Angie, to conduct a truly fair experiment (from which you could draw the strongest conclusions that 6pm.com does in fact sell seconds) you'd need to order the same colour of boots from Zappos now (to make sure that Frye haven't done something different since the last time you ordered the Rory's) and check them for sizing and quality.

*Oh dear, someone has been spending too much time planning experiments for her PhD*

This is a curious post. I've had good experience with 6pm to date. I got my Frye Carsons there and I think they are fab. I'd be very interested to know if they are selling seconds.

I worked in retail as a teen and I clearly remember the number one rule about returns: the merchandise had to be in sale-able condition.

Unless, of course, it was something obviously defective. In which case, the item in question was promptly returned to the manufacturer.

I've been thinking about this overnight and considering my purchases from 6pm. I returned two pairs of flats that seemed to be inferior quality than what I was used to for the brand.

And I returned a pair of sandals this summer that were extremely wide. I had the same pair in another color from Zappos and they fit fine, so I assumed that possibly the 6pm pair had been stretched out by someone trying them on. I later ordered the same pair from Piperlime that fit perfectly. Go figure. Maybe they were seconds...

Thanks for your thinking cap, Beth. You are always so thoughtful and lovely

Megan, quite right. Statistically what you're suggesting is a more valid comparison. But I have lost interest at this point

On Saturdays I wear Enzo Angiolini Liberty shoes exclusively. I have 25 pair in my winter closet and more in pastel colors stored for the winter. I KNOW this shoe. I just ordered two pair from 6 pm; both will go back tomorrow. On one pair the lining extends to the outside of the shoe. There is dye missing at two seams so that a beige color line is quite evident, which does not look great on a blood orange shoe. The leaf green shoe has what appears to be adhesive or some kind of soil at two seams; two pieces of leather meet at a corner in a carelessly constructed manner. Clearly, these shoes did not pass first quality control.

Just wanted to chime in and say that I've been very happy with 6pm.com. I've ordered from them 10+ times and never had a problem. As I understand it, they are Zappo's clearance arm. If I see something I like but am not willing to pay full price for, I stalk 6pm for the item. Generally at the end of the season, it will show up. Take Tsubos. They have several styles that they reissue each season in different colors. I have noticed a difference in fit between the two seasons. As a color gets older, it will be discounted more heavily. Thus, right now on 6pm the Acrea style is priced from 39.99 to 71.99 depending on color. (MSRP is 119.95)
I have checked pretty closely when shoes arrive and I haven't seen any yet with any sign of wear. Even when I wear something around the house for an hour to see if it will fit, I can see some crinkling of the leather. I haven't received any shoes that show that wear.
I really think Angie just got a lemon. It could happen with any retailer.

I haven't ordered from 6pm more than a couple of times, so I don't know if they sell seconds or not. The items I ordered were fine.

As for Zappos, I'm a loyal Zappos shopper. I have to wear D-width shoes thanks to my bunions, and Zappos seems to be the best place to get them. In addition to the fast shipping, the customer service is top notch.

I feel awful when my shoes are not completely comfortable, so I don't scrimp on quality and don't worry too much about price. I'll pay more for shoes and save $ elsewhere. My feet thank me for it.

Clarifying information on this old thread, in case anyone pulls it up in a search here as I did earlier today.

From 6pm's website (to view web page: http://www.6pm.com/ on bottom of the page, under Customer Service click on FAQ's link:

Q: Do you sell factory seconds?
A: Never -- we only buy first-quality. All of our merchandise comes directly to us from the brand manufacturers or one of their authorized dealers. We stand behind all of our merchandise, so please contact us in the event you feel something you received has a manufacturer's defect.

Q: Are you authorized to sell the brands you advertise on your site?
A: Yes, 6pm.com is an authorized online retailer of all brands sold on our site, and we only sell original merchandise (no knock-offs or fakes here!). For a full list of brands that we carry, please visit our Brands page.