Buying shoes from the telly.

[Bea Frugal]

I've been tempted but never done it. I've been trying out some Birkenstock's in tk maxx because they have quite a few these days. I'm a regular size 3 and never felt right when I put my foot into one. Then I came across a 2.5 and they fit perfectly. I've never heard qvc tell us that we need to be a 3.5 in order to buy the size 3. I know they are sandals but it's important that all the lumpy bits on a birki hit you in the right places if you are ever going to find them comfortable. My daughter's a size 4 and she found differences in size even in size 4's. Why can't they be consistent and why can't they explain sizing and width properly and stock some half sizes since they do a full range of them? I'm tired of qvc's one size fits all approach to almost everything. It just doesn't.

 

[donna255]

I bought on ebay the other week a pair of Birki Kay clogs limited edition all leather for £27.90 including shipping. The seller had the size as 3 and I asked were they a Euro 36? As a true size 3 is a 35. Turned out they where a 36. I got a great bargain not a mark on them, but as my old clogs where from about 10 years ago felt really strange breaking in the new ones. Your feet get so used to them when you do get a new pair its weird. Also these have the newer soft foot bed which I found very very strange.

I have heard them say buy up a size but then they have said buy down??

I can never get my size in TKMaxx, they are always the one strap and usually size 5.

Also Birkenstocks come in a wide foot and a narrow, but I think QVC only do narrow???

 

[Awkward Annie]

Yes I buy my Birkies from TK MAXX , I take a size 4 but I buy a 3 1/2 and it's perfect , also they're a lot cheaper and more choice! I often wonder if they have some kind of contract to buy surplus stock because I buy a lot of things from there that I've seen on QVC!

 

[Akimbo]

I'm somewhere between a 4 and a 4 and a half but I always buy the 3 (36) in Birkenstocks. The narrow footbed suits me best but I can wear the wider ones as well. They had some nice Birkis in my local TKMaxx at the weekend but sadly no 36s.

 

[thatu]

I tried on a pair of Birkenstocks in TKMaxx once and I had to go down a whole size but I've never heard anyone on QVC mentioning this.

My experience is that shoes on QVC tend to be slightly on the large side but that hasn't always been the case so I buy only specialist items like the orthotic sandals TSV which were my normal size and fitted perfectly. But it's always a risky business.

 

[Bea Frugal]

Thanks all. Obviously it is a risky business and a costly way of finding out what fits and what doesn't. Once you've taken the plunge though, or tried the shoes somewhere else, then I suppose you'd be a lot more savvy about what you're buying into. I know it's not for everyone but I actually enjoy shopping for shoes. Nice and restful, a good sit down with a bit of a prance around the shop to try them out. Next on the list of enjoyable shops is probably coats - again nice and easy. Bottom of the list is bras and swimwear. But even then, I'd never buy them from the telly!

 

[BusyMum]

My DD is a 6 and ordered that size from Q, but trying them in T K Maxx, she finds a 5 suits much better. They used to say this with the old wooden soled Scholls of my youth, go down a size, but I've never heard them say it of Birkis on the tv.

 

[reflexgirl]

I would recommend to size down. I am a size 4.5 - 5 and always buy a size 4 in Birkenstocks and they fit just fine, all the lumps and bumps in the right places. Buying Fitflops (which I adore even more than Birkies) I am size 6! Go figure!!!

 

[louise66]

I've been tempted but never done it. I've been trying out some Birkenstock's in tk maxx because they have quite a few these days. I'm a regular size 3 and never felt right when I put my foot into one. Then I came across a 2.5 and they fit perfectly. I've never heard qvc tell us that we need to be a 3.5 in order to buy the size 3. I know they are sandals but it's important that all the lumpy bits on a birki hit you in the right places if you are ever going to find them comfortable. My daughter's a size 4 and she found differences in size even in size 4's. Why can't they be consistent and why can't they explain sizing and width properly and stock some half sizes since they do a full range of them? I'm tired of qvc's one size fits all approach to almost everything. It just doesn't.

I'm the same with Birkenstock. I am a size 5 and, when I ordered my first pair, I went for my usual size, and it was too big. I still wear them, they don't slip off my feet, but I always buy a 4. Having said that, I do have thin, bony feet! I really think you need to get them home, and try them. The only instance I listen to the presenter is when they say the shoe is not for you, if you have average size feet, as they are a wide fit. Then I know they will be way too big. Because of the mbg, QVC is a good place to buy shoes. I have bought trainers in the shop. tried them on, and decided they fit ok. Then, after wearing them for a week, discovered that they are too big, once my feet have embedded into them. Of course, if you let them know within 7 - soon to be 14 - days, postage is refunded as well.

 

[Brissles]

I once bought a pair of EMU boots that had to be returned. Never again, the return postage was ridiculous.

I generally find that a lot of sandals, for me anyway, I have to go down a size for a comfy fit. I'm a 6 but some makes of sandals feel and look like boats, so I go down a size.

 

[Awkward Annie]

Oh no, don't mention bras, I'm sure it never used to be so difficult to find a decent, reasonably priced bra!!just seen the post about fitflops , I love them too, I have 3 pairs and I'll definitely buy more if these EVER wear out!

 

[CallMeQ]

only shoes i've ever bought on Q are sketchers because i know how fabulous they are as i've been buying them for years... i wouldn't be tempted by emu, or clarks or even those over priced marta johnson ranges...