Shopping for Shoes Online
There was a time when purchasing a new pair of shoes meant hopping in the car and heading to the department store.
You had to deal with crowds and long lines, as well as the disappointment of finding out that you made the trip in vain, because the department store no longer has the style you want in stock. You have most certainly had the fun experience of traveling to multiple department stores to find that specific style of shoe that you are looking for.
Well, those days are a thing of the past. Sure, you can still hop in the car and journey up the department store – if you are in need of a social encounter; however, for the sake of simply purchasing shoes, that can be done form the comfort of your own home.
Photo credit: Love Meaghan
According to Desiree Stimpert, a fashion expert, an increasing number of people are choosing to forgo tradition in lieu of purchasing their shoes online. Buying shoes online has certain benefits. You don’t have to be concerned about finding a parking spot and navigating through the crowds of shoppers. You can also avoid wasted trips associated with out-of-stock shoes.
You will find that virtually every designer brand and style can be found online, everything from casual wear to court shoes. With the world around you becoming so busy, it becomes increasingly more difficult to take time to head down to the department store. Shopping online means that you can take a two hour trip to the mall and condense it into a 10-minute online shopping excursion.
There are some guidelines and tips that you should consider when shopping online for your shoes.
Shipping and Handling
One of the common mistakes made by online shoppers is the failure to consider shipping and handling costs when evaluating and comparing overall costs. Before spending a great deal of time on a particular site, identify the shipping charges. This will keep you from wasting valuable time on a site with exorbitant shipping costs.
Retailers and manufacturers save a considerable amount of money moving their inventory through online channels – oftentimes they will pass the savings on to the customer via reduced or free shipping and handling. If you don’t see an offer for shipping specials, don’t be shy about making an inquiry. These companies want to secure the sell and establish and business to customer relationship with you; it is likely that they will work with you on the shipping.
According to eBay, you should take the time to familiarize yourself with the companies that ship to your area. This will save you a lot of time shopping on site that don’t deliver to your address.
Warranties and Returns
Familiarize yourself with the warranty and return policies of sites that you shop. You want to make sure that if you receive a defective pair of shoes that you will not have a hassle in returning them. This is an issue that has been on the decline over the last several years, but there are still some pockets of resistance – so to speak. Find out how long you have from the date of purchase to return an order for a complete refund. Also find out if there is a restocking fee or any other fees that may reduce the amount of your refund.
Shoes Size
According to Storify, it is important to be clear on the shoe size that you are looking for. Shoe sizes vary with each designer, so you will need to be familiar with how sizes run with the particular designer brand that you are looking for. If you are not sure, contact customer support or search online for clarity. The few minutes that you will spend doing this will save you a world of grief. One of the downsides to shopping online is the fact that you cannot try on the shoe, so you have no guarantee that the shoe will fit to your liking once they arrive. Taking a little time to gain an understanding of the size variations associated with your particular shoes will save you a potential headache.
When you are prepared, shopping online for shoes can be a very pleasurable and effective process. Following these few simple guidelines will save you a great deal of hassle.
Megan Barnes is a shoe fanatic. She enjoys hunting out the best styles and deals and sharing her discoveries on style blogs.
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