Return and get money back, or return for exchange/store credit? I would think if a product is deemed "unsaleable" you won't get your money back, only a store credit.

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Brooks Doughtie, M.S.
Exercise Physiology
-USAT Level II

My work concurs with your general analysis. Before the Vapor Fly 4% fast runners were in the adios. There simply wasn’t a faster feeling shoe. Today the 4% has taken over the top spot in most races. Interesting you didn’t mention the Pbax midsole in the 4%. I would think that adds to the fast feeling of the shoe. As midsoles go there isn’t a midsole that feels as alive as Pbax. I would expect since Nike and Reebok are starting to perfect the use of Pbax we’ll see others try it out.

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Dave Jewell
Free Run Speed

[quote]I’m not saying such policies don’t exist but I would assume the norm is not the ability to wear shoes outside and return. [/quote]

Actually that seems to be the policy in all the good LRS's I've been in across the country over the last few years. Go do a run in them if they aren't working bring them back.

Now if you go on some 10mile trail run that's going to negate that. But if you go on a treadmill run or around the block a few times if my LRS stopped taking those back I'd fine a better LRS to deal with.

If you can't get 15min in a shoe it's not going to work 45 min later. In fact for most people if the shoe isn't comfy when you try it on and go run up/down the sidewalk in front of your LRS it's not your shoe. Try a different pair

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Brian Stover USAT LII
Accelerate3 Coaching
Insta

My LRS was pretty liberal with their return policy, even suggesting that people take shoes on their Wednesday evening group run (3-6 miles) to try them out before buying them. That said, probably 99% of people returning shoes were just exchanging them for different shoes. Running Warehouse has a pretty awesome return policy. They will refund for New and give store credit for used up to 90 days.

Agreed re: treadmill. And that is my experience locally too. But if we are going to use the interwebs to save money or for other reasons I think we take the risk and likely get (and should probably expect) worse customer service

By your own admission, you did run 800m, outdoors in the shoes. I don't think there is any expectation that shoes come with any kind of "test drive". I have never taken a new pair of shoes outside of my house or a store. If someone bought a pair of spikes, ran an 800m race in them and they tried to sell them to me as new I would call bullshit.

So you would have no issue then buyings said shoes as new? I don't expect to buy new shoes somebody took for run, therefore also I don't expect I can take shoes for a run and then return them as new.

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"When I first had the opportunity to compete in triathlon, it was the chicks and their skimpy race clothing that drew me in. Everyone was so welcoming and the lifestyle so obviously narcissistic. I fed off of that vain energy. To me it is what the sport is all about."

This is what I don't get. You openly admit to "using" them and are then upset when the store claims they're used. Which they are.

[quote] But if we are going to use the interwebs to save money or for other reasons I think we take the risk and likely get (and should probably expect) worse customer service [/quote]

Is it really saving money if you've got to send hem back or didn't get the correct size when the model changes etc.

To me is seems penny wise pound foolish to save $7-10 only to have to pay return shipping, be out shoes for 2 weeks or more while they are in transit etc.

Even on older models say Brooks Glycerin 15 since the 16 gets released 1 June and I may add is already on the shelf at my LRS, tried it on today in fact but most LRS will start discounting shoes 4-8 weeks before the shoe update.

Sure you could order the Kayano 24's from where ever for 25% off or you could go support your community and get them for 20-25% off at your LRS.

Anyway just some rambling

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Brian Stover USAT LII
Accelerate3 Coaching
Insta

I'm shocked at the number of people who don't have access to a shop that accepts returns. Common practice in 95% of shops these days.

Running Warehouse's return policy is ridiculously forgiving. I'd be embarrassed to return "slightly used" shoes after 89 days. I imagine they have a lot of customers who abuse that policy, but I also expect the policy pays for itself in goodwill and increased sales from customers who might not buy if the return policy was stricter.

with the amount of fanboying in triathlon going on at the moment over vaporfly 4%s you should sell these online in less than 30 mins, and heck I think you can make a profit too. A little ROI

That is something awesome about Running Warehouse. I have not returned a pair that I used outside even though I know you can, but the cool thing is it is FREE return shipping. The even include the label in the box with the shoes when you purchase them.

I only use RH and enjoy their great customer service and policies. No need to go to an LRS because I know what I want, don't need their insight into what shoes to get, so I don't want to pay for their overhead. On the off chance I get something that doesn't work RH will take it back, my LRS wont.

I worked at multiple LRS and as the merchant, I get it, you cant resell shoes with more than a few blocks on them and shops I worked would not give refunds on those. But as a customer, Im not going to take a $100 bet Saucony didnt screw up my shoe with the new version, I'll buy from somewhere with a reasonable return policy.