Return or not? Is this taking advantage of Nordstrom's generosity? - YouLookFab Forum

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Return or not? Is this taking advantage of Nordstrom's generosity?

viva

Veteran

In April 2014, I bought the popular VC Eliana Cage sandals from Nordstrom. I paid $125 for them. This was more than 2 years ago.

I really like these sandals because they have a nice look to them and are a great heel height, and because I have not over worn them, even after two years the heels still look great. They should have at least one and probably two more seasons left in them.

BUT ... Each shoe is constructed from several pieces of soft pale grey leather, and on the left shoe, the front right panel has worn to a visibly off shade. It is darker than the rest of the shoe and no longer matches. So I don't wear them.

I brought them to my cobbler today to see if I could dye the set and he advised against it, saying he did not feel the dye would hold.

Should I try to return? After TWO YEARS?

What do you think?
Vivian

General

24 replies

Latest reply was from Adelfa

Mochi

Veteran

Are you a frequent Nordstrom customer? I see how you would feel a bit torn about this. However, in this case it does seem to be a quality issue. If they are gracious about taking them back, I don't see that there's anything wrong with getting a refund.

catgirl

Veteran

I think this falls into the personal category. I personally wouldn't after 2 years. But who knows, maybe someone still has these in their wish list and will be thrilled to see them.

I was just having a conversation with a friend about how the U.S. has such generous return policies. She was saying she knows people from other countries who come here, buy all their gear at REI, use it all summer, and return it in the fall. Now that burns me up, I admit. But it's within their rules.

kkards

Veteran

Hmmmm....now I'll admit that I've returned to Nordies a year later....but somehow 2 years feels like a long time. Is there something in Nordies that you are interested in buying now? I'd personally feel less conflicted if I was buying something else of similar value as part of the same transaction

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Personally, I would not return something after two years, especially if I had worn the item.

Nordies though - WILL take them back. That's their policy.

viva

Veteran

Thanks all. The sandals are now in the Goodwill bag. They have lots of life in them for someone who is not bothered by the color change. It does bother me that the quality did not last long enough to keep enjoying them, but I guess sometimes that happens. Thank you!

Joyce B

Veteran

Maybe they can fix them for you at the Nordstrom's shoe department?

catgirl

Veteran

Why not post here and offer up for sale? Someone may be able to revive them!

Anonymous

I wouldn't return. I feel like it's not in the spirit of the policy.

Gaylene

Veteran

No. I never return anything after I've worn, or washed, it.

BUT, if it is truly a quality as opposed to aesthetic issue, I almost always make a point of expressing my regret to a manager or shop owner because I think it helps buyers and owners to know when their products aren't pleasing their customers. If the store offers me compensation, I view their offer as a gift, not a right.

Mochi

Veteran

I like Gaylene's way of handling it. Though that kind of means that if you do take it to Nordstroms to express your feelings, you're likely to get the refund.

Anonymous

I would have done it in year one, but not after two years....as you likely would have noticed that discolouration long ago? It is a quality issue for sure though.....

Echo

Veteran

You made the same decision as I would have made; I would not feel right returning them after two years, even if it ultimately may have been a quality issue. It just doesn't sit right with me that someone can have and enjoy something for two years essentially for free at the expense of a store (though I understand that it is their policy that they could change if they wanted to). I once ordered a pair of pants from Nordies that I wore for most of a summer (off and on for two months) and returned them, and I felt so guilty. They came apart at a seam that didn't even receive wear, and the edges frayed so they could not be properly sewn back together. It was definitely a quality issue, as the pants were loose, so the seams weren't working very hard. But I still felt that it had been long enough that it was an "iffy" return.

marianna

Veteran

I worked Nordies CS for a few years... just wanted to say it's been done (I'd seen returns way beyond 2 years, tags so old they were from a different computer system). The product then goes to Last Chance in AZ. Not saying I'd necessarily return the shoes, but you wouldn't be alone if you decided to return.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

This is personal, for sure -- but I wouldn't return an item after wearing it and washing it, unless the flaws were egregious (e.g. the heel fell off after one or two ordinary wears). I might mention wear like this to the manufacturer, not to the retailer.

I'm feeling lucky. I have what I think is the previous year's version of this sandal. I actually bought this one, but what I got from Nordstrom's was a slightly different model. Turned out I liked it just as well if not better -- mine is a taupe with snakeskin detail on heel fastenings. I wore it today to work in and then again this evening out for dinner. Three years in (for me) and it is still going strong and I love the comfort -- walked more than 5 miles today in these shoes on Montreal's cobbled streets and still no pain.

carambola

Veteran

I had the same experience with these shoes! Bought them 2 years ago, wore them and loved them for one summer. Put them away for the winter and when I took them out again in the spring, one shoe (the entire shoe, in my case) had darkened and browned so it was almost nude/tan while the other remained the original pale gray. I was completely flummoxed as to why that would happen to just one shoe. They were in great shape other than the color difference, so I brought them to Goodwill hoping someone would be motivated enough to dye them black or something, but felt sheepish donating 2 different color shoes. It didn't occur to me to return them, but I was really annoyed that they weren't wearable for more than one season.

Ledonna N.

Veteran

You are making the right decision to let them do in donation.

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

I returned a blouse I purchased at Nordstrom, and it was 17 months after purchasing it. It was still brand new, it just hung in my closet too long, tags never removed. The SA tried to refund me the discounted price, but I told her I paid the full ticketed price and she was great about honoring it. (I thought they could see what I had paid? Or are they trained to offer you less when it's such a dated return, to see if you agree?) So yes, I have made late returns at Nordstrom. I justify the return by asking for a Nordstrom gift card so I know the money goes back to reward the good customer service.

viva

Veteran

Carambola! I cannot believe you had the same experience! That actually makes me angry and ready to boycott VC shoes. Such shoddy quality.

Sihaya

Veteran

I would ask Nordstrom if they have a recommendation on fixing. They might help with dyeing - even if it doesn't work, you can still then dispose of it in the Goodwill bag.

Anonymous

Oh, I'd absolutely return these: it's a quality flaw and I strongly believe that stores should know how the brands they carry wear over the long term--especially the higher end ones. If you feel bad about getting a refund, tell the SA you don't want one but you *do* want the courtesy of having your issue sent up the chain to someone who can take action and raise the issue with the manufacturer. I feel that if we don't report these things as customers, with evidence, brands will think we're fine with this type of thing and keep serving up flawed merchandise.

A couple of years ago, I bought a pair of EF pumps and wore them for almost a year, during which time they developed a squeak that grew loud enough it became an office joke. One day, I happened to be in Nordstrom while wearing them and mentioned it to my SA (I'm his regular customer). I might have taken a replacement, but they no longer sold the shoes. He offered a full refund but I felt bad so I ended up buying a different pair (at a nice discount) and left the old pair with them, asking that they send them back to EF so the company could see what led to the problem. My Paul Green Cayannes also developed this issue (I'd forgotten about it until I wore them for the first time this year), so I am thinking it might actually be my feet!

I'm now wondering what to do about a $500 3-year-old Tracy Reese mixed-media jacket that says dry clean but 3/3 dry cleaners refuse to touch. I've worn it exactly 6 times and it's now too grubby to go out in public.

Colette

Veteran

That really stinks. I would do what you did, toss them in the donation pile or if they look really horrible the garbage. If it was within the first few months of wear I might consider bringing them back to Nordstrom, but at this point no. Depending on how motivated I was, I might reach out to the manufacturer to make them 'aware' of the problem and see how they respond.

JAileen

Veteran

It's a personal call. I probably wouldn't. I like Colette's idea of contacting the manufacturer.

jill58

Veteran

Yes, contacting the manufacturer is a good idea. I don't return things once they've been washed and worn. I guess a couple of years for a pair of shoes doesn't seem that bad to me--on the other hand they weren't inexpensive. I would probably donate or if I deemed them so bad that nobody should be wearing them I would do what Colette suggested and discard them.

Adelfa

Veteran

I think it's a personal decision. Once I returned a cashmere shawl that developed huge pills all over, after one season. The Nordy SA gave me a really hard time, even though I wasn't even asking for money back, just an exchange for a different model. I told her I had paid a lot of money and even though I'd gotten use out of it, I expected the shawl to be an investment piece. I eventually prevailed but it was a big argument.

OTOH this fall I got two Vince cashmere cardigans from Nordstrom, luckily on sale. I have worn them to death but they are horribly pilled. I probably won't return them. Cashmere is not what it once was and in my mind I am content enough with the wear I got out of the cardis.

I think it can be valid to return if a pricey item gives up the ghost well before the length of time you expect to enjoy it. If you really believe it, that's what the Nordy policy is there for--to keep you happy.