Birkenstock

I would like to express my disappointment with your brand and customer service. I received a gift card from your website and was told it could only be used online. That was fine, so I placed an order. Unfortunately, I bought the wrong size and needed to return it. To my surprise, I was told I had to pay for the return myself. I find this very… Read more

disappointing, especially because I not only used my gift card but also paid extra money on top of it. For a brand with high-priced products, charging customers for returns feels unfair and very frustrating.

It is also ridiculous that if you buy something online, you cannot exchange it in-store. For a well-known brand with physical stores, this policy makes the whole experience unnecessarily complicated for customers.

Because I was worried about choosing the wrong size again, I went to your Manly store to ask for help. When I explained the situation, the staff member was extremely rude and told me that the store had nothing to do with online orders and that I should figure out my size by myself.

This was honestly shocking. What kind of customer service is that? Your brand has been successful for years and sells expensive products, yet the return policy and in-store support feel completely disconnected and unhelpful.

It seems like your online and in-store teams operate with completely different standards. Customers should not be treated this way.

Incredible comfort. Live in these! – Birkenstock have been my staple shoe forever and I have not managed to wear out a single pair yet. The most comfortable open shoe, with support and grip, I can't imagine there's any terrain they can't handle. Now the world has finally caught up on how amazing these shoes are, there are so many styles and designs to choose from it's hard not to buy… Read more

multiple pairs, but one pair really will last you years and years and years. That's saying something when you're walking the equivalent of 70 marathons each year (according to my Fitbit). I could not recommend more.

Some works, some doesn't – I am a birken fan. I have bought a few products from them, I found that their shoes are fantastic but the insole doesn't work for flat feet people.

Excellent customer service – I purchased a pair of Birkenstocks as a gift. I received the shoes within 4 days of purchase. The shoes were incorrect size I returned the shoes via post and received full refund with 5 days of return. Thanks Birkenstock for excellent turn around and customer service. Show details

I purchased my first pair of Birkenstock shoes based on recommendations from several friends. From the first wear they emitted a noticeable squeak with every step. After three weeks, having determined this was not a breaking-in issue, I chose to return them—particularly given the $250 price point. The returns process was unsatisfactory. I did… Read more

not receive a case number and received no communication confirming when the shoes arrived at or departed from the facility. After three weeks of no updates I contacted the store and was told only that the shoes were “somewhere in transit back,” with no estimated return date. When I finally received the shoes and visited the store to collect them, staff advised there was nothing wrong with the pair and told me there was nothing they could do.

I am very disappointed with the experience. I paid a premium for footwear that I cannot comfortably wear due to the noise, and the lack of transparency and responsiveness in the returns process compounded the issue. The shoes are now kept in my vehicle as an emergency pair and are otherwise unusable.

My best friend replaced her shoes after I did and she has reported the same issue. Its not her first pair of birkenstocks and she is also disappointed.

Purchased a pair of sandals for my daughter for $143. Turned out they were a size too small. I can’t exchange or return due to them being a sale item. For such a big company it’s pretty horrible service. Now stuck with a pair of birks no one can wear and $143 out of pocket. Would rather buy another brand that look after customers Show details

Absolutley disgusted with the service. My husband was on the ball this year and bought me a pair of Birkenstocks online early so they would arrive in time for Christmas. Unfortunately he purchsed the incorrect size and now they will not exchange because of being over 30 days. Never worn, brand new, dont want a refund just a new size. Will never purchase a pair of these shoes for anyone ever again!!!

This time l was looking around at these style of bikenstockes with big buckle The sage colour . Which l like so bought them very happy and the delivery too . Fit just right . Some help finding the right size which made much Better . Show details

I wrote this review 3 years ago, and I have a **MAJOR EDIT to make, in favour of Birkenstock…………………………… “I won’t buy Birkenstocks again! – I am now onto my third pair of the Birkenstock style Mayari and I have finally given up them (and Birkenstocks altogether). I am not hard on shoes and find that they generally last me a very long time. Not so… Read more

Birkenstocks!! I purchased my first pair five years ago and in less than 12 months, the toe strap broke away from the foot bed. I had them fixed by a shoe repairer and then the other one broke in the same place. I contacted Birkenstock Australia only to be told that it’s common with this style (so basically, suck it up!). It was a long time before I purchased another pair but I finally decided to give them another go. Again, less than 12 months and the same problem. The third and most recent pair were bought for me last Christmas (2022) and have already broken in the same place. On top of the strap issue, I also find that the cork disintegrates quickly (no, they haven’t gotten wet), compromising the entire foot bed and ultimately causing sore feet. Birkenstock may have made a name for themselves in the past, as being high quality but sadly, I think that is history. I won’t buy Birkenstocks again.”

**If you are purchasing the style ‘Mayari’, PLEASE PAY EXTRA FOR LEATHER!! I think a lot of people are confused by the term ‘BIRKOFLOR’. This is Birkenstock’s name for IMITATION LEATHER, synthetic. It’s very weak, compared to leather.

I had no idea I wasn’t buying leather until my third pair of Birkoflor sandals broke after a short time (as per the above review). Since that review, I have bought the same sandal in leather, and the toe strap outlasted the sole. I have absolutely punished these (leather) sandals and the toe strap never gave up.

Why did I try these sandals again?? Every other brand that I tried punished my feet. I went back to Birkenstocks and my feet have been thanking me ever since. I WILL continue to buy Birkenstocks, but ONLY GENUINE LEATHER.

I bought a pair of Arizona Big Buckle Patent Fuchsia Fusion Birko-Flor recently. I was very excited when the slides arrived but that excitement soon changed to disappointment. It turns out that the Birko-Flor material is synthetic and is not good for sensitive skin. After wearing this footwear for a couple of hours I had a blistering rash across… Read more

the top of both feet where the straps sit. The advice I received from the Customer Service online help was to see a doctor. I would like a refund but because I wore the footwear that is not an option. This was not a good purchase and I won't be recommending this product to anyone in the future.

Purchased in October 2024 at Highpoint- In February 2025 the toe strap broke- Contacted Birkenstock head office because i felt 4 months was not the life span I was expecting from this brand. Had already spoken to local Birkenstock Shoe Repairer and he advised that because the straps were synthetic he could not fix them. Advised Birkenstock of his… Read more

response.They advised we could post them in to head office but it would be at our expense. There was not an offer of a replacement. Went to another shoe repairer and he offered to replace the synthetic with leather for $80 which we have accepted because the manufacturer was not really interested in helping us. I have been a Birkenstock wearer for over 30 years but this is not the company that I am used to. They had a reputation for quality and these sandals are not quality. My mistake! My cost. Lesson Learned.

I agree w many of the other reviews on this site. I will not waste another $ on buying this brand. Have attempted 3 times to use repair service and get no reply. Indicates to me they are overwhelmed with faulty product! Not a good look at all. Selling expensive shoes, offering a sustainable repair service to get more $. Not so environmentally… Read more

driven I suspect. These shoes are expensive and should last longer than 14months. The leather has actually split on both sandals at the same point. I first thought I may have done something but I have shoes from other brands 10yrs old w only heal wear down. Leather is still perfectly intact. More than disappointing! Not a brand to support.

Very Bad customer service – I have always loved Birkies..but I think I am over them as a company... I have just had the worst experience with their online shop, they sent me the same wrong sandals 3 times in a row, literally useless and made it my problem to keep returning them and reordering..very unhelpful, so 1 month after I tried to buy a pair, I have nothing, except frustration! I am done with this brand.

Awful customer service and poor quality – There should be a minus stars options. DO NOT waste your money. Bought a pair online, measured my foot as instructed according to the size guide. The shoes were two sizes too big when they arrived. Do not even get me going on their rubbish return process which took two phone calls and three emails to just get a return label. And a refund takes 3… Read more

weeks. I wait in anticipation to update this review when, not if, I have to undoubtedly start fighting to get my money back once they receive the shoes back. Oh, and if you are expecting quality, don't hold your breath. They are plastic. And I've seen sturdier buckles on a pair of Kmart knock-offs.

Terrible Customer Service – The level of incompetence shown by you is unbelievable, I ordered your product online based on the same product sizing I ordered 2 years ago ... the new ones were meant to be the same sizing as the older ones but were clearly different and didn't fit and were returned. Because they were brought online on special I have been refused a credit or… Read more

replacement after you supposedly checked out the returned pair ... without comms you shipped them back basically telling me to f-off ... only after I get a notification from the courier to say that they are being sent back that you say they are being returned without credit or replacement.

I asked for them not to be returned as they are useless to me (a bit like Burkes Customer Service) but had NO further comms.

Absolutely shocking service, pathetic and weak customer support with a lack of professionalism is what I got from you and your company.

To say I am disgusted at the level of support (or lack thereof) is an understatement at the very least.

DON'T ORDER ONLINE, THEY HIDE BEHIND BS AND OFFER NO SUPPORT FROM THEIR SO-CALLED CUSTOMER SUPPORT TEAM ... the level of incompetence is at such a high level that you will be amazed at had shocking they actually are!!!

Dismissive customer service – Have noticed a serious dip in quality - my super Birkis would normally last 3 years - these have not even lasted 1. Sole has torn on left shoe and Birkenstock Australia just dismissed it as “wear and tear”. Been wearing the same model since 1994. Seriously underwhelming. Show details

Stay as far from this company as possible – I brought a pair of birkinstocks and after 5 months the toe strap broke and when I sent them back to be repaired they lectured me about how much I had worn them and that they refuse to fix the broken strap unless I paid $121 to have the soles repaired. Stay awake from Birkinstock, absolute rubbish company to deal with and poor quality products. Show details

Terrible customer service terrible company does not stand behind their product – I have been purchasing Birkenstock Arizona for 40 years. This last pair was different they did not form fit to my feet they were very heavy and clunky and made my legs ache when I walked they also gave me blisters the company said because I had warned them there is nothing that they can do. These are over $100 sandals they do not stand behind… Read more

their products whatsoever. Everybody knows that Birkenstocks must be born to form fit to your feet they do not feel proper when you first buy them. They are a big enough company but they are just greedy. Save your money spend your money with another company. Because if you have to deal with Birkenstock or the customer service you will realize what I have and that is I never should have spent the money with them over the years.

Berkenstocks coming apart after 6 months – My wife paid A$146 for a pair of Berkenstocks from David Jones in Australia thinking they were made of leather and would therefore last longer than synthetic alternatives. After six months the upper started tearing and I took a close look at the uppers and saw they were synthetic. The material is obviously not strong enough to withstand gentle… Read more

use, because she only uses them as her indoor shoes and they have never been worn outside of the house.

On the Berkenstock website it says you can only return them within 30 days, which is disappointing given not many faults can be detected within 30 days.

It appears we bought expensive rubbish! We will never be buying Berkenstocks again because obviously the quality is poor, despite the price being expensive.

For my indoor shoes, I bought a cheap pair of lookalikes from Target for A$22 and they are going strong. If they do tear I can afford to buy several replacement pairs and still be ahead.

There is no point paying the extra for Berkenstocks.