Alternative Footwear is a UK-based online retailer specializing in alternative and sexy footwear. With over 20 years of experience in the industry, the company offers a diverse range of products, including gothic shoes, pole dancing footwear, and large sizes for women's shoes and boots. The extensive selection features popular brands such as Pleaser, Demonia, and Fabulicious, catering to customers seeking unique styles for various occasions.
The company's target market includes individuals looking for distinctive footwear that stands out from mainstream options. Alternative Footwear aims to meet the needs of fashion-forward consumers who appreciate alternative styles, whether for everyday wear, special events, or performance. By providing a wide array of options, the company positions itself as a trusted supplier in the niche footwear market.
Alternative Footwear has a positive customer experience.
Alternative Footwear receives high praise for its excellent product quality and outstanding customer service, with many reviewers highlighting the speedy delivery and user-friendly website. Customers appreciate the variety of shoes and boots available, often noting that their orders arrive on time and in perfect condition.
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However, there are some critical concerns regarding customer service, particularly related to order issues and refunds. A few reviewers report difficulties in communication, with one mentioning a lack of response after placing an order and another expressing frustration over a faulty product and subsequent refund challenges. Despite these complaints, the overwhelming majority of feedback is positive, reflecting a strong overall sentiment towards the company.
Each source counts by its number of reviews. Only reviews written by people are scored.
Rating, volume, share of the score, six-month trend and fake-review risk for each source
Source
Rating
Reviews
Weight
6-mo
Fake risk
★
Trustpilot
Imported Trustpilot reviews
4.8
103
100%
—
● Low
4.8 / 5 overall
=
103 reviews across 1 scored source
How fake risk works ⓘ
Reputation trend
Monthly average rating from reviews written by people · latest review Aug 2025.
Last 3 months
3.7
12-month avg
4.6
All-time
4.8
Category avg
4.0
Monthly averageCategory average
Monthly average rating and review count
Month
Average
Reviews
Dec 24
5.0
6
Jan 25
—
0
Feb 25
—
0
Mar 25
—
0
Apr 25
—
0
May 25
—
0
Jun 25
—
0
Jul 25
—
0
Aug 25
3.7
3
What people praise & complain about
Share of positive (4–5★) and negative (1–2★) reviews mentioning each topic · based on the 103 most recent reviews.
Top praiseof 97 positive reviews
Delivery63%
61 mentions
Fast & efficient52%
50 mentions
Customer service39%
38 mentions
Prices & value27%
26 mentions
“Speedy delivery and great communication”
On “Delivery” · Aug 18, 2025
Top complaintsof 5 negative reviews
Customer service100%
5 mentions
Payment issues60%
3 mentions
Response time40%
2 mentions
Delivery40%
2 mentions
“Placed an order, had zero emails but money was taken 7 days ago, no response from customer service and I’ve called an...”
On “Customer service” · Aug 5, 2025
How it compares
Same method for every company: overall rating, legitimacy checks, the average rating of reviews mentioning each area and the 6-month trend · Shoes & Accessories.
Overall rating and review count for this company and similar companies
Amazing website that's very user friendly. I was able to locate the boots that I've been trying to find within seconds of searching on the store. Ordering was very quick and simple, with Alternative F... See more
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Amazing website that's very user friendly. I was able to locate the boots that I've been trying to find within seconds of searching on the store. Ordering was very quick and simple, with Alternative Footwear maintaining contact throughout the delivery process and giving tracked delivery as standard. Would highly recommend
Great shop, never had any problems with them. I bought good few pairs of boots & shoes from them in last 8 years.
Also when once the boots were faulty, I got quick response and full refund. The shop I can trust and will come back again :)
Ordered heels from them via Clearpay they were delivered whilst I was away & left outside my house. By the time I came home the package wasn’t outside anymore.
I contacted them to let them know.
Apparently they’ve contacted Royal Mail & even though I’ve asked for a refund which as a customer I’m legally allowed to have & they refused it & still taking my money via Clearpay knowingly
I’m paying for heels I’ve not received.
Regardless whether it’s royal mails fault
legally these companies should be covered for incidents like this & refund the customer as the customer is always right, especially in my case. Also the fact it happened within 2wks of the order & they’re refusing to refund me after knowing I’ve not received the shoes is theft. So personally I’d say stay away from these thieves & order your heels from others as there’s loads around! And companies who when you don’t get your order for whatever reason they won’t actually steal from you & keep taking your money knowing you’ve not got
What you actually paid for! Cheers👍🏼
The level of customer support was very good and prompt and the query resolved quicky. The items I received very good quality. The delivery service was good with no issues via Parcelforce.
No refund despite shoes falling apart after three wears!
I paid over £100 for a pair of Demonias, and within 8 days of them arriving, and only three wears, the platform soles were peeling away from the shoe. I emailed asking for a refund, and the team member who replied said it was an extreme amount of wear and asked me 'What has happened to these?', suggesting it was my fault. I responded that I'd simply walked around in them and reiterated that I wanted a refund but they haven't responded. Terrible service. Proceed with caution.
Great company, speedy delivery ordered three pairs of shoes which unfortunately one pair has not arrived on time for my event so had to return. Processed the refund very quickly without any issues. Much better than taboo boutique.
Flawless and easy experience from start to finish. Boots arrived quickly and in perfect condition, no issues what so ever.
Cannot wait to do business again.
Outstanding customer service - messed up on my delivery address as didn’t notice that an old address had be auto-filled. Customer services altered that for me straight away and out of their normal hours. Also refunded me delivery payment difference without being asked. Boots arrived the very next available day. Outstanding pair of Pleaser boots at great price. Thanks v much for great all round service. Would not go anywhere else for Pleaser shoes/boots. Great stuff!
I ordered a pair of Demonia Stomps last June, and they arrived and were Feb. Until I wore them for the first few times. The soles started to come away from the back of the boot after only a couple of wears. I tried to contact AF to ask if there was a way to fix them/if it was possible to get any help with them as I wasn't sure if they were just a faulty pair, but didn't receive a response despite being active on their social media page at the time.
Whilst the main issue is the Demonias, the lack of any kind of response to just trying to get some help was disheartening. Especially for the price.
My account also seems to have disappeared from their website so I'm unable to check my order history or see if there is a way to ask now as they're breaking again.
I was pleased to find shoes I was looking for - for a costume - in their clearance sale. I ordered on Thursday morning with free delivery. The shoes arrived on Friday afternoon the same week - 28 hours after ordering! I would order again. :)
Alternative footwear is great! i’ve always had positive experiences 😊quick shipping and low prices for the shoes i love 🖤really handy aswell that the shoes I love are usually from america and have to pay a ton of taxes! but don’t get this from this website 😊100% trustworthy!!
Wow what great service and super quick delivery! And a great price.
I’ve never heard of them, so did a trust pilot check, saw some of the feedback and was slightly worried but the price lured me in. I am so happy with the boots, they arrived in perfect condition and in less than 24 hours.
I did have a little problem with the website not accepting my delivery address but phoned them and they were so helpful and got it sorted straight away.
First class service and highly recommended
Review is on the basis of buying third party product from Alternative Footwear... product has had a quick look over and put back in box as is a present, all SEEMS well.
Ordering is a bit of a pain in the ass, website is difficult to use.
Next day delivery took the best part of a week.
Box is a shambles and looks like the product has been sent out and returned multiple times then sent to myself, I wonder how many feet have been in these and possibly not cleaned.
Didn't bother to repackag the product properly before sending it to myself, can honestly tell it has been opened up and closed many times.
At the price, you would expect better.
Will find out on my anniversary if these have to be returned again as I feel my wife won't be pleased.
Thanks for the lack of hospitality and customer service.
Great boots, arrived within the two week timescale quoted. There was a small confusion over delivery but quickly cleared up with a phone call. Wouldn't hesitate to use again.
The website was hard to use and generated the wrong order. It was showing some items as £0 but still able to process order. No one from the company got in touch and I was shipped the order with only half the things I thought I ordered. Zero communication from the company. Called to ask if I could have those items back and pay for the difference and was asked to generate a new order and pay for another round of shipping afresh.
Terrible customer service too, the advisor just kept telling me he didn't know anything or just refer to the website.
First time using them and certainly the last.
Alternative Footwear is a UK-based online retailer specializing in alternative and sexy footwear. With over 20 years of experience in the industry, the company offers a diverse range of products, including gothic shoes, pole dancing footwear, and large sizes for women's shoes and boots. The extensive selection features popular brands such as Pleaser, Demonia, and Fabulicious, catering to customers seeking unique styles for various occasions.
The company's target market includes individuals looking for distinctive footwear that stands out from mainstream options. Alternative Footwear aims to meet the needs of fashion-forward consumers who appreciate alternative styles, whether for everyday wear, special events, or performance. By providing a wide array of options, the company positions itself as a trusted supplier in the niche footwear market.