Tidewater SandalsReviews of tidewatersandals.com

Response from Tidewater SandalsJul 21, 2026

Hi JT and anyone reading. , The pair JT shared photos of was brand new and still sealed in its original protective packaging. Tidewater does not sell used merchandise. After reviewing both the photos and the warehouse video footage of your order being packed, we confirmed that new sandals were pulled from inventory and placed into your shipment. As explained, the appearance on the bottom was the flocked shipping layer used on the soles, not dirt or evidence that the sandals had been worn. We explained that this wears off with 1-2 wears on the sidewalk. You asked us to send a completely different pair with a dark sole and a more vibrant pattern. Given that request, along with your comments that the other styles were not appealing, we believe the concern to be primarily about wanting a different selection rather than receiving a used item (again, not possible and we have proof). Because the sandals were verified as new and were not defective, we were unable to provide a free replacement in a different style. We did offer the return and exchange options available under the Mystery Box terms, including an exchange with return shipping paid by the customer. Mystery Boxes are discounted because the styles are selected for the customer, and personal preferences will naturally vary. If our written communication came across as defensive, it was simply matching the customer's original tone and accusations, but we stand by the fact that the sandals were new and unworn.

Response from Tidewater SandalsApr 17, 2026

I’m sorry this was frustrating for you. We responded within 20 minutes of hearing from you, offered a simple solution that would take less time than it took for you to write this 1-star review for our small business, and are happy to help further if needed. This is something that typically takes just a few seconds to resolve, and it’s disappointing to see a 1-star review for an issue we actively tried to fix. For context, we have over 7,000 verified reviews on our website, and only two mention anything like this. Labels placed on the side of the sole are also very common across many footwear brands at all price points, as they make in-store sizing and shopping easier. You could have simply responded to our email attempting to help you, but you did not. I've copied the text of the email below should anyone else run into this issue with our flips or any other brand's shoes. Super simple fix: ________ Hi Kay, I’m sorry about the trouble with that sticker, though many sandal makers do put the sticker on the side, I know that’s frustrating if a sticker gets bonded well. It should come off cleanly with a quick fix: Gently peel from one corner If needed, warm it slightly with a hair dryer for 10–15 seconds, but not any longer Any leftover residue can be wiped off with a small amount of rubbing alcohol or my preferred method: a dab of cooking oil Just avoid anything harsh, like nail polish remover, so the material stays looking perfect. Thanks so much, Micheal Updated to add after she edited her response: The customer emailed us one time. She now claims that part of the sole is missing because of a sticker 1/2 inch wide and 1/3 inch tall. I welcome AGAIN her to share photos with us and we're happy to help. She has refused to respond to our email, failed to show any photos of this supposed damage.

Response from Tidewater SandalsMar 25, 2026

Stacey, let’s stick to the facts. * You received your order with no issue * You initially requested an exchange for a different size. No mention of quality, just that you needed a smaller size. * Your first exchange would have been completely free, including the return label as clearly noted on our website and return portal. * You then changed your mind and asked for a refund after already sending them back * Before processing that refund, we clearly reminded you that returns (not exchanges) include a $6.50 return label fee and original shipping is non-refundable. You acknowledged this. * You proceeded anyway, and your refund was issued exactly as outlined. * The “free return label” you’re referencing applies to exchanges, not refunds. That distinction is clearly stated on our site and was explained to you directly. As for the product itself, our footbeds are designed to mold to your feet over time, which is why thousands of customers wear them daily and come back for more. Our website reviews speak for themselves vs. Trust Pilot where people come to complain. And again, I will remind everyone reading this that your initial email made no mention of anything but needing a different size. We stand by both our product and our policies. Nothing about your order, return, or refund was handled incorrectly or outside of what was clearly communicated. We were respectful to you, even with your message calling us assholes and crooks. Happy to share these email exchanges with anyone who has a question about this exchange and refer you to our website where there are THOUSANDS of verified reviews from customers. — Tidewater Sandals

Response from Tidewater SandalsAug 12, 2025

PLEASE KNOW IF YOU EMAIL US AND ARE RUDE/CUSSING AT US, YOU WILL BE ASKED TO NOT BE A JERK. DON'T CUSS AT PEOPLE, DIANA (and yes, sending your first email to another human with the words "WHAT THE HECK" instead of just sharing your disappointment and asking for a replacement is awful behavior. Here's the full story on something that happened over 6 months ago, and the customer continues to harass us and share false information. DianA has been a Tidewater Sandals customer for years, having placed eight orders without issue. This interaction was different from the start. Her first email about a defective pair began with “HI – I AM so disappointed…” and quickly escalated to “WTH! No quality control?” while also stating she would “have to drive down to return these now; wasting my time…” As the owner, I responded with an apology, explained that our products are handmade and mistakes are rare, and requested a photo so we could “share the details with our factory team and ensure this issue is resolved thoroughly.” The goal was to save her the hassle of returning the sandals by having the factory review the photo instead. This was my exact response: "Thank you for reaching out and sharing your feedback about your recent order. I want to start by saying how sorry we are that your experience with this pair of flip-flops didn’t meet your expectations. That said, I have to admit, your tone surprised me. As a long-time customer, you know we pride ourselves on producing high-quality goods, and your disappointment is not something we take lightly. While we understand your frustration, we didn’t deserve a “what the hell.” Mistakes, while rare, can happen—after all, humans make our flip-flops with care, not machines. To understand what went wrong, I’d like to request a photo of the flip-flops on your feet. This will allow us to share the details with our factory team and ensure this issue is resolved thoroughly. Once we have the photo, we’ll guide you on the next steps, including arranging the return. We value your loyalty and want to make this right, but we ask for understanding, patience, and general kindness as we work to address this. Looking forward to your reply." Rather than appreciate that, she wrote back, "So here you are. It's the right flip flop that is larger than the other. I am disappointed that you have to have a picture and not just my word, that these are faulty. Your tone surprised me! Calling me, the customer out. Yes, WTH! I received a defective item for which I have to send you an email to get a return label to get these sent back, answering your email, having to send a picture, having to repackage and take these to the post office to get sent back to you.....There are alot of pieces here that maybe you don't realize. I have never had a company ask me to send a picture "as proof" of a faulty item." Asking for a simple photo to prevent further inconvenience is standard practice in e-commerce, and many customers appreciate it because it can mean they don’t have to go through the trouble of a return. When I reminded her that I had, in fact, explained why the photo was needed, and that kindness counts, she doubled down, saying I’d “made the situation far worse than it should have been” and demanded a full refund, including shipping. I processed her refund immediately and removed her from our customer list because we don't do unkind people. While I regret that this ended badly, we believe kindness goes both ways. We stand by our products, our customer service, and our team and we respond in the same tone we are treated. Diane received a full refund, and unfortunately, this was the end of our business relationship. Only she can decide what kind of day she deserves, not us. More than happy to share the entire email exchange with anyone interested. Sadly, TrustPilot only allows for 4,000 characters.