Finally filed a dispute with DWDShoes/Discount Womens Dress Shoes via Paypal because it's been over a month since they received my return package, according to USPS delivery confirmation. No replacement boots, no refund, no nothing. Guys, please don't shop this site. I've been had, a friend has been had, and I can't even imagine how many other people are dealing with this.
Here's my experience in full:
I ordered a pair of boots (the Black PU Francheska-07, referenced at the end of
this post) on Sept 14th, which I received on Sept 20th. They were great, but they fit small, so I returned them (with my OWN money, they don't offer return shipping) to the address on the RMA slip included in the package on Sept 21st. They were marked as delivered in the tracking info on Sept 24th. I contacted DWD Shoes on the 26th to inquire about why I hadn't yet heard back, and was told that they had not yet received the package.
After a few more questions over the next week, it turned out that they were in the middle of a move (why didn't they mention that right away?) and that the package was being forwarded from their previous warehouse's address. Also, by this time, the boots I needed to exchange for were completely out of stock. I figured I'd wait a little longer to see if they would restock them. A few weeks later, it didn't seem like anything was being restocked, so I emailed them on Oct 19th, letting them know I would like to exchange for a different pair that they had in stock, the Brown Leopard Suede Francheska-07. Emailed again on Oct 25th to let them know I'd waited far too long and would like the exchange or a refund immediately.
As of November 4th, I still haven't received any correspondence from customer service themselves, even after filing a dispute with Paypal. I had to actually contact the
social media manager via Facebook to actually move anything along! She said that she was going to put my exchange request through to the customer service supervisor, and that's all I know thus far. Going to escalate this to a claim if I don't see my package within the week. The Better Business Bureau is also going to hear from me.
I wanted to believe that this was all circumstantial because of their major move they're in the middle of, but after some quick research I came up with complaints dating as far back as 2011. Check it out:
Jan 12th, 2011:
http://rockchicstyle.wordpress.com/2011/01/12/discount-womens-dress-shoes-com-review-horrible/
Feb 24th, 2011:
http://www.therealchattypatty.com/2011/02/discounted-womens-dress-shoes-review.html
Epinions reviews dating back to January 2011:
http://www.epinions.com/Discount_Womens_Dress_Shoes_Online_Store/display_~reviews?sb=1
29 complaints filed with the BBB:
http://www.la.bbb.org/business-reviews/General-Merchandise-Retail-By-Internet/Discount-Womens-Dress-Shoes-in-City-of-Industry-CA-100100962
Not to mention they started citing hurricane Sandy as a possible reason why their email was bouncing, when it was happening weeks before that! Check it out:
After digging a little deeper, I found that they also run an ebay store under the name
*v*boots2shoes*v*. Negative feedback? 72 in the last
month. Just throwin' that out there.
I usually want to keep this a positive place where everybody on a budget like myself can find awesome shoes and boots, but after this gnarly experience, I just can't not do anything to warn you guys. Please stay away from this company, or, if you feel like you must, order with EXTREME caution!
I'll update this post as things develop.
UPDATE, NOV. 7TH: I finally received a phone call on Nov. 6th. I was told that my return package had likely been lost, but they were going to ship me a pair of replacement boots anyhow. I was emailed a tracking number shortly after, and the boots are scheduled to arrive tomorrow (Nov. 8th). I'm very pleased with this outcome, however, I'm still in total disbelief of just
how long it took to resolve.
My final verdict is to
shop with extreme caution, if you feel you must. Hopefully this is all just circumstantial, but I guess only time will tell.
If you're still positively ACHING for some Vintage Francheskas, but are wary of these guys, have no fear! You can pick them up at
Zooshoo,
Boutique To You,
UrbanOG,
AMI Clubwear,
Shiekh Shoes, and
Make Me Chic! I've got your backs <3
I also want to take the time to apologize if any of you ordered from these guys and had any issues after my recommendation. I am so, so sorry. I feel your pain, seriously. I especially feel the need to say this because I also referred a friend who had a much larger order (her father ordered a haul of boots for her birthday) and had an outcome similar to mine. A pair in her order somehow went out of stock, she was never notified, and ended up having to wait three weeks to get the remaining boots that were still in stock
as well as the refund for the boots that were out of stock (harassing them via email the whole time and largely being ignored, mind you). So just be careful, guys.
UPDATE, NOV. 8TH: I received my boots today and all is well. I'll be dropping the Paypal dispute, but I'm still not going to recommend this site.
These boots are FABULOUS. That corset detailing up the sole is killing me!
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