The last three pairs of shoes I bought turned out to be a real pain in the ass. And they weren’t even mules.
When the shoes arrived, all had to be returned. I’m now working through two different credit card disputes to get back a total of $129.81. After my purchases, the stores changed the deal. I’m not ok with that.
All season, sandals have been a miss for me. I know what I’m looking for – a leather sandal that’s comfortable to walk in but still minimal enough that it looks cute. I’ve been desperate to find a pair in black that I want to wear without thought or pain.
I’ve tried everything from expensive ones to cheap flip flops. Brands I’ve worn in the past now somehow suck on my foot.
Steve Madden: $64.94 of Cardboard & Cactus
At the mall, I happened to look in the window of Steve Madden as I walked by. I figured, “What the hell. I have a few minutes, so I may as well look.”
What the hell. I have a few minutes, so I may as well look.
They had a flat leather black thong sandal that seemed to have some cushioning and was the aesthetic I was after. They didn’t have my size in-store, but the sales associate was somewhat helpful so I went along when she said she’d order them for me online and send them to my house.
Minnetonka Moccasin: $64.87 for Two Sizes of the Same Shoe
I love a silver shoe. I find it to be the perfect “neutral” that adds a pop, especially in sandals.
After I had to finally part with my beloved silver Birks – too many dunks in water – I declared them dead. You can only get them re-souled if you live in Germany. I don’t. I looked to get a new pair but they’ve changed the fit and the silver leather straps, to a shade I find less appealing.
I don’t know how I ended up on the Minnetonka Moccasin website, but I did. I was curious about their silver sandal but unsure of the fit. While I wasn’t “looking” for these, I figured I’d give the western style sandal a swing. So I bought the size 9 and 10.
That’s Store Policy
The Steve Madden pair felt like I had cardboard on the bottom of my foot and a painful cactus wedged next to my big toe. As for the silver sandals, I couldn’t see any visual difference between the size 9 and 10. I didn’t like either and they looked like cheap shoes.
I took the Steve Madden shoes back to the store, where they told me the pair was “final sale.”
I’m not new to shopping. I buy lots to see what works and return most. When something is on sale, I know to double check that it’s not marked “final sale.” Those words are against my religion.
Nothing in the store stated it was final sale. Nothing was printed on the receipt or the email confirmation saying as much. And the sales associate definitely didn’t tell me when I paid her. But the person handling my return insisted “that’s store policy,” which still wasn’t posted anywhere on my second visit.
“I’ve never shopped here before. How would I know you can’t return sales items if you don’t state it on the receipt and don’t tell me?” I asked, sincerely. I was curious.
I’ve never shopped here before. How would I know you can’t return sales items if you don’t tell me?
She had zero interest in helping me. She took the shoes and gave me a store credit. I’m not interested in giving them my money or owning anything from them. The store credit information is in my dispute so the retailer can cancel it and issue me a refund.
Same song at Minnetonka. When I called to initiate the return I was told they were final sale.
“It was on the website. But the sale’s over so that sign is gone,” I was informed. “That’s why they were so cheap.”
It was on the website. But the sale’s over so that sign is gone. That’s why they were so cheap.
I wondered how the brand would feel about their people calling the shoes “cheap.”
“If I had known it was final sale, do you think I would have bought two pairs of the same shoe?” I asked. Again, I was met with boredom and zero interest to help.
If I had known it was final sale, do you think I would have bought two pairs of the same shoe?
I’ve disputed both purchases on my credit card. I had to provide “evidence” on each. I used AI to write each dispute. I handed it the details and it outlined the draft, noting the laws and issues this raises.
I made a special trip to the mall, contacted both retailers before filing my dispute, then provided written evidence when requested to my credit card company. Now I’m in a series of back-and-forths between me, my credit card, the brands and their banks.
My disputes are “in process.” My fight is costing me more than the shoes did, but those retailers shouldn’t have my money through gamesmanship.
The new shoes are sitting in the front hall. If they don’t get returned to sender, they’re going to charity.
I regret having gotten rid of my swampy silver sandals, despite how shoddy they looked.
Have you bought something recently and gotten screwed?
Share your woes — the comments are open to all.
When life stops making sense, we shop don’t waste time online browsing new shoes. More soon.
I found the most comfortable pair of Birks at Marshall’s. They weren’t a sandal, but more like an actual slide on shoe. Price was good 85.00. Here come the but….the color. Light blue. Nothing I owned would match. I was so sad.
Rani - Two things:
1) Birks are amazing, and they've been coming out with some super-fab styles. For womens' styles, the silver and black patent leather really dress things up. You probably know this, but check the footbeds as the OG cork are a lot more comfortable as opposed to the newer synthetic ones. For decades, I love the Milano (?) and Arizona styles -- and have used the professional chef's clogs for almost two decades. All this being said, there are places in the US that will resole them. However, the math simply doesn't work out and I finally let mine go.
2) AMEX FTW. They have usually come to the rescue for all sorts of returns where there's been something screwy. It's worth the price of admission and they'd likely cover final sale hijinks.
Great piece, Rani. :) - Seth ✦