Alfa Western Wear, with locations in Laredo and San Antonio, became the focus of a recent BBB investigation after the company received a large volume of complaints and negative reviews from consumers nationwide since May 2020.
Alfa Western Wear sells men’s, women’s and children’s boots and western-themed apparel at several physical locations in Laredo and San Antonio as well as on its website, alfawesternwear.com.
According to consumer complaints and reviews, items purchased online from Alfa were either months late or never arrived. When consumers inquired about the status of purchases, Alfa Western Wear failed to respond to inquiries.
Within the last five months, Alfa Western Wear has received nearly 150 complaints and reviews from consumers in 40 different states, with the most complaints coming from Texas. Combined, consumers claimed more than $13,000 in unfilled or incorrect orders with an average loss of $111.
Alfa Western Wear failed to respond to BBB’s multiple attempts to address its ongoing pattern of complaints. Currently, 34 consumers have yet to receive a response, and the company maintains an F rating with BBB.
When shopping online, use these tips from your Better Business Bureau:
• Do your research. When shopping with a new retailer, do your research before buying. Read customer reviews and view their business profile at BBB.org. Check its website for both a physical address and customer service contact information.
• Beware of unrealistic deals. If an offer seems too good to be true, it more than likely is. Read the fine print before purchasing from the retailer. There could be hidden fees, or the item may be non-returnable.
• Shop safe and be diligent. Only shop on websites that have a lock icon next to its URL, which indicates a site is secure. Consider using credit cards for online purchases, which can offer extra protections if you need to dispute a charge.
• Keep documentation. Keep any receipts or confirmation emails you receive until after your purchase arrives. This documentation may be necessary to obtain refunds or dispute charges.
