Redmond Western Wear

My son thinks of himself as an urban cowboy so I stopped in there for a birthday gift. All I can say is the same as most others - the service stinks. They either ignore you completely or they follow you around watching your every move.

PEOPLE....... there is a better option if you're willing to drive 10 miles north. Go to BETH WEST WESTERN STORES located right on Hwy. 9 before you get to Snohomish. This is a much nicer store, much better selection and originally located in the Okanagon and owned by people who really are Westerners (in the cowboy sense of the word). Talk to them and hear their stories. The owner is actually a champion roper.

I would never go back to Redmond Western Wear after finding Beth West.

I was initially afraid to get in because of the bad reviews I had read about it.
But We decided to enter my husband and I, and it was a good experience, the young guys (girl and boy ) who attended today were kind.
And they didn't make us feel uncomfortable

Also we are so happy about the Stetson hats we buy!!!

I love to support local businesses especially because I come from a small island and it's a lot to support small, local, family owned, immigrant and minority ran business.

However I'm so sad to say that My family and I will never go to this store again. The owner who is Korean (an immigrant to this country just like us) just ignored my husband who was holding our 1 year old son who simply asked a question respectfully and repeatedly due to he wasn't sure if he heard him the first time.

He only wanted to help my husband after I mentioned where my husband worked. I was so disgusted and disappointed that I told him I couldn't believe that's how he treats people who come into his store and left.

I do not recommend supporting or buying from a small business that treats people and residents of Redmond like this.

HIGHLY DO NOT RECOMMEND TO SHOP HERE....THE WORST!!!

Western Wear. What does that mean exactly? I live in the Western United States, and my everyday clothing look nothing like what is sold here. Does that mean I need to dress up in cowboy gear to look "western"? I'd never really encountered a moment in my life when I needed cowboy stuff. That must be why I've walked or driven by this place so many times without stopping by and looking around.

Well, it was actually Yelp that had me come back here. One of the events I was attending had a western theme, so I guess that meant it was about time to check out that store and stock up on some cowboy gear! Kill two birds with one stone, and it's not like I knew of any other store in the world that specialized in this kind of stuff. I imagine that's probably how they stay in business.

My first impression upon entering this place is that there is an overwhelming smell of leather. What a surprise. Then after seeing the prices, I was just about to leave. I didn't exactly have a set budget in mind, but I simply was not prepared to pay some of these inordinate prices. It's fine that the store picked a theme and went with it, but it's not exactly fair that similar or equivalent items at normal clothing stores can be gotten at much lower prices.

"Fine," I thought. I'm not going to have the leather pants and jacket and lasso. I'll just buy a cowboy hat. The cheapest one available. There was indeed a section for hats, and the prices ranged from twenty dollars to over a hundred. They're all just hats, and to the untrained eye, they all look more or less the same. Who can tell a twenty dollar hat from a one hundred dollar one? More importantly, who would care about the difference enough to pay eighty dollars for it? These are the types of questions I constantly ask myself when buying any products, and I find myself hard-pressed to shell out a ton of money for this kind of stuff if I can't find the answers.

That's the story of how I managed to obtain a canvas hat (whatever that means) that felt like it was made of plastic for $21.85 after tax. It looked like I would have to leave in disappointment as my budget did not allow for me to be fully decked out with the boots and buckles. I wouldn't even get to wear the hat to the event and then come back for a refund, because they have a policy against giving refunds for hats. Western Wear, I don't have lice, I promise! I also don't have a lot of money, and the limited amount I do have has to go more toward food and bills (and Yelping!) before I can indulge in whatever luxuries people who can afford cowboy stuff indulge in.

Just as a footnote, at the event that I went to (which was also the purpose of my trip here), most people didn't even bother to dress up as cowboys and cowgirls. Life can be cruel sometimes.

So. I have driven by this store a million times. Today I went in. How in the heck is this place still open? I have been in the Western shop in Centralia and it is fantastic. Always very friendly and helpful people. This shop had a vibe like "what are you doing here"? Two Asian women and a young man sat at the front counter. None said a word to me while I quickly walked around the store. They have to be dealing drugs out the back door. Right? HOW ARE THEY STILL BUSINESS?

Looking for boots. I went in to ask what size i am.
Not only did i get no answer, i got followed around by the staff endlessly. Literally following me with their eyes, and physically standing 12" from me silently as i walked through the store. I couldnt get any help for boot sizes. And now a need a shower cause i feel like i was in the cast of a jordan peele movie!!!!!!!!

Soooooo awkward! Gross. Never again.

I had a really interesting experience here. First of all, I'm not from Redmond, I'm from the cattle ranching foothills of California. I used to live in Western WA for about 5 years, and I was up for the weekend to see friends and pop in and see my old chiropractor in Bellevue who is a friend of mine. My work boots (a pair of Justin Ropers) had not held up well and were causing me to lose my chiropractic alignment in my low back because of uneven wear of the boots. My chiro friend told me to go buy a couple pairs of boots and bring them to him to check on me to see how they work for my alignment. So I found this place, and gave it a try.

So you have to know one thing about me - I grew up on a cattle ranch in Cali. I've seen western stores for over 41 years - from small family owned stores like this one, to the warehouse style "Boot Barns" that dot every 50 miles in farm country (none in Western WA). From reading the reviews on yelp its obvious that people in Redmond really don't know anything about western wear, and that's not surprising...what is surprising is how a store like this survives in yuppyville. Yes folks this is what it costs to buy boots in a local store. If you want to save $5-$10, shop online... but good luck with that, boots for me are hard to fit on my feet and I'd rather not make 3 online returns. Besides who doesn't like country music and the smell of leather (oh yeah, people in the suburbs of Seattle...)

There were three people working in the store today. I was immediately greeted by an Asian man who at first seemed extremely eager to help...really eager. But he actually was really pleasant. Once he realized that I knew what I was looking for and this wasn't my first rodeo, he left me alone but within earshot if I needed him. I actually tried on about 10 different pair and ended up buying two - a really nice expensive pair of Ariat's and a mid-grade pair of Durango's.

Now the the real fun begins.

There was a really sweet young girl (young enough to be my daughter) who was ringing me up, it was her first day there, and the Asian dude was showing her how to do it. She struggled with the receipt paper, and was nervous being shadowed by the man, so I tried to talk to her to reassure her that I didn't care.

I was happy to hear that according to the Asian dude the expensive Ariat's were half off (score!), and the other pair was another $10 off, and I can tell you that those prices beat the snot out of what I'm used to at the big boot stores in California. So I take the two pairs to my chiro, and turns out only one works for me. No biggie; I asked first before buying what their return policy was. Seven days. Good. I plan to return them same day, I'm flying back tomorrow.

When I get back to the store to make my return, an older Asian lady (who appears to either own or manage the store based on her bossing the other two around) did not understand what I wanted. Once we got that cleared up, she proceeds to tell me that the pair that was half off was not actually half off. Ah hem. I'm getting ready to pull out my "you already sold them to me at that price, and I didn't have to come back here" speech. Then she blames the new girl. I felt like a protective dad and immediately said "it wasn't her fault it was the other guy who said they were." He comes up and immediately and humbly agrees and apologizes. Nice touch. Shows character. And none of this was done rudely by the older lady, just matter-of-factly.

So I get the refund for all boots back on my card, and the lady says we need to recharge for the pair I'm keeping at the correct price, but with a nice discount, which ends up still being cheaper than what I would have paid back home. Sure, no problem. I'm a fair guy, and believe in supporting small family businesses. By now the stern faced Asian lady is starting to warm up. I tell her that "you know you guys are fortunate; I could have never came back and you would have lost money on this deal," and she starts smiling. Be nice to people, and they will be nice back (usually).

Except the credit card gets declined because I'm out of state and have done too many activities with it now at this store. That's a bummer because I use that card for the family farm for record keeping for tax deductions. Ok, so I pull out another card and get 'er done.

Bottom line is, despite some minor issues, I actually had a much more pleasant (and interesting) experience than in those larger western stores where you can't find anyone to help. I hope they can stay in business; selling western wear in Redmond has to be about as hard as selling gourmet French food in Tijuana Mexico.

I've passed by this place a hundred times when eating lunch in the area and I never had a reason to go until my bro and I decided to find some nice rugged work pants for the pops.

When we first walked in I didn't realize how western the wear was, but luckily off to the side they had some work pants that we were looking for. The staff was nice and helpful, and they even put up with my loud mouthed brother. And even better, they offer free hems accompanied by hymns (not really).

Our dad really likes his new work pants and I'm glad to know a place near work if I ever decide to pick up a pair of work pants for myself, or a rhinestone stone belt.

Ugh... I've been to Radio Shacks that left me alone more than this place.
Seriously, I don't mind help browsing every once in a while... but if I specifically say I don't need assistance... three times.... don't follow me around and continue to badger me.
That said,.... mothball smell mixed with a hint of fresh-leather and Carheart.
There ya go, I saved you a trip.
Well... unless you're looking for a $80 holster ...

I needed a novice horseback riding helmet and found one here at a reasonable price. The young woman who helped me was a rider herself and was very friendly and knowledgeable. So, just based on this, I had a great experience.