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I hate shoe shopping. Because I hate shoes. I admit I'm not much of a shopper in general, but shoe shopping in particular is one of the worst.
If I had my way, I would (I kid you not, ask my husband) wear those $5 brown, plastic sandals you can get at every ABC in Oahu every day of my life for every occasion. When we go to Hawaii, I stock up and wear them until they are worn thin and the straps crack apart. I'm currently down to my last pair. I think that means it's time for a trip to the islands.
Every year, sometime after (again, no hyperbole here) the first snow, I break down a put on a more fully functioning shoe. It's a sad, sad day when I have to put the plastics away.
Given my aversion to shoe shopping, it's quite traumatic when I have to break down and do it. The last time I shopped for shoes was right before a speaking engagement. There simply were no shoes in my (very small) section of the footwear section of our closet) that would be appropriate to wear with my outfit.
After much stalling mdash; and at the last minute mdash; I went to the Fashion Footwear store in American Fork. I had never patronized the store before and only went because it was close by. What I found was something of a surprise.
Surprise #1: I found not just the necessary one, but two pairs of shoes mdash; that were comfortable and still stylish mdash; in about 20 minutes. In fact, it wouldn't have taken that long except that I had my two boys with me and I waited for my husband to finish shopping.
Surprise #2: They have a rewards program that is easy to use. The cashier told me about it, but I balked. The last thing I want is yet another dumb card in my wallet. But she told me the program is free and I don't have to bring the card back with me. They can just look my info up when I checkout. The program features are:
- Earn one point for every dollar you spend (either online or in store)
- Accumulate up to $100 in points ever year
- Sign up discount!
- Other periodic discounts and perks
Next time you have the dreaded task of buying yourself some shoes (I'm not the only one, right?) mdash; or when you're doing your back to school shopping mdash; consider dropping into the nearest Famous Footwear. They have a special sale going on now featuring buy one get one (BOGO) half off, plus 15% off. If you sign up for the (free!) rewards program, that turns into 20% off.
And let's say you are like me and have hard to fit feet (short and wide (maybe I'm a hobbit?)) and cannot find the size you need in the style you want. No problem. You can either order online or have the shoe you need shipped to your local store at no charge (that's free, folks).
Alison Moore Smith is a 61-year-old entrepreneur who graduated from BYU in 1987. She has been (very happily) married to Samuel M. Smith for 40 years. They are parents of six incredible children and grandparents to two astounding grandsons. She is the author of The 7 Success Habits of Homeschoolers.
I myself have never been a shoe shopper due to the years of staying with my mom and we have the same shoe size. I always borrow. It’s also hard to find a shoe for our feet because we have the smallest size, even other brands don’t carry our size.
In my area to buy any shoes is a nighmare as the price is terrible if you have shoes of local prodcuer but of more or less quality. Surely that you can buy some China shoes, but they last a couple of weeks and cost quite a lot. That’s why you need to spend plenty of time choosing shoes.
To order online is the most convenient way of shopping shoes plus I would be able to get discounts and save cash! Thank you for sharing this Ms. Alison.
I’m pretty much a sandals person myself. Though weather conditions and society dictate I wear shoes most times.
Great blog, good site design and equally great content.
Just testing your blog! It seems comments are closed. Just check your discussion settings.
Krishna, how did you comment if the comment are closed?
Anyway, there is a long-time WordPress comment closing bug that no one seems to have a clue about. :/ Very frustrating.
Where could I order a pair of the cheap plastic sandals
you have pictured?? I have been looking everywhere for them!!
Willow, I have the same problem! If you think flying to Hawaii to get them is too much trouble ;), I just found a source and linked to it in the post above. Here you go!
Brown plastic Hawaiian sandals
Alas, they aren’t $5 here on the mainland, but if you love them like I do, it won’t matter. Now that it’s sandal season again (intermittently here in Utah, it snowed yesterday!), mine are hanging by a thread!