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Tip Top Shoes
Rating Details »
Category: Shoe Stores [Edit]
Neighborhood: Upper West Side155 W 72nd St
(between Columbus Ave & Amsterdam Ave)
New York, NY 10023
(212) 787-4960
- Nearest Transit:
-
72nd St (1, 2, 3)
72nd St (B, C)
- Hours:
Mon-Wed. 9:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Thu. 9:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Fri-Sat. 9:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Sun. 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
10 reviews for Tip Top Shoes
I love shoes. I'm a shoe whore. I'm Imelda Marcos secret baby love child. I've heard it all before.
So, of course, when in NYC with the man fella this past weekend, and walking by Tip Top Shoes and seeing the giant SALE sign, i felt compelled to walk through the door. And of course I drag man fella with me as I immediately make a beeline towards the freye boots i've been coveting. true love...i mean, it was valentine's day for crissakes! but then, out of the corner of my eye, i saw the MBTs. Those absolutely butt-ugly shoes that make your butt look like a nice sculpted piece of ass. and they *gasp* were on sale. for 50-60% off. Freye wha?
20 minutes later, I walked out with my original boots in my hand (who am i kidding? in man fella's hands) and a spiffy pair of MBTs on my feet. 2 hours later, my ass already hurt! yay!
The only downside was feeling like the salesman's prey when I walked into his territory.
The sales associates are dressed like used-car salesmen from the 1980s -- it's kind of a trip -- and they aren't very helpful... the place is a total mess and you have to find everything for yourself.
The entire time I was here there were a couple of Italian tourists walking around in these sort of socks/shoes they were trying on that looked like gloves for the feet -- they reminded me of King Kong, creeped me out.
There's a big selection, a lot of variety, but really nothing seems to be in stock -- it's not even close too far into the season, especially considering the terrible weather thus far, but unfortunately I have a very common foot size: a perfect 10 -- unless of course you're looking MBT, because you'd be pretty much the only one.
Top Top has great shoes, but the salesmen (why don't they hire any women?) are so boorish that the last two times I went there I tried on shoes and walked out without buying anything simply because I felt so insulted. I was referred to as "young lady" and "honey." I brought the shoes I tried on in the store online and TipTop lost the sales. I agree with the other poster who said they look like used-car salesmen from the nineteen sixties. Where do they get these guys?
I have a love-hate relationship with shoe shopping, especially when I have an agenda about what kind of shoes to buy.
I love the endless possibilities of shoe styles!
I hate having to rely on a typically clueless salesperson to fetch me sizes.
I love how shoe shopping is viable even on Fat Days.
I hate how my feet are too fat, I mean wide, for many shoes - esp sneakers.
I love the act of purchasing *the* pair of shoes and then thinking about the next time I am going to wear them.
I hate how shoes cost so freakin' much.
Tip Top Shoes seemed like the answer to all my shoe shopping prayers and nightmares...I was in search of some sneakers to end my lame avoidance of the gym. Tip Top had plenty of selection of New Balance, my brand of choice because they are the only brand with wide-width sneakers for women....even more selection of cross-trainers than the New Balance store in Union Square/SF! The salespeople at Tip Top exemplify what a pleasant shoe shopping experience should be like...friendly, knowledgeable, not pushy. She talked to me about the best kinds of shoes for what activities and even let me know that Saucony carries wide-width as well. I can't forget to mention that Tip Top carries a great variety of shoes - sandals, sneakers, street shoes, more formal shoes, boots, Crocs *blech* - and a sales rack with great deals.
Now if only Tip Top could make my feet less fat somehow, I'd be ready to marry it. In the meantime, I have a date with my New Balance sneaks and the gym.
I don't even bother with most shoe stores because it is so bitterly disappointing to enter, ask if they have any in my size, and be given that "you've gotta be kidding" look. Or, even worse, they bring out the one (ONE) pair in my size that happen to be the UGLIEST SHOES IN THE WORLD. And they act like I should be grateful because they carry MY SIZE SHOE! Luckily for me, there is Tip Top Shoes. (Should be called "Heaven.")
This is my favorite shoe store in the world! Why? Because I happen to have the hardest-to-fit feet in the world, and they have always had something for me. In fact, last time I went, they had six (count 'em, six) pairs of shoes that I had to buy, just because they fit so well, were cute, and I can't ever find shoes anywhere else.
The salespeople are all on commission and are somewhat aggressive, so when you go in, don't commit to anyone until you find someone you like (Repeat after me: "No, I'm just browsing..."). Otherwise you may get stuck with someone you're not crazy about, and if you're like me, you will end up spending a lot of time (and money) here, so you want to do it with someone you like. Steve is my man. He is tall, very helpful, has great ideas, and has never failed to satisfy. (Due to the draconian manager's rules, you can't request a specific salesperson -- just wander around until you find Steve.)
If you are from out-of-New York state, and are getting several pairs of shoes, consider having them shipped back to your home -- you'll save a boatload on sales taxes and the shipping cost is negligible. Plus, you won't have to try to squeeze them into your already over-full luggage. (Secret tip: If you want to wear the new shoes while in NYC, just put your old ones in the box and they'll ship them home for you, and you'll still not have to be hit with the taxes.)
I could wax on for days about the wonders of Tip Top -- they are experts at the perfect fit, are creative in finding the just-right shoe, and have an amazing selection, especially of hard-to-fit sizes. This store really knows its stock, inside and out, and even if they don't have the exact shoe you pulled from the shelves, they'll do their best to get you something that works, and that you'll love.
Steve even talked me into a pair of sandals that I bought somewhat skeptically, but which have become my all-time favorites.
Good selection of expensive shoes on bustling West 72nd Street, near other stores and restaurants. There's a kids' Tip Top store just west of this (adult) one.
Too costly for me, most of the time.
As much as I hate to trash a neighborhood shoe store, this place is pretty bad from a variety of perspectives.
1) The sales people will not give you the time of day unless you're shopping in their specific department (eg, women's, men's, etc.). So, if your section's sales person is busy, you'll just stand around waiting for help. Not a big deal, but also not the customer service you'd hope for from a neighborhood shoe shop.
2) The return/exchange policy is not good. Again, for a neighborhood shoe store competing with the Amazons and Foot Lockers of the world, they're opportunity is to treat people right. As the saying goes, if the shoe doesn't fit and it's been 11 days instead of 10, they should work with you. But they don't.
3) Prices are higher than elsewhere.
4) Selection is very limited. If they made up for this with great service, it would be worth going or great prices, it would be worth it. But they don't.
When you put it all together, it's not worth wasting your time going to this place -- you're better off shopping online.
Well I finally caved and dropped quite a bit of green on a pair of shoes here...and I'm thrilled. I've got the type of feet that bleed and blister walking even just a few blocks (I once had to go to the hospital after walking home barefoot in London because of bleeding feet and new shoes...but that's a story that deserves a pint). Now where was I, oh yes, back to Tip Top. I hate spending money on shoes because shoes are evil and hurt me, which is why I have to say I've avoided Tip Top because of the prices...but the prices are high because-now here's the shocker-they are actually well made shoes and fit properly with all sorts of lengths and width combinations available.
Like someone said below the staff is a bit crazy and aggressive since they work on commission, but I hate shopping and I found it bearable. Anyway, there really is a huge selection of shoes here, and now I've learned me lesson that when you find a good fitting shoe, it's worth a ton of money ... "and knowing is half the battle"
Hubby had great service - the guy was attentive and helpful and stayed with him during the whole 'try/buy' process. My guy was all over the show - but I don't know if store really knows how to handle the female clientelle. But overall we're very happy with our purchases (helps that Hubby is a tramper and he helped me with my purchase!)
After a full four dept stores and three shoe stores informed me they were out of the beloved tall Uggs, Tip Top came through for me. At the moment I was about to walk out the salesman came up to me holding a box of tall Chocolate colored Uggs (and I could've sworn the box was glowing and emitting and "ahhhhh" sound) and said, "a girl was going to come in and get these, but just changed her mind. Do you want them?" Yeah, it was awesome.
