Repetto — Local services in Paris

My experience at Repetto's on Rue de la Paix was quite disappointing compared to Repetto's on the Champs-Elysee. As a note, I've worked retail before and understand how things work in the high-end industry, so I try to be as patient as humanly possible. I'm not rich. I'm not posh. I'm just looking for some comfortable and cute shoes for my wedding. After some research, I narrowed it down to Repetto's for its history, quality, and style.

I came here to purchase shoes for my wedding and was treated rather poorly. Little to no help at first, perhaps cause I don't "look" like I have money. Things started alright, but as soon as another customer came in (probably someone who shops there often or has money bags), the lady staffer who was helping me then told me that she can no longer help me and passes me on to another staff. Sure. Alright. I understand there are "more important" customers out there where you can make commissions. Anyways, I ask for a particular shoe style in a half size larger. They check and tell they have no more. So I ask if they can check another store. Again, they tell me no one else has it. I ask if they have it online. They respond with "no". So I said "so no one in ALL of France has this particular shoe?" to which they responded with they have to order it if I want this particular size and it won't arrive for a few weeks. So I purchased the shoe in a size 37 instead of a 37,5.

Something seemed a bit odd so I decided to check online and in another store. Turns out there were other stores with the shoe size available in that particular style. Thankfully, Repetto's on the Champs-Elysees was super helpful with reserving the correct size for me and were understanding and accommodating about the exchange.

Unfortunately for this particular store, I was expecting better treatment than being cast aside, lied to, and judged for the way I looked. Don't say you "can't" help me when in reality you "don't" want to help me.

If you want better service, go to Repetto's on the Champs-Elysees or elsewhere in Paris, but avoid this...

Incredible service. The best I’ve ever had in Paris, a massive thank you to David who took 3 hours out of his time to help me. I came in wanting to buy loads of ballet/modern jazz equipment and left with all the information I needed to really start dancing. He took the time to properly explain how to break into pointe shoes and gave me proper counselling for every single item I tried on (and believe me when I say I tried on a lot). His impeccable knowledge of multiple dancing styles allowed me to have a better understanding of what I wanted. Thank you Repetto for making my dream come true and healing my relationship with ballet. You now have a...

The flagship store is beautiful and I'm glad I visited at least once, but the clerk who helped us really didn't know anything about ballet shoes. He couldn't tell me anything about their models, either compared with other brands or just in themselves. I bought a pair of slippers because they're a lovely colour, but they're clearly thinner and less supple than, yet twice as expensive as, most other major brands. He then had to look up the price in a huge catalogue. It looks like the overpriced ballet stuff is there to attract shoppers, while the company is only interested in selling street shoes...