As usual, our kids had to convince me to even try buying shoes online. They were right in that the selection is vast compared to the best stores, even the ones in large cities. Of course, fit is king, and the first-ever pair I ordered didn't.
However, I learned that each company uses a single last--a fake foot used for fitting purposes--for each size, so if one Nike or Bally fits you, they all will. (Note: sandals may use a different last than closed shoes.) Try on anything a company makes, then order what you want online if the store doesn't have it.
I also learned that shipping returns is easy and free at most sites. Open the box carefully, and if the shoes don't fit, just re-seal it, tape on the return shipping label, and hand it over to UPS.
So anyway, I ordered once, got a too-generous fit, and the return was painless. That's cool. What's not cool is that the place with the lowest price, OnLineShoes, didn't carry the size I needed.
So I bought them from Zappos for five bucks more.
That was yesterday, just before 6:00 p.m. Today at 3:30 p.m., the shoes arrived, having traveled about 620 miles from Kentucky. It's the right pair, in the right size. I didn't pay for fast shipping. I haven't tried them on yet, but still, I'm going to order from them again. Amazing level of service!
Maryn, in awe
However, I learned that each company uses a single last--a fake foot used for fitting purposes--for each size, so if one Nike or Bally fits you, they all will. (Note: sandals may use a different last than closed shoes.) Try on anything a company makes, then order what you want online if the store doesn't have it.
I also learned that shipping returns is easy and free at most sites. Open the box carefully, and if the shoes don't fit, just re-seal it, tape on the return shipping label, and hand it over to UPS.
So anyway, I ordered once, got a too-generous fit, and the return was painless. That's cool. What's not cool is that the place with the lowest price, OnLineShoes, didn't carry the size I needed.
So I bought them from Zappos for five bucks more.
That was yesterday, just before 6:00 p.m. Today at 3:30 p.m., the shoes arrived, having traveled about 620 miles from Kentucky. It's the right pair, in the right size. I didn't pay for fast shipping. I haven't tried them on yet, but still, I'm going to order from them again. Amazing level of service!
Maryn, in awe
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shoes.
