Buyer Beware: The Real Cost of Buying Boots Online
We’ve all been there—spotting a great deal online, getting excited, and clicking that “Buy Now” button before fully thinking things through. Sometimes it works out, but other times, it’s a hard lesson in reading the fine print. Let me tell you about my recent experience buying boots online and why you should always tread carefully when it comes to sizing, returns, and store policies.
A Christmas Present to Myself
While I was in the USA hunting last year, I came across a pair of boots on sale from Western Riggers on the Gold Coast. Half price—too good to pass up! I figured it would make a great Christmas present for myself. The only decision left was the size. Normally, I wear between a 12.5 and 13 wide in US sizing, which I’ve used for years across my hunting boots and high-end cowboy boots. Feeling confident, I ordered a 12.5 wide in black and went back to enjoying my time in the States.
Fast forward three months—I return home, eager to unbox my new boots, only to find that they’re way too big and too wide. That sinking feeling set in, knowing I’d probably have to deal with return policies and fine print that I hadn’t paid much attention to when ordering.
The Fine Print and the Reality
Wanting to sort this out, I made the 40–50 km drive to the Western Riggers store. The sales lady was pleasant enough, but right away, she pointed out, “Well, they’re US size.” I responded, “That’s what I know and what I’ve always ordered.”
I explained that all my previous boots—cowboy boots, hunting boots—were high-dollar, all US-sized, 12.5 or 13 wide, yet these were significantly larger. That’s when the real kicker came—because they were on sale and had different soles, exchanging them would require me to pay the full price difference of $220.
Lessons Learned the Hard Way
I was stuck. If I had been in the country when they arrived, I would have noticed the issue immediately and gone in to exchange them right away. But after three months of sitting unopened, I had no choice but to fork out more money or be stuck with boots that didn’t fit.
To make matters worse, they didn’t have black in the model I needed, so I ended up settling for a light brown pair—not my first choice. In the end, the size that fit me? An 11.5 narrow. That’s a huge difference from the 12.5 wide I had originally ordered.
I thought buying from a local, smaller factory outlet would provide better customer service and a more flexible resolution, but instead, I felt like I had no choice but to take what was left. It left me far from a happy camper.
Buyer Be Wise: What You Should Watch For
Know Your Sizing Across Different Brands – Just because you’re consistently one size in one brand doesn’t mean it’s universal.
Read the Fine Print – Sale items often come with strict no-return or exchange policies.
Understand Conversion Differences – Even US sizes can vary between manufacturers and regions.
Be Cautious with Big Discounts – Sometimes, items are on sale for a reason (older models, sizing issues, or discontinued styles).
Avoid Online Shopping for Boots If Possible – If you can, try them on in person. If not, at least check reviews and the store’s return policy carefully.
Final Verdict: A 4/10 Experience
Overall, I was disappointed with how things played out. I ended up paying more than I expected, got a color I didn’t really want, and felt let down by the store’s exchange policy.
Would I buy from Western Riggers online again? No. If I was buying in person, maybe—but even then, I’d be reading every bit of fine print before pulling out my wallet. There are other brands like RM Williams which are more expensive if and if i was going to pay full price they would have been my choice.
So, my advice? Don’t let the excitement of a sale override your common sense. Read the details, check your sizing, and be prepared for the unexpected. Otherwise, you might just find yourself paying more for a deal that wasn’t so great after all.
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