Shoe Horn

Terrible encounter with the owner of this business.
Owner of this shop blocked my vehicle with his car in the designated customer parking area behind the storefronts while we were at George Howell coffee. Made a reasonable effort to find the owner in several of the shops, but could not locate who it was so we called the police, who called him. He came outside and was exceedingly rude about the incident, claiming that we were parked in «his spot» (all spots are marked as parking for patrons) and started hassling my wife while she was getting our son in the car, asking «why are you still here if you’re in such a rush?» He also claimed it was *our *responsibility to have checked with ALL the businesses nearby to have found him instead of contacting the police. He then tried to take down our license plate, presumably to try and have us towed in the future. At no point did he apologize for the inconvenience to my family. He’s oblivious to the parking policies of his own business area, exceptionally rude, and undeserving of anyone’s business.

I live in Newton and walk by this store at least a couple times a week. I have given up going in, despite seeing shoes and clothes that look good, because the sales people are so consistently sour and annoyed that I walked into their store. Instead, I drive to Newton Centre and Coolidge Corner to try to shop local. Real pity.

Terrible business practice. I paid $ 400.00 for three pair of shoes. Two of the shoes were the same shoe but different colors. I wore one pair to a wedding but it turned out that they were very uncomfortable so I went back to the store to return the unworn pair. I hadn’t even taken the second pair out of the box! I had the receipt. I was within 30 days of purchase which is their policy. The owner was there on Saturday when I tried to return them and he was very nasty to me. He accused me of being a liar. He said, «I’ve worked in this business 49 years and I know you people». He said they were dirty and that I «didn’t even have the common courtesy to wipe off the dirt».
The shoes were/​are perfectly resell-​able: I bought them as they are and they look fine and unworn!
I have lived in Newton 26 years and have never met a nastier more rude or more hateful store owner.
I left the store feeling very shaken. What a way to treat a customer. A terrible business practice. Even if he were determined not to let me return them (which is ridiculous), an intelligent business person would not speak to a patron in such a rude and awful manner.
Do not patronize Shoe Horn.

Great clothes, not very nice owners– so I’m torn– don’t like to do business with people like this, but I have found some very unique pieces there– so I go occasionally–

A few weeks ago I went into the Shoe Horn to buy a pair of sandals. Over the years I have often gone there for sandals, shoes, shirts, bags, etc. On this particular day I bought a pair of sandals as well as a fairly expensive tote-​bag. After a few uses I found that there was a problem with one of the outside zippers. The bag is lined loosely in cloth and the cloth kept getting caught in the zipper. Not good. So I went back to the store to show them the problem and ask to get either a refund or a store credit. The store owner spoke to me with such rudeness that I was incredulous. He said rather contemptuously that no one has ever complained about this bag before. Did he think I was lying??? He jiggled the zipper and the fabric came out so then he accused me of not zipping it properly! I should hold one end of the zipper firmly while I unzipped it. When I said that I don’t want a bag that isn’t well made and that requires such careful handling, he told me that this was not his problem. A saleswoman came over and tried to zip and unzip the pocket and, of course, the fabric kept catching in the zipper! Too bad — not his problem. When I said that I had never been treated with such rudeness in my life and would not shop there again, he basically said — so what. Finally he said he’d send it back to the company for a repair. I really didn’t want this bag, even repaired, because I think there’s a design flaw here. But what was my alternative. I left there really shaken up. The next day I found a message on my phone from his wife saying that they would get me a new bag in exchange for the one I left with them, which they did. However, this cannot make up for the arrogance and rudeness with which I, their customer, was treated. And it was not the right solution to the problem. Needless to say, I will never set foot in that store again, and neither will my many friends who have heard about this.

Although the store has a good selection of shoes, I hate giving them my business! The women don’t even acknowledge you when you enter the store, unless you are one of their friends. And they have so much attitude! I’ve heard this from many other people as well – they won’t even go there! Also, the clothing is nice, but expensive, and if I want to try on expensive clothing that CANNOT be returned, I’d like to try it on in a decent fitting room – not a makeshift area cluttered with odds and ends. This store has been in Newton for a very long time. You’d think they’d spend a little $$$ and make it a nice looking store.

I bought a Baggalini cross-​body bag for my neighbor. I chose navy blue but she preferred black. I called the store and asked if they still had the black. The old man there said yes. I told him I needed to exchange the navy for black and he said «No. I have two navys and only one black. I don’t need three navy bags». I told him it was a gift and I wanted to exchange it. He said «I don’t need three navy bags». When I explained that his inventory was not my problem and that I was the customer (I have the receipt) he said «I don’t need three navy bags» and wouldn’t let me return the bag.
They lost a customer today (me). The old guy working there has no social skills and no business savvy and no customer focus. He should not be working there. I will never go there again. I’ve not been treated as badly as this by any other store… especially stores better than The Shoe Horn.
Buyer Beware!!!

I bought a beautiful pair of Fly London shoes at Shoe Horn a little over a month ago. I have bought several pairs of shoes there before, since they have good styles and decent prices. While wearing my new shoes for the 3^rd time, a flap of the sole came loose. I mean, like a layer of the rubber just flapped off. Fly London said I need to deal directly with the store. I called Shoe Horn, and they said sure, come in, we’ll have it fixed. Now, I know shoes and soles, and this should not have happened to a new pair of shoes, and I knew that whatever «fix» they did, this was a defect, and should be exchanged. I left the shoes there a week ago, went in today to pick them up. As I expected, the rubber was glued down & had a sharp edge to it where the glue had hardened. I was not a happy camper. The owner (the man — I think his wife may be a little nicer) was so rude it was unbelievable! He insulted me and refused to entertain any option such as exchanging the shoes and sending them back to the company. Not even an attempt to make me feel better — just attitude. I will have to wear the shoes as is, and hope it doesn’t happen again. But I will never go back to the store again and will share this story with many friends who live in the neighborhood.

I made a special trip to this store to get a particular pair of shoes I had called ahead about. I am glad I did. It’s a very cute store, no frills, friendly, with nice merchandise.

Although the Shoe Horn does not look as spiffy as a lot of other boutiques, they carry a terrific collection of shoes that are comfortable as well as stylish. Their clothing is reasonably priced with just enough trendiness. Joint dressing room that I had to get over, but honestly great merchandise with very fair prices. Fly London and Naot shoes in many styles and sizes, and willing to order for you if they don’t have it.
Never had an experience like the other Unilocaler. The sales staff has always been great.