Anyone bought from Russell & Bromley recently?

[ParcelFarce]

I’m slightly in love with a pair of boots on the R&B website but their online reviews seem to be atrocious, with tales of shoes falling apart after light wear and the company taking no responsibility. I’ve bought a few of pairs of their shoes over the years (mostly second hand!) and they’ve been fine, but nothing in the past 5-6 years, so I wondered if anyone had recent experience of them. Is the quality still worth the price? I actually swore off them the last time I went instore as I was spoken to so rudely, but these particularly lovely boots are tempting me back!

No because they dont make shoes big enough, let alone the price

Bought ankle boots last season and no complaints. Have longer boots from there too but bought 2+ years ago and I think they’re Stuart Weitzman rather than R&B but the quality is very good.

I’m in two minds about them as well. So many reviews saying sizing is all over the place, and that their online sizing guide is worthless. I love their laceless trainers, but it’s a lot of $$$ in shipping for me to buy from them. I need them to fit true to size before I’ll risk it. Can’t afford to return them, too pricey and months with global shipping/Covid delays.

Will watch this thread in case anyone here can shed light on their sizing?

If I was rich, I’d have bought white, blue & orange laceless flatform trainers in 3 sizes each by now. So stylish and versatile (and I hear very comfy).

Three pairs this year. I know I take a 40, same as any where. 🤷🏻‍♀️ One pair suggested down sizing by a half size in the blurb to keep the shape and I did, it was a great fit.

I return my parcels by Hermes, it's never more that £5 (mostly the companies pay the return tbh), I figure I would have spent more than that on fuel, parking and probably a coffee. I often buy a few sizes to try which sometimes boosts the order total and gets you free returns also. I just make sure it all gets returned quickly before the credit card hits. I love online shopping!

"I figure I would have spent more than that on fuel, parking and probably a coffee." *I mean if I went to the shops to try things on!

I find their shoes to be of excellent quality and last for years. I’ve never had issues with sizing either. I’d say it’s a go-to brand for more classic styles that last.

Quality good but I find they come up small.

R&B used to be one of my favourite shops but I’m over them. I stopped looking there after the cobbler in Timpsons said he couldn’t resole my shoes and told me to get better made ones next time - they were £230!

I think the company is family owned and just a bit resentful of its customers. For a long time there were no sales online and no returns during the sales. It put me off.

I bought a dream pair of heeled Chelsea boots from R&B two years ago. The heel fell off one boot within three months, had it reheeled no problem.

Then the second heel fell off. So I tried to return them but it was a no, so I won't be buying boots from them again. I've had ankle boots from Tesco that cost £10 and lasted nearly 10 years. £300+ and didn't even last a season.

I think their quality has dropped massively over the last five years or so. I have had shoes and boots that have lasted for years and years (Including a pair of brown nubuck gaucho boots that are heading for their 20th birthday!). However more recent purchases have been nothing like the old standards, though prices are definitely increasing. They tend to keep styles going for a long time so it is pretty easy to see the quality drop if you buy similar shoes over the years. I used to be a regular customer, but have really gone off them now.

I think a PP has it right when they say that they seem to resent their customers.

Never bought from there but would love to buy a pair of classic Chelsea boots in any colour.
My friend bought some years ago in a beautiful Oxblood colour, they lasted ages.

Eek, Billy, that’s awful - and exactly what I’m afraid of! Definitely makes me reluctant to take the plunge...

I agree with Garter that the company gives the impression of resenting its customers - they seem intent on adhering to a very outdated and pushy/rude sales approach, despite the fact it drives people away! V strange. Good to know some people still rate the quality, though it does seem to be quite hit and miss, especially given the prices. I shall keep deliberating and waiting for a premium bond win

@Thesuzle

No because they dont make shoes big enough, let alone the price

Not sure what size you are, but I have R&B shoes because they do stock my size, unlike most other places :(. I'm an 8ish, 42ish in European sizing, but R&B go bigger than that too, at least in my experience. Although not in all of their shoes - I think I mostly have their boots.

Have bought footwear from there for 20+ years, generally Manchester, Edinburgh or London stores. Staff have been helpful and we have had two pairs of footwear replaced. Took them in for repair and they did a straight out replacement. I do know that a number of stores do require that they repair their own products in order to be covered for faulty workmanship, materials etc and be given replacements. Have not had a single pair of shoes/sandals/boots as much as give me pain or a blister and never needed breaking in either. Slightly weird shape feet so glad to find some brand that generally works