View Full Version : Ordering shoes online?
I think the easiest thing for me to do with my pain problems and car problems is to order some good athletic shoes online. Plus, there are better shoes online than most stores around here carry.
I have a number of foot problems that I think I can figure out myself, by ordering the right shoe. My only hesitation is that different shoes seem to vary quite a bit in size. I'd hate to end up paying for to-and-from shipping.
Anyone have experience with ordering shoes online?
Yes, I've done it multiple times without issues. Zappos is my go to. They're owned by Amazon. Free shipping and free returns. Generous return time period, too, if I remember correctly.
Chicken lady
7-31-15, 8:08am
I agree on zappos. You can even order the same shoes in a couple of sizes and then return the ones that don't fit.
lessisbest
7-31-15, 8:23am
I've ordered a number of times from FootSmart - http://www.footsmart.com/ If you read the comments from customers, you get a pretty good idea about the footwear. I also corrected all my foot problems by going gluten-free. It's unbelievable how much difference just that one thing made!
freshstart
7-31-15, 9:25am
zappos hands down
New Balance site, sign up for emails to get extra deals, clearance and sale bring these great sneakers down incredibly low when you hit it right. They will help you work with your foot problem to help you find right sneakers
Almost all shoes and clothing are from Online sites. I guess about 99% fit great with no issues.
SteveinMN
7-31-15, 10:14am
I've ordered shoes from Joe's New Balance Outlet (http://www.joesnewbalanceoutlet.com/) . They, too, offer some terrific deals on New Balances, especially if you can wait a bit for a few sales. Same issue as ordering from NB themselves; you have to know how the shoes are sized. But I've been happy with my purchases there.
freshstart
7-31-15, 10:15am
also dealing with really comfortable shoes that may cost a lot, I've gone to some brick stores, tried things on and came home and ordered half the price online. we have lots of those kinds of stores, one for sneakers that does "tests" to see what shoe would be best, they showed me a $125 pair of New Balance. I know how NB numbers their stuff, higher part of number means better shoe. Came home, ordered 2 whole levels up from the model they suggested and paid $50 on clearance and the colors were better. Maybe that's not ethical to the brick store, but then they need to bring prices down or offer to meet online price. I think NB had free ship over a certain amount and free returns
freshstart
7-31-15, 10:16am
I've ordered shoes from Joe's New Balance Outlet (http://www.joesnewbalanceoutlet.com/) . They, too, offer some terrific deals on New Balances, especially if you can wait a bit for a few sales. Same issue as ordering from NB themselves; you have to know how the shoes are sized. But I've been happy with my purchases there.
thanks for this site!
Thanks everyone. Sounds like some might offer free shipping and returns.....which would be great. I have to add so many things in my shoes (padding/orthotic/riser in one foot/, etc.) that I have to sort of guess what my shoe size would end up being. But it would be great if I could return them/exchange them without having to pay shipping back.
I can't believe how many different numbers shoes can have, just in one company, in shoes that almost look alike. It can get really confusing. I've developed a horrible over-supination in one foot, because of the knee surgery I had awhile back and I need to fix that before I start walking like Igor. Oh wait........I already do. :~)
Thanks again for your great input!
freshstart
7-31-15, 11:00am
NB used to have a thing where you entered problem things, then they recommend shoes to best fit. I need arch support, narrow heel but large toe box, I pronate and one foot had so much surgery, weird hardware and bones stick out, lol. Shoe shopping nightmare, but it worked
ToomuchStuff
8-1-15, 1:41am
Maybe that's not ethical to the brick store, but then they need to bring prices down or offer to meet online price.
Let's talk about this for a second.
I do see a lot of stores, that offer to match their online prices, but only if asked. Also some offer local pickup at online prices, but must order online (effectively your giving them marketing information, for the discount). But this typically happens with company owned stores, not franchies.
Franchises, and mom and pop stores have other aspects that don't make this realistic. These online ordering places are in a lot of cases warehouses. That means they buy in bulk, and get bigger discounts then those that don't have all that stock room. They can rent in lower cost area's, or get things like tif or tax breaks for moving into an area. (rent can and does vary from area to area, the same as sales taxes, so store prices are not always the same). Then you have other issues, like the cost of training help to be informative and know the product, verse being able to read a label from someone "self informed", service. When local, my former hardware store always said, "you're paying for convenience".
People do throw that around, without thinking of WHY the prices are different, and until the reasons are actually understood, this does no one any good. If people did at least make the initial purchase at the local store they shopped at, that I would think would be a more honest approach.
People do throw that around, without thinking of WHY the prices are different, and until the reasons are actually understood, this does no one any good. If people did at least make the initial purchase at the local store they shopped at, that I would think would be a more honest approach.
If I do all my research for a purchase on-line or after talking with friends/acquaintances/etc., I have no problem ordering on-line at the best price (for a vendor with integrity). But if I want to put my hands on the item -- a car test drive, looking at a TV screen, seeking advice on a book -- I buy it at the retailer that's done the work. They do have expenses beyond an online-only retailer. If I (and everyone else) do not support them with sales, I should not be surprised that they dry up and blow away, leaving me with few or no choices in touching the merchandise before buying.
If I do all my research for a purchase on-line or after talking with friends/acquaintances/etc., I have no problem ordering on-line at the best price (for a vendor with integrity). But if I want to put my hands on the item -- a car test drive, looking at a TV screen, seeking advice on a book -- I buy it at the retailer that's done the work. They do have expenses beyond an online-only retailer. If I (and everyone else) do not support them with sales, I should not be surprised that they dry up and blow away, leaving me with few or no choices in touching the merchandise before buying.
That fits with my ethical style. Mostly, on-line buying works for me. I wouldn't waste a retailer's time and then buy the same item elsewhere, though I might negotiate a price match.
NB used to have a thing where you entered problem things, then they recommend shoes to best fit. I need arch support, narrow heel but large toe box, I pronate and one foot had so much surgery, weird hardware and bones stick out, lol. Shoe shopping nightmare, but it worked
loved that with new balance and having narrow feet, A lot of times the stores couldn't figure out what i needed anyway.i very much agree with finding out if you overpronate or how you basically walk/run, the correct shoe (and i am totally saying new balance in many cases) can help that. i didn't do that for a few years and developed plantar fascia tis
I'm ok with bricks and mortar, if they actually waited on me and it was a good experience, if they won't price match on $100 item online, $120 in store, that's my limit. 20% is fair to keep the lights on in a bricks and mortar store. Those NB sneakers that were $125 and two levels down from what I got online? I don't feel that bad about $75 savings and better sneakers. Their "tests" didn't catch that my feet clearly over pronate and the saleswoman shrugged when I pointed that out. Well, that's an important quality in a sneaker, she couldn't have cared less. It's actually one thing NB is known for, having sneakers for just this problem. How come I knew this and she clearly did not, her supposed field of expertise or she just didn't care about a $125 sale? Sorry, the actual manufacturer got my money that time, I saved $75 and went up two levels in quality and the manufacturer answered questions over the phone. Same with other shoe stores, if no one helps me, employees standing around and I've been there awhile, and I just try on the display, usually a 6, my size, I see no harm in not paying double. Good service, an employee obviously well-versed in what he's selling, will negotiate reasonably if the online price is half, then I will be reasonable and pay an amount I feel is fair, even if more than online. But don't piss on my leg and tell me it's raining.
Many brick and mortar stores aren't focusing on service, which is one way to keep customers from going online. Sometimes I do this when it doesn't affect the company, say Macy's, trying to hit Junior's clearance and use coupons to get good deals. They have a lot hanging up high that of course DD wants to see. The saleswoman says, "sorry, I lost the hook to get things down." That happened a few times over a few months, she never had the stick, yet the clothing displayed was different, so SOMEONE at Macy's has the magic stick. So stupid! The dressing rooms are dark, I have to haul big piles of other people's try ons out, just to get in one teeny, dirty dressing room. No thanks, we go home and order from Macy's online. I guess that's bad, as then Macys will start to close their stores but then make the experience just a bit better, make it clean, put in some lights, find the stupid stick that gets the clothes hung high and I'll happily go to the store. We'd rather buy at the store because DD is hard to fit but it's so annoying even she is like, "I'll look online, let's go."
sometimes it is the store's own fault for not doing the simple things to make people feel welcome and enjoy their experience. If employees are just standing around chatting with each other and no one even acknowledges that they finally have a customer, why should I care about going online, if they do not care about the customer in any real way? I get that the pay sucks, I've been there when I was young, but you chose the job, do it and ask if you can be of assistance.
No thanks, we go home and order from Macy's online. I guess that's bad, as then Macys will start to close their stores but then make the experience just a bit better, make it clean, put in some lights, find the stupid stick that gets the clothes hung high and I'll happily go to the store. We'd rather buy at the store because DD is hard to fit but it's so annoying even she is like, "I'll look online, let's go."
If I was treated that poorly in the store as a Macy's customer, I wouldn't order from them on-line either (unless I had no other choice). There are more than enough retailers around (at least in larger metropolitan areas) that there's almost always another store selling the item I want (or something very close to it). But that's just me.
sometimes it is the store's own fault for not doing the simple things to make people feel welcome and enjoy their experience. If employees are just standing around chatting with each other and no one even acknowledges that they finally have a customer, why should I care about going online, if they do not care about the customer in any real way? I get that the pay sucks, I've been there when I was young, but you chose the job, do it and ask if you can be of assistance.
You can be sure the person answering the phone at Macy's on-line isn't making any money, either. Of course, we've all had our encounters with brain-dead script-reading drones on customer support lines. And good salespeople promoted into management, where they do everything but what they're good at. And the hollowing-out of the workforce, with most folks doing the work of two or three.
I do agree with you that many stores could improve upon customer service, even at very little cost to themselves or to customers. Not to defend the yakkers (I dislike that, too), but retail has turned into a pretty thankless job in most places, courtesy of management. Maybe retail execs think we won't notice since good customer service is so rare these days. But I never found "We're no worse than anyone else" to be a compelling argument.
[QUOTE=SteveinMN;209981]If I was treated that poorly in the store as a Macy's customer, I wouldn't order from them on-line either (unless I had no other choice). There are more than enough retailers around (at least in larger metropolitan areas) that there's almost always another store selling the item I want (or something very close to it). But that's just me.
/QUOTE]
that's what I should've done but DD broke my spirit that day, lol. She is hard to fit, so short but curvy, but will not buy from the other "Grandma" depts. You hold a Junior's sundress up to her and it's inches taller than her and I can't sew, taken to a tailor's it's no longer a bargain. So she cried several times, I wanted to cry, full blown teen angst. By the time we got home, I would've handed her my cc and said, "do what you want". Wiser heads prevailed, she got the stuff she wanted from Macy's really cheap and thank God, that day was DONE, lol.
But you are right, I should stop shopping there. I have plenty of other options. It's too bad, I've been a long time customer, 30 yrs as I shopped their clearance racks as a teen. I have gotten so many good deals from them, which you wouldn't think about a store like Macy's. I could've dealt with everything, used to juniors being a complete mess, but not having that stick (or trying to get one) for what had to be at least the third time with the same associate, I was done. Maybe I'll write a letter, because I do like the store, suggest what could've made the experience more positive and explaining they are very close to losing a 30 yr customer with a teen, who could turn into a lifelong customer, as well. But it will probably just get someone in trouble who is already dealing with an unpleasant job.
I don't mean to sound harsh on yakkers who don't acknowledge they have a customer. I know retail is a horrible job these days. Perhaps I should be more patient. Unless I have a question, I am fine with them just saying hi and asking if I need anything. They don't even have to smile, lol
I would definitely report the "lost stick" problem to management. Three times??? Maybe the sales clerk needs to have it cuffed to her wrist. :doh:
How much do those things cost? I'd be tempted to bring my own...
funny you should mention that. Mother, hoarder, ill, uses those long metal sticks with a claw on the end to get stuff. Her hoarder number is almost always 4. So I am sure I can sneak 2 out the next time we go shopping!
Teacher Terry
8-4-15, 2:13pm
Easy spirit. They are good quality, last a long time, have frequent sales & once you know your size you can count on the shoes fitting.
ToomuchStuff
8-4-15, 4:29pm
Excuse me ma'am, you have lost the stick? Did they beat you with it or something? Let me call some help for you (make a big enough scene, that it gets found).
lol, I will remember that!
It's too bad, I've been a long time customer, 30 yrs as I shopped their clearance racks as a teen. I have gotten so many good deals from them, which you wouldn't think about a store like Macy's. I could've dealt with everything, used to juniors being a complete mess, but not having that stick (or trying to get one) for what had to be at least the third time with the same associate, I was done. Maybe I'll write a letter, because I do like the store, suggest what could've made the experience more positive and explaining they are very close to losing a 30 yr customer with a teen, who could turn into a lifelong customer, as well. But it will probably just get someone in trouble who is already dealing with an unpleasant job.
Sadly, Macy's is not the store it was 30 years ago. Sears isn't, either (more's the pity; Sears was the go-to when I was a kid, for everything: clothes, tools, appliances, paint,...). Penney, Dayton's, Marshall Fields, The Bon, Filene's,... Blame "activist" shareholders, the number-crunching reasoning of "economy of scale" and the incessant need to sell Sell SELL.
That said, perhaps there still are enough people at Macy's who remember when it was more than a high-priced Kohl's, and a letter might be just the thing. I'm guessing it would make you feel better. And you (and everyone else who refuses to accept this shabby treatment) may just preserve Macy's for the next generation.
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