Online shoe shops - tips for buying on the internet

The internet can be an efficient and user-friendly way to shop. Although shopping for any sort of clothing online may seem risky – you don’t have the chance to try anything on or to check for quality of manufacture and stitching – you should have no problems at all if you go through a reputable online retailer.

All of the major shoe brands have their own website, and the majority offer an online shopping service. Customers are able to browse the catalogue online and to see photographs and descriptions of the shoes available before ordering.

The recent surge in popularity of internet auction sites means that it is now possible to bid for good-as-new, second-hand, vintage, and occasionally brand new shoes online. When using these sites you are buying directly from a previous owner rather than from an established shoe supplier.

Some tips if you are planning on buying shoes on the internet:

Ensure you go through a reputable supplier. Any of the big-name chains or long-established manufacturers will have a well-organised and popular online shop. Using a disreputable supplier could lose you a great deal of money, and might put the confidentiality of your credit card details at risk.

Unless the shoes you wish to purchase are not available in your own country, avoid buying shoes from overseas where possible. Foreign companies may well adhere to less stringent consumer laws that could disadvantage you should you find yourself with the wrong shoes – or no shoes at all.

Whichever online shop or auction site you choose, make sure you know what your rights are as regards returning faulty shoes, or simply returning shoes if you change your mind. Will you get a full refund? Will you have to pay postage costs if you send them back to the supplier?

The fact that you are buying shoes online obviously means that you will not be able to inspect the shoes yourself or try them on. It is vital, therefore, that you are quite sure about which size you take. It may even be worth going into a few shoe shops and checking your size, as sizing can differ from shop to shop. If the shoes you wish to buy online are also available in shops, go and try them on before ordering online.

Compare prices between the different online shops and auction sites. You may well find that a company offering the shoes at a slightly higher price does not charge extra for shipping or postage. Work out the total amount you are liable to pay with each of the suppliers before making your choice.

© The Pink Fridge Online Magazine 2008 - Online Shoe Shops

Contact | Disclaimer | Sitemap | Advertising |  Subscribe in a reader