Speaking of painful...

What about the online order that is an instant no? Two pairs of shoes I ordererd arrived today, and both are heading right back. One was a pair of ballet flats from Amazon whose picture didn't show the white soles (no way those would stay clean and they just looked odd). The other were these FS sandals from Nordstrom's summer clearance - super cute and flattering, but they were a tad too narrow for my feet and lacking enough cushioning to be an all day shoe for me.

To add insult to injury, some of the second choice options I'd bookmarked for if these didn't work out have sold out in my size, or are no longer discounted. Sigh.

Nordstrom

Franco Sarto 'Gustava' Sandal (Women)

$69.95 $41.96

Sale

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10 years ago

Shopping

13 replies

Latest reply was from mountainwave

carter

Veteran

I feel your pain! Two that came yesterday are going back. One from today is a definite no go. The other from today is the cutest damn shoe I've ever seen, but it is tighter than I want my shoes to be going forward, There are no more. I'm actually thinking about keeping it. I've decided the odds might be better if I order more at a time...so I did that today;-). We will see!

10 years ago

Thistle

Veteran

Sorry, but better to send them on their way than keep them.

Shoes, especially, are hard on line. When I go to a real brick and mortar store, I can try on a dozen or more shoes and maybe leave with a single pair. And if I don't leave with any, oh well! So much harder to do that online.

10 years ago

deb

Veteran

Oh no, Hate it when that happens.

10 years ago

MsMaven

Veteran

The problem with trying on shoes in the store is that the stores frequently don't even stock my size, or else they have just a few and they are quickly sold out. Then the store wants to order them for me, but I might be able to find them cheaper online by myself.

Lately I buy more shoes online, and that said, I send a lot of them back.

10 years ago

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

It's true, I can spend an entire afternoon at DSW trying on shoes and still not come home with anything. In comparison this is less bad, I guess? I tend to buy from brands that I've had success with before when I buy online, which makes it doubly disappointing when they aren't even close to working.

I've been really good with sticking to my budget recently, and not 'double-buying' with the expectation that I can return some things. As a consequence I've missed out on a lot of bargains and things that have sold out in the interim. Maybe it's also because I feel like I'm pretty narrowed in on my style right now so all I want to do is execute on my planning, not have to fuss with unexpected items that don't work.

Thus is the life of a maximizer...

10 years ago

Anonymous

Carter -- don't keep a shoe that is even a little too tight. You deserve better and with your new life dawning, you won't be able to wear them as often as you would like.

Shoes are interesting because I either see them as utilitarian or as works of art. I very much admire the works of art, but I long ago realized I can't wear them. I once bought a pair of heels (that to this day I believe are the sexiest shoes ever), yet I couldn't walk from the bedroom to the front door, on carpet, without feeling the most intense pain ever. I kept them for a long time in my closet because they really were works of art and I loved looking at them. But I doubt they were actually worn beyond the front door.

Laura -- I find shoe buying very hard. I am too embarrassed to on try lots of shoes on in the store. It has something to do with salesmen and my feet. So I order lots of pairs online. Most go back, but I can try them in the comfort of my home. Also I get a much better feel about the shoe at home then in the store. I am just too self conscious to really test them in the store. I put them on, walk a couple of steps, and try to guess how they would fit into my lifestyle based on a couple of steps.

10 years ago

Staysfit

Veteran

I shop for shoes both locally and online, and I feel your pain. I have had the exact experience of struggling with the fit of shoes ordered online. I have learned that certain brands have consistent enough sizing and work for my foot and I tend to stick with them for online orders. If I am ordering an unknown brand, I might order two sizes if I can afford it at the time and plan to return one or both if they don't work.

My preference is to shop at a local boutique shoe store, however the selection and color choices are limited.

10 years ago

Anonymous

Oh, Laura, how frustrating. I wish I could indulge in the ease and customer service of Zappos, but I just find it too hard to fit shoes online. I try not to be tempted as it always ends in frustration.

Sterling, I hear you on the point about shoe salesmen and feet. Had a creepy experience this summer that led me to pass up on a pair of super sale bright pink patent AGL loafers at a dept store that shall remain nameless. I still regret those shoes.

10 years ago

Elly

Veteran

I have this happen a lot. I do most of my shopping online (we have very little local shopping--- great local shoe stores, but I've had terrible customer service there and you can't park within 1/2 a mile during tourist season). I've finally given up on buying shoes from places with no free returns because I ship so many back. My feet are fussy and shoes are hard to fit! I HAVE to keep a cushion for "double buying" in my account, otherwise I'd never have clothes. Then again, I don't have "extras" of things and scrape buy when something wears out or dies unexpectantly--- I love a good bargain because it lets me shop brands I otherwise wouldn't, but that isn't my main motivation.

Tomorrow I'm taking shoes, two tops, and pants back the the UPS store!

10 years ago

Anonymous

Laura, how disappointing for you. Something even better will come along.

10 years ago

stainedglass

Active Member

Good luck with the shoe hunt. I have very low expectations when I order shoes online; if 1 in 5 works, I'm doing well... it's usually more like 1 in 10. I stick with Zappos most of the time due to free shipping and free returns. With wide feet, I usually strike out at local stores, with the exception of my favorite running shoe store.

10 years ago

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

Kvetching must have cleared my karma (to coin a culturally confused phrase) since a pair of oxfords I'd been stalking on Amazon came back in stock in my size at half off. Maybe there's some sort of 'conservation of shoes' thing happening here...

10 years ago

mountainwave

Active Member

And maybe when ther arrive you can kvell...to go along.

10 years ago

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