Republic Shoes

When we first walked into Republic shoes I was genuinely excited. It was the first store with wide sizes to have actually fashionable shoes. However as soon as we flipped over the first shoe and took in the 300 dollar price tag, we realized our excitement may have been unwarranted. The salesman was quick to inform us that the CHEAPEST pair of shoes was 150 dollars and that if we ever won the lottery we should feel free to come back. I understand that quality shoes are expensive but there was no need for the sales staff to be so condescending. Even if we do happen to win the lottery we certainly won’t be returning any time soon.

Bought a pair of work shoes from Republic Shoes I have a very long narrow foot and it is hard to get shoes to fit. I felt the clerks work on commission. I needed a pair of work shoes not a whole new closet of shoes. My focus was to get a good quality shoe slip resistant that fit my foot. I did get them but not without having to be shown shoes I was not interested They even in put a shoes brush in that I was charged for without being asked if I wanted it. I’m sure if I needed a shoe brush I am capable of getting my own brush without running up my bill. Also heard the same line over and again to guests in store to buy more then one pair of shoes to make them last. Hey if I came in once I am sure I can make it back when I need the second pair. Hate that kind of SERVICE. FIRST AND LAST TIME CUSTOMER. Beware and prepared for strong arm sale if you are headed in for a new pair or pairs of shoes…

I had a different experience from some others and, yes, they don’t sell cheap shoes. And yes, I’m so happy I stopped in. My sister lives in Boulder and I’m a national tour as an entertainer. Over the past 7 years I’ve bought virtually all my shoes from a famous chain that promises you pay less, with no problem. While in South Dakota I bought a new pair of shoes from that OTHER chain. By Friday as I was arriving in CO I was in ENORMOUS pain and LIMPING. I have never had shoes made of such cheap material. I called around Boulder to see if places had my small size (7 to 7 ½) and the ones I called did not or they only had boots. I saw this store offering many sizes and called them. They had it and I came in. I had also earlier been looking for my size in SAS shoes, which are extremely expensive but I had a pair years ago and they lasted forever — only stopped using them after they didn’t fit after special devices were put in my shoes. The sales person I had showed me some options — all very expensive. But I saw the SAS shoes and we narrowed it down. I am EXTREMELY happy I stopped in Republic Shoes. These shoes will save me the yearly (or more frequent) stop at that other chain that sold me shoes that put me in enormous pain. I KNOW SAS shoes last. And there was no baloney in trying to push something on me. I chose the shoes I bought that are ABSOLUTELY PERFECT. So, no, you can’t get cheap shoes there. And YES they do have a selection which included my smaller size. And YES the salesperson was extremely helping in making sure I had the right size and style. AND YES if I have to buy shoes in the future and I can time it, I’ll visit my sister in Boulder and come to this store again.).

Just bought my running shoes from Adam. I love my New Balances. That are so comfy. I think the make me run faster.

It’s tough enough shopping for shoes when you’re a big, rangy guy.
So it didn’t exactly help to have one guy pacing around smelling of bean burritos, busily gulping away on some kind of grease-​dripping aluminum wrapped mash-​up, while some kids ran around the store and an old man (presumably the owner) skulked around, literally hovering over each and every person possible.
The prices are outrageous and wildly over-​stated (I mean a pair of loafers you can get at Payless for $ 20 is over $ 200 at Republic Shoes!) and the pressure to buy is clearly evident and communicated.
The guy who fitted me for shoes (after I had communicated to him that I was experiencing shoe discomfort after spending years tracking down incompetent and selfish merchants through the unlit, unpaved, garbage-​riddled streets of Denver) told me to buy a shoe that is at least one size too big. The owner actually reached over to shelves and started handing my darling wife (and incompetence fighting partner) shoes that she didn’t ask for or even look at.
Is this greed overwhelming good taste or just cluelessness? In any event, it’s painfully unattractive. And unprofessional. At least at Payless I’m getting reasonable rates on shoes made in India or China and the prepubescent girls working try to be polite.
The Republic Shoes website is a waste of time, as no stock is listed on the site, and it’s not possible to buy anything or compare prices on the site… which is clearly meant to be no more than basic listing.
Never again, true believers, shall The Shadow be thusly flummoxed.

AVOID AT ALL COST!
Our family recently had the same experience with their BS no money back, return only for store credit, return policy. After purchasing some overpriced running shoes, (charging over the list price in this day and age is insane and this company must be heading our of business very soon) and never having worn them, we tried to return the shoes for cash. They were already charging $ 30 over the MSRP and forced us into buying ANOTHER pair of overpriced shoes, rather than refunding our money.
A quick check online showed that even Nordstrom was $ 35 cheaper for the same non-​specialty shoes. Although the replacement shoes were $ 5 cheaper, they would not pry even a 5-​spot out of their cash register, but instead issued store credit. This crazy and stupid short-​sighted business practice should not be supported by the community.
Please shop somewhere, ANYWHERE else.

I’m a 6’4 26 year old guy working and going to school. I needed some higher end shoes for business and pleasure and went here to buy some eccos I’ve had trouble finding (since they have been discontinued). I was shocked that the shoes I’ve ALWAYS paid $ 175 for (from Ecco corporate) was priced at $ 205. They had 2 pairs left in my size (15) so I bought both pairs and walked out. I decided to stop by Nordstroms on my way home to see what they had and I was told that the EXACT same shoes I just bought for $ 205 a pair could be ordered for me from their remaining inventory in other stores for the sale price of $ 115. WOW, I was so excited, I ordered 4 pairs from Nordstroms and decided to return my first 2 pair of shoes to Republic Shoes the next day.
I came into the store and explained my situation thanked them for all the help but based on finances I decided to go a different route and they wouldn’t take the shoes back and give me a refund. I had the receipt, the shoes had never been worn and were purchased 1 day earlier. They would give me store credit but not my money back. I’ve shopped at stores all over the world when I travel and have never run into anything like this other than on specialty or custom made items. This is stupid. I’m a working student and they wouldn’t work with me at all. I will never shop here again. Even if I have to pay a premium to go out of my way to shop elsewhere I will. Bad customer service, bad return policy and over priced shoes that are out of style or discontinued. Even when the shoes at Nordstroms weren’t on sale they were still $ 30 dollars cheaper than Republic. Give me a break. Never going here again and as far as I’m concerned Republic Shoes can go out of business.

Stopped in this evening on my way home from Sunflower Market to check out their winter boot selection. This was my second visit to this store in 2 years, and I had forgotten what turned me off about the place. Although they carry excellent brands and a nice selection, they do not post prices, which makes me feel as if I am shopping in a foreign country, and the price I will be quoted is subject to the whim and mood of the salesman and his assessment of my ability to pay. Perhaps their usual clientele are well-​heeled enough (pun intended) to simply purchase whatever their hearts desire? And if you do purchase something, they do not offer refunds, only a store credit. Having said that, this store seems to be successful and the salesman even told me they might expand. Tonight, again, I left with an odd feeling about the place but without a purchase.

Come with me on my quest to find a decent pair of size 16 dress shoes. Sure, I could have gone to a Casual Male and gotten myself a pair of $ 50 Sketchers, but on a whim, I decided instead to hit Republic Shoes, Est’d. well. a long ass time ago. On the outside, this store doesn’t look like much; it’s in a greasy little shopping center, across from greasy little apartments in a greasy little part of town, however, inside, they’re pretty ritzy.
They don’t exactly have the largest selection around, but they do carry some incredibly nice footwear. Their selection includes but is not limited to, Allen Edmonds, Alden, Bostonian, Rockport, SAS, Havana Joe, Cole Haan, Johnston and Murphy, Ecco, Clarks, Sebago, Wolky, Beautifeel, Taryn Rose, Joel Parker, Rangoni, Amalfi, Stuart Weitzman, SAS, Munro, Trotters, New Balance, and various other low-​end to high-​end brands.
So why the so-​so star rating? Well, that would have to be their actual sales method, not only were there no listed prices, but not until actually getting my pair of Ecco’s (That’s a Slovakian brand, not the yo-​yo-​homie-​gangsta brand) to the counter, was I given my price, a FAT two –hundred bucks. I swallowed my pride and took out my wallet, card swiped, money gone. Less than an hour later, I had a change of heart, why buy one pair of high-​end shoes for $ 200, when I could buy 4 pairs of so-​so shoes for the same price?
Which brings me to my major hang-​up, a SHIT, yes, you read right, a SHIT return policy. Before you buy shoes here, make sure that you really want them, because they will NOT refund your money. Yes, they will give you store credit or make an exchange, but there’s no way you’re getting your money back. I’m a nice guy, so I was quite congenial and didn’t raise even the smallest stink.
I smiled, said I understood, shook a clammy hand, of the man who I am sure was expecting me to eviscerate him, then retreated to my car, defeated and stuck with a pair of shoes (Really nice shoes) that I am afraid to wear because I don’t want to scuff them. If you’re a big spender and have yourself some big feet, then Republic Shoes is for you, but if you’re like me, a middle-​class office slave, then stick with the pair of hideous New Balance sneakers you bought at Ross for Less, your wallet will thank you.