B.A. Mason Shoes is a therapeutic footwear retailer specializing in comfort shoes and medical footwear. The company carries close to one hundred brands and puts a strong focus on fit and hard-to-find sizes. The majority of their business is catalog-based, but their market is increasing rapidly to include online sales.
But, has their high level of customer service survived the Internet age? What's their return policy like? Are their prices worth the cost of shipping? For a practical review of B.A. Mason, read on.
Staff Courtesy and Customer Service
Too often you call a mail-order company or online retailer and wind up speaking with a contracted customer service agent halfway across the world. When you contact B.A. Mason Shoes, you actually speak to someone at B.A. Mason in Wisconsin. Their customer service reps know the products, are familiar with the shoes and are able to find the perfect fit for your foot. Unlike many catalog companies, dealing with Mason over the phone is actually a pleasure.
However, there is one major strike against B.A. Mason - they don't cover the shipping on returned items. Instead, if a customer orders a shoe and it doesn't fit, they must then pay for the return shipping themselves. With many of their shoe store competitors absorbing the cost of return shipping, a company like B.A. Mason can't afford not to.
Shipping and Handling Charges
If you want fast shipping, you may need to shop elsewhere - B.A. Mason uses USPS for all its shipping. However, this really keeps prices down and helps them remain affordable.
Designs and Brands
The majority of B.A. Mason customers are older, customers who appreciate that the business is family-owned, U.S.-based and focused on selling high-quality and comfortable shoes. However, because most of their customer base is higher in age, the majority of the styles tend to lean toward more traditional styles or shoes that the put the emphasis on comfort rather than appearance.
So, if you're looking for the newest fashions or a spiky heel with a lot of edge, this isn't the shoe retailer for you.
Prices
The prices at B.A. Mason are great - making them a terrific choice if you know your size and style. Because they're a strictly online and mail-order business, you'll often find fantastic prices and great deals on shoes that can cost as much as 20 to 50% more at traditional retailers.
The Final Word on Masons
B.A. Mason Shoes may sell quality shoes at great prices, but they need to modernize their stock. With a declining customer base and most consumers looking for fashion-forward retailers, this little catalog shoe company may have a limited long-term future.
On the other hand, with the U.S. population continuing to age and Baby Boomers closing in on their retirement stage of life, these footwear products could, in fact, have a pretty bright future for many more years.
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