Trying on running shoes in-store then buying online?

Running Shoes/Running Gear Shoes

4 months ago 03/10/2024 7:47pm EDT

I always feel internally pressured to buy shoes in-store whenever I go to get fitted, but as solid training shoes are closing in on $160 on average, I gotta be spending my hard-earned cash on something I think looks fly, right? I always get frustrated after buying a shoe in the only color way they have left (often some typical, tacky black/neon combo) but knowing I could have ordered a color way I would’ve been far happier with from their website. So here’s my question—do shoe store employees benefit in any way from getting a sale off of me (bonuses for number of sales, etc.), or does it not matter whatsoever?

4 months ago 03/10/2024 8:00pm EDT

re: Hoskins

It does not matter. To me.

4 months ago 03/10/2024 8:06pm EDT

re: Hoskins

The bigger question is why would anyone buy shoes from an LRS in 2024? They price everything at MSRP. The employees at my local Fleet feet are all obese know-nothings that try to upsell customers and push unnecessary Superfeet insoles onto newbies.

4 months ago 03/10/2024 8:07pm EDT

re: reflekteve

reflekteve wrote:
The bigger question is why would anyone buy shoes from an LRS in 2024? They price everything at MSRP. The employees at my local Fleet feet are all obese know-nothings that try to upsell customers and push unnecessary Superfeet insoles onto newbies.

I can’t handle delayed gratification.

I want my shoes now

4 months ago 03/10/2024 11:04pm EDT

re: Hoskins

I've noticed with the running stores around me, they are worse than damn car salesmen when I walk in.

Hungry little vultures looking to make a sale.

I went in to look a pair of running shoes before buying them online, and I parked my diesel truck right in front of their front doors with the stationary elevated idle turned on. The doors, windows, and half the store was rattling around...

While they were perplexed as to why their store was sounded like it was going to implode on itself, I got lucky and only had to deal with some runner chick that I told her I was just looking.

Took a look at the shoe, and found that it wasn't what I expected and turned right around and vacated.

That's how I deal with them...

This post was removed.

3 months ago 03/21/2024 10:26am EDT

re: Hoskins

Is this thread a Nike intern set up or something? They would love shoe stores to die.

How about this for a thought. That small business is providing a service that wouldn’t exist if everyone followed your example and scabbed a free fitting off them then bought direct online. Keep that up and you know the result. There are no more shoe stores. That shoe you wanted to try on before you buy? You can’t anymore.

If you want shoe stores to exist, f**kin buy your shoes there.

3 months ago 03/21/2024 10:29am EDT

re: reflekteve

reflekteve wrote:
The bigger question is why would anyone buy shoes from an LRS in 2024? They price everything at MSRP. The employees at my local Fleet feet are all obese know-nothings that try to upsell customers and push unnecessary Superfeet insoles onto newbies.

Happy medium, my town has great people at the local fleet feet and the other local shop. I try their shoes on there, then ask them to order the color I like online (from fleet feet etc...). I may be making a false assumption that they make money on the deal but I assume they do. They all have online presence nowadays.

3 months ago 03/21/2024 10:30am EDT

re: Hoskins

Hoskins wrote:
I always feel internally pressured to buy shoes in-store whenever I go to get fitted, but as solid training shoes are closing in on $160 on average, I gotta be spending my hard-earned cash on something I think looks fly, right? I always get frustrated after buying a shoe in the only color way they have left (often some typical, tacky black/neon combo) but knowing I could have ordered a color way I would’ve been far happier with from their website. So here’s my question—do shoe store employees benefit in any way from getting a sale off of me (bonuses for number of sales, etc.), or does it not matter whatsoever?

Whether the person waiting on you benefits from making a sale depends mostly on whether they're working for commission or not. Obviously the shop benefits if you buy your shoes there versus on line. Personally, I feel like it's a crappy thing to do but it's part of life for brick and mortar businesses. If I try on a shoe in a shop that I decide I want I'll buy at least my first model from the shop. If I buy repeat models I might do it online.

3 months ago 03/21/2024 10:35am EDT

re: Hoskins

Hoskins wrote:
I always feel internally pressured to buy shoes in-store whenever I go to get fitted, but as solid training shoes are closing in on $160 on average, I gotta be spending my hard-earned cash on something I think looks fly, right? I always get frustrated after buying a shoe in the only color way they have left (often some typical, tacky black/neon combo) but knowing I could have ordered a color way I would’ve been far happier with from their website. So here’s my question—do shoe store employees benefit in any way from getting a sale off of me (bonuses for number of sales, etc.), or does it not matter whatsoever?

Or just leave them a nice tip. Slip the attending employee a $20 bill 😉

3 months ago 03/21/2024 10:42am EDT

re: manualf150

manualf150 wrote:
I've noticed with the running stores around me, they are worse than damn car salesmen when I walk in.
Hungry little vultures looking to make a sale.
I went in to look a pair of running shoes before buying them online, and I parked my diesel truck right in front of their front doors with the stationary elevated idle turned on. The doors, windows, and half the store was rattling around...
While they were perplexed as to why their store was sounded like it was going to implode on itself, I got lucky and only had to deal with some runner chick that I told her I was just looking.
Took a look at the shoe, and found that it wasn't what I expected and turned right around and vacated.
That's how I deal with them...

WTF-- you're a d!<kHead (.)

3 months ago 03/21/2024 11:33am EDT

re: HRE

HRE wrote:
If I try on a shoe in a shop that I decide I want I'll buy at least my first model from the shop. If I buy repeat models I might do it online.

This is what I do. I will occasionally drive an hour or more to reach a decent running shoe store, try on a bunch of shoes, find something I like and buy it, typically paying at least $50 too much. From then on, I buy the same shoe online. A reasonable compromise between not busting my budget and not unfairly taking advantage of the physical shoe store.

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