Which Women's Shoe Store is the Best? As our modern society becomes increasingly busy and chaotic, it's more important than ever to find women's shoes that will not only look good but feel great. More and more women are opting for comfort and utility, but it's nice for that practicality to be made into something that evokes your vibe.
Best Option
The shopping experience we know today as Nordstrom started out as a shoe store - in other words, Nordstrom has over 100 years in selling quality shoes. In 1887, 16-year-old John W. Nordstrom left Sweden for the United States. He arrived in New York with $5 in his pocket, unable to speak a word of English. The immigrant ended up in Alaska, in search of gold. He came back to Washington State with a desire to settle down. His friend, Carl Wallin, a Seattle shoemaker, offered him a partnership in a shoe store. In 1901, they first opened Wallin & Nordstrom in Seattle. The rest is history!
A shoe for any budget
From cute sandals for a fun vacation to a designer heel for a special evening, Nordstrom has a shoe for every occasion and about any budget. With the Nordstrom-made shoes, you can get a really nice boot or a cute Mary Jane for around $40. If you catch a sale, you can get something like the stylish and comfy Suki Asymmetric Strap Pump for only $27.99. If you appreciate high fashion and have a substantial budget, the Christian Louboutin Santia Crystal Beaded Knee-High Western Boot, adorned with a hint of sparkle, is available for $4,795.00. With an inventory of over 20,000 good-quality shoes, you'll find something that's perfect.
Beautiful online presence
Nordstrom is the epitome of the American dream - and a dream to visit online. The website is gorgeous, styled just as beautifully as their shoes are. Great social media channels, easy browsing, plenty of filters to find just the right shoe, and so much more make shopping online at Nordstrom a relaxing experience. Online incentives and discounts are often available, and you can even order online and pick up your shoes in person, all from the comfort of your home.
Nordy Club
The Nordy Club is Nordstrom's rewards program and gives members exclusive benefits and rewards. You're automatically enrolled as a member of The Nordy Club if you get a Nordstrom credit card. You don't need a Nordstrom credit card to join, though, and joining is free. As a member of The Nordy Club, you're rewarded with points that can be converted into Nordstrom Notes to spend. All members earn 1 point per $1 of net spend on qualifying purchases, and cardmembers can receive additional points depending on their club status and card usage. Benefits include access to services and special events, which vary based on your Nordy Club status.
Free shipping and headache-free returns
Shipping from Nordstrom is free, and they also offer that free pickup for your online purchases we mentioned earlier. Even better is the Nordstrom return policy. They are generous and reasonable with returns and do everything to make the customer happy. You can return in person or print out a shipping label for a free return via UPS or FedEx. It's a really competitive return policy.
Online styling advice and more
Do you need help choosing a shoe for a friend's wedding? Or maybe you want to change your style for a more formal look for a job interview? Not only does Nordstrom have a great blog and style section that are so valuable for learning about how to make fashion work for you, but Nordstrom also offers free digital and online styling. You can request a look or even chat online for free with a stylist. The website is so welcoming and warm that it doesn't feel in any way intimidating to people who aren't knowledgeable with styling and fashion. We love this service - what a great way to get the most out of your new shoe purchase.
Our top pick for women's shoes
Nordstrom has a long history of making their customers look and feel good with their fashionable, high-quality shoes and amazing customer service. They know shoes, and they know fashion - from the diva fashionista who needs bedazzled stiletto heels to the influencer mom who needs sneakers that will help her keep up with her two-year-old, Nordstrom has it. We appreciate the stylists' and workers' high level of fashion knowledge, and we eagerly anticipate where this innovative company will take women's shoes in the future.
Great
When it comes to shoes, Franco Sarto designs Italian-inspired, chic classics women love to live in. Franco began his career as a cobbler at the age of 14, carefully handcrafting shoes in the outskirts of Venice. Today, he has a large and loyal fanbase devoted to his designs. Professional for work, casual on the weekend, or dressed for a special event, Franco Sarto designs footwear for every occasion.
Beautiful designs, beautiful prices
Franco Sarto definitely knows the way to a woman's heart. His goal is to design each shoe so that the woman will love wearing it. These beautiful Italian designs are understated and elegant, yet many styles still feel playful and fun. The varied designs made us want to buy one of everything. The prices are very reasonable for Italian-designed quality footwear. There was even a hard-to-find, wide-calf, knee-high boot for $260 that we thought was an extra impressive value.
Nearly 200 beautifully designed shoes
Franco Sarto's entire collection is designed with women's comfort in mind. The cheapest option at the time of this review was a Franco Tina Slide Sandal on clearance for $25.98. The most expensive option was the Franco Padova Wide Calf Knee High Boot we mentioned ($260). These women's shoes come in sizes 4 to 13, depending on the style of shoe. The website is detailed and clear in describing the footwear. They also provide customer ratings and reviews on each pair of women's shoes.
Free shipping over $65
Franco Sarto offers free shipping if you spend $65 on women's shoes. However, if you don't wind up spending that amount, they have other options for shipping as well. For Standard, it will cost $7 and take 4-6 business days. Ground shipping will cost $7 and take 3-7 business days. 2nd Day will cost $18 and take 2-3 business days. Next Day delivery costs $23 and will take 1-2 business days. If you are in Hawaii or Alaska, please note that you are required to choose 2nd- or Next-Day shipping, and an additional fee of $5.50 per item ordered will be added. Franco Sarto only ships Monday through Friday to addresses in the United States. So, if you order Friday evening through Sunday, expect your shipping times to take longer. At this time, Franco Sarto does not ship to APO/FPO addresses.
Innovative and easy returns
Franco Sarto offers a 45-day return policy. They offer no-cost returns and exchanges if you can drop off your item or items at a Happy Returns bar. To return or exchange your women's shoes, they will need to be unworn and in new condition. Franco Sarto will guide you to starting your return, and you can take the shoes to any one of the 2,500 Happy Returns drop-off locations nationwide. Final sale items are not eligible for returns. It is important to note that if you have more than 9 items, you will need to pay a $7 fee to return them.
Franco Sarto is eco-conscious
Franco Sarto is doing its part to be sustainable. The company is a member of The Leather Working Group, committed to responsibly sourcing leather. 100% of shoe boxes are Forestry Stewardship Council mix certified to support sustainably-managed forests. Quality materials, construction, and styling create an extended product lifetime. 69% of Franco Sarto's strategic factory partners are participating in ongoing waste reduction programs. This is a company that knows that quality and care will outlast "fast fashion".
Amazing customer experience
It's always refreshing to see a company or designer have customers turn into fans. This is the case for Franco Sarto: most customers fall in love with his shoes. Multiple shoppers have high praise for the consistent fit - which can sometimes be an issue or problem if you are shopping for shoes online. Franco's vision of designing a shoe that women will love is daily unfolding with customers praising the footwear for how comfortable it is. We were equally struck by a customer's review that exemplified the company's exceptional customer service: she expressed her dissatisfaction with her shoes' noise when walking, to which the company responded by explaining that the shoe's material was the cause. However, they offered a reimbursement of up to $20 to repair the issue at any local shoe repair shop. Franco Sarto consistently provides exceptional customer care.
Excellent choice
Franco Sarto is an excellent choice when shopping for women's shoes. They offer a fair price point for high-quality shoes. With the old world dedication to quality and the new world flair for innovative design, Franco Sarto has gained a fan base of customers who have been treated not only to quality shoes but also top-notch customer service. We love these shoes and highly recommend them.
Very Good
Macy's is a name most Americans have heard of. Between the department store and the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, they have quite the reputation. In 1858, Roland Macy opened a dry goods store in New York. In 1877, Macy's became a full retail store. Today the brand has three stores, with Macy's being the largest, followed by Bloomingdales and Blue Mercury.
A shoe for every lifestyle and preference
Macy's carries women's shoes in sizes 5 to 11. With over 14,000 women's shoes to choose from, we're sure you will find shoes for every occasion here. During our most recent visit, one of their lowest-priced shoes, the Madden Girl Pearl Crossband Ballet Flats, was $19.53 on sale. Their most expensive option was the United Nude Women's Edge Bootie at $585. The website offers details on the shoes, such as the colors they come in, heel height, materials they're made from, and where they were made.
Interest-free financing
Macy's is a retailer that has teamed up with Klarna. Klarna allows you to divide your purchase into four equal, interest-free payments for orders between $10 and $1,000. The first payment is due the day your order ships, and the other three payments are due every two weeks. This is a great option if you want to spread out the payments because Macy's doesn't charge anything extra to use this feature. They also offer PayPal as a form of payment, which sometimes offers the same pay-in-4 interest-free arrangement.
Star Rewards loyalty program
Macy's offers a free rewards program you can join, known as Star Rewards. This can help you earn points toward future purchases. If you get a Macy's credit card and use it to purchase shoes, you will get even more points back. There are also more advantages as you spend more, like special event invites and special discounts, as well as free shipping on orders of $25 or more.
Free returns
Macy's has a 90-day return policy. Should you need to return your new pair of women's shoes, you may do so either in store or by mail. (But, FYI: items purchased in store must be returned in store.) You will need your original receipt or credit card used to make the purchase. Shoes that are in their original, saleable condition with original tags may be returned. Shipping fees are not refundable.
Customer service and quality sliding down
Despite its storied history, Macy's has gotten some recent reports of their customer service quality generally going downhill. From shipping mishaps to missing or delayed shipments- and even one customer claiming they'd had better service at "Walmart and cable companies" - there are a growing number of negative customer experiences. Shoppers also report that there are quality issues with third-party vendors selling via the Macy's website. It appears Macy's may be outsourcing to cheaper suppliers and lower-cost customer service representatives, which is a shame given Macy's background as an American institution.
Still a good place to shop for women's shoes
Even with the downsizing and outsourcing, Macy's remains - for the time being - a good place to shop for women's shoes. The fact that Macy's offers great prices, variety, and loyalty rewards still earns the retailer a high rating from us.
Good
ShoeDazzle was founded in 2009 as an online shoe subscription service by Kim Kardashian, Brian Lee, Robert Shapiro, and M.J. Eng. In 2013, fashion expert Rachel Zoe joined as a chief stylist, and the company also merged with JustFab, a clothing subscription company. Based in El Segundo, California, ShoeDazzle's online monthly shoe/clothing/accessories subscription fills a niche market of fashion enthusiasts who want to stay on trend.
Monthly subscription for shoes
ShoeDazzle offers a completely different way of shopping for shoes (plus clothing and accessories) as a VIP club allowing members to enjoy substantial discounts. Upon joining the VIP club, you will be charged $49.95, then $49.95 every following month. Members have the option to skip as many months as they want as long as they notify ShoeDazzle by the 5th of each month they'd like to skip. Don't forget to shop or mark that you are skipping a month, or you will be charged. If you forget to skip and don't shop for a shoe that month, you will be given a $49.95 credit to your account. This credit can be used for one full year from the date it is issued. VIP Credits can be redeemed for products and ShoeDazzle bundles up to $80. There is also a 2-for-1 VIP Credit Shop with extra savings. You may cancel your subscription to ShoeDazzle at any time.
Curated shopping experience
If you'd like a truly curated shopping experience, you can opt to take a style quiz. ShoeDazzle will take your answers and curate a custom showroom based on your preferences and other factors. This is a nice plus, since there are so many shoes to choose from on the website.
VIPs get deeply discounted prices on shoes
ShoeDazzle offers a wide range of women's footwear to everyone, but they really shine with their VIP program. Membership makes a huge difference when shopping here. For example, when we looked at joining, ShoeDazzle was offering new VIP members an amazing deal: $10 for the first pair of shoes, and any additional shoes could be purchased at 50% off. If we wanted some Chill Out Slip-on Sneakers, for example, there would be three different price points for them:
The Rubie Stilleto Boot is a prime example of where the VIP discount truly excels. During the time of this review, the new VIP member signing up could get this $109.95 boot for $10. If you are already a VIP, you can get it for $79.95, which is a pretty nice discount. It is important to note that guests still need to share their email and birth month and day before being able to check out.
Offers a big size range
ShoeDazzle has shoes in sizes 5.5 through 12. Their website offers a measurement guide to assist in choosing the correct size. They also provide you with the material of the shoe, features the shoe may have, the heel height, and customer reviews.
VIP member perks
If you choose to become a member of the VIP program, you'll get perks like exclusive access to new arrivals, discounts, and reward points. Discounts include:
Reward points can be earned through purchases, reviews, and photos
Other perks include free returns and exchanges, access to curated bundles, and a personal boutique with new styles just for you.
30-day returns
ShoeDazzle has a short return window of 30 days. All shoes must be returned in new, unused condition with no signs of use or wear. The company encourages their customers to try on their new shoes on a carpeted surface to stop scuffs or scratches from occurring. All shoe returns must include the shoes, return label, and packaging slip. If you are missing any of these, it will delay your return being processed. If you do decide to return or exchange your shoes, you will have three options. You may return them for free and receive ShoeDazzle credit, return them for a refund to the original form of payment, or request a free exchange for the same shoes in a different size if they are available.
Good ratings but customers unaware of policies
ShoeDazzle has been awarded an "A+" rating from the Better Business Bureau, but they have mixed reviews from customers there. There are those who love the discounts and the ease of the website. Customers have said ShoeDazzle is a fun place to shop for their women's shoes. The majority of negative complaints come from customers who were unaware they had to skip by the 5th of the month or that credits would expire after 12 months. In other reviews online, customers were generally happy with their experiences with ShoeDazzle.
Good option for a subscription
ShoeDazzle is such an innovative way to get curated shoes, fashion, and accessories. It's an excellent option if you are someone who will buy at least 3 pairs of shoes in a year. It's even a great option if you want to try it out temporarily and get a phenomenal introductory deal - and you can skip being charged anytime unless you want VIP credits, which frequently garner a much larger savings. It's a fun way to get trending shoes, and the VIP perks are nice. However, if you aren't that into trending fashion or you aren't a big clothes or shoes shopper, you might want to stick with one of the other highly-rated women's shoe stores on our list.
Good
Founded by 29-year-old Neil Moldenhauer, Famous Footwear originally opened under the name Neil's Shoes in 1960 in Madison, Wisconsin. In 1964, he opened a second store in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and changed the name to Famous Footwear. Today the company employs 7,000 and brings in over $1 billion in revenue selling discounted footwear.
Nearly 12,000 shoes to choose from
Famous Footwear offers around 11,950 products to browse when looking for women's shoes. They come in a wide range of prices. For example, for boots, the lowest priced option we found was a Women's Brilliance Knee High Boot on sale for only $9.98 (marked down from $129.99). The most expensive option for boots was a Women's Rider Over the Knee Boot from Spring Step for $279.99 or 4 interest-free payments of $71. As you can see, Famous Footwear really is a discount retailer, offering bargain-priced footwear for sizes 5 to 11.
Shoe information on the website
Famous Footwear provides you with the item details, which include the material of the shoe, heel height, customer reviews, what other customers have bought, and suggestions on other items you may like. One unique feature Famous Footwear prides themselves on is that they are working hard to be more eco-friendly, from responsibly sourcing materials the shoes are made from all the way to what they are packaged and shipped in.
Lots of ways to pay
Famous Footwear shows its innovation by offering multiple ways to pay online. Whether you want to use PayPal or mobile ways like Apple or Google Pay, Famous Footwear accepts all of these. If you are making a large purchase, Famous Footwear also offers a Pay in 4 interest-free payment plan through ZIP.
Multiple options for getting your shoes to you
Famous Footwear is forward-thinking in that it offers traditional shipping, pick up from the store, or even same-day delivery through DoorDash. If you are going to have your shoes shipped to your door, you can get free shipping just for signing up as a Famously YOU Rewards Club member. It is free to join. Otherwise, to get free shipping, you will need to spend $75 or more. If your order is less than that, you will pay a flat rate of $7.95. Products shipped via standard shipping are expected to arrive in 4-7 days. If you need your shoes faster, they have expedited shipping, which will arrive in 2-3 business days. This will cost you $12.95 for the first pair and $3 for each additional pair of women's shoes. If you run into an emergency and need your shoes in 1-2 days, they offer rush shipping. This will cost $22.95 for the first pair and $3 for each additional pair. As for the DoorDash option, it varies by location and you'll need to see if it's offered in your area.
Return any time
Should you need to make a return, Famous Footwear allows you to do this at any time - with no time limit. They do require you to have the receipt or proof of purchase and the shoes to be new and unworn. If you return in-store, there is no extra fee associated with it. If you have misplaced your proof of purchase, they are able to look it up by the card you used to make the initial purchase. If you choose to return by mail, there is a $7.95 shipping fee that will be deducted from your return. Famous Footwear does not refund shipping charges if you need to make a return. Finally, you have the option to make an exchange, but this is only available in store.
Positive rating but some mixed reviews
The Better Business Bureau has awarded Famous Footwear an "A+" rating, though there are mixed reviews about the retailer from customers. Some like the wide selection of shoes being sold, and they've been pleased with the customer service. The store's affordable prices are yet another positive draw. Two of the biggest complaints are extremely delayed shipping or getting the wrong size shoe. When receiving the wrong size, the amount of time to get a replacement is not quick.
Just above average for women's shoes
In general, Famous Footwear represents a moderately-priced alternative for women's footwear. Their prices are affordable, and they have enough variety to appeal to almost any taste or lifestyle. We love their forward-thinking shipping, delivery, and pick-up methods and their many modern methods of payment online. We like their goals to become an eco-friendly retailer, too. Famous Footwear also offers no time limit on in-store returns with proof of purchase. Still, they score as a just-above-average retailer due to a few reviews about the wrong size shoe being delivered and how difficult it was to get a replacement.
Good
TJ Maxx is the leading off-price apparel and home fashions retailer in the U.S. and worldwide, with a mission to deliver great value to customers. They do this by offering a rapidly-changing assortment of quality, fashionable, brand-name, and designer merchandise at prices generally 20% to 60% below full-price retailers' (including department, specialty, and major online retailers) regular prices on comparable merchandise every day. This means that TJ Maxx is a name you can trust for discount name-brand women's shoes.
Ever-changing variety
Because of the business model that TJ Maxx uses, customers will see frequently-changing inventory. TJ Maxx offers a great shopping experience online for those who are looking for name brands at a huge discount. They even have filters like "Runway," "Made in Italy," and "Made in Spain," which are perfect for fashion-conscious shoppers.
Name brands for a substantial discount
On the TJ Maxx website, it might take a while to scroll through all the designer brands you love, but that's part of the fun in shopping here. It's thrilling to find some gorgeous, hand-braided, genuine leather sandals from Spain at half the cost of retail. And in the search for the perfectly-designed shoe at a discount, you may find one or two other pairs that are equally gorgeous, all for prices so low that you can afford two or three pairs, after all.
More savings with TJX credit card
Those who choose to get a TJX card and are qualified can save an additional 10% on their first purchase of shoes at TJ Maxx and can receive 5% cash back every time they use their TJX credit card. They also get to enjoy other perks like first admittance to exclusive shopping events and cardmember-only free shipping offers.
Online returns timeline generous - especially during the holidays
Purchases made during the Christmas holiday season have a special 2-month return window. Returns are absolutely free in store and easy by mail. If you're not satisfied with your online purchase at other times of the year, TJ Maxx has a 40-day return cutoff. They accept returns with either your receipt or your shipping confirmation email. The packing slip you receive with your order is your receipt.
Return and exchange details
Because TJ Maxx has a quickly changing inventory, exchanges for online orders cannot be accommodated. Before placing your return, check if your item is eligible for return, as some items may be final sale or subject to additional return restrictions. You can find this information in the returns column of your receipt. (This information also appears on the product description page, so you should review it before making your purchase.) Also, be sure to consider the specific terms for your preferred method of return (either by mail or in store).
Returns dated by warehouse arrival, not by date mailed
Returns by mail are accepted if they arrive at a TJ Maxx warehouse within 40 days of your order date. Return labels are printed with your receipt, and a return shipping and handling fee of $11.99 will be deducted from your refund or store credit. Be sure to include your receipt (or a copy of your shipping confirmation email) in your package. If your return arrives outside the 40-day window, you will only receive a store credit. To avoid return shipping and handling costs, you can bring your online purchase to a TJ Maxx store near you.
Returning in store
In-store returns, which are also subject to the above restrictions, are accepted within 40 days of your order date. If your purchase is eligible for an in-store return, bring your item(s) and either your receipt or shipping confirmation email to your nearest store location. Your signature is required for any in-store return. For returns without a receipt, you'll need to provide a valid government-issued photo ID, name, address, and signature.
Store credit versus original payment method refunds
All refunds will be credited to your original form of payment or merchandise credit as follows:
Items purchased partly or entirely with a TJ Maxx gift card will receive merchandise credit when they are returned. This credit is redeemable at any TJ Maxx location or online. Return shipping and handling fees are non-refundable unless the merchandise is defective. Purchases made with PayPal that are returned by mail will receive charge credit, minus the $11.99 return shipping and handling fee. If you return your PayPal-purchased shoes at a TJ Maxx brick-and-mortar store, you will only receive store credit.
A solid choice for discount without compromising quality
TJ Maxx knows how to offer quality designer brands at substantial discounts for women's shoes. If savings without compromising quality is important to you, and you enjoy searching through many shoe offerings to find the perfect deal, then TJ Maxx is a great option. We find it a solid choice for shopping for women's shoes, appealing to both fashion-forward and money-conscious shoppers.
Fair
Walmart was founded by Sam Walton in 1962 in Rogers, Arkansas. They are still headquartered there to this day. Walmart is the world's largest retailer, operating under various names in different countries, and their global supply chain moves over 100 billion items per year. The company's website receives up to 100 million unique visitors per month. Walmart has over 10,500 retail stores and operates 368 distribution facilities in over 19 countries.
Low-end price point
Walmart offers over 1,000 different options when looking for women's shoes. In order to offer even more of a selection, Walmart's online experience includes the addition of third-party retailers, who have their own rules and are often highly compromised with respect to quality and delayed shipping. If you are worried about this, make sure to only purchase items that are shipped and sold by Walmart itself. That being said, Walmart really does seem to have a shoe for any occasion or fashion emergency. They offer shoes at the lower end price point - as low as $6.99 for a pair of loafers. Their highest-priced women's shoe is a high-heeled boot that sells for $76. They carry shoes in women's sizes 5.5-11.
Shoe fit predictor
When looking at women's shoes at Walmart, you will be given the description of the shoe, to include color, heel size, and material the shoes are made of. The retailer also provides a fit predictor to assist with getting the perfect fit. You will be able to browse similar items that other customers have also viewed.
Adequate return window
If for some reason you need to return your women's shoes to Walmart, you will have 90 days to get that done. You are able to make that return either online or in store, whichever is more convenient to you. You will need a photo ID, the unworn shoes, and proof of purchase if you have it. If you do not still have a receipt, they are able to look it up from the card used to pay. You will be issued a refund to the original form of payment within 10 days. If the women's shoes you purchased were from a third-party marketplace vendor, you will have to follow their return policies.
Fast shipping... maybe
For women's shoes purchased through Walmart, you can receive free 2-day shipping, as long as your order totals $35 or more. Walmart uses both UPS and FedEx to ship their items. They also offer ship-to-store, which is free no matter the price. If your shoes are going to be under $35 and you do not want to pay shipping, we recommend this option. If you purchased your women's shoes through one of the third-party vendors on the Marketplace, please be aware that shipping may not be free and could take longer than two days - in fact, customers say that it could take weeks, or in some cases, your shoes might not arrive at all.
Mixed reviews
Shoppers find the variety of products online and in-store to be excellent. The lower price makes shoe shopping affordable, and you can get shoes for the whole family. Walmart gets some complaints about items being delayed in shipping (this is especially true with third-party vendors), items arriving damaged, or items never arriving at all. Other customers complain that the filters on the Walmart website aren't as helpful as they could be and are sometimes inaccurate.
Unremarkable as a shoe-shopping experience
Overall, Walmart is an unremarkable shopping experience and a store that really only appeals if finding the absolute cheapest product is your priority. Be prepared for a slight risk of shipping delays or problems. Walmart tends to offer items at the very cheapest production value, so their women's shoes may not hold up as well as some of the higher-end brands sold by other retailers we evaluated. Still, Walmart has a wide variety of women's shoes to choose from and at an affordable price. We encourage you to give them a look if this is the shopping experience you're looking for.
ShoeMall is an online shoe store for men and women. It is based out of Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. The company was founded in 1999, and they carry over 7,500 varieties of women's shoes online.
Large selection and numerous shoe sizes
ShoeMall, unlike other women's shoe retailers, carries shoes from size 4 all the way up to size 14. They also have a large selection of shoes at very discounted prices. Their lowest-priced shoe is a pair of Minnetonka Lodge Trappers at $14.97. Their most expensive shoe is a Frye Company Campus 14L Boot for $498. Unfortunately, there are many customers who suspect that ShoeMall may be misleading customers into thinking all their shoes are in stock when they are not. The store shows a pattern of canceling orders, citing "no inventory," to the point that it seems this isn't just a matter of occasional incompetence.
60-day returns
ShoeMall offers a 60-day return policy if you're not satisfied with your new pair of women's shoes. You can send the shoes back, and they will either replace them or give you a refund. Shoes that are returned must be in the same condition they were received. This includes being unworn and having the original box and/or packaging. Shipping charges are not refundable, and ShoeMall requires that customers pay for the return postage. If you exchange the shoes, you'll receive the new pair without being charged for shipping. They also offer a return label as an option that will save you a trip to the post office, but the company will deduct $8.95 from your return. If you choose this option, you would put the label on the box and set it out for the mail carrier to pick up.
Free standard shipping
ShoeMall offers free standard shipping on your women's shoes, which they say will be delivered in 5 to 7 business days. If you need your shoes faster, you can pay for upgraded shipping. Priority shipping will be delivered in 3-5 business days and costs an extra $15. Express shipping will be delivered in 1-3 business days and costs an extra $25 per order. If you live in Hawaii, Alaska, or U.S. territories, or have an APO/FPO address, they request you allow an additional 1-2 business days for the delivery of your shoes. But buyer beware. From what customers have reported about ordering from ShoeMall, shipping may be delayed - or you may never get the shoes at all. If you need these shoes by a certain date, shop somewhere else.
"F" rating
ShoeMall has earned an "F" rating from the Better Business Bureau. When looking at what customers had to say, their reviews matched up with this disappointing rating: ShoeMall does not necessarily have the shoes they advertise in stock and ready to ship. This causes many delays and backorders on products. Shoppers are upset about this and the lack of assistance to resolve issues. Another complaint is how expensive it is to return shoes that do not fit or have an issue with them. This leads to our final big complaint, which is that the sizes tend to run differently than standard shoe sizes. Many customers said they ordered their normal size, but their new shoes were too small, and they had to pay to send them back to ShoeMall for an exchange or refund. An alarming number of customers received shoes that were clearly knock-offs, and some received shoes that were undoubtedly previously worn.
Shop somewhere else
Overall, we are not impressed with ShoeMall. They charge fees for exchanges and returns, even if it was their fault. They often have shoes on backorder but do not convey that to the customer until after the order has been placed. On top of all that, the Better Business Bureau has given ShoeMall an "F" rating. We encourage you to shop at one of the other retailers we have reviewed and save yourself the hassle here.
Weak
From Zappos' very beginning in 1999, this online shoe store was built on the idea of convenience, value, and really great customer service. Zappos was sold in 2009, under the agreement that it could be operated independently under then-CEO Tony Hsieh's careful management practices, thus not losing its unique charm and quality.
So many options
Zappos has a very large collection of shoes to choose from - over 20,000 different styles at the time of this review. Zappos prides itself on staying fresh and on trend, so the inventory is changed daily to reflect the newest fashions.
Priced for every budget
One of the historically great things about Zappos has been its great pricing and selection of shoes. The lowest-priced shoe we could find was a $12.90 Steve Madden women's boot. However, if you have a substantial budget, a high-end, tall boot with stiletto heels is available for $1,100. Unfortunately, there have been complaints of shoes arriving damaged or used, so we aren't sure we'd want to buy something quite that expensive here.
Free shipping - always
There are no minimum spend amounts to qualify for free shipping at Zappos because they offer free shipping all the time on all of their products.
Change of ownership problems
When Zappos sold their company to a large corporation, then-CEO Tony Hsieh sold on the condition that Zappos could operate independently with no input from the parent company. Unfortunately, the parent company was very aggressive in pressuring the CEO until he resigned in 2020. After that, things started to deteriorate at Zappos. Originally, Zappos' core value was to deliver a customer service experience that would "WOW" the customer. The parent company almost immediately laid off about 20% of Zappos' workforce, which included the customer service representatives who had really made the company different from all others. Corners have been cut with packaging, quality control, and shipping.
Customer complaints abound
Most of Zappos' customers are longtime fans of the store and have been buying from the online store ever since it first opened. These customers can see the horribly deteriorating conditions with customer service, quality control, stock issues, and shipping problems. Customers who have been loyal to the company for years report a significant difference in customer service. Customer service reps are unable to understand the customers, are rude, and are not helpful.
Going against core values and promises
Customers have received broken shoes, shoes that have been previously worn and then washed, shoes they never ordered in place of expensive orders, shoes that are damaged, and some customers have had problems receiving footwear at all. This goes against Zappos' "Everything in Stock" promise that states: "If you are able to place an item in your shopping cart, that means that the item is available for immediate shipment. The fulfillment rate is over 99.9% - you can feel confident that if you ordered it, you will receive it." Customers say repeatedly that this is not the case any longer at Zappos. They are constantly being charged for out-of-stock merchandise that takes a long time to refund. If they don't check their bank statement and follow up with Zappos, they may not even get a refund.
Not a pick for us
We are so sad to see Zappos fall in ranking this time. What used to be a great recommendation has fallen to the bottom of our picks due to being under new management that went against what made the company great to begin with - core values like excellent customer service. We hope that the new management will notice and fix these problems before it's too late. But, for now, we'd strongly recommend not shopping for women's shoes at Zappos.
Poor
Boasting thousands of shoes for women and 500 retail stores in North America, DSW was built on the idea of finding the perfect shoe at the perfect price. DSW opened its first store in 1991 in Ohio, and in 2018, DSW acquired Camuto Group and became one of the largest footwear retailers in America. DSW curates a wide assortment of shoes and accessories available for purchase online.
Huge selection
DSW offers a huge selection of women's shoes. There are 15,288 options to pick from on their website. Their cheapest shoe is on clearance, and it is a winter slipper for $14.98. Their most expensive women's shoe is the Balenciaga Cagole Boot, regularly $2450 but on sale for only $699.99. DSW offers sizes 5 to 11.
Website is easy to shop
When browsing DSW's website for women's shoes, they have a lot of in-depth information to assist you with your purchase. They have a product description with details about the shoe, including the UPC number and the item number. This is useful if you are trying to find the exact shoe that you had seen either at another store or in their physical store location. DSW includes product features such as shoe material and the height of the heel. They also include a link to a shoe measuring guide to assist in picking the correct size shoe. DSW includes a section of suggestions for what other customers have liked and bought to assist you in your purchase. Finally, they have non-curated customer reviews on their shoes.
Consistent coupons offered
DSW consistently offers savings codes and coupons as well as special sales. At the time of this review, DSW offered free shipping and 25% off if you signed up for their membership club, along with four other different coupon codes for savings.
DSW VIP
Have you ever wanted to be a VIP? DSW has you covered. Sign up for their free DSW VIP and get the VIP treatment. You will earn points on every purchase, leading to a free $5 reward for every $100 you spend. This could equal free or discounted shoes down the road. This VIP program also grants you free shipping on every purchase with no exceptions. When you spend enough to make it to VIP Elite status, you will earn free express shipping. The VIP program also gets you a $5 credit to spend for your birthday. Once you make your first purchase, you will get a code for 20% off your next purchase. As a VIP, you may make free in-store returns on your purchases as well.
VIP Gold and Elite
Once you spend $200, you are bumped to the next tier, which is VIP Gold. This will get you all of the VIP treatment plus 2x points days, which leads to quicker discounts. With this level, you also get free online returns. If you are a shoe fanatic and spend $500 annually, you will qualify to be a VIP Elite. This level gets you $5 for every $50 spent, so you earn more quickly. Your birthday gift will be $10, and you qualify for free express shipping. 365-day returns are another perk earned at this level. You will also earn 2x and 3x points days.
Interest-free financing through Afterpay
DSW offers a great financing feature called Afterpay. It allows you to split your total into equal payments every 2 weeks, interest-free. This can be helpful if you need to purchase multiple pairs of women's shoes or if you are looking at more expensive pairs and don't want to have to pay the full total upfront. Having no interest makes it an excellent option.
You can get a refund or an exchange...
DSW will allow you to return most unworn, undamaged, or defective merchandise. You are able to choose between a refund or an exchange. However, their return policy is complex and can get confusing because your VIP status and return type affect what's possible.
...but returns get complicated
The returns are incredibly complicated here at DSW. Let's look into the different returns policies:
Many, many customer complaints, despite BBB "A" rating
DSW used to have an "F" rating on BBB for failing to respond to or resolve complaints. Apparently, they decided to improve and got busy answering complaints. This raised their grade to an "A," but a careful examination of the response that DSW has given leaves us flummoxed as to how they got this "A" rating. Most of the time, customers are adamant that the situation is not resolved, and the response to their complaint from DSW was dismissive and not helpful.
Repeated worrisome behaviors
Customers clearly are not happy with this company. One customer said they were sent the wrong-sized shoes. Instead of expediting a new pair, DSW refunded them and had them reorder again, which took time waiting for the return to process. Another shopper ordered a luxury, high-priced item, and when the delivery came, it was a pair of flip-flops. It took weeks to resolve the issue and secure a refund for her luxury item, and she was tasked with returning the flip-flops. Other customers have had a bait and switch happen, too - they order an expensive pair of shoes and then receive either a damaged or clearly worn shoe, or they receive something in a lower price point "by accident." They are required to pay for a return, and then that gets taken out of their refund for the high-priced item. This is very suspicious behavior for a shoe company. People also have reported their personal information being leaked after shopping at DSW online.
Misses the mark
DSW is unfortunately not a store we can recommend for purchasing women's shoes. While we find their VIP program to be intriguing, especially since it's free to join, multiple customer reports of deceptive behavior and terrible shipping practices give this company the lowest rating we could give a company.
Continued from above...
As our modern society becomes increasingly busy and chaotic, it's more important than ever to find women's shoes that will not only look good but feel great. More and more women are opting for comfort and utility, but it's nice for that practicality to be made into something that evokes your vibe.
Shoes are really a part of your wardrobe that not only often can tell the story of what you do for a living but also what kind of person you are and what you stand for. There is something so satisfying about the right pair of sneakers that represent your style and still serve a function. When shopping for women's shoes online, make a plan before you browse. Try to stick to what you know you need because it's very easy to get lost in all the fabulous choices you'll find.
The not-so-enjoyable part of finding that perfect pair of shoes used to be going from store to store in an exhausting marathon shopping spree only to come up with nothing. Enter the online shopping experience: you can look over literally thousands and thousands of shoes without having to go anywhere. Not only does online shoe shopping give you a nearly endless variety of shoe styles to choose from, but you can compare prices and score great deals when buying shoes online. And if you score a great deal, why not buy two pairs instead of one?
Online shopping for women's shoes increases the likelihood of finding the exact shoe you desire, including the pattern, brand, type, size, and color. Some online retailers even have customer reviews for all their products that let you know if the shoe is good quality and if others have found them comfortable. They can even offer tips on sizing so the fit is right the first time.
Also, when choosing a retailer for your next pair of women's shoes, you need to determine what quality of shoe you're looking for. Are you shopping for a slightly hideous green flat you're going to wear only once as a bridesmaid? Is this a shoe you want to wear on your European vacation? Do you need it to function and be comfortable for work? Does price matter, or is craftsmanship your main focus? Are you looking for an exclusive designer brand over functionality?
As you consider where to purchase your next pair of women's shoes, here are a few key features to keep in mind as you shop:
To help you find your next perfect pair of shoes, the fashionistas at Top Consumer Reviews have evaluated and ranked a variety of women's shoe stores to shop from today. Whether you're searching for some cute ballet flats, a killer pair of heels, or just need to replace your well-loved running shoes, we hope this information will make your shoe shopping a fun, easy-breezy experience!
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