Sneaker Factory Running Centers- Millburn — Local services in Millburn

UPDATE (2/2/2018): The manner in which the store owner has responded to three individuals (YES! THREE SEPARATE INDIVIDUALS) proves what I had originally written! His comments on cultural differences and stating that I am a 'confused ' person is downright distasteful and appalling. So, if you don't get glowing reviews, the person that voices her experiences becomes inane and confused or can't understand the language or has cultural differences!? So sir, do you think I lived all these years having never purchased shoes/footwear and not knowing the "language" or "culture" the footwear industry seems to use? What is your point!? Moreover, the fact that he mentions that "THEY KEEP SHOPPING" at his place is outrageous. And, saying that one of us wanted to return a used shoe for a full refund is a preposterous LIE!!! Seriously, very decent of you to make such false allegations! But, then again it speaks volumes about you! Honestly, it is a waste of time even writing about this because it is not worth it! And, please be assured (i'm reiterating), neither I, nor any of my friends, family and community members will ever shop here. Once was too much!! I don't honor stores run by people with a mindset that uses "cultural differences" as their rationale to make a point. For that matter, Yes, I am from a different culture but that DOES NOT make my experiences and opinions any less truthful, less important or spontaneously fake, no matter how much you try to make them seem so, which truly is a pity!

I expected this place to be something where a total analysis of one's feet, gait, running would be made before getting fitted for shoes but it was a big let down. They have a computer, similar to the one you can find in Walmart (by the Dr. Scholl's shoe inserts). The shoes are not really custom-made but rather the same branded shoes that are now fitted based on the computer analysis. What was more annoying was that the person who was "helping" us with the fitting seemed put off with the questions we asked and was annoyed at only the second pair we tried. The final deal breaker was when we came home and checked the prices of the exact shoes we purchased (three pairs at $120, $120 & $150), they were all available at a fraction of the price for free shipping and free returns (around $85-$100). These were from the brands' own websites and not anywhere else. On other websites (like Amazon) they were cheaper. I promptly called to check if they do price match and the rep told me that the online products could be old or damaged and that the owner says that we pay for their service and the shoes come free! I don't think it was an honest response. The rep was suggesting that those factories that were sending them shoes for factory direct sales, were mostly selling old and damaged shoes on their own website, including Amazon. Honestly, I am not the one to pay $120-$150 for a service that was far from good and left much to be desired. Price match is a standard practice among reputed vendors. On our purchase receipt we found out their policy of only store credit or exchange in case of return, a policy often applied in Dollar stores. So much for their self-claimed excellent service (and as stressed by the owner, in response to other customer reviews) the rep repeatedly emphasized that we could return the sneakers anytime but was not transparent/honest about their return policy. I will not be returning here again and will warn my acquaintances and friends from...

I am really amazed at the sheer arrogance displayed in the responses of the store for negative reviews and experiences. Their response to genuine reviews from related as well as unrelated people has compelled the third one ("the unhappy spouse" strikes now, not before as suggested in store's response to other review) from the related group to write this review, who actually was instrumental and facilitated purchasing of all three shoes.

After making the purchases, we came home and searched same shoes and compared prices on the internet. Upon contacting with a request for price-match, which is most often a standard practice, If a vendor refuses to give price-match citing their policy, it is within their rights. We also did not see return policy carefully as we did not have any intention to return. We only came to know about it when scanned the receipt at home. Maybe we could have seen if it was posted where it can be noticed easily. However, one can differ on that too and we were just careless. But what made me disappointed about the whole experience is that while refusing our request for a price-match, the store representative asserts couple of things that were quite disconcerting. These are as follows:

Assertion that shoes come free and we pay for the service. Therefore, they can't match the price with what Brand's web store has posted on their own website. Weird logic that they give shoes for free. Due to this claim that mainly centers around their computerized analysis of the feet that they call service, I took pain to visit Walmart to see the truth behind accuracy of measurements. Although I don't claim which one was accurate, but just want to observe that I found assessment at Walmart with Dr. Scholl's machine much more comprehensive, including weight distribution on both feet, weight on single foot, weight while leaning forward and backward etc. to generate the map, than I got done at this store. Further, we wanted to keep the assessment results. The representative was nice to suggest that it can be emailed and showed how to do that. We tried multiple times for all three assessments, but never received a single mail.

Assertion that the shoes they sell are direct from the factory and are better quality than the same sold by other vendors including the Brand's own web store. To me, it is plain dishonest to suggest something like that. If I was the Brand's representative, I would take issue with that.

Every vendor is within their rights to implement whatever policies they think reasonable. In my view, customers shall be careful with checking those policies before making a purchase. We were complacent based on prior wonderful experiences and paid the price for that for sure, not the service as claimed. However, the whole forgettable episode clearly suggest that we did not get an honest interaction/treatment as customers and based on our experience, would caution everyone to be careful when dealing with this store/business.

Calling customers names like confused person and suggesting cultural differences etc. shows the character digression of the business. I remember clarifying this with the representative and when we purchased we fully knew that it is not a factory but merely a vending outlet. I am not sure by mentioning cultural differences etc. what is the real intention of the store, but mentioning this in a response to a review clearly shows their manipulative tendencies and...

Please avoid doing any business with this store. This store is not transparent about their return policy, and shoes are too expensive when compared to online prices (including brands' online price). I almost paid $45-50 more.

I realized later that they give only store credits for returned items. I feel their entire strategy of doing the business is to trap customers in buying because they know that once an item is purchased, they don't have to return the money. The representative kept on insisting on buying the sneakers and assured us that we could return it as long as they are clean. Never once he mentioned about the store credit return policy. In one of the responses from the owner to another reviewer's comment, the owner mentioned that the return policy is stated clearly on the receipt and a sign is posted on a wall in the store. I did not see the sign posted and what is the use of knowing the return policy once the payment is made. I am not saying that the sign is not there, it could be there and I missed it. I just want to say that the store should be more direct in communicating their return policy. I feel they were dishonest.

When called if they do online price match the representative started doing negative marketing by saying that the online sneakers are old and defective. Further, the rep told us that the price is for the service and the analysis of feet. I feel that the service and the analysis they provided was...