Shoes

I would like to point out a fantastic website to those who may be hiding under a rock....All joking aside, www.zappos.com is perhaps the greatest site in the world. Zappos sells shoes. They sell other things too, like clothes and purses, but shoes are primarily what they're known for. Zappos is fantastic. Their service is unparalleled. Their selection is huge. Returns and exchanges are a snap. The people that work there are friendly and helpful.

I can't say enough about how much I love Zappos. I am, as some people may know, shoe obsessed. I absolutely love shoes, and Zappos definitely fuels that fire.

Here's why:
Zappos is based on the West Coast. So, if you place an order for shoes at around 8:00 am central time, that means it's 6:00 am Pacific time. Why is this important? Because Zappos has free shipping.
Here is a secret about Zappos shipping: a few months ago, Zappos used to advertise free overnight shipping. However, they changed this policy and now say that 4-5 day shipping is free, and it's $25.00 for overnight shipping. What they don't say is that in most cases, your free shipping will still be overnight. Basically, they don't guarantee free overnight shipping. However, for the last 4 pairs of shoes that I have ordered, I have received them the next day. So anyone who would pay $25.00 for the overnight shipping is just...unaware. Hehe. I am a Zappos sneak...I found this out by reading one of their blogs. So anyway, the overnight shipping is awesome, because if you place an order in the morning, you'll get the shoes by the next afternoon.

Another nice thing is that returns are a snap. Several times, I have ordered shoes that end up being too small. I guess my feet have grown a bit, since I always used to wear a 6.5. Now it seems like I have more 7 s that 6.5 shoes. Not that my old shoes don't fit....I guess it all depends on the type of shoe. But anyway, I have had to return and exchange several pairs. The process is ridiculously simple: call them up, reach a friendly salesperson in a matter of seconds, they walk you through the process, process the exchange, and then print out your free UPS shipping label. Drop off the old shoes at a UPS store, and your new shoes will arrive the next day.

One time I ordered 2 different pairs of shoes. I knew I was going to return one of them. So, when I decided on the ones I was going to keep, I simply clicked "return" on my account, printed out the label, dropped the shoes off, and a few days later, I had my refund.

Another time, I received a note in the mail from the person who had helped me process an exchange. A handwritten card from the girl who helped me on the phone, thanking me, and hoping I enjoyed the shoes. It was totally unnecessary, but it made me feel like there are actual people working at Zappos, and they care about helping me! What an excellent online business model.

Zappos has a 365 day return policy on their shoes. What store has that?? Plus, you don't pay tax, and the prices are about the same or cheaper than a department store. I have had experiences at department stores with waiting in lines to try on a pair of shoes, only to find that it doesn't fit, only to find that they don't have a different shoe in the right size...Zappos has a HUGE inventory, and they never sell sizes that are out of stock. I just love coming home to a Zappos box on my doorstep.

I realize that this is probably more promotional than anything else, but I feel like Zappos deserves it. They have made a lifelong customer out of me, and I encourage other people to try it.

Oh, and sometimes, I think working at a shoe place like Zappos would be a dream job for me....just sayin'...it's either books or shoes. :-P