FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: DECEMBER 7, 2020

CONTACT: Amy Rasor, Regional Director (817) 304-8049 arasor@fortworth.bbb.org Itasca,

Texas-based retailer receives influx of consumer complaints; doesn’t respond

Online retailer Wild Heifers Boutique became the focus of a BBB investigation after receiving nearly 175 complaints and negative reviews over the last year from consumers in 18 states.

Wild Heifers Boutique sells women’s apparel, shoes, and accessories. The business’ website claims items ship within seven to nine business days, yet consumers tell BBB they waited more than a month in some cases. Customers who did receive products reported receiving the wrong order. Additionally, consumers report they are unable to reach the company to check the status of their order or request a refund.

Better Business Bureau secretly shopped the boutique and ordered spotted cheetah shoes on Sept. 17. The order never arrived. Furthermore, BBB visited wildheifersboutique.com to check the status of the order and received a message stating its “currently unavailable.”

Texas consumers report finding the retailer through Facebook and Instagram ads. On average, customers report losing over $100 on Wild Heifers purchases totaling more than $12,500. According to consumers, payments were generally made through credit card or Sezzle, an extended credit service that allows customers to pay in monthly installments.

BBB never received an email response from Wild Heifers Boutique’s owner Ciara Finley. The published phone number is disconnected and mail to the store’s Itasca address was returned.

One shopper who attempted to contact Wild Heifers about their order told BBB, “I ordered an item, and it has not been shipped and it’s been months. Order is paid in full, and a UPS number was created to make it seem like she shipped it, but UPS hasn’t received the package yet. I’ve contacted her [the company] on every platform possible and it takes months for her to reply with excuses.”

Another complainant said, “I ordered a four-item order and received it on Feb. 8, 2020. I only received one correct item, two incorrect items and not even the fourth item I ordered and paid for.”

Wild Heifers Boutique maintains an F rating with BBB.

Use these tips from your Better Business Bureau when shopping online:

• 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 valid 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 safely and be diligent. Consider using credit cards for online purchases, which can offer extra protection 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.

Visit BBB.org for more online shopping tips.

ABOUT BBB®: For more than 100 years, the Better Business Bureau has been helping people find businesses, brands and charities they can trust. In 2019, people turned to BBB more than 183 million times for BBB Business Profiles on nearly 5.8 million businesses and Charity Reports on 11,000 charities, all available for free at bbb.org. The International Association of Better Business Bureaus is the umbrella organization for the local, independent BBBs in the United States, Canada and Mexico. BBB Serving the Heart of Texas serves 105 counties in Austin, Bryan, Corpus Christi, Fort Worth, Permian Basin, San Antonio and Waco.