Yesterday I went to the Famous Footwear in Corvallis, Oregon, where I live. I had purchased 2 pairs of the same shoes (two different sizes) for my boyfriends birthday two weeks ago. He wasn't fond of either of them and never even tried them on. We took the shoe boxes with the shoes and the original receipt back to the store to find a pair he liked. We quickly found a great pair and when I put down the boxes and handed the sales person, Yessy, the receipt. I was told I need to provide my drivers license to return and to exchange. I had the original credit card, which is a Bank of America Photo ID VISA with my 'obviously me' picture on it. I told her I don't have a drivers license but this proves I am who I say I am. She pointed out that at the bottom of the receipt it states, "We require a valid, government-issued photo ID for ALL Returns and Exchanges." She then stated, "a passport would work too". I said no, I have no passport. (Just to be perfectly clear, I am female, 48, anglo, caucasian, born & always lived in the U.S. -but none of that matters...) Then Yessy pointed to and stated that 'He' referring to my boyfriend (who wasn't even present at the original purchase), could show her his drivers license if I really didn't have one. I questioned her as to the logic of that and she again pointed to the quote on the receipt.

Being that I use public transportation and have to time my trips I asked my boyfriend to show her his drivers license to complete the transaction. He did, we completed the return and exchange.

I understand the need to see ID to make sure the credit card I used is mine, but that isn't what Famous Footwear is doing. This is a form of discrimination. Example: if I paid cash for the shoes and went to return OR exchange them with receipt, I still have to show a government-issued photo ID or I can't exchange or return. Why? Good question for Famous Footwear. Also on the receipt it states, "Return information will be maintained in a company database". So, someone pays cash, exchanges shoes, has to show a government-issued photo ID to do so and Famous Footwear has information from his/her drivers license -for a cash purchase!

Also, there is nothing that notifies you of this 'requirement' prior to your purchase. It is the fine print on the receipt -which you are given only AFTER you purchase the shoes! I asked for a 'higher level' manager to speak to and Yessy gave me the 800 customer service number. Her attitude and obvious frustration were a sign that this is a common complaint employees must deal with. Sadly her rudeness is a problem and complaint equal to the complaint to the Famous Footwear Executives making these requirement decisions.

What if my son, age 14 bought shoes from Famous Footwear with his money and had to return or exchange them the next day because they were too big. He hasn't got a government-issued photo ID? Should he have to bring in a person that has one to make that exchange?

This is crossing a discrimination line somehow -but discrimination doesn't appear to be the reason -it is more subtle than that, it is way over the 'protect us, protect them ID theft' sad-but-necessary thing. I understand extreme return policies but this is much more than that. I hope someone with the knowledge and conviction needed pursues a lawsuit. Go for it.

I like their shoes, location, variety and prices. Too, too bad.

because there very comfortable

I bought Adidas campus shoes for my nephew in Poland (for they don't sell them there) and he really liked them. He said they looked cool and he was really happy we bought the pair of shoes,and he will be really exited to were the shoes to school.The reason I bought him the shoes for him was becaues he wanted the the model of the shoes however we looked in every store with shoes in them in the supermall in Aburn WA and we could not find them untill we went to famous footwear and and you had them ,but you didn't have the size but you offered to ship me the shoes with no shipping fees so I took the deal and I'm happy I did because I made my nephew happy. Thanks Famous footwear!

10/8/09 - UPDATE - I got a call from their District Manager who was very nice and told me to take back my shoes to get a full refund!! He apologized for the actions of the manager at the Laguna Hills Mall.
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10/7/09 – Their customer service is appalling!!

I bought a pair of Shape Ups at the Laguna Hills Mall in CA. The salesman assured me that if I did not like the shoes and that I brought them back in good condition by only wearing them in a gym and not on the concrete, that I would be refunded my money back (must be within 30 days of receipt.

Well, I did not like the shoes and only wore them for 10 minutes after my shins started to seriously hurt and then falling down twice….so I took them off and put them back in the box. When I tried to return the shoes back to the store where I purchased them from, the manager refused to refund my money and said that "we can’t resell these". I said "why" and her response was "you wore them so you can only get store credit." I told her I did not want store credit and wanted my refund ($119.61). She was extremely RUDE and was not willing to work with me. She scowled at me and made me feel very uneasy. Her attidude was its my way or no way.

I refused to give in to her salesy tactics and said I was going to complain to her corporate office. She said "that’s fine, so you don’t want credit"? I told her that I was leaving with my defective shoes and that I would never return to Famous Footwear....ohh, she gave me a number to call where the person I talked to their corporate off office customer service would take my "statement".

The person I talked to had not clout and was a low-level person who could only find out what happened from my perspective (I know that this person had no authority to do anything about my ordeal but I was willing to play their game.

After waiting patiently on hold, I was told that the manager would only agree to give me store credit if wanted to take back my shoes. This did not rectify the situation and was a waste of time because they did not help me in my situation, although the person was pleasant to talk to. I asked to have a District Manager call me to discuss my dissatisfaction. This, I was told, would take up to five days to hear back from the District Manager.

My suggestion to anyone at the store or the corporate office is to fire the Laguna Hills Manager. She is bad for your business. You lost my business, my husbands business and my children’s business! This experience will cost your company about $800-$1000 a year (I’m not joking!). I have learned from this experience and vow only to buy shoes at Macy’s, Sears, Nordstams and other department stores who WANT my business and do not have the time to fight to fight over what is right and what is wrong with the customer!! Ridiculous. Change your store policy and maybe you’ll get my business back but until then, SEE YA.

FYI – I called my credit card company (Discover – a wonderful company who prides itself on excellent customer service) and told them about the situation and they agreed that I should have been refunded 100% of the price since the receipt DID NOT indicate that if I was to wear the shoes, that I would not get a refund. I was credited the money back on my card.

I also called the Laguna Hills Mall Property Manager and made a complaint about the store tactics and being treated horribly by the store manager. I am also going to file a complaint to the Better Business Bureau about the sales tactics used on me to purchase their products and their receipt not indicating that if you wear the shoes, you will NOT be refunded.

Signed,
A very unhappy customer

I just wanted to thank famousfootwear for being so accommodating and helpful. My mother had purchased a pair of sneakers for me near where she lives in PA. The sneakers were brought to me here in MD by my sister. Unfortunately they didnt fit and I had to the store to exchange them. The store did not have that style so arragments were made to have them sent to my apartment. I was told that it would take 7 to 10 business days to arrive, however after about two and a half weeks they still had not arrived. So I called cutomer service and found out that the sneakers were supposedly delivered already, but for what ever reason they were not delivered to me. Anyway, as soon as the customer service rep heard that she immediately offered to have the snakers sent out again! I was schocked to hear that even though it was probably not the fault of famousfootwear they were still trying to make the customer happy. Which they did.
Thanks Again,
Will

I am 60 years old and take a ten mile walk every other day. Obviously, I need a great pair of shoes for this. I purchased a pair of Asics Gel Enhanced at my local Famous Footwear and gave them a try last week. It was like walking in bedroom slippers! My feet fairly bounced off the pavement and I came back completely refreshed.
I got a super deal on the sneaks and went right back and got two more pairs. The saleslady remembered me by name and since I wear size fourteen, ordered a pair for me. They came 5 days later. I very much look forward to the fall with the cooler weather and my the great time I have walking in these very comfortable shoes.
Jim B.

Just bought 2 pair of Caterpillar second shift boots. Using them for work and hiking. Fit is great. I have had other Caterpillar boots in the past for work and they wear forever. I like the look better than the others. I had hoped they had these in the store when I checked but buying them over the internet wored great and since if you needed to return them you can do it in the store it works great.

Just ordered 2 pair of nike walkers. Just love them & the convience of ordering on line
the size was perfect & the buy 1 get 1 1/2 off was a great deal too Thanks

Peggy Wode
1520 Adams st Silver Creek Ny 14136

i just purchased 4 prs of shoes for the grankkids they love them i got ironman , sheckers, la gears and shaq you made me rock with the grankids thank you
DIAN PETTET
813 16TH ST
CODY WY
grammys@bresnan.net

fast delivery and excellent shoes for the price

What I like: I like the friendly greeting of the salseman.
The fact that he introduced himself to me politely and left me to shop.
I shopped in comfort; not concerned that a sales person would be steering my
thinking process.
The store is very clean and organized.
When I finally need assistance, he was handy and very friendly, but professional.
The salesman was smooth and may I say I did not feel pushed or persuided to
do anything I didn't want to do.
Lotsssssssssssss of selections......


What I didn't like: I was hardly in the door when I heard "hello sir, how you doin' today?"
I wish I were completely in the store before I was so loudly greeted.

This review relates to the web site. I have two complaints. 1. We placed an order online only to find out two days later that the shoes were not available. 2. We ordered another pair and it's already been eight days and no shoes. If they want to compete w/ the leading shoe sites, they need to step it up. We ordered the a pair from Zappos the same day and received the shoes the next day w/ free shipping.

we are from scotland but have a home in panama city beach. our grandaughters wanted bearpaw boots which we have diffuculty buying in the uk so it was great to be able to order them on line and have them delivered. Now the whole family have a pair. thank you for your excellent service.

phyllis hall

I'm sorry to hear some bad reviews but not everyone can be perfect all the time right? I would encourage anyone who had/has a bad exsperiance to take it up with the store manager or cooperate.
As an employee it is our top priority to give good customer service!

As for the Buy One Get One Deal: this is a subject we get lots of confusion on and many store employees do not know how to explain well. So here is the deal:
You get your second pair of shoes(of lesser value) for half off. The requirements are you buy 2 that is TWO pair of shoes.
When returning the full priced pair you have the option to exchange and keep the deal (with in reason) or losing the deal. If exchanging and you buy a pair that is cheaper than those you got half off of then math will be done to give you the correct deal. If returning you lose the deal. <- note the period. The deal is not buy one get one half off and return the full priced pair just to get the one half off. That would be retarded of our company and would result in a lot of returns to 'cheat' the system. So we edit the sale to make it so you paid full price for that pair you got cheaper, its very simple BECAUSE YOU NO LONGER MEET THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEAL YOU DO NOT GET THE DEAL.
When returning the cheaper pair you have the option of exchanging and keeping the deal (within a reasonable time frame) or loosing the deal. If you exchange for a pair that is more expensive the the half off 'tecnicaly' comes off the cheaper pair though we have to do the math at the register.
Each store is different and will handle your transaction differently but please remember we are here to serve you but we don't work for you.

rip off. seriously, me and my dad went there for shoes, i got a pair of converse, and he got a pair of Columbia boots. one problem. we had to order the boots, came in yesterday, January 2nd, 2009. they were too small and we went back to exchange them or refund. They only had a pair in 11 75 miles away, and couldnt send them to our house, nor the store. the lady that was helping us didnt work at that orginal store, asked someone "how do you refund them without the orginal receipt at your store?" and then, the guy that was there said he could only refund $47.89 out of the $70 dollars we bought them for, saying that it goes with the buy one get on half off deal. which made NO sense what so ever. we already bought the shoes, so we should have gotten $70 back. my dad was fed up with this, took the shoes said "forget it, ill just fricken sell them on ebay or something to get my $70." poor service, stupid employees. we will NEVER go back to that place ever again. 1 star isnt enough. it should be NO STARS.

I stopped in to purchase a pair of shoes for my daughter after the off-brand shoes I had been buying continued to wear out. I was HIGHLY impressed with the service. When I was told that the size I needed was not in stock, the clerk offered to have them delivered to my home at no charge. I was told 7-10 days for delivery and received them in three - despite it being the week before Christmas. I visited the store on the south side of South Bend, IN and will definitely be returning for my next shoe purchase. It was a refreshing experience.

Good selection of shoes but the service is very poor. I tried a pair of shoes with my daughter in the Bangor, Me store and the lady that was there (Aug 21/08 pm shift) was very rude. She was complaining to another customer that she wished that Canadians would stay were they come from. I will never go back to that store and will make sure that Canadian people are aware of it too.... I did not say anything to her but think as an employee you should be careful of what you say.

LOVELY STORE =]



i love that meagan in shirley

Online inventory is not accurate. It will let you place the order only to find out a few days later that it is out of stock.

I was unable to shop in the store due to lack of insurance involving the shopping cart I was using for my 1 1/2 year twins to ride in. The policies at Famous Footwear will prevent me from ever shopping at there stores again.

Whoever said that payless had as nearly as good a selection as famous footwear was mistaken. Famous Footwear actually has name brands, like vans, converse, skechers, and nike. Payless doesn't. I love famous footwear. It has good selection with sensible prices. I bought a pair of the converse lo tops that were only $20! This is a good shoe store.

Cheap n good.

Good selection, good prices.