The Best Women's Shoe Stores

Friday, January 17th

2025 Women's Shoe Store Reviews

Nordstrom

• Priced from $16.97 to $10,700
• Free shipping
• Return unworn anytime
• Excellent customer satisfaction
• High quality shoes

Nordstrom was founded in 1901 by a Swedish immigrant by the name of John W. Nordstrom. He came to the United States with $5 in his pocket and opened a shoe shop in Seattle. This would later become one of the United States' leading fashion retailers.

Large retail presence

As of 2014, Nordstrom has made its way into Canada. They are now the largest employer of tailors in North America. There are 100 Nordstrom stores, 247 Nordstrom Rack stores and 7 Nordstrom Local stores in North America. They also have Nordstrom and Nordstrom Rack websites and apps.

Shoes from $16 to $10,000

Nordstrom appeals to a variety of shoe shopping budgets. The lowest priced women's shoe they have is a pair of Open Edit Tracee Ankle Tie Sandals for $16.97 on clearance. For the highest-end spender, they have a pair of Dolce & Gabbana Cardinal Crystal Jacquard Knee High Boots for $10,700. They carry women's shoes in sizes 5 through 12.

Very good website

Their website is very informative: one feature we noticed that others didn't offer was a customer service chat option for any questions you may have about the shoes you are shopping for. They also have details on caring for your new shoes, where they were made, the heel height and the materials they are made of. Nordstrom displays other shoes you may also like, reviews, customers' photos of the shoes and information about the designer of the shoe.

Free shipping everywhere in the US

Nordstrom offers free shipping of almost everything on their site to anywhere in the United States. This includes Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico at no charge. If you need your orders quicker, there are 2 expedited shipping options: 2-day shipping is $12 and next day shipping is $20. Nordstrom also offers international shipping but you need to contact them for pricing as it depends on the location and the size of the package. The retailer provides a ship-to-store option where you can order your women's shoes online and pick them up curbside at your local store. These orders will be held for 7 days.

Exchange any time

Nordstrom has no time limit on exchanges or returns. You may do this at any time as long as your shoes are not worn and have all the original tags still on. Nordstrom does not charge a restocking fee either. You have 3 options for the return. You may bring them to a store, drop them off curbside or send them by mail. If you choose to send the shoes back through the mail, it will take 5-7 business days to receive your refund. A receipt is preferred when making a return or exchange, but they are able to do it with a photo ID if you are unable to locate the receipt.

Positive customer satisfaction

Nordstrom has earned an "A” rating through the Better Business Bureau. Customers are very pleased too. They have stated that Nordstrom goes above and beyond with their customer support. The stores are clean and well presented. Customers also like that you can return items at any time instead of having a time limit. Another positive compliment is that there is a wide variety and selection. The only negative comments were about customer service declining since the pandemic.

Top choice for women's shoes

Nordstrom is our top choice for purchasing women's shoes. The ability to return at any point and the free shipping make it a safe option if you don't like the shoes once they arrive. They carry high-quality shoes while still hitting a variety of budgets. Customers had excellent things to say about them. Overall, we feel confident that you will have a great experience shopping at Nordstrom for your next pair of women's shoes.

Franco Sarto

• Priced from $19.99 to $280
• 255 women's shoes to choose from
• Italian designer
• Affordable price point
• Excellent customer service

Franco Sarto was an Italian who began working in a shoe factory making shoes at the age of 14. In his twenties he began designing shoes. What makes him different from other designers is his knowledge of the craftsmanship of making a shoe mixed with the trendy look he strives for. The technician in him aims to make the shoe comfortable and the designer in him wants the fashionable look. In 1990, he brought his shoes to America to sell.

Many product options

Franco Sarto has 255 women's shoes to choose from, all of which were designed with women's comfort in mind. The cheapest option at the time of this review was a Franco Sorrento Slide Sandal on clearance for $19.99. The most expensive option was the Franco Palermo Knee High Boot for $280. These women's shoes come in sizes 4 to 13 depending on the style of shoe. The website is informative with plenty of details about the shoe, including the color options, materials it's made from and the heel height. 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 wish to spend that amount, they have other options for shipping as well. For Economy, it will cost $5 and take 5-9 business days. Ground shipping will cost $7 and take 3-7 business days. Second Day will cost $12 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 day 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.

45-day returns

Franco Sarto offers a 45-day return policy. This is one of the shorter ones we have seen. The retailer does not handle returns or exchanges themselves. Instead, they use a third-party company, Happy Returns. 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 the closest of the 2500 Happy Returns drop-off locations nationwide. Final sale items are not eligible for returns.

Unbeatable customer service

Customers who have purchased shoes from Franco Sarto have such positive things to say about the company and its customer service. Multiple shoppers have raved about the consistent fit - which we all know can be an issue when trying to purchase shoes online. Others have been pleased with the comfort of the shoes. This is what the company prides itself on, so we are pleased to see they are succeeding in doing so. One customer review that stood out to us showing how they go above and beyond for their customers: when she complained about how her shoes were making noise when she walked, the company explained that the material of the shoe causes it, but they would reimburse up to $20 to fix the issue at any local shoe repair shop. Franco Sarto goes above and beyond in customer care.

Excellent choice

Franco Sarto is an excellent choice when shopping for women's shoes. They offer a fair price point for quality shoes. The variety of options is sure to please and with the customer service others have talked about, they are a company that will be easy to do business with.

Zappos

• Priced from $12.60 to $1,029.95
• 365-day returns
• Free shipping, no exclusions
• Excellent customer service

Zappos originated as a website selling only shoes online. Now, 20 years later, they sell clothing, handbags, accessories and more. The business started after the founder became frustrated with shoe shopping. He'd go into a store and they'd have his size but not the color or style he wanted. He'd go into another store and they'd have the correct color and style but not his size. He decided to fix this problem by starting an online store that would carry a wide range of shoes all in one easy-to-shop location.

Large variety of options

When shopping on Zappos website, you will see a wide variety of choices when it comes to women's shoes. Between the styles and the prices, there are a lot of options. The cheapest option offered at the time of this evaluation was a pair of Roxy Tahiti VII flip flops for $12.60. The most expensive pair was a pair of Old Gringo Galactic Cowboy Boots for $1,029.95. As you can see, there is a large price difference in their products, with options sure to fit every budget. Zappos has women's shoes in sizes 5 through 12.

Good website features

Their product page shares information on shoe color, material of the shoe, heel height and weight of the shoe. They have a size calculator tool to assist you in picking out the correct size of shoe. There is also a section about what other customers bought with those shoes and what else they viewed. One feature on the website that stood out as different is Zappos has an option for what to wear with the women's shoes. This could be beneficial if you find a pair you love and want some suggestions for how to accessorize.

Free shipping always

Zappos is the only retailer we have found selling women's shoes who has free shipping all the time. They do not require you to spend a minimum amount or jump through hoops with coupon codes to get it. Your new shoes will take about 4-5 business days to ship if you are in the continental United States. If you reside in Alaska or Hawaii, your shoes should arrive in 5-10 business days.

365-day returns

Zappos goes above and beyond with their return policy. They allow customers 365 days to return their items. So, if you decide to return your newly purchased women's shoes for any reason, you will have one full year to do it. Just make sure they are unworn and the tags and original packaging are with them. If there were any security tags, those need to be included to return. Zappos has a self-service return link on their website to get it started. It will take 5 to 10 business days for the shoes to return to them, then an additional 2 to 10 business days are needed to refund your money. There is also an option to exchange your item if you would rather. Items that have been marked final sale or as-is are excluded from returns and exchanges.

Positive customer service

Zappos has earned an "A+” rating through the Better Business Bureau. Customers seem to also enjoy their experience shopping for shoes through this online retailer. Shoppers have said that Zappos makes exchanges quickly, and they appreciate the cost-free shipping on returns which allows them to buy multiple sizes to try on and return the ones that don't fit. Most of the handful of negative reviews we found were about shipping delays, especially around the holidays.

Solid choice

Zappos is a solid choice when looking to purchase women's shoes. They have a large variety to shop from in every price point. With free shipping and exchanges, you can easily return shoes if they don't fit. Their customer service goes above and beyond and the company takes great pride in that. We feel confident that Zappos will be a great place to shop for your next pair of women's shoes.

Macy's

• Priced from $5.16 to $450
• Household name
• Free returns
• 9,924 options

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 1958, Roland Macy opened a dry goods store in New York. In 1877, Macy's became a full retail store. Today it is one of the nation's largest retailers with approximately 725 stores in the country. The brand has three stores with Macy's being the largest, followed by Bloomingdales and Blue Mercury.

A shoe for every woman

Macy's has a shoe for every woman. They have 9,924 women's shoe products to browse through. During our most recent visit, their cheapest shoes were the INC International Concepts Satil Marabou Slide Slippers for $5.16. Their most expensive option was Lauren Ralph Lauren women's Celia Searing Mid-Boots for $450. Macy's carries women's shoes in sizes 5 to 11. 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. Macy's also offers customer reviews, what customers have also loved, what customers have also shopped and sponsored items to view.

Interest-free finance

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 $1000. 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 they do not charge anything extra to use this feature.

Temporary free shipping

At the time of this evaluation, Macy's was offering free shipping on orders over $49 until the end of the calendar year, but they had not shared if this offer would continue into the new year. Macy's offers other shipping and pickup options for your new women's shoes. You may choose to do same-day delivery as long as you spend $25 and it is before noon. This option will cost you $15 but your shoes will be delivered to your door. If you spend less than $25, it will cost $25.95, so it may be wise to shop around and find something else to add to your cart to avoid the extra fee. Macy's also offers curbside pickup where you can order online and drive to your local Macy's and pick up your order.

Free returns

Macy's has a 90-day return policy for customers. Should you need to return your new pair of women's shoes, you may do so either in store or by mail. 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.

A mix of customer opinions

Macy's has earned an "A+” rating with the Better Business Bureau. However, customers seem to be less than impressed with their customer service as of late. Shoppers have complained about returns for incorrectly-shipped items taking months and it being a hassle to do. On a positive note, customers have positive things to say about the employees working in-store going above and beyond. They also appreciate the ease of ordering online with free shipping and Macy's high-quality shoes.

Strong option

Macy's is a strong competitor when looking for women's shoes. With the free shipping promo and ease of returns, they are worth trying. Macy's is a company that is well-known and has been around for many years. This reputation makes the retailer an excellent choice to shop for women's shoes.

Shoedazzle

• Priced from $4.99 to $104.50
• Shoe subscription
• Discounted shoes
• Shopping page styled to your preferences

Shoedazzle was founded in 2009 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. (You might also be familiar with Fabletics, their fitnesswear brand.) They are based in El Segundo, California.

How it works

Shoedazzle is a monthly subscription plan to purchase men's and women's shoes at a discounted rate. Each month you can choose to either shop for your shoes or skip by the 5th. If you do not do one of these options, you will be charged $49.95 which will be credited to your account to use at a later date.

Online style quiz

When starting up with Shoedazzle, you will take an online style quiz and receive a customized showroom. This will be filled with women's shoe recommendations just for you. Next you shop and purchase as much as you like. Don't forget to shop or mark that you are skipping a month, or you will be charged. You may cancel your subscription at any time to Shoedazzle. The VIP membership gets you some perks. They include free U.S. shipping on orders over $49, free returns and exchanges, up to 25% off all full priced styles and early access to new arrivals.

Multiple pricings for the same shoe

Shoedazzle offers a wide range of women's shoes. Each pair has a VIP sale price, VIP price and a regular price. The regular price is if you are going to purchase as a guest instead of signing up for the subscription. During our most recent browsing, the cheapest shoes available were Kiera Slippers: $4.99 on sale for VIP, $19.95 normal VIP and $29.95 for guests. The most expensive pair of women's shoes we found were Demi Faux Fur Lug Sole Boots. These ran $17.49 on sale for VIP, $69.95 normal VIP and $104.50 for guests. 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.

Pink shipping

The company refers to their women's shoe shipping methods by pink titles. Standard Pink Shipping on orders under $49 will cost $6.95 and will arrive within 6-14 business days. Premium Pink Shipping is $14.95 and will arrive in 2-3 business days. Express Pink Shipping is $24.95 and will arrive within 1-2 business days. The company offers shipping to APO/FPO and U.S. territory addresses for $14.95 per order. The estimated shipping time on these orders would be up to 30 business days. Shipping to Alaska and Hawaii is available for $11.95 and should arrive in 9-11 business days.

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 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.

Subscription issues

Shoedazzle has been awarded an "A+” rating from the Better Business Bureau, but they have mixed reviews from customers. 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. Others have had negative things to say such as issues with credit cards being charged after canceling a subscription. Multiple customers have said it is difficult to cancel the subscription because the company keeps hanging up or getting disconnected. It can also be tricky to find the "skip this month” button, and there's no way to do that in advance (if you're on vacation from the 1st-5th of the month and can't sign on during that time).

Good option for a subscription

If you are looking to be able to get multiple pairs of new women's shoes, the subscription route may be for you.But, should you forget to cancel this subscription, you are going to build up Shoedazzle credit you will need to spend. If you are just looking for a single pair or just a pair of shoes every once in a while, we suggest looking at one of our other retailers.

Famous Footwear

• Priced from $19.98 to $294.99
• Over 12,000 options for women's shoes
• No date limit on returns
• Free shipping over $75

Famous Footwear originally opened under the name Neil's Shoes in 1960 in Madison, Wisconsin. It was founded by a 29-year-old by the name Neil Moldenhauer. In 1964, he opened a second store in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and changed the name to Famous Footwear. Today there are 1100 stores throughout the United States still selling shoes at a rate that is discounted from the manufacturer's suggested price.

Over 12,000 shoes to choose from

Famous Footwear offers 12,464 products to browse when looking for women's shoes. They come in a wide range of prices. The lowest option for women's shoes is a pair of Zodiac Desert Slides Sandals on clearance for $19.98. The most expensive option for women's shoes is a pair of Franco Sarto (a brand you'll see in our other reviews) Women's Tiera Tall Dress Boots for $294.11. As you can see, Famous Footwear doesn't have anything overly expensive when it comes to women's shoes. The retailer offers shoes in sizes 5 to 11.

Shoe information on the website

Their website provides you with the item details, which includes 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 in is that they are working hard to be more eco-friendly, from the materials the shoes are made from all the way to what they are packaged and shipped in.

Multiple shipping options

Famous Footwear has numerous options for shipping their women's shoes to you. With standard shipping, the shoes will ship for free if the order totals more than $75, otherwise it is a flat rate of $7.95. This option will arrive in approximately 4-7 business 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. If you live near one of Famous Footwear's physical locations, you can also opt for in-store or curbside pickup at select stores.

Return any time

Should you need to make a return, Famous Footwear allows you to do this at any time. They do not have a maximum length after purchase for returns. 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. Also, you have the option to make an exchange, but this is only available in store.

Positive rating

The Better Business Bureau has awarded Famous Footwear with 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.

Average store

Overall, Famous Footwear is a middle-of-the-road option for women's shoes. Their prices are lower and affordable with a large variety of options for women's shoes. Plus, they are trying to be an eco-friendly retailer. Famous Footwear also offers no time limit on in-store returns with proof of purchase. Still, they scored as a just-above-average retailer due to the repeated reviews about the wrong size shoe being delivered and how difficult it was to get a replacement.

Walmart

• Priced from $5.19 to $49.95
• Over 1,000 options
• Affordable price point
• 90-day return window

Walmart was founded by Sam Walton in 1962 in Rogers, Arkansas. They are still headquartered there to this day. They have 10,500 stores, a website and an app to shop through. Walmart is also located in 24 different countries.

Low-end price point

Walmart offers over 1,000 different options when looking for women's shoes. On top of their own products, they have a third-party marketplace where other retailers can sell their items as well. They really seem to have a shoe for any occasion. They offer shoes at the lower end price point - as low as $5.19 for women's Anti-skid Slip-on House Slippers, and as high as $49.95 for Nature's Breeze women's Cherokee Fringe Moccasins Faux Suede Boots. They carry the shoes in women's sizes 5.5-11.

Shoe fit predictor

When looking at women's shoes, 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 a third-party Marketplace item, the return policy may be different. The return policy for Marketplace retailers will be listed in the item description.

Fast shipping

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.

Mixed reviews

When looking at what other customers think of Walmart, the reviews are mixed but they tend to be centered on the brick-and-mortar retail experience. Customers are very frustrated with the lack of employees in the store to offer assistance with shopping or returns. There also appears to be a lack of store knowledge when asking where to find items such as women's shoes. But, 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.

Middle of the road

Overall, Walmart is a middle of the road store. There is nothing wrong with shopping here, so if you find a pair of women's shoes you like, you can feel confident in your purchase. They do tend to offer items on the lower end though, so the shoes may not hold up as well as some of the higher-end brands sold by other retailers we evaluated. 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 are looking for.

Shoe Carnival

• Priced from $14.98 to $309.99
• Almost 8,000 options for women's shoes
• 60-day return policy

Shoe Carnival was founded in 1978 by David Russell, and in 2021, they acquired Shoe Station. Their headquarters is located in Evansville, Indiana. Shoe Carnival stores are located in 35 states and Puerto Rico along with the retailer's online storefront.

Large variety of products

Shoe Carnival has 7,920 options when looking at women's shoes. Amongst these are Y-Not Craft Sandals for $14.98 and Dan Post Loverly Over the Knee Western Boots for $309.99. They offer women's shoes in sizes 5 through 14 depending on the shoe. Their website provides information about the features of the shoe, customer reviews and how to choose a size. Some of the shoes included the heel height, but not all of them.

Returning your shoes

If you need to return your new shoes, you have 60 days to do it. The shoes must be in new, unused condition and contain all the original packaging. Shoe Carnival will accept used items if there is an obvious defect. If you purchased your new shoes online, you may return them online or to any of the retail store locations. If they were purchased in store, then they must also be returned in store.

Spend $75 for free shipping

Shoe Carnival offers free standard shipping on their shoes, but you must spend $75 or more. If you haven't spent $75 or you need your new shoes sooner, they have some other options that will cost extra. Standard shipping on shoes under $75, it will cost $7.95 and take 4-7 business days. Expedited shipping will cost $13.95 and will arrive in 2-3 business days. Rush shipping on shoes will cost $22.95 and they will arrive in 1-2 business days.

Numerous negative reviews

The Better Business Bureau has awarded Shoe Carnival an "A+” rating. However, their customer reviews speak differently: over 80% of them are negative. Some shoppers are upset with the poor customer service being offered. Others said they had extra charges when they checked out. One even said the cashier never asked them to donate to a charity, yet charged them multiple dollars for a donation. Some customers said the shoes are difficult to return and they do not make the process an easy one. Finally, multiple customers experienced their shoes being delivered to the wrong location or missing altogether. Getting assistance to rectify this was proven difficult by numerous customers.

Better options are out there

When looking to purchase women's shoes, there are better options out there than Shoe Carnival. There are many other locations with a lower amount to spend for free shipping and they have better customer satisfaction. The only reason this company didn't get a lower score was their "A+” Better Business Bureau rating. Between having to spend $75 to get free shipping and numerous negative complaints, we do not recommend purchasing shoes here.

Shoe Mall

• Priced from $8.99 to $399.95
• Over 20,000 shoes
• 60-day returns
• Free standard shipping

Shoe Mall 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 have a huge variety of shoes - over 20,000 to choose from.

Large selection and numerous shoe sizes

Shoe Mall has 20,535 options to browse through when searching for women's shoes. Their lowest-priced shoe is a pair of Roxy Viva Jelly flip flops for $8.99 on clearance. Their most expensive shoe is a pair of Danner Mountain Light II 5” for $399.95. The online retailer carries sizes 4 to 14, depending on the shoe. The website offers a description of the product, the heel height, material used for the shoe and the color of the shoe. They also offer reviews and a Q&A section for customers to answer.

60-day returns

Shoe Mall offers a 60-day return policy if you are 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 in. This includes being unworn and having the original box and/or packaging. Shipping charges are not refundable. Shoe Mall requires that customers pay for the return postage. If you exchange the shoes, your replacement pair will not be 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

Shoe Mall offers free standard shipping on your women's shoes which 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 cost an extra $15. Express shipping will be delivered in 1-3 business days and cost an extra $25 per order. If you live in Hawaii, Alaska, 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.

"D-” rating

Shoe Mall has earned a "D-” rating from the Better Business Bureau. When looking at what customers had to say, their reviews matched up with this disappointing rating: Shoe Mall does not necessarily have the shoes in stock ready to ship. This causes many delays and backorders on products. Customers 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 and their new shoes were too small and they had to pay to send them back for an exchange or refund.

Shop somewhere else

Overall, we are not impressed with Shoe Mall. 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 Shoe Mall a "D-” rating. We encourage you to shop at one of the other retailers we have reviewed and save yourself the hassle.

DSW

• Priced from $13.98 to $594.99
• Over 12,000 options for women's shoes
• Free shipping with VIP program
• Interest-free financing with After Pay
• 90-day returns

Designer Shoe Warehouse, better known as DSW, first opened in 1991 in Dublin, Ohio. Their parent company, Designer Brands, is one of the largest retailers of shoes in North America. They offer brand name footwear and accessories at an affordable price. Today, there are over 500 stores in 44 states.

Huge selection

DSW offers a huge selection of women's shoes. There are 12,183 options to pick from on their website. Their cheapest shoe is on clearance, and it is a Mix Number 6 Falcon Slide Sandal for $13.98. Their most expensive women's shoe is a Vince Rune Slouch Boot that costs $594.99. DSW offers women's shoes in sizes 5 to 11.

Website is easy to shop

When browsing DSW's website for women's shoes, they have a lot of quality information to assist you with your purchase. They have a product description with details about the shoe. They include 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 customers also like and what customers also bought to assist you in your purchase. Finally, they have customer reviews on their shoes.

Interest-free financing through After Pay

DSW offers a great financing feature called After Pay. 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

First is non-members: exchanges and in-store returns are free, online returns have an $8.50 shipping fee and return by mail is 90 days. DSW VIP Club has in-store returns and exchanges for free, online returns cost $8.50 for a shipping fee and you have 90 days to return by mail - which sounds exactly like the non-member terms, so we're not sure what the VIP advantage is here.. DSW VIP Gold has free in-store returns, exchanges and online returns plus 90 days for return by mail. Finally, DSW VIP Elite has free exchanges plus in-store and online returns. They also allow you 365 days to return by mail. If you miss the 90-day window with the original receipt, you may still return and get a merchandise credit, but will be unable to get the money returned to your initial form of payment.

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 them 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.

"F” rating

DSW has an "F” rating from the Better Business Bureau for failing to respond to 27 complaints filed against them, plus 15 complaints that have been filed and not resolved. Customers clearly are not happy with the 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 customer said that every time they sent their shoes back to the warehouse, they had to call to make sure they had been received and get the refund moving. There are a few complaints too about the website not being updated within days of women's shoes being sold out: shoppers ordered shoes, then received an email stating they were out of stock yet days later the shoes were still listed as available on the website.

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, their "F” rating doesn't make them a suitable choice. Customers seem to be disappointed with DSW, and their return policy is overly complicated. We suggest looking elsewhere when shopping for women's shoes.