I also just wanted to add that the only time I really think someone is taking advantage of a store's return policy is if they are dishonest about the wear/tear on the item they are returning, or have obviously caused damage themselves. For example: once at Costco, I saw a family drive up with leather furniture in the open back of their pickup truck to bring them to be returned. And it was raining very hard, and they hadn't even so much as covered the furniture with a tarp. I sincerely hoped that Costco did not accept the return!

For once wear and the shoes are uncomfortable, and this is Nordstrom, I would return. If this were multiple wears and the shoes were heavily worn then I would vote no return. I am thankful Nordstrom has a great return policy. I've had some stores give me a hard time with a return on an UNWORN item. Last time I tried to return to Ann Taylor, the sweater I received had a tag that was in the packing bag but not on the sweater. When I tried to return the SA gave me a really hard time and accused me of wearing the sweater (which made no sense since it didn't smell, I received the item the day before, and the plastic part of the tag was still on the sweater). I had to get a manager and convince them that I received this item with the tag not attached to the sweater.

All of these posts about Nordstrom taking back clearly used shoes makes me wonder if the Nordstrom near me is just really mean. Two years ago I purchased a headband from Nordstrom. It was comprised of links, like a necklace, and had elastic holding it together in a loop, so you wore it around your entire head. A few weeks after the purchase, one of the links split apart--it was clearly defective. I took it back and the salesperson said she couldn't help me because I didn't have the receipt or tag (the item was still being sold in the store). I asked for her manager, in case she had more discretion, and was told the manager would be available in an hour and a half. (I was really nice the whole time.) I didn't have an hour and a half to wait so I left, and then forgot about it and never revisited the issue. Thinking about it still upsets me, though--it was an expensive headband, and I really liked it. It just always shocks me that I couldn't get resolution for something clearly defective and others have no problems returning used shoes.

Steph, you really didn't get the service you should have! You should have gone back at a later time! I'm so sorry about that.

Anna, Nordies wants you to buy shoes that you wear and love. We can't always tell whether they'll be comfy on the first wearing. If they end up being useless just return them. You'll make some girl at the Rack or Last Chance very happy.

The only time I feel uncomfortable hearing about people returning things is when they purchase the item with the full intent of returning it, such as a designer bag they only need for one night, etc. It's not a rental service!

Clearly, that was not your intent, so I think it's fine. Nordies wants you to be happy.