Shoes On First

Visiting Napa, my friend was shopping for boots as an apology gift from her husband which is how we found ourselves here.
I was pleasantly surprised by their prices on well-​made authentic leather footwear, VERY pleasantly surprised! I was even HAPPIER when I found they had several pairs of sale shoes in my size (11) that I actually liked as I am fairly picky about appearance but having back issues, fit is also very important.
I immediately found three pairs of incredibly priced, well-​made high-​end boots that I liked and fit well. Making a decision was NOT easy, but alas, I decided and now regret that I didn’t purchase the other two pair I had found.
As far as customer service goes… my friend and I were QUITE taken aback that this place was old school… they retrieved your shoes from the back and sat down and placed them on your feet. You won’t find that here in So Cal at all! They were extremely friendly, kind, helpful, and nice to joke around with. Not at all stuffy or pretentious like some of the other places we’d found.
Next time I’m in Napa… believe me, this is the first place I’ll shop at!
Thanks for a great experience, guys, and representing your area worthily!

I was determined to like and buy shoes from Shoes on First, despite some of the negative reviews I saw on Unilocal.I wanted to support a local business, but unfortunately my experience with the store lived up to some of the less-​than-​stellar reviews.
There were two employees working in the store, and one of them was with a customer. The other, a man, was not busy. When I walked in the store, he hardly acknowledged me and did not come over to greet me or ask if I needed help. I browsed around the store for a bit, waiting for him or the other employee to come help me as I picked up several pairs of shoes, but this did not happen. The point is, I did not feel welcome in the store, and I left to find shoes elsewhere.
On a positive note, I thought that their prices were fair, and they have some interesting inventory. With improved customer service, this could be a great place.

I am local and stopped in for a quick browse. I had been online and found some shoes I liked but wanted to try them on before purchasing. Upon my arrival I was greeted by the «guy», the one that is there all the time, or with the other «lady». I was browsing and asked about a certain brand of shoes (high end), mentioning I had recently purchased a pair and was looking for the spring line. The guy, said «oh we don’t care those, only a higher end of a similar brand». I continued browsing and found a pair of shoes my sister had recently wanted, I think. I IM’ed a photo and continued to look around. The guy, said, something like, «we close in 3 minutes».
I taken aback, do you want my business or just want to close up shop. I am floored that a local business in Napa, would continue to employ such a person. I have found this guy to often to curt, short, not so friendly and somewhat arrogant. Personally I would fire the guy.

I have really arthritic feet (and I’m not a senior citizen) and went into this store out of desperation. (I use the word desperation because I’m unemployed, and I know their shoes are expensive.) They happened to be holding their annual «sale» where all the shoes on a table are $ 30, so I took a chance. The gal who was working was the manager, and she could not have been more patient or more helpful. She was also not snobby, which I really appreciated. I ended up finding two pairs of shoes on sale that felt comfortable and were well-​made. Although I will probably only go there to buy shoes on sale, I will definitely go there again for the helpful sales gal, and to find good shoes.

I’ve had so many positive experiences and found great shoes that made my feet happy, even improved my back. The staff knows feet and knows their shoes. My family has hard to fit feet. Some have wide toe boxes, others narrow heels or high insteps & arches, etc. We find the staff knows exactly what will fit right. No, it’s not the cheapest — you can spend from $ 50 — $ 400 for a really good pair of shoes that will look great for years and may improve your attitude.
Speaking of attitude, I’m STUNNED to see so many hater reviews. 1 from a person who just looked at shoes and walked out. Really? I think you must have too much spare time if you can troll rate a store b/​c they didn’t have your brand. Another because they wouldn’t give a cash refund for shoes I assume you tried on 1^st (?). No store will refund your money if you wore them outside. Store credit is reasonable.
The selection is somewhat limited — it’s a small store — and even more so since they were robbed recently, but I still found more than I needed. I was grateful they didn’t have more. I would have spent way too much money. We ended up with fancy flip flops, heels I can dance all night in, and dress shoes my picky, hard to please 14-​year old couldn’t complain about.

I read the Unilocal reviews on about Shoes on First and was hesitant to visit because most people were saying that there was terrible customer service but I have to say, I was treated pretty well there today.
The man running store said his name was Gomez, I found him to be very cheerful and patient with all of my questions. He knew a lot about shoes and I am pretty happy with the pair I purchased.
I will say that I wish there had been more selection. The Men’s shoe section was a little barren, Gomez mentioned that they are going to be getting a big shipment soon.
I’m glad I gave them a chance, I will be back.

Phil, as much as I would like to take this as a complete insult, I won’t, given that my budget at this point in time probably exceeds yours. I HAVE had the misfortune of dealing with your salespeople and shopping in your store. If I were you, I would be more concerned about the perspective of the customer and listening to what they had to say as opposed to trying to put us in our places, trying to make us out to be (ummm how to say this nicer than you did) welfare recipients with no income?
I’m sorry that you feel that my comment was out of line. I will, from this point forward, strongly warn my friends and relatives not to shop at your store as you have proven yourself to be rude. Personally, I would never give you another chance to earn my business.
Just as a point of interest, at one point I felt sorry for you as I thought you were basically oblivious as to the caliber of people you have working for you. I have since been corrected insofar that as you are just as bad as they are. I was a business owner here in the Valley as well and would have NEVER have treated my customer (or potential customers) in this manner. I would have talked to them to find out what the problem was and tried to correct it.
«THE CUSTOMER IS ALWAYS RIGHT» is a phrase I would be taking to heart if I were you. I was born and raised in the Napa Valley and totally support small business owners here, just as long as they treat the customer with respect (which happens to be YOUR job as a proprietor, not mine). Good Luck with your future sales — it will be interesting to watch.

About to hit the spa for a 5pm appt when I realize I left my dinner shoes in Calistoga & tennies w/​a skirt for dinner wouldn’t do. Shoes On First to the rescue
Not only were they open late but they had some ankle boots that fit the need. Also found some cute booties that will look great w/​jeans
Wished the selection was just a bit better but they’re a small store & it can only fit in so much but if I hadn’t been in such a rush or if there were other stores nearby, I would have checked around
Also — can’t really say I’d spend $ 400 on 2 pairs of shoes I wasn’t absolutely crazy-​ga-​ga-​in-​luv with. I mean, they’re okay — just not $ 400 okay… but again, time crunch & desperate added to total impulse buy… what’s a girl to do?
The lady working there was super nice & brought out new shoes for me even though the display sizes fit me fine — then she made sure we were all safely wrapped up & good to go… as I was cramming everything into my spa bag
She also made a point to tell me about their return policy even though there were signs all over the place… but I had read the previous reviews before I went in, so I knew what to expect — but it was a nice surprise to have them be so upfront
Basically, you buy the shoes, they’re yours… small window for return /​exchange (7 days) & even then you’ll *only* receive store credit. So know this going in & you’ll be fine
So, for having what I need & being so darn close to where I was, yup, I’m a fan

I used to shop here when the owner’s daughter ran the store. She was great, and it felt good to be supporting a local and family business. We bought several pairs of shoes over the years, some of which we still have. I hadn’t gone in for a while, but over the last year was in twice, as was my husband. I think it’s safe to say that we will NEVER venture in again. The man who worked there could not have been LESS interested in us, and almost seemed put out when we asked to try something on. There also seemed to be a female employee, but she didn’t really appear to be there to work (i.e. help customers). She seemed far more interested in joining her colleague in treating potential customers rudely. I tried on a pair of shoes that were two distinct different colors of red. I watched the saleswoman notice something as she opened the box, but she didn’t say anything when she brought it to me, and acted a little surprised when I pointed it out. They told me that the fluorescent lights fade the dye (one had been a floor sample, according to them), and that it would quickly even out if I left the darker one out of the box for a few days. When I asked if I could return them – unworn – if they didn’t end up matching, the answer was no. Really? We’re done.

Shopping at Shoes on First has been a terrible experience. I tried several times and waited before writing this review hoping that it was just a bad day for them but after four experiences and all of them bad I feel the owner should know what is going on in his absence. I have bought shoes there. Had a great experience when the owner was present. Took my family who was visiting me from Japan to Napa to shop. They loved the shoes I have and I was excited to take them to Napa. The worker Gomez is rude and lazy. Not only did he just stare out the window until I requested his assistance measuring sizes– he never suggested shoes or gave any alternatives or suggestions. I brought seven people with money to spend and we left empty handed. I called on Monday and left a message for the owner to call me and that never happened. Went in yesterday just to see sale items. Woman who works there who has been rude in the past was extremely rude and acted put out when I inquired about a shoe. I will never shop there again and I will tell everyone I know not to go there. Too bad the owner Phil has no clue the amount of business he is losing. Napa downtown needs revitalizing– this store is giving downtown a bad name.

I was on a mission for Dansko sandals and saw Shoes on First was a Dansko retailer, so I wandered in and promptly, ran out. No Dansko or Sanita sandals, only a few Born and some $ 175+ brands I was unfamiliar with. I’m all for buying nice shoes, but the styles were either grannie or slightly avant-​garde older lady – Sorry, not for me.

great selection, great service. Nice place to shop.

I feel like I should be tipping their staff after the service I receive. The prices are high, BUT that is because you get what you pay for. You can buy cheap shoes that’ll last you one season on discount websites (probably made in China), or you can invest in quality shoes that will last.
I had a pair from Shoes on First last me as my working restaurant shoes for six years until my dog chewed off the velco strap. Quality? Yes. Great service? Yes. Pricey? Not for what you’re getting!

Shoes on First Now LAST in my book! Because of their completely unreasonable return policy, Shoes on First will now be the singular exception to my SHOP LOCAL rule. No refunds! Ever. Under any circumstances. Even if you spend $ 500 on four pairs of shoes and one of them just doesn’t fit! You can only get a store credit. No matter what. They carry great shoes, but nothing that you can’t get at Nordstrom or Zappos where they have reasonable return policies. And the young «man» who works there was just totally rude. We can do better folks. I had shopped there many, many times before. But never again!