Hi-Bred — Local services in Cincinnati

The following is my response to the owners false, disrespectful and defamatory lies following a recent in-store shopping experience:

Hi Shawna,

This is Paige (the same gf of 7 yrs 🫶 since that’s relevant to you). I did leave the one star review you’re commenting on. Considering you don’t know me personally, I have no idea why you think I need my boyfriend to tell me what I can and cannot do. I am fully capable of leaving reviews myself when felt necessary, as I am doing here.

As a woman, I would never put words into another woman’s mouth, which you seem to have no issue doing. Nor would I go and stalk them on social media (which you did by liking posts on my account). You claim to empower women, however your empowerment seems to come from tearing down the opposite sex rather than pushing for equality.

I once enjoyed going to your store, but the way you treat customers who ask a simple question is rude and unnecessary. People ask questions because they cannot read your mind. All my partner had asked was if you still do bundle deals and about discounts, which you have in the past and lied about in your response. Cutting off your customers and acting so immature is why you’ve lost so many former patrons. You can add us to that list.

I encouraged my partner to go up and discuss prices with you because that’s what we’ve always done. And we’ve seen you do it for other customers, which no doubt you’ll lie about. Had we known your attitude towards us was fake and you were actually hostile we would not have done this. We found a coat that we liked which had no tag on it. We were guessing the price and I said it was probably overpriced and around $200. When my partner brought this coat up to you to check the price you pulled a number out of thin air that happened to be exactly what I said moments before. There was indeed a tag on the ground that we found and it ended up belonging to that coat. The price read $150. You then accused my partner of removing the tag and now claim that’s why there was a $50 up charge. Huh???? Sounds like you overheard our conversation.

You’ve also made comments about my partner not putting back garments. He had one garment, a cardigan, which I watched him fold as I waited by the door to leave your store.

In your response to my partner’s review you made the assumption that I was embarrassed of him, that he couldn’t afford to buy me things. This is a shallow comment and is unequivocally false. Perhaps you’re projecting your own situation on us? I don’t need a man to buy me things. Especially your overpriced garments. When my partner discussed a price adjustment, you completely misread my expression. Makes sense since you know nothing about me. My expression was to show how embarrassed I was for you. Your behavior is that of someone a quarter your age. And since you had another costumer in the store…how embarrassing for you! I felt your attitude was hostile and unnecessary. We have been nothing but polite to you and have given you so many chances to treat people with kindness. Thank you for cutting this transactional relationship off, we are sorry it took this long to realize who you actually are.

I’m going to leave you some unsolicited advice: Don’t make assumptions or put words in other people’s mouths, especially women, as you claim to champion them. A woman’s marital statues is none of your business and is irrelevant to a business transaction. Spreading misinformation about another persons character to make yourself seem like a better person is vile and discredits everything you have ever said. Don’t be an elitist and financially shame someone. Especially after you brought up your own financial issues. The time of day in which someone leaves a review/response is irrelevant. Many of us work night shifts, get up early to work out, attend further education, or provide medical care to family members. All of which is none of your business. Therapy and counseling helps for a multitude of issues. This includes trauma and...

Quick take: If you decide to try Hi-Bred, I hope you have deep pockets. And don’t forget, the owner is always right, never the customer.

Back story: I have shopped at Hi-Bred nearly two dozen times over the past 9 years. In the past, when the owner (Shawna) was located at her previous space near O'bryonville, I really enjoyed visiting her. The selection was good and the prices were fair. Nearly every time I purchased with her she would negotiate on bulk sales and willingly offered discounts for items that had issues; loose buttons or tiny tears. As is common with vintage clothing stores in Cincinnati (Pixel 19 vintage, RAD OTR, etc.) the more clothing you purchase the more willing they are to offer a bulk discount… some places even advertise this.

The last few times I had been to Hi-Bred I left disappointed with the selection, the prices, and inclusion. However, I kept returning in hopes I was visiting on an off day. As the operator of a small family owned business myself, I understand the stress of an operation such as this… and we all have bad days. I get it. However, I also know this is the career I picked and that fair prices, patience, and kindness are the ingredients to success. Sadly, these critical ingredients are now missing at Hi-Bred.

More details about the owners communication: The last three times I had been in, Shawna seemed very unwelcoming. I totally understand having an off day and was sad to see her so distant. I hoped that she would return to her friendly self in time. Unfortunately, that hasn’t been the case. On my most recent trip I brought up a trench-coat I wanted to buy and asked for the price as the tag had fallen off. I soon realized that I had seen the tag on the floor and brought it up to the front. The tag was indeed for the coat in question, it was $150 which I communicated to her. She then proceeded to print out a new price tag and re-labeled the jacket for $200, $50 more than it was when I walked into the store. How does math like this work? A customer is interested so you raise the price?

I have spent a lot of time and money here. I would estimate that I have made a dozen different transactions at this establishment since my first visit in 2015. The vast majority of these transactions saw some sort of discount for one or all items. She was always willing and happy to negotiate when I purchased several items at once. So on my most recent visit I attempted to once again negotiate, as we had always done, to buy four items. Some Buttons were coming loose on a cardigan so I hoped that she may discount the item accordingly. However, before I could finish speaking she cut me off and told me that I was being rude for even asking. She followed up with stating that she wouldn’t come to my place of business and ask for a discount. I found this extremely distasteful. Shawna has no idea what I do for business. In fact, customers come in all the time asking for discounts, samples, free goods, etc. In the real world, negotiation is the definition of business. We negotiate our insurance rates, supplier fees, royalties, contract prices, and much more.

Shawna continued and carried on stating that the cost of rent was so high where she was located and the pandemic was extremely challenging for her… As if she had been the only person to go through it. And how am I, a customer, supposed to know your rent rates?

Shawna isn’t the same friendly person I use to do business with. I understand recent struggles as a small business owner, but one thing I would never do is take my frustrations out on my customers! Why bite the hand that feeds you?

The owners comments about the cost of living and the cost of rent were extremely tone deaf and hypocritical. The customer isn’t responsible for your rent rates, you signed the contract.

Sad to see Hi-Bred is a shell of what it use to be. Best of luck, I hope you can...

Great spot! Good vibes, good music, great selection, cute dog, very fair prices and truly special vintage pieces. A pair of pants I bought did rip up the butt crack while I was out lol but I got a good story out of it and sewed them up no problem. When the next purchases zipper broke the first time I wore it I was sure they would want to help. I was told by the lady on the phone (it wasn’t the owner) that they wouldn’t do anything and I should expect that with vintage. Idk if I agree with that but I would’ve just appreciated a friendly “sorry”. It almost made me not want to shop there again but that would’ve been a mistake - as this is a great shop and small business all around! I wanted to be honest about my experience and even with that I would still give the spot 5 stars! My only suggestion as someone who has also done a lot of vintage sales is that when someone buys something and it immediately breaks it would be so rad if you offered repair or store credit or even a 10% discount or anything to soften the blow of buying a gorgeous vintage piece just to never be able to wear it 🫠 (I can fix broken zippers but not this one lol it’s The Zipper From Hell) That being said, I know vintage businesses are so hard because people can be so rude and entitled, they always want to get a deal, devalue items, argue with the seller, they can be really nasty. I’m sure Shawna has dealt with this before and I really hope I’m not coming off that way! I have so much compassion for what she’s being met with sometimes by consumers. I love her shop entirely and I wish I could leave it more stars ❤️ Wishing her big sales and much more success! She deserves it!

Oh ALSO my partner got me an incredible, very well priced fur coat there and it is impeccable almost 2 years later and one of my most valued possessions! He has also bought some incredible stuff there including a very well priced Effi Native made watch that is in pristine condition and he wears all the time! We need to take a picture of us repping both for her! Wanted to include all the good...