Once again the valiant shoe is comfortable and well constructed. Regrettably since, after many years of use, my red version is finally showing signs of damage, the colour is no longer available so ca... See more
Company replied
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Review summary
Created with AI, based on recent reviews
What people talk about most
Reviews shaping this summary
First pair arrived quickly but were too small.The returns process would have been better with pre-printed label. Not everyone has the facility to print. Notwithstanding this the returns were sent a... See more
Company replied
Purchased the Seb in Walnut Calf, already have a pair of McCleans and used the sizing from them and the Seb’s were spot on. Absolute quality shoes as always and will be getting the Glencoe later in... See more
Company replied
The refurb service is recommended if you want to prolong the life of your shoes. As good as some cobblers can be — and even that is a challenge in parts of the country now — there is simply no substit... See more
Company replied
Company details
Written by the company
Barker shoes are an English Shoemaker that has been producing handmade shoes using traditional shoemaking methods since 1880. Popular styles including Brogues, Oxfords, Derbys, Loafers and Boots.
Contact info
Station Road, NN6 0NT, Earls Barton, United Kingdom
- 01604 810387
- barker.online@barkershoes.co.uk
- barkershoes.com
3.5
Average
821 reviews
Replied to 68% of negative reviews
Typically replies within 48 hours
How this company uses Trustpilot
See how their reviews and ratings are sourced, scored, and moderated.
professionalism
March 30, 2026
Reply from Barker Shoes
Thank you for reaching out to Barker Shoes. We pride ourselves on delivering not only high-quality footwear but also a professional and attentive customer experience. Our team is dedicated to assisting you with any questions or guidance you may need to find the perfect pair. For personalised assistance, our customer service team is always happy to help.
Wow.... after refurbishment my shoes are almost brand new.
I received my shoes back today after using the refurbishment service and all I can say is wow, they’ve come back in near‑new condition, yet when I put them on they’re still as comfortable as a favourite pair of well‑worn slippers. I’ve bought Barkers shoes before, but this was my first time using their refurbishment service. Even knowing Barkers operates at a premium level, the quality, care, and craftsmanship delivered have been absolutely fantastic. A huge thank you to the team, the results have genuinely exceeded my expectations.
April 9, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Barker Shoes
Thank you so much for sharing your experience! We’re thrilled to hear that your refurbished shoes feel like new while retaining that familiar comfort. Our team takes great pride in delivering the highest level of craftsmanship and care, and it’s wonderful to know we exceeded your expectations. We truly appreciate your support and look forward to keeping your Barker shoes in excellent condition for years to come.
Had to exchange for a smaller size but…
Had to exchange for a smaller size but returns process went very well great shoes
March 25, 2026
Reply from Barker Shoes
Thank you for your feedback! We’re delighted to hear that the exchange process went smoothly and that you’re enjoying your new shoes. We truly appreciate your support and look forward to serving you again.
I wes hoping to come down to your…
I wes hoping to come down to your factory to take a look at your shoes.
But what I saw in FB. Looking so strong and well built.
March 24, 2026
Reply from Barker Shoes
Hello, thank you for your message and for your interest in Barker Shoes.
We are pleased to hear that you like the look of our shoes. Could you let us know which factory you are referring to? Once we have a little more information, we will be happy to assist you further.
Bad experience sent wrong product got…
Bad experience sent wrong product got no response from customer service.
March 23, 2026
Reply from Barker Shoes
Thank you for bringing this matter to our attention. We are truly sorry to hear about your recent experience and understand how frustrating it must have been to receive the wrong product and not receive a timely response from our customer service team.
This isn't the level of service we provide, and we're sorry for the inconvenience. We would like to make this right for you as quickly as possible. Please contact us directly at emarketing@barkershoes.com so we can arrange for the correct item to be sent and advise on the return or collection of the incorrect product.
Your feedback is extremely important to us, and we are currently reviewing this situation internally to ensure it does not happen again.
I bought my first pair of Barkers shoes…
I bought my first pair of Barkers shoes in the early 1980s, a pair of brown suede loafers, I still have them and still wear them.
If you break down the cost of those shoes you not only get quality footwear but also value for money. I have other shoes from over the years!
March 19, 2026
Reply from Barker Shoes
Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful story with us. We are delighted to hear that your first pair of Barker shoes from the early 1980s is still with you and in use! It’s incredibly rewarding to know that our shoes have provided both quality and value over the years.
We truly appreciate your loyalty and the trust you have placed in Barker Shoes throughout the years. Your continued support inspires us to maintain the craftsmanship and standards that have defined our brand for over a century.
Thank you once again for being a valued member of the Barker family.
Great service even better shoes
Great ordering, prompt delivery and most importantly super duper shoes. I would prefer to shop at a store but since they don’t have what I want it is good to know that having other well fitting Barker shoes of the same size that I can order on line without the hassle of returns if (and probably) they don’t fit or feel right
March 16, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Barker Shoes
Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We’re delighted to hear that your ordering experience was smooth and that your new Barkers meet your expectations. Knowing that our sizing and quality give you confidence to shop online means a lot to us.
We look forward to helping you find more pairs you love, whether in-store or online.
My shoes never arrived
Barker are breaking Consumer laws misleading customers bu taking order knowing they dont have the shoe size , my order never arrived , the chat box on their website is just a waste of time all I kept getting was a pointless ticket number and that someone would contact me 'noone contacted me' I semt emails and again no reply , its like they take your money and they dont care, believe me ill be taking this matter further and I will visit the shop personally if I dont get a response very soon, trading standars will also be contacted , also police will be informed because barker have basically stolen my money....
March 18, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Barker Shoes
We are very sorry to hear about your experience and understand your frustration. This is not the level of service we aim to provide to our customers.
We sincerely apologise for the delay, the lack of follow-up, and the inconvenience caused regarding your order. We appreciate how disappointing it must be to place an order after being advised the item was in stock, only to then experience delays and difficulty getting a clear response.
Please be assured that we take your concerns seriously. We would like the opportunity to investigate this matter urgently and resolve it for you as quickly as possible. Please send us your order number and Please contact us directly at emarketing@barkershoes.com so our customer service team can review your case immediately.
We apologise again for the frustration this has caused and thank you for bringing it to our attention.
Terrible customer service
I have sent several emails including online chats, however have yet to receive a response to my emails. The online system has generated several tickets (which I believe are meaningless).
I wonder if this is legit!
March 19, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Barker Shoes
We’re very sorry to hear this and sincerely apologise for the lack of response you’ve received.
We understand how frustrating it is to send several emails and use online chat without getting a clear update. That is not the standard of service we aim to provide. Our ticket system is intended to help us track enquiries, but we are sorry if it has left you feeling ignored.
Please be assured that Barker is a legitimate business, and we take concerns like this very seriously. We would like the opportunity to look into this matter properly and help resolve it as soon as possible.
Please send us your order number and full contact details by direct message so we can escalate this with our customer care team immediately.
We apologise again for the inconvenience and appreciate your patience.
When my shoes arrived with the wrong…
When my shoes arrived with the wrong size, I immediately sent a message via email then request for return. No confirmation nor a confirmation was given. I just returned the shoes on my buck for a full refund. I don’t think I would shop again with this company. Mainly due to their rerun policy and second lack of communication.
March 23, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Barker Shoes
We’re very sorry to hear about your experience and sincerely apologise for the inconvenience caused.
We understand how frustrating it must have been to receive the wrong size, then have difficulty getting confirmation regarding your return and refund. We also regret that you had to cover the return cost yourself. This is not the level of service we want our customers to receive.
We are sorry that our returns process and communication have left you feeling disappointed. Your feedback has been noted and will be shared with the relevant team, as we understand how important clear and timely support is.
Please send us your order details by direct message or We’re very sorry to hear about your experience and sincerely apologise for the inconvenience caused.
We understand how frustrating it must have been to receive the wrong size, then have difficulty getting confirmation regarding your return and refund. We also regret that you had to cover the return cost yourself. This is not the level of service we want our customers to receive.
We are sorry that our returns process and communication have left you feeling disappointed. Your feedback has been noted and will be shared with the relevant team, as we understand how important clear and timely support is.
Please send us your order number and Please contact us directly at emarketing@barkershoes.com so our customer service team can review your case immediately.
Customer support is a scam. Very disappointing experience.
I had a very disappointing experience with Barker. I was advised incorrectly on sizing, which resulted in shoes that simply didn’t fit properly. What made things worse was the complete lack of effective customer support.
The website chat system appears to generate ticket IDs, but they don’t seem to lead anywhere—there’s no follow-up or resolution. I also tried reaching out via the email address provided, but received no response at all. It honestly feels like you’re being ignored once the purchase is made.
Overall, the experience left me feeling misled and frustrated. The whole situation gives the impression of being a scam rather than a legitimate customer service process. Based on this, I would strongly recommend that customers think twice before buying and consider avoiding altogether.
March 23, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Barker Shoes
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience. We are very sorry to hear about the difficulties you’ve faced regarding sizing advice and our customer support. This is far from the level of service we strive to provide, and we sincerely apologize for the frustration and disappointment caused.
We take your feedback very seriously and would like the opportunity to resolve this matter. Please reply with your order details, and a member of our team will personally ensure that we address your concerns promptly and find a satisfactory solution.
We truly value your feedback and will use it to improve our processes so that future customers do not encounter the same issues.
Best customer care ever
I ordered a pair of Darlington Brandy Hi Shine shoes online in my usual size from Barkers website. They arrived on time and were beautifully packaged and looked amazing, thy were just a half size too big.
So I phoned the Bow Lane store to see if I could exchange them and spoke to Keisha who said I could. On arrival Keisha remembered the call and I tried on the shoes which were a perfect fit, only the colour was a shade lighter, which apparently can happen with these shoes.
Keisha phoned around 2 stores and got them to send photos of their stock for me to choose from. We found the pair I wanted and they were going to send them directly to me. Before I had realised that they had not arrived she emailed me as she had had a pair sent to her, we quickly realised that this was my pair and she organised delivery to me.
This experience was out of the ordinary in such a good way. I have not had to chase anything and Keisha was a pleasure to deal with at every stage.
Barker clearly value their customers and the shopping experience, the fact that the shoes are great quality and look amazing is a bonus.
March 24, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Barker Shoes
Thank you very much for your detailed and kind feedback. We are delighted to hear that Keisha and our Bow Lane team provided you with such a positive and seamless experience.
At Barker, we strive to deliver not only high-quality shoes but also exceptional customer service, and it’s wonderful to know this was reflected throughout your exchange process. We truly appreciate your recognition and your support.
If you ever need any further assistance, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Premium Brand with Sub-Standard Customer Care.
My recent experience of Barker Shoes has been a profound lesson in how quickly a reputation can be eroded by substandard customer care.
I purchased a pair of Woodbury boots in November 2025 after exploring the market. When a defect became apparent, I contacted customer services and provided photographic evidence immediately. What followed was a complete breakdown in communication. I was met with two weeks of silence until I was forced to chase them for an update.
The "apology" I eventually received felt hollow and reactive. When you pay a premium for British manufactured footwear, you are not just paying for leather and thread; you are paying for the assurance that the brand stands behind its work. Barker has failed on that front.
At this stage, my trust in the brand is entirely diminished. If you are looking for a heritage brand that values its customers as much as its history, I would suggest looking elsewhere.
UPDATE: My initial contact regarding the warranty issue on my Woodbury boots was made on 2nd March 2026. Since then, the experience has shifted from merely poor to utterly farcical.
The replies received are a series of what appear to be purely AI-generated or scripted "holding" replies. These messages offer vague assurances of "prioritisation" and "resolution within one business day" but contain zero substance and, more importantly, zero action.
In an attempt to get a human being to take accountability, I have copied the "emarketing" address into the email thread on 18th March as I viewed Trustpilot to search for an alternate contact. Despite this, there has been a deafening silence from customer care and the wider company.
Such an extremely disappointing experience.
March 23, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Barker Shoes
Thank you for sharing your feedback, and we sincerely apologize for the disappointing experience you’ve had with our customer service.
Thank you for sharing your feedback, and we sincerely apologize for the disappointing experience you’ve had with our customer service.
Please contact us directly at emarketing@barkershoes.com so we can address the issue personally and restore your confidence in our brand.
Thank you for your patience and for giving us the chance to improve.
The shoes did not fit
The shoes did not fit. I returned them on the same day that I received them(at enormous cost to me) but have had no acknowledgement from you that you have received them; and as yet no refund of my money. Less than impressed!!!
Update... message from Barkers yesterday to say that the refund had been credited to my account but may take 10 days to show.
March 17, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Barker Shoes
Thank you for reaching out, and we sincerely apologize for the inconvenience caused.
Please be assured that we take returns and refunds very seriously. To help us resolve this promptly, could you kindly provide your order number or return reference? We will investigate the status of your return immediately and ensure your refund is processed without further delay.
We appreciate your patience and are committed to making this right.
No response online and sizing inconsistencies
I never get response back through the chat box or email. No guide for sizing online either. Sizing is way off for UK sizes as well. Purchase made in the factory store was 6.5 (my measured size) yet a size 8 insole fit in without being cut down. The shoes have caused my feet to be highly sensitive. I appreciate it has high quality leather and the shoes are made well. Yet the sizing isn't right. I have worn them now and factory do not accept returns anyway. The shoes Barker make are great yet the service online and sizing inconsistency makes me think twice buying again.
March 21, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Barker Shoes
Thank you for your honest feedback. We’re sorry to hear about the difficulties you’ve experienced with sizing and communication.
We understand how important a proper fit is, especially with quality footwear like ours. Your comments about sizing inconsistency and lack of clear online guidance are valuable, and we will be reviewing how we can improve this to better assist our customers.
Regarding your concerns with returns from the factory store, we recommend contacting the store directly as their policies may differ from our online service. Meanwhile, if there’s anything we can do to support you further, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
We appreciate your appreciation of our craftsmanship and hope to restore your confidence in Barker.
I tried many times to reach out to send…
I tried many times to reach out to send me the return label so I can return my shoes which I bought recently didn’t fit me but no reply to my emails.
Order # ROW-3436
March 13, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Barker Shoes
Dear Mobin,
Thank you for your message, and please accept our sincere apologies for the delay in responding to your previous emails.
We understand your concern regarding the return of your recent purchase (Order #ROW-3436) due to sizing issues, and we’re sorry for the inconvenience caused.
As per our return policy, Barker offers the option to return goods for a full refund or exchange (of the same value) within 28 days of delivery. Please note that returns are to be sent at the customer’s expense, and we recommend obtaining proof of postage until the process is completed.
We have now shared your request with our warehouse team on priority and will arrange to provide you with the necessary return instructions shortly. While we do not typically issue return labels, we will guide you through the return process to ensure a smooth experience.
Once your item is received and inspected, your refund will be processed to your original payment method within 2 weeks. Please allow up to an additional 14 days for your bank to reflect the amount.
Thank you for your patience, and we truly appreciate your understanding. We will be in touch very soon with the next steps to complete your return.
I’m a Barker shoe fan
I’m a Barker shoe fan, but on this occasion very disappointed!! Shoes were nothing like the colour on the website! Navy suede was almost black it was that dark and the cedar calf leather was nearer to brown.
March 13, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Barker Shoes
Thank you for your feedback, and we’re truly sorry to hear about your disappointment.
We understand how important accurate colour representation is when choosing a pair, and it’s disappointing when the product doesn’t match expectations.
Please contact our customer service team with your details at emarketing@barkershoes.com
Our team will review the matter urgently and work with you on the best possible solution.
Thank you for bringing this to our attention, and again, we’re very sorry for the experience you’ve had. We look forward to resolving this for you promptly.
Honestly
Honestly, the best shoes that I have ever bought. Perfect fit, perfect colour. Service was second to none. If you want to take your shoe purchase up to the next level, then buy a pair of Barker, you will not be disappointed.
March 6, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Barker Shoes
Thank you very much for your wonderful feedback. We’re delighted to hear that you are enjoying the perfect fit and colour of your shoes. It’s also great to know that our service met your expectations. Your kind words truly mean a lot to us. We hope you continue to enjoy your Barker shoes for many years to come.
Reply from Barker Shoes
Thank you for your kind feedback. We’re delighted to hear that you’re pleased with the quick delivery and that the boots met your expectations. We hope you enjoy wearing them and look forward to serving you again in the future.
Second Review
Second Review. I didn't want to give even one star. I hate this company. They bombard you with emails despite unsubbing. They deliver to the wrong address, the won't take no for an answer. Despite me raising " Tickets" every week.
Update. And as predicted, they reply below. They don't reply to your emails though. They don't update their system. You unsub from them they bombard with emails, you complain ,they say to get in touch with their team and raise a ticket and the cycle continues.
March 13, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Barker Shoes
We’re very sorry to hear about your experience and truly regret the frustration this has caused. This is certainly not the level of service we aim to provide.
Please contact our customer service team with your details at emarketing@barkershoes.com
Our team will review the matter urgently and work with you on the best possible solution.
Thank you for bringing this to our attention, and again, we’re very sorry for the experience you’ve had. We look forward to resolving this for you promptly.
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