Cathy Jean

I do not recommend anyone buy the poorly made shoes from Cathy Jean. I have had a bad taste in my mouth about them for a long time so let me tell you a story. When I was just 16, working part-​time and a tiny allowance from the parents for doing chores, I wanted to «splurge» on a cute pair of wedges. For a 16 year old, $ 30 is a lot of money. I tried a pair on, liked it and bought it. Upon taking them home, I walked around the house on the carpet to see if they were comfy. They were the worst wedges I have ever worn. Cheap look, cheap make, and not classy looking in hindsight now. For a lack of a better word, it just looks plain trashy. The employees that work at most Cathy Jean stores are unprofessional and carry on inappropriate conversations in front of customers. Anyway back to my experience, my parents also said the wedges were not age appropriate and they were too sky high. So, my dad drives little old me to South Center mall to return them. First, I had never worn them outside or anywhere. The girl working looked at them and said, they’re worn and we are not taking it back. I was sold a worn pair of shoes from the original girl who sold them to me! I swear to this day, I never wore those damn shoes! I was young and naïve and I remember thinking the sole looked sort of scuffed but I just thought that was how they were suppose to be. Young and naïve I was and just didn’t know. Nevertheless, she rudely told me that I shouldn’t be retuning worn shoes. I will never forget how awful I felt after spending $ 30 dollars of my microscopic bank account and how bullied I felt. I was on the verge of tears after she scolded me and accused me of trying to return worn shoes. My dad felt so bad, he took me to Nordstrom and got me a pair of pretty sable boots. I went back recently and it seems like nothing has changed. Still unprofessional sales associates who are there because it’s a job, shoes are pretty much the same style and you can easily see the poor workmanship still and yes, still trashy. Most of the items are cheap plastic imitation leather. I don’t know why I even went into the store but it reaffirmed why I have never forgotten how awful that woman made me feel purchasing something I earned by myself. Customer service really does leave an impression that can be forever jaded and irreparable. As an adult now with my own professional job, I only buy from designers that take ownership of their product and take pride in their products. I’ve shopped Coach, Louis Vuitton, Frye boots, Michael Kors, Kate Spade, Clarks, Born, Toms and my new obsession, Tory Burch and Nordstrom all the way. They are willing to return or exchange almost anything within reason. I know you pay the price but for its longevity and care. I got a Tory Burch bag from my boyfriend and within a year, the straps split. I thought there was nothing I could do so I stopped using the bag for a year. I happened to see a statement on the site that said Tory Burch offered repairs. I emailed them simply asking for a repair. Instead of that, they gave me a credit of the full value of my original bag! It pays to shop with designers albeit the high price tag but worth the long haul since they take care of their customers. I compare Cathy Jean as the shoes of the Forever 21. Cute, trendy but not classy and beautiful and having to toss a shoe after only a few wears.
Note to Cathy Jean: A customer’s first interaction has a lifetime impact if they feel they aren’t made whole. The selection, style and quality are still looking like the outdated trashy 90’s club girl look.