Buying Shoes On The Internet
The Top 5 Tips for Buying Shoes Online – TallMenShoes.com
With ecommerce accounting for more and more business each year, it’s no surprise many people – especially among the younger generations – are going online to find their footwear. So if you’re thinking of going online to order your next pair of elevator dress shoes, athletic sneakers or boots, what should you do to make the experience a good one? We’ve compiled the five best tips for online shoe-shopping to help you confidently navigate the internet waters.
Know Your Foot (Measurements)
It’s no secret that shoe sizes can vary greatly between manufacturers, and obviously, you don’t get to try on the shoe you’re looking at on a website. But knowing the dimensions of your feet goes a long way towards getting the right pair. Measure the exact length and width of each foot from the longest points and keep that information handy. Most online shoe stores have sizing charts that you can use to determine what size will fit. You should also be aware whether your foot arches are high, medium or low, as different shoes are designed for different arch types.
Have An Idea of What Shoes You Want
Going into a shopping session knowing only that “I need some shoes” is an easy way to fall down the rabbit hole of options (and there are a lot of options). What style of shoe are you looking for? What are you going to be using them for? Are you more interest in comfort, function or looks? Answering these questions in advance will help you narrow down your search and reduces the chances of getting distracted by something that isn’t right for you.
Make Sure the Store Has a Good Return/Exchange Policy
Even if you do all your research, you still will occasionally receive a pair of shoes that just doesn’t fit, feel or look right. And there’s always the chance of a defective shoe just like when you shop in-person. In those cases, a bad return policy (or none at all) will leave you with more than just sore feet. Ideally, they should give you at least a few weeks to return the shoes for a refund, exchange or store credit, as long as the shoes are in their original condition. And a store that goes “above and beyond” is even better. Research Shipping Options and “Total Cost”
A big reason for shopping online is to get a good deals. But sometimes deals aren’t always what they seem. Some stores have low up-front costs, but gouge you on shipping so you actually pay more than at a physical store. Others have free shipping, but your purchase can take up to two weeks to arrive – and most people shopping for shoes can’t wait that long. Look at both the cost of the shoe, the estimated shipping charges and the estimated shipping time so you know what you’re getting into.
Shop With Reputable Stores
Trust is important at any store, but especially online, because the store is receiving the money before the buyer receives the product. So look hard at a store’s reputation. Customer reviews will tell you a lot about their experience, and an online store will often advertise if they have a good rating with the Better Business Bureau, Shopper Approved and other organizations.
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Why you should avoid the tempting online sales and only shop in-store …
Why you should avoid the tempting online sales and only shop in-store for shoes? : Gotham Footcare: Podiatrists
Dr. Cunha explains the damage our feet could experience if we force our feet to wear ill-fitting shoes.
It’s risky to buy shoes online, especially if there is a no return policy. It’s important to remember that sizing can be different across different brands, due to their design and the materials used. You may purchase a fashionable shoe online with your size that may still not be appropriately and comfortably fit for your feet. I think it is acceptable to buy shoes online if they are sneaker from a manufactures that you typically purchase from because there won’t be variability on size that may occur from manufacturer to manufacturer. In other words, if you typically buy a 9. 5 motion control sneaker from Asics it is acceptable to purchase online because you are already familiar with the structure of the shoe and the size will be consistent with your previous pair. Simply put, if you are going to purchase shoes online, stick to comfort shoes such as sneakers and avoid fashion shoes such as heels that may vary not only in size from shoe to shoe of the same brand but also from brand to brand.
Shoes should fit and feel comfortable or else you shouldn’t buy them. Long term effect of wearing ill fitted shoes include damage to the toe nails. Wearing ill fitting shoes can compress the toes together causing the big toe nail to grow into the skin and eventually resulting in an ingrown toenail. Ill fitting shoes can also aggravate the symptoms and progression of bunion deformities as the shape of the shoe does not accommodate the normal structure of the forefoot. An ill fitting shoe can press up against the great toe pushing it over towards the second toe further exacerbating bunion deformities. When wearing ill fitting high heels for instance most of your body weight is pushed forward to the balls of your feet and this can lead to metatarsalgia.
Shoes with a narrow toe box can also cause this condition. Hammertoes are also a condition developed by ill fitting shoes. The heel height forces the toes to bend as they lean forward. Overtime, the bent toe can no longer straighten on its own. Wearing ill fitting shoes can cause tendonitis. When wearing ill fitting heels for instance you put constant pressure on the Achilles tendon by shortening and tightening it. Repeated and extended wear of high heels shorten the tendon permanently. This leads to inflammation and pain when you wear flat shoes and forces the tight tendon to stretch.
Shoes should accommodate your feet and not the other way around. There is a natural give for shoes as they will accommodate your feet more comfortably after several days of use but overall shoes should feel as comfortable as possible when you first triy them on at the store to avoid damaging your feet.
I also recommend always buying shoes at the end of the end when your feet are most swollen. If they feel comfortable at the end of the day most likely they will feel comfortable throughout the day.
Dr. Miguel Cunha
Dr. Miguel Cunha, Board Certified Surgical Podiatrist, founder of Gotham Footcare, and leading podiatrist in Manhattan is a highly trained and skilled foot and ankle surgeon with experience treating a wide array of foot and ankle conditions from minor problems to complex reconstructive foot and ankle surgery. Dr. Cunha takes pride in having a genuine interest in each and every one of his patients while providing them the utmost compassion and exceptional care.
Your First Step to Getting Better
At Gotham Footcare in NYC, we strive at recognizing your individual needs and desired outcomes while formulating an effective and personalized treatment plan with the highest quality care available.
What sets Gotham Footcare apart from other podiatry offices is our dedication to providing you with the education you need to make well-informed decisions regarding your care. Regardless of what your foot and ankle trouble may be, at Gotham Footcare our team will work tirelessly to help you feel better. At Gotham Footcare, we help you put your best foot forward.
Buying Shoes Online. Pros and Cons – Walking On A Cloud
Your dream pair of shoes is only a store away, but is that changing? With the influx of online shopping, the shoe industry has been turned on its head. Shoe stores used to be packed, and although they still see business, the online shoe stores have been starting to get a few strides ahead. Today, there are dozens of Canadian shoe retailers that cater to Canadian online shoppers. While the number of online shoe retailers has increased ten-fold, with many now offering to ship to Canada. There are plenty of options, and no matter if you are looking to buy shoes online or in store, the choice is all yours. In this article, we are going to take a bit of a deep dive into the pros and cons of shoe shopping online.
Naturally, this is a bit of a big question to answer, so we are going to walk through a few sections to dissect and discover some of these pros and cons. First, we will look at some of the psyches around why people buy online. Then we will look at some of the pros of online shoe shopping, and follow up with some of the cons of buying online shoes. Finally, we will touch on some of the Canadian stores that have embraced both foot traffic and online traffic to create hybrid stores that work.
Why people buy online
The move to the online realm has been quick, and for those who have embraced e-commerce, the results have been amazing. The human psyche is one that loves to gain information and part of the reason why online shopping is popular is due to information overload by the consumer. There are many reasons people buy products online, and here are a few of them.
We all love to compare prices and selection but online shopping has allowed online retailers to truly dominate the market. An online store allows consumers to compare prices in milliseconds, and with access to a warehouse full of inventory, it should be no surprise why so many have gone online for all their shopping needs.
As well, people always enjoy a great deal, and online retailers are often the most competitive in the market. This is often being one of the top reasons for shopping online, and especially when you consider that cyber only deals are on the rise. This goes for electronics, shoes and even food, as no matter where you look, you can always find a great deal online!
Many people wonder is it safe shop online? The answer is yes, and the reason is many leading retailers, in fact, have sophisticated security protocols for their online shoppers as a safe shopping environment will ensure shoppers will spend. According to many security experts, online shopping is just as safe as in person shopping, and that is something we can all appreciate.
Pros of online shoe shopping
Shoe shopping is always a bit of a struggle when dealing with traditional shopping, but when you add up the walking and trying on the shoes, it turns into an effort that takes an entire day. When you are considering heading out to the mall, the question is why have you not considered online shoe shopping? Well, it is time to look at the pros of buying shoes online and we have brought together six of the top pros for online shoe shopping!
Convenience
Look, humans can be a bit of a lazy species and when it comes to convenience, there is nothing better than online shoe shopping. When you are needing a new pair of kicks, with online shopping, they are only a click away. Today’s online marketplace will allow you to peruse the top brands and styles with a couple of scrolls of your mouse, and best of all compare prices across a few sites. Convenience is worth its weight in gold, and with a number of companies offering free shoe delivery, what is stopping you from ordering?
Price Comparisons with a couple of clicks
There are several advantages to buying shoes online, but one of the best aspects is the ability to do price comparisons. Unlike walking around the mall, online retailers allow uses to easily and simply compare dozens of companies for a specific online shoe. These price comparison tools allow users to showcase different pricing models, including cyber and in-store deals or specials.
Discounts and Notifications to your email and phone
With online shopping, there is always the benefit of instant discounts and notifications that can be sent to your e-mail or applied in shopping cart. These deals are one of the best reasons to always look to purchase shoes online, and being notified of these deals are never a bad thing! If you are a frequent shopper, there are some amazing stores that will reward your shopping, so always look, and take advantage of stacking coupons and deals online.
Infinite Choice with a click of a button
Now, this might be a con as well, but when you are online shoe shopping, you will have a practically infinite choice. There are hundreds of retailers here in Canada that can help deliver an online shoe shopping experience, and when you expand this to US and European retailers, the choices are practically endless. This is not a bad thing, but for those who are a little less decisive, you might be spending some more time clicking through sites than you would expect.
Easy access to customer reviews
When you are looking to buy shoes online in Canada, it is always good to look at the customer reviews. These reviews will ensure you are buying a product that will last and will review the fit, the style and of course the wear of the sneaker, heel or flat. Customer reviews are an essential part of any online shopping experience, as they provide the consumer with an honest opinion from people who bought the shoes in the past. These reviews help carry the conversation for sneakerheads, and when it comes to deciding, these reviews will ensure you find the perfect fit for you and your feet.
No pressure sales all without commission
Nothing is worse than dealing with a high-pressured sales experience, and online shopping ensures that you can skip the pressure, and just focus on the shoes. When it comes to online shopping, the lack of pressure is naturally one of the pros of the online shoe shopping experience. You can peruse the various sneakers in peace, and make a decision that is perfect for you, rather than dealing with a salesperson pushing you towards the highest commission shoe. Online shopping is a lifesaver, and with no pressure sales, it is a shopping experience that will truly change your shoe game.
Cons of buying shoes online
When it comes to buying shoes online, it is not always the best fit. In this section, we are going to be looking at some of the cons of show shopping online, and no matter if you are looking for heels or flats, sometimes it can be a bit of a struggle to find the perfect pair online. Here are some of the downsides of online shopping for shoes.
You can’t try shoes on when shopping online
One of the biggest disadvantages of online shoe shopping is the simple fact that you cannot try things on. Shoes require the perfect fit, as if they are too small or large you can struggle with soars or blisters that will ruin your day. Without the ability to try a pair of shoes on, you will have to not only wait for the shoes to arrive, but you will have to return the pair to a storefront if they do not fit for a refund. The lack of an ability to try shoes on can be a bit of a struggle for those that have larger or smaller feet and requires customers to often order multiple sizes to ensure they get the right fit.
You can’t always talk to someone immediately
If you are experiencing a bit of an issue with your shoes returns, it can be a bit difficult to talk to someone to assist you with your issues. No matter if you are dealing with mispricing or delivery issues, online retailers often take a bit to get back to consumers due to a smaller staff than traditional brick and mortar locations. Plus, if you are trying to work out a complicated return, you will need to ensure you have some patience and an afternoon to spend negotiating a practically impenetrable telephone tree.
Privacy and Security concerns
Although many of the major retailers have some of the best online security in the business, things happen. This is especially true when you consider smaller online stores do not have the security parameters to protect your privacy nor data. The online realm is always a concern, and with companies like IBM and Sony being hacked, it should come to no one’s surprise that even the biggest brick and mortar stores that have an online presence are susceptible to cyber concerns.
Shoe Stores in Canada.
Hybrid stores
When you consider the habits and decisions of some of the largest retailers and companies in the world, they all have one simple thing in common. Those who are successful adapt to market conditions and for Canadian shoe retailers, the adaption to the online market has been crucial for their success. Canadian shoe stores have been the ultimate example of success in the shoe industry, so what does that mean?
Hybrid stores are a new type of shoe boutiques that combine both the online realm and the traditional brick and mortar store to appeal to all customers. When you consider some of the top retailers such as Nine West, Shoe Company and Designer Shoe Warehouse, the one thing that you should in common is a simple fact that they are hybrid retailers. No matter if you are looking for a Canadian shoe store, or something from Europe or somewhere in between, a hybrid store is the future of the industry.
Plus, the simple fact that you can easily find an online shoe locator, you will quickly be able to spot your next pair of shoes. Some of the top brands are available both online and in store, and I you are looking to buy shoes in Canada, hybrid stores are generally your best choice for the greatest selection and best pricing in the industry.
Some final thoughts
The online shoe industry has quickly become one of the largest retailers in the country, and with its ease of use and great options, it is no surprise to anyone. In this article, we considered the psyche of why people go online to shop and some of the pros of shoe shopping online including; convenience, price comparisons, discounts and notifications, infinite choice, easy access to reviews and no pressure sales. Then we touched on some of the cons of online shoe shopping which included; issues around trying shoes on, not being able to talk to store clerks and of course privacy and security. Then we finished up by touching on the new era of the shoe store the hybrid store.
So, what now? Well, the shoe industry has been ever changed by the influx of online shopping, the ability to peruse thousands of shoes with a click of a button has changed the very way many people shop. However, the brick and mortar store is still an essential part of the shopping experience, and no matter if you are looking for some time to kill, or need something fast, the need for physical stores will never cease. The industry in Canada is moving into a new era, and hybrid stores will quickly become the only ones that survive. We have seen giants like Future Shop, Zellers and Sears die due to the influx of online consumers, and hybrid stores are truly the best of both worlds. Many retailers offer a pick up or ship option, and with free shipping, great selections and even better pricing, hybrid shoe stores are truly the future of the shoe industry here in Canada.
Frequently Asked Questions about buying shoes on the internet
Is it a good idea to order shoes online?
It’s risky to buy shoes online, especially if there is a no return policy. … Simply put, if you are going to purchase shoes online, stick to comfort shoes such as sneakers and avoid fashion shoes such as heels that may vary not only in size from shoe to shoe of the same brand but also from brand to brand.
Is it bad to buy shoes online?
One of the biggest disadvantages of online shoe shopping is the simple fact that you cannot try things on. … Without the ability to try a pair of shoes on, you will have to not only wait for the shoes to arrive, but you will have to return the pair to a storefront if they do not fit for a refund.Jul 27, 2018
Is it cheaper to buy shoes online or in store?
Now a new study finds that e-commerce is cheaper too. After looking at 184,000 running shoes — across 450 brands — independent review aggregator RunRepeat.com found that consumers saved 38.1 percent, about $46.20, per purchase of sneakers online versus in stores.Mar 29, 2016
