Where I Find My Shoes

Hi everyone!!
I recently posted a picture of a portion of my shoe collection, and it sparked a lot if questions about where I shop!
I thought it only appropriate this should be my first post! Forgive me if this is a little lacking, I am typing it on my phone since my laptop is fickle.

Q #1: Where do I get my shoes?
A: Mostly online/via apps.

The Poshmark and Vinted apps are fabulous! They're like virtual mega yard sales for women's fashion. You can find anything from Birkin Bags and Louboutins to handmade jewelry and costume jewelry from Forever 21, with everything in between!

Some details about each:
Both have a buyer's guarantee. If you do not receive the item, or it doesn't arrive as described, the apps will refund your payment. You can also make offers on items (bargaining/bartering- be polite and don't lowball people though!). You can bundle items from the same seller and only pay shipping once, sometimes the seller will even give you a discount for purchasing multiple items! This is not automatic, so talk to the seller so they can make a bundle for you. You can also check sellers ratings and reviews, similar to eBay.

Differences:
Vinted- you can get really detailed with your search. Along with the search bar for keywords, you can filter just about everything else- color, sizes, specific price range, item type and sub-type, condition, location, status, and sell/swap/gift. You can pay with card or via Google Wallet. Shipping comes in three rates suggested to the seller by Vinted based on item size and weight. Depending on what the seller picks, shipping will either be $3.59, $5.99, or $6.99. Also, within specific listings, item's semi-specific condition will be listed, which is a nice bonus. If you buy an item and it doesn't ship, after 5-7 days (I believe), Vinted automatically refunds you.
Poshmark- You pay flat-rate $4.99 shipping, no matter the item. You can see where some items might be better to buy via Poshmark, and some via Vinted. PM doesn't have as many search refinements as VD. You can still search by availability, category, size, condition, and price, but price options are lumped by "$25 and under," "$25-50," and so on. You also can't search by color except by keyword in the search bar. PM does have more selection in my opinion, and has more high end items that include Poshmark's complimentary authenticity service! If you buy an item and it doesn't ship, after five days you can "remind seller", and at seven you can cancel the order and receive a refund. There is also an option for accidental purchase, which happened to me once!

I love both apps for different reasons, and buy from both pretty evenly. I get most of my shoes from Poshmark, and my clothing from Vinted (mostly because of those shipping costs ;) )

I do also buy some shoes online.

I love Sheikh Shoes, because they're clearance section is fabulous for good deals. Every once in a while, they will offer free shipping with no minimum. You can also find coupon codes via Google to get an even better deal!

JustFab and ShoeDazzle are great too, but most of their shoes are in the $40-60 range. Not bad, but I'm a $15-and-under gal myself. You need a subscription for JF, so beware of the monthly window there. Both offer free shipping and exchanges (I believe), with refunds for store credit. Both shops also carry bags, jewelry, and even a few clothing items. They each carry some pretty unique or on-trend items too.

Payless Shoesource falls into both online and physical shop categories. If you're a member I believe you can get free shipping to your home address when you shop online. I know that you can always ship to any store location free, no minimum; and orders $35 and over will ship free to your home address.
I have been a customer my whole life, and have always loved Payless!

As for other physical locations- resale shops of any type are great! I know they're not everyone's cup of tea. I personally have found name brand items brand new with tags on them in resale shops. For instance, I found new Calvin Klein heels for $4 once, and another time a new-with-tags Guess dress, originally $104, also for $4! It's worth a look friends, I promise.

Q #2: What are some good tips for purchasing online, especially when you're not sure about fit?
A: A little effort can go a long way.

-Find shops with free exchanges/returns, like JustFab, ShoeDazzle, and Zappos.
-Read reviews, details, and item descriptions. A lot of the time, other customers will mention in their reviews the comfort and fit of the shoe. Even some retailers like SD will have this info listed in the description.
-If you're purchasing from a resale app, ask the seller lots of questions! Most of the time they're happy to help.
-Lastly, err on the larger "size". If you're typically between sizes, go a half size up. Too-small shoes are a near-impossible fix. However, if your shoes are a bit too big, you can try all sorts of tricks. Thicker socks for boots, tissues/balls of cloth in the toes of closed-toe shoes, and heel grips/pads in just about every type (bonus-they add comfort too!).

I hope all this helps! Thanks for the read, friends. See you at our next retail therapy session ;)

O.E.