Orva Stores

S — — — L — — — O — — — -W and lackadaisical, surly service, by FAR too few people relative to the size of the store & number of customers (which was not even that many), which wasn’t helped by one of the two salespeople saying he’d help me but then going behind the counter and standing there staring into space for fifteen minutes. I wish this business ill and look forward to its overdue demise.

I usually don’t go out of my way and write reviews about places, but i feel the need to broadcast how awful and rude their customer service was in this store. Let me point out, also, that i do work in customer service and i know how to treat my customers as i would like to be treated with the same respect and kindness that i give. It seems that this place and its workers do not know what customer service is. I really wanted a pair of Birkenstocks and i didn’t want to order them online, so when i went to this place i asked them to hold the pair that i wanted for a few hours and told them i will be back. When i came back, i was ready to check out, so i was just inspecting the shoe to make sure its in good condition: well it wasn’t. So when i asked the lady for a new pair she was very rude and acted like i was burdening her with my request of CLEAN shoes. She said they didn’t have a new pair in a very condescending tone, and didn’t even bother to check if they could get a new pair and she said that if i want a new pair i should order them online. After all I’m the one paying 100+ dollars. I would never treat my customer like that, because that lady just lost a sale and a potential customer!

Really good selection of comfort shoes.
Staff is not the most attentive. Im happy with my new pair of Kanna shoes.

I purchased a pair of the Vionic Ramba women’s sandals, which are marketed towards people with foot, ankle, knee, and hip problems to properly align you (
) and the the thong leather strip that affixes into the front of the shoe snapped cleanly across in a complete horizontal break while I was walking, causing me to fall — ouch. This is clearly a defect in the shoe, yet Orva refused to issue a refund or exchange, even though I still had the shoe’s original packaging! That’s just bad business. I won’t be shopping from them (or Vionic shoes) again.

Big difference between the 86^th St. store and the Lexington Ave. one. After quite a few unsuccessful visits to the 86^th St store –rude, disinterested and unhelpful sales associates I didgoto the Orva on Lex… what a difference! Complete opposite and a pleasant shopping experience.

I needed boots and visited with trepidation after reading reviews. The sales person got me two pairs of boots to try so I did receive service. I found the same boots online from the manufacturer on sale so decided to return them to the store. I almost felt guilty until they informed me the pair I returned was a size larger but the box was marked my size. They were pleasant about accepting the return and I was careful to do so within their 7-​day period. We do need brick and mortar stores in order to see and try things on, though I’m increasingly making online purchases.

Wow, these people are jerks.
I went in twice to see some sandals, after walking around and holding a few pairs of sandals, neither of the bored associates said a word to me. The next day I came in and bought a pair, still hadn’t been helped by anyone and the big boisterous owner guy was too busy yelling at someone on the phone to help me. One of the younger girls rang me up and I was on my way.
After trying them on at home, I realized I didn’t like them and wanted to return them. I brought them in today and they looked them over and took them back (phew).
However the reason I came into the store at all was because Olukai (a hawaiian sandal brand) listed them as a retailer. I went in to find that particular brand. After returning the Tevas I had bought I asked the big loud guy if they sold that brand. He said «Yes, but we are out of stock, I could check my other store for you», I said «Okay, can you check»?
Then he decided he didn’t say that, telling me he had ‘no idea’ what the other store had. Okay, I level my tone out and said «Fine, would you PLEASE call the other store and check?» to which he basically cut me off to tell me «NO THEY DON’T OK».
Are they totally unaware that I can buy all their products for 25% less on amazon or zappos without attitude?
So I did just that, stay away, totally unhelpful, rude sales staff. I’d welcome their ‘going out of business’ sale, but it would still be cheaper online.

Bought a pair of boots here in February when the rain and snow ate through my sneakers. That was a bad decision on my behalf. The staff were patient while i tried on several pairs, walked around the store, and shuddered when asked how much each pair cost. One lady tried her damned hardest to sell me a pair of Hunter boots, not knowing that most people give up their food for a month just to buy a pair of those. However, i really needed a decent pair of boots– it was madness outside. Settled for a $ 90 pair of purple north face winter boots. My feet were so thankful! This Place is good for those occasional shoe splurges.
At the checkout i saw Huf socks, 3 for $ 16.99… Im sorry, but no matter how «cool» you think huf socks are, im not paying that kind of money for freaking socks!

I bought a pair of boots that were really tight around the calf. The sales associate was really nice, with his suggestion that leather stretches and my silly idea of losing weight I went ahead with the purchase all cash on a Thursday night. The nex day I tried the boots again and they were just too tight so I decided to return them, it was raining so I opted to go the next day. I only tried them on in my house for less than 5 minutes. When I came back to the store, the manager accused me of having used them. I had to put them on to show her how tight they were and even after she agreed to give me back my money she emphasized that they were used. I think it’s a trick to avoid returning any money. I will never buy there again.

While walking around New York, my flip-​flop broke. I hurried to this store thinking I would at least find a decent, cheaply priced flip-​flop to hold me over. Nope, I was wrong! Not a wide selection and over-​priced to say the least. I finally ended up buying something off the clearance rack. Saw two sales women standing around talking, but they helped once I asked and was very nice. Like I said it was an emergency and couldn’t afford to walk the New York streets barefoot.

–Around the corner from work
— Buy 1 get 10% off
–Buy 2 pairs get 15% off
–Buy 3 pairs get 30% off
–Wide selection
–Immediate service
I bought a pair of white Pro Keds for my Vegas trip for $ 35 while other stores in the area wanted to charge me double that price!

Orva is great not because of their prices or huge selection but because of their customer service. I am a huge fan of the sales rep Sara. She is super sweet and knows exactly what styles I might like. She makes suggestions and takes the time to make sure that I am comfortable with the shoes and the price before I buy them.
I’m grateful she is attentive and kind. :)

I signed up for Unilocal today for the sole purpose (ha, no pun intended) to write a review of Orva.
After months of suffering with horrible plantar fasciitis and bone spurs in both feet I went to a podiatrist on 86^th Street. He was wonderful, diagnosed me and prescribed a treatment regimen. Right afterwards I hobbled over to Orva in hopes of finding shoes that wouldn’t pain my feet. I’d been wearing Dansko clogs but even those had begun to bother me. At Orva I met Robert, the manager I believe, I told him my problem, he measured my feet and provided me with the perfect shoe. Never in my life have I spent so much money on a pair of shoes but, as Robert said, you don’t want to mess with your teeth, eyes or feet — we need to keep ‘em forever. Robert spent so much time with me (although he was called away many times to deal with other costumers) he recommended both the very expensive shoes and less expensive Birkenstocks, I bought both. The Birks I know will be fine. But as I’d just spent $ 250+ plus on the others I was wary. Robert guaranteed me my feet would feel better with these shoes and told me, and I believe him, that if in a month I didn’t feel better I could return the shoes. I don’t think I’ll have to do that…
Last night going home and this morning coming to work I was able to walk without pain. Miraculous!
If you have any problems with your shoes or feet. Go to Orva and ask for Robert. He will cure what ails you!
(btw 4 stars as I did have to wait a bit between trying on shoes and Robert being torn away to deal with others in pain. .)

Nice shoe store with a wide selection, but way overpriced for the area. They never really have anything on sale. Better to go to Macy’s shoe floor as there are always better deals to be found.