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Best on-line shoe retailers?

Debora

Veteran

I'm thinking of duplicating my Aerosoles boots in black. I usually don't buy shoes on-line due to fit issues, but I have used Zappos before with excellent results. Unfortunately, Zappos doesn't carry this particular boot. Can any of you recommend other on-line shoe retailers where you have received good service?

I see that Shoebuy and 6pm have it right now in my size at a good price. Shoes.com is also showing it, but it is more expensive on that site.

I would appreciate any input. I'm super cautious when using an on-line web site for the first time. Thanks!

Shopping

16 replies

Latest reply was from JaneF

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

I've used 6pm, shoebuy and shoes.com- all three were fine.

Tricia

Veteran

Which Aerosoles boots are you looking for?

Dashrashi

Veteran

My three favorites are Endless, Piperlime, and Zappos. They have the best shipping and return policies that I've come into contact with. I've also bought from shoebuy.com, dsw.com, shoes.com, and 6pm, but I prefer them less, generally, because of their shipping and return policies. I usually prefer to buy from the latter set if I know that I won't need to return a pair of shoes, either because I'm duplicating or I've already tried on the pair in question.

Debora

Veteran

Thanks Khris and Dashrashi, I was really impressed with the Zappos return policy and free shipping the few times I ordered from them. I'm hoping I won't have to return these since I've already bought them in brown.

Tricia, I'm looking for the Aerosoles Lasticity boot. I have narrow feet and fit issues so I thought I better snap these up since they are so comfy.

cciele

Veteran

I agree with Dashrashi's summary -- exactly how I shop too.

Anonymous

I've only ordered from 6pm (my LC's with success and quick service) and dsw (shoes were too big and I returned them to a local DSW). Since you know the size and fit, these places should work.

Maya

Veteran

6pm is a discount site that sells shoes from past seasons. I like it a lot for scoring bargains. You can find shoes there for under $20 and they always have great promos on certain brands each day. They charge $6 flat rate for ground shipping but the discounts more than make up for it.

I've been a bit disappointed with Zappos lately and have been shopping a lot more on Endless. Unlike Zappos, they frequently have substantial sales and clearance prices. They also price match (which Zappos no longer does), and they have brands that Zappos does not (but not vice versa, in my experience).

I also like regular old Amazon for shoes, and you'll usually find Endless' complete stock on Amazon, frequently for less since they are owned by the same company. Amazon gives the usual super saver shipping, which is probably why their shoes cost less if you buy them there than on Endless. But this only sometimes applies...usually only when the shoes are on sale, in my experience.

I have also bought from shoes.com. They sometimes have really good coupon codes for 15%-20% off. Their shipping is relatively slow compared to Endless and Zappos, but it's still at least free. I really only use them when they offer the lowest price, have something no on else has (a style, color, or size), and if I have a discount code. They don't really offer anything else that Zappos and Endless haven't covered and their brand selection isn't as broad.

Shoemall and Online shoes....never use. Can't comment.

Solestruck and Shoefly.com are two other ones I know of, but they are MUCH smaller. Still, you might find good deals there.

DSW is okay for bargains too but I prefer to shop in the store. It's so nice to be able to just pull the shoes out yourself and not wait for some sales assistant to grab them from the back every time you want to try something on. Their b&m stores also have additional discounts that you can't find online. OTOH, they frequently have coupons that you can pile on (I think the limit is 5 per order) which are only available online. You can also return to a DSW store, which is convenient.

In NYC we have David Z. and Shoemania as our main b&m stores, so I sometimes check their sites too.

Yes...I buy shoes online a LOT.

Mac

Veteran

I've bought several pairs from amazon.com

Lena

Amazon is great for deals, but you need to pay attention to that 30-day return policy. It's worth it if you are absolutely sure about size and color and etc. I change my mind a lot, so in the end Zappos or Endless is more cost-effective for me.

Lena

Piperlime is also reliable and has good deals, and a short return window (I think it's been changed to 45 days).

Debora

Veteran

Wow! Thanks so much for all the excellent advice and for bringing up several things I didn't think of.

Cathy - glad to hear that you second Dashrashi

Lena and Mac- I had forgotten about Amazon. Piperlime and Endless are looking to be favorites. Also, thanks for bringing up the return policy, that's good to know.

Joy - got your message! Thanks again for the boot info. I'll be sure to check 6pm.

Maya - thank you so much for the in-depth site comparisons. That helps a lot! I'll be sure to check Endless. I didn't know about the price matching and thanks for the reminder about the coupon codes. I'm not a very savvy on-line shopper, so this has been a huge help!

Dashrashi

Veteran

Just wanted to put in a word for Zappos vis a vis Endless--the brand non-overlap is not completely in Endless's favor (e.g., Zappos, but not Endless, carries Sofft). I've also been known to pay a little extra to buy from Zappos, just because they are so prompt with refunds, and I appreciate how bangin' their customer service is. Endless is great, too, and I often prefer Endless's search function (ESPECIALLY re specific heel heights).

Debora

Veteran

Thanks, Dashrashi! I've only ever ordered from Zappos and I was blown away by their overnight, free delivery. I ordered a pair of shoes once at 11pm and they were on my doorstep the very next day!

Sarah

(website)

Veteran

I'm still a Zappos girl, but lately their "my favourites" has not been working for me, ie: not saving shoes I put there. I do like that they have clothing and even makeup.
Endless has a better search function, but they don't carry as many athletic shoes as Zappos does.
Endless participates with eBates (cash back) but Zappos does not.
I'm so spoiled with the free overnight shipping from both places that I don't buy shoes anywhere else online.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

FWIW, here's my two cents:

I ALWAYS purchase at Zappos unless they don’t have the style or size I’m looking for. In my book they just can’t be beat. Then I go to Nordies. If that fails I try Endless. Then I’m open to purchasing anywhere else.

JaneF

I have to say I have had a better experience ordering from zappos.com than from endless.com. Zappos really does give awesome customer service! And they're so cheerful about it.

That said, as you can tell from my other posts, I've got a real weakness for certain shoe brands like Trippen, Argila, and Cydwoq, that you can't get at the big retailers. In fact I was searching for Cydwoq about three years ago when I discovered Ped Shoes (http://www.pedshoes.com). They are a small company, and they give that kind of in-store service you get from a local shoe shop where you know the owners because you went to school together. They remember me, measure shoes for me, seem to be patient when I'm on the fence, and so forth. Pretty fantastic and a nice change from the big chains! Admittedly, though, I have to save up for my splurges there.