Cotswold Outdoor

I thought I had found a real bargain with a top quality tent at half price. However after 6 weeks the order was cancelled via e mail.I contacted the customer serices team and explained my disappointment. The Customer Service team did a very thorough investigation and provided me with a full and honest explanation and offered a matching deal on a similar top quality tent (which I already own so could not accept).

I was then sent a gift card, which arrived the very next day.

We all make mistakes but sadly very few companies handle as well as Cotswold Outdoor handled this matter.

Went to Brecon store first. Outstanding customer service, very knowledgeable. Unfortunately, they didn't have the size I wanted in stock.

I went to the Cirencester store the next day as I didn't have time to wait for delivery of my spare boots and break them in before my expedition. I was looked up and down by a feckless youth due to my scruffy attire and followed around the store by another member of staff, I can only assume they thought I was a thief.

The staff didn't seem to believe in small talk at the tills until an over weight, Barbour sporting gentleman with a home counties accent wanted to be served.

Unless you have a lot of money or seem 'respectable', I wouldn't bother with the Cirencester store. Clearly full of pretenders, posers and tourists.

Thoroughly recommend the Brecon store if you are a serious outdoors person though.

I had the same excellent customer service when I bought my £115 Anatom boots.

But when my boots split after a few months they did not want to know. I was told "guarantee does not cover splits in the leather" and offered a small discount on a new pair. (discount was same as I get as a member of Ramblers - so none really). They have lost my custom for life, no shortage of other retailers to go to. And of course every time the subject of boots comes up as it often does with the various groups I walk with, I warn people off Cotswolds. This was St Albans store.

A £230 Rab jacket I purchased tore by the zip after a couple of months , returned to the store and they said they have to send back to Rab and replacement would be posted to my house. They then ramg and said I had to drive 32miles to collect my jacket. When I got there they had stitched a strip over the tear, it's not even the same colour!

I bought a pair of boots at the Leeds store yesterday. The assistant that helped me gave the sort of assistance that I thought had disappeared forever (unless you're spending huge amounts of money). The whole experience was a pleasure from start to finish - from measuring my feet (when did that last happen in a shoe store?) to giving me intelligent, informed and helpful advice, and not being pushy or looking bored in any way whatsoever. Definitely recommend this store.