Can I return these shoes?

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

I bought a pair of shoes to wear to a wedding. I wanted something comfortable and it was suggested that I get a pair of Cole Haans by the salesguy at Nordstrom. They have Nike Air in them, they are flats, open toe. I wore them to the wedding. They are very soft, too soft in fact, and every few steps the heel smushes and my foot slips out. I ended up taking htem off after the ceremony and putting on flip flops for the reception. Here is the issue, my mom insists they can be returned since I am not happy with them. I was alwayus under the impression that once worn, you can't take them back. The bottoms aren't dirty, but there are some scuff marks that show they were worn. They wre only worn once for about 3 hours, and I do hate them. I got htem at Nordstrom and they were expensive!

Can I return them because I hate them? Or am I stuck with them because they have been worn? I normally would never dream of returning shoes I wore, but my mom insists it is normal.

Nordstrom policy is to take them back. You've only worn them a couple of hours and you have an issue with them. No need to fret over it. Now that doesn't mean someone should abuse the policy by intentionally buying something and using it knowing all the while they are going to take them back. But you're not doing that. So take em back.

 

[robinb]

Nordstrom policy is to take them back. No need to fret over it. Now that doesn't mean someone should abuse the policy by intentionally buying something and using it knowing all the while they are going to take them back. But you're not doing that. So take em back.

I agree. Given Nordstrom's liberal return policy, I don't see anything wrong with the OP returning a pair of worn shoes that didn't work for her. I don't get the vibe that she is abusing the policy just to have a pair of free nice shoes for the wedding ... that would be wrong.

 

[undertheradar]

It's Nordstrom's policy. They can have whatever policy they wish.

The thread about the 14 Happy Meals has absolutely nothing to do with this.

So true. Look at how the buying public has abused Sears kids return policy. People would buy jeans, take them back worn out and exchange for a differnt size. Same with Craftsman tools, people buy the worn out ones at yardsales and on the internet and then attempt to exchange them for new. Doesn't make the policy wrong, just some examples of how the policies get abused. I added the Happy Meal reference to justify my position of entitlement, plain and simple.

 

[mrsklamc]

You say positive experience and I see someone returning used, worn merchandise.

Other than price, which they are aware of when they shop there, it doesn't impact other customers, so, they get a positive experience. If you don't like it, you don't have to shop there.

 

[mrsklamc]

I returned shoes used a month to Target, and they gave me a credit. They were falling apart--used, but so poorly made that they bent their policies. Never hurts to ask.

I'm glad! Once I returned a pair of shoes I had NOT worn and they accused me of having worn them...So I'm glad they stood by their product for you.

 

[undertheradar]

Other than price, which they are aware of when they shop there, it doesn't impact other customers, so, they get a positive experience. If you don't like it, you don't have to shop there.

It does impact other shoppers in regards to service time when that customer purchased the shoes, time to process the return, item used and not available for resale - perhaps the last pair in that size. There is an impact to ther customers.

 

[DopeyDame]

The fact that you bought them at Nordstrom makes all the difference. Absolutely take them back and tell them what you said here - be honest that you wore them and that they didn't work out. I'd bet they at least give you a credit.
Like PPs have said, this is precisely why Nordstroms prices are higher and why people chose to pay those higher prices - to have outstanding return policies and service. If you don't like those policies (and the accompanying prices) there are about a zillion other stores where you can shop with cheaper prices and more strict return policies.

 

[anna_chronistic]

Would anyone's response be different if this were a young woman who bought shoes to wear for prom, wore them for three hours, decided her feet hurt and that she would spend the rest of the night barefoot (and I see this at weddings and remember girls being barefoot by the end of the night at my proms), and then wanted to return them?

I just wonder -- aside from Nordstrom's return policy -- if people think the OP's return situation is ethical but the prom situation isn't, or if both are ethical, both are unethical, etc.

Or does everyone think we should solely consider the store's return policy, and not the situation/circumstances? Just wanting more discussion!

 

[ols386]

It does impact other shoppers in regards to service time when that customer purchased the shoes, time to process the return, item used and not available for resale - perhaps the last pair in that size. There is an impact to ther customers.

An earlier poster mentioned that for a pair of shoes worn one time, Nordstom's would clean-up the scuffs, etc., and re-sale the shoes.

 

[Pumbaa_]

Absolutely return them to Nordstrom's. Different level of shopping = different customer service options

they don't fit right/feel right do not keep

Hope you find a pair you love!

 

[ols386]

Would anyone's response be different if this were a young woman who bought shoes to wear for prom, wore them for three hours, decided her feet hurt and that she would spend the rest of the night barefoot (and I see this at weddings and remember girls being barefoot by the end of the night at my proms), and then wanted to return them?

I just wonder -- aside from Nordstrom's return policy -- if people think the OP's return situation is ethical but the prom situation isn't, or if both are ethical, both are unethical, etc.

Or does everyone think we should solely consider the store's return policy, and not the situation/circumstances? Just wanting more discussion!

I think it would be the same whether buying the shoes to wear to a wedding or buying them for a prom. Doesn't sound like Nortstrom's cares what the purpose was for buying the shoes in the first place. Just that the shoes are uncomfortable, the customer won't wear the shoes again, and is returning them.

 

[mrsklamc]

It does impact other shoppers in regards to service time when that customer purchased the shoes, time to process the return, item used and not available for resale - perhaps the last pair in that size. There is an impact to ther customers.

Again, they choose to shop at Nordstrom knowing the return policy, and find it to be worth it. If you don't like it you don't have to shop there.

 

[mrsklamc]

Would anyone's response be different if this were a young woman who bought shoes to wear for prom, wore them for three hours, decided her feet hurt and that she would spend the rest of the night barefoot (and I see this at weddings and remember girls being barefoot by the end of the night at my proms), and then wanted to return them?

I just wonder -- aside from Nordstrom's return policy -- if people think the OP's return situation is ethical but the prom situation isn't, or if both are ethical, both are unethical, etc.

Or does everyone think we should solely consider the store's return policy, and not the situation/circumstances? Just wanting more discussion!

IMO, it is based solely on the fact that they were purchased at Nordstrom's. If you called Nordstrom's, they would tell you to return them. The transaction was made between the customer and Nordstrom's. It's up to those two parties to determine the circumstances of a transaction acceptable to each of them. No one else's opinion matters.

 

[DopeyDame]

Would anyone's response be different if this were a young woman who bought shoes to wear for prom, wore them for three hours, decided her feet hurt and that she would spend the rest of the night barefoot (and I see this at weddings and remember girls being barefoot by the end of the night at my proms), and then wanted to return them?

I just wonder -- aside from Nordstrom's return policy -- if people think the OP's return situation is ethical but the prom situation isn't, or if both are ethical, both are unethical, etc.

Or does everyone think we should solely consider the store's return policy, and not the situation/circumstances? Just wanting more discussion!

I think it's absolutely the store's return policy that is the issue here. There's nothing "ethical" or "unethical" about the situation - it's just a business agreement and transaction. If the OP were lying to Nordstrom and saying she hadn't worn them, or if she truly bought them with the intention of wearing them once and returning them (and obviously only OP can ever know that), than you have some unethical behavior.

But I see nothing unethical about going into ANY store and saying "I bought this item here. This is what I have since did with it, and this is why I no longer want/like/will use it. What can you do for me?" At that point, it's up to the store to decide, based on their business model, policies, and priorities, how to handle it.

The fact that it's Nordstrom and she only wore the shoes once means that she has a really decent shot at getting a credit. If it were Wallmart and she was trying to return used underwear (ewww!), she'd have no shot at all of getting anything. It still wouldn't be unethical to try.

 

[willowsnn3]

I have worked at 3 different retail companies in the 'return to vendor'--'damaged merchandise'--'vendor chargeback' etc.....
Try returning the shoes. A lot of companies have great return policies while other are pathetic. If the shoes you mentioned were a Nike product then the store most likely has an automatic return authorization with Nike. I worked at a couple sporting goods stores that had agreements with a lot of shoe companies....we would just toss all the returned shoes into a box til we got a certain amount & then write up a debit memo, send them back to the vendor, and get credited for all returns.

 

[Too Far From Home]

Your foot slides out, which is a design flaw which presents a safety issue. You should absolutely take them back.

 

[dakcp2001]

Actually I had planned to wear these again to an upcoming wedding at the end of May. Obviously I cannot wear them again. It was the most annoying thing ever, every 10-15 steps or so the heel smushes and you end up barefoot on the ground. No way could you wear these for a full day at the office or anything without busting your behind. I almost did on the way down the stone steps outside the church.

And to the previous poster who suggested trying them on, thanks for the tip. OBVIOUSLY I tried them on at the store. Who buys shoes without trying them on? This issue did not happen there in my few steps back and forth on the carpet. I had to go buy flip flops between the ceremony and reception because the shoes were so awful. And the scuff marks on the bottom are from them sliding off my foot every few minutes. I am going to try to return them.

Hopefully I can find another pair. Can anyone suggest some comfortable womens shoes?

 

[anna_chronistic]

I think it's absolutely the store's return policy that is the issue here. There's nothing "ethical" or "unethical" about the situation - it's just a business agreement and transaction. If the OP were lying to Nordstrom and saying she hadn't worn them, or if she truly bought them with the intention of wearing them once and returning them (and obviously only OP can ever know that), than you have some unethical behavior.

But I see nothing unethical about going into ANY store and saying "I bought this item here. This is what I have since did with it, and this is why I no longer want/like/will use it. What can you do for me?" At that point, it's up to the store to decide, based on their business model, policies, and priorities, how to handle it.

The fact that it's Nordstrom and she only wore the shoes once means that she has a really decent shot at getting a credit. If it were Wallmart and she was trying to return used underwear (ewww!), she'd have no shot at all of getting anything. It still wouldn't be unethical to try.

I agree that what customers and stores need to abide by is the store's return policy, and in this case I think the OP has a legitimate case. But during prom season, many stores have a "no return" policy for formal gowns (I see this on dress racks, I don't know if I've ever seen it with shoes). In that case, does it still come down to what the store allows and what people can "get away with"?

Do ethics really not come into play at all, even in the example you gave of used underwear from WalMart (and I agree, ew!)? Shouldn't ethics always be considered? Again, in the OP's case, I think she has a legitimate situation where she expected these shoes to fit and be comfortable for a formal occasion and they weren't, thus, she should return them for a refund, credit, or different shoes.

When you said you see nothing unethical about going to a store and making a return, do you mean that as long as a person is honest about their intent (even if the intent is to use something for a one-time event and then return it), it is ethical to at least try for a return (?). I'm still not totally sure I agree (if I understood you, that is), but I think I see your point. If the store accepts it, can we really complain?

Only on the dis do I spend this much time pondering hypothetical situations.

 

[Christine]

I think it would be the same whether buying the shoes to wear to a wedding or buying them for a prom. Doesn't sound like Nortstrom's cares what the purpose was for buying the shoes in the first place. Just that the shoes are uncomfortable, the customer won't wear the shoes again, and is returning them.

I think it is different. Most young women going to a prom are not buying shoes that are dressy yet SPECIFICALLY geared for comfort. The Cole-Haan shoes with Nike Air technology are that shoe. And they are not cheap. That shoe is designed to be able to wear for long periods of time on your feet (plus stability) and you are going to pay for it.

If you buy that shoe and you find that you cannot comfortably wear them and have to remove them quickly, there is a problem with how that shoe fits your foot. They should absolutely be returned. I don't know about you but I have tried many a shoe on in the store, walked around the store for as long as would be appropriate trying to get a feel for the shoes only to have the shoe really bother me after an hour or so of wear.

 

[klacey1]

I worked at Nordstrom one summer in college (worst summer of my life!). Return the shoes-- they will refund your original method of payment. Do you still have the box? It should have a little sticker barcode sticker on it that just says Nordstrom. That'll make returning the shoes a breeze. I promise, the sales associate won't bat an eye when you say "I wore these at a wedding & my foot slipped out every few steps." They'll probably ask if they can help find you a replacement, but if you say no, they'll simply give you a refund.
Like PP have said-- in their higher prices is a promise to take care of their customers when it comes to returns. Any other store, I'd be hesistant to try, but Nordstrom's policy is that they will accept all returns, no matter what.