I’ve had some good experiences at Searle’s in the past, but today that was not the case. I went in looking for a casual shoe in a size 14. Previously Searle’s has been the only place in the valley where I could reliably find larger sizes. The vast majority of the shoes in my current rotation are from Searle’s. Today, not a thing in stock that even came close to my needs. When I commented that they used to be great for larger shoe sizes, I was told that people with bigger feet haven’t been shopping as much. That’s going to be a self fulfilling prophecy if you don’t have stock anymore. I used to buy a couple pairs of shoes and boots a year, but I guess I’ll have to head down island instead.
Jamie Yurick
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May 28, 2024
High quality shoes at extremely high prices. Unflinching return policy. I bought shoes that ended up being a bit too small for me. While trying on shoes I asked about the return policy, I was told shoes can be returned "Within two weeks if they are in new sellable condition". Mind you I am trying on shoes off of the clearance rack at the time.
I wear the shoes one time around town, feet hurt afterwards so I cleaned them up so there are no marks on them whatsoever. Go to return them 4 days later and am told immediately I can not return them because they have been worn. Apparently the manager saw me wearing the shoes around Courtenay shortly after purchase. Zero conversation or negotiation possible. Also was told for the first time they can't be returned because they are from clearance (I was trying on clearance shoes when first inquiring about the return policy...). $170 for shoes that don't fit me now. Would not recommend.
Riley E
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July 04, 2023
It's not that I don't believe the bad reviews, but when I went in there was a young man helping me and I got a pair of blundstones thanks to him helping me try on several pairs of shoes. They were helpful and patient with me, walking me through the different styles and features and giving me all the time I needed to walk around the store with the shoes on feeling them out. Helped me get insoles to make the shoes fit perfectly and honestly it was an all around good experience. Will probably go back.
Kim West
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September 29, 2023
Tara from Searle's is the best! So helpful! What a gem she is and live the great selection in this store!
Glenda Heale
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October 15, 2023
My husband purchased a pair of shoes from Searles in February 2023. In July he took them back to Searles as the inside lining was starting to tear away at the heels of the shoes. The Manager looked at the shoes and told him she would need to see a receipt. My husband indicated that he didn't have a receipt but could get a copy of his credit card. The manage indicated that would be sufficient so he came home to print off a copy and return it to the manager. When he arrived back at the store, the manager told him that the damage was not a warranty issue because it was caused by a "bad fit". She refused to give him a refund, or another pair of shoes, and wouldn't return the shoes to the manufacturer because they wouldn't be covered under the warranty. My husband then contacted the manufacturer and described his experience with Searle shoes. He told them that the Searles manager refused to refund him or provide a new pair because she felt the problems was due to a "poor fit issue". My husband included photos of the shoes and the manufacturer responded by saying that "this should not be happening to your shoes. The manufacturer confirmed that the shoes were covered under their warranty program and issued a voucher for the initial cost of the shoes. It should be noted that the Manufacturers web site indicates that damage due to "poor fit" is not covered. So they therefore didn't see the problem as a poor fit. We generally try to shop local to support our local stores however due to the terrible customer service we received, we will not be shopping at this store in the future.
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250 5th St, Courtenay, BC V9N 1J6, Canada
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I’ve had some good experiences at Searle’s in the past, but today that was not the case. I went in looking for a casual shoe in a size 14. Previously Searle’s has been the only place in the valley where I could reliably find larger sizes. The vast majority of the shoes in my current rotation are from Searle’s. Today, not a thing in stock that even came close to my needs. When I commented that they used to be great for larger shoe sizes, I was told that people with bigger feet haven’t been shopping as much. That’s going to be a self fulfilling prophecy if you don’t have stock anymore. I used to buy a couple pairs of shoes and boots a year, but I guess I’ll have to head down island instead.
High quality shoes at extremely high prices. Unflinching return policy. I bought shoes that ended up being a bit too small for me. While trying on shoes I asked about the return policy, I was told shoes can be returned "Within two weeks if they are in new sellable condition". Mind you I am trying on shoes off of the clearance rack at the time. I wear the shoes one time around town, feet hurt afterwards so I cleaned them up so there are no marks on them whatsoever. Go to return them 4 days later and am told immediately I can not return them because they have been worn. Apparently the manager saw me wearing the shoes around Courtenay shortly after purchase. Zero conversation or negotiation possible. Also was told for the first time they can't be returned because they are from clearance (I was trying on clearance shoes when first inquiring about the return policy...). $170 for shoes that don't fit me now. Would not recommend.
It's not that I don't believe the bad reviews, but when I went in there was a young man helping me and I got a pair of blundstones thanks to him helping me try on several pairs of shoes. They were helpful and patient with me, walking me through the different styles and features and giving me all the time I needed to walk around the store with the shoes on feeling them out. Helped me get insoles to make the shoes fit perfectly and honestly it was an all around good experience. Will probably go back.
Tara from Searle's is the best! So helpful! What a gem she is and live the great selection in this store!
My husband purchased a pair of shoes from Searles in February 2023. In July he took them back to Searles as the inside lining was starting to tear away at the heels of the shoes. The Manager looked at the shoes and told him she would need to see a receipt. My husband indicated that he didn't have a receipt but could get a copy of his credit card. The manage indicated that would be sufficient so he came home to print off a copy and return it to the manager. When he arrived back at the store, the manager told him that the damage was not a warranty issue because it was caused by a "bad fit". She refused to give him a refund, or another pair of shoes, and wouldn't return the shoes to the manufacturer because they wouldn't be covered under the warranty. My husband then contacted the manufacturer and described his experience with Searle shoes. He told them that the Searles manager refused to refund him or provide a new pair because she felt the problems was due to a "poor fit issue". My husband included photos of the shoes and the manufacturer responded by saying that "this should not be happening to your shoes. The manufacturer confirmed that the shoes were covered under their warranty program and issued a voucher for the initial cost of the shoes. It should be noted that the Manufacturers web site indicates that damage due to "poor fit" is not covered. So they therefore didn't see the problem as a poor fit. We generally try to shop local to support our local stores however due to the terrible customer service we received, we will not be shopping at this store in the future.