to make a return is a hassle. Avara’s policy states that I would be responsible for $6.95 for a return - I strongly object to it on principle. I did not make this mistake. Why should I have to pay anything?

Reached out again for help or a response on June 16. No response. NOTHING. Everything is going back and I will never shop here again.

So, here I write to warn other shoppers. Proceed at...

I am a returning online customer with Shop Avara. However, I was recently sent the wrong item as part of an almost $400 order. I needed the sweater for a weekend trip and reached out by email and asked that they immediately send me the correct sweater and I would ship them the much cheaper shirt back. They refused- stating the following: "Thank you for reaching out. We have sent you a return label for the wrong item to get sent back. Once you have sent back the wrong item please reach out and we can proceed the order for the correct item." I thought maybe they misunderstood so I called. They did not misunderstand. Ultimately, they did refund me the difference for the sweater and the blouse but I still must send the blouse back and reorder the sweater. I was concerned that my size would be gone and she told me they had 67 while their website said there were 8 left. It was THEIR MISTAKE and they were not willing correct it. That is bad business. I provided a picture of the receipt that clearly stated they sent the wrong top along with several pictures of the wrong top. I even took time and picked up the phone and called thinking they misunderstood and would want to act with integrity and immediately send the correct top. Boy...