Saturday, March 22nd
2025 Women's Shoe Store Reviews
Zappos
- Over 20,000 shoes to choose from
- Prices from $12 to $1,100
- Easy 365-day return policy
- Always free shipping
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.
More Women's Shoe Store Reviews
The 10 Best Women's Shoe Stores
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.
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.
Women's Shoe Store FAQ
Continued from above...
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:
- Variety. Does the retailer have a large variety of shoes for you to choose from?
- Price point. How much are you willing to spend on your new pair of shoes? Can you find what you're looking for at a budget store, or are you willing to spend a little more?
- Brand. Do you need a name-brand designer, or will an off-brand work for your needs?
- Return policy. Will it be easy for you to return or exchange your shoes if they don't fit the way you had hoped?
- Comfort. Does the retailer offer comfortable shoes that will allow you to wear them all day?
- Shipping. How much will it cost to get your shoes sent to you? Are there any promotions that would get you free shipping?
- Customer reviews. What are other customers saying about the shoes and the retailer?
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!
Compare Women's Shoe Stores
Select any 2 Women's Shoe Stores to compare them head to head
Trending Women's Shoe News
Related Women's Shoe Store Reviews
Since you're interested in Women's Shoe Stores, here are some other reviews you might find interesting.
Newest Reviews
