Ethical Dilemma - or is it?

[HappySaver]

I bought a new pair of walking shoes for full price ($125) two weeks ago. I ordered them online from LLBean, tried them on for literally no more than one minute inside the house to make sure they were comfortable, and I stored them in my closet in the box. I haven't worn them at all yet. With the snow and cold weather here, no chance of that happening yet!

The next year's model has just been released and the shoe I bought is now out of stock at LLBean. Instead, it's now available on Amazon for $45 less. I believe New Balance just sells off their excess discontinued inventory on Amazon after it's no longer a current shoe. This cropped up after I bought the shoe, for sure, since my original purchase was a link through Amazon to LL. Bean.

Should I order another pair from Amazon and return the original pair to LL. Bean? I hate to do that since I like to support LL. Bean who is local to my region rather than Amazon, and they have a much better long-term return policy. But $45 is a big difference! I think it's ethically ok since I haven't worn them yet. What do you guys think?

EDIT: Turns out the price increased on Amazon when I entered my shoe size. So it's actually only $15 less than what I paid, still linking out to LL.Bean and showing in stock with the new link (weird, because my original bookmark shows it discontinued). I've asked LL.Bean for a price adjustment instead.

[frugalredhead]

Yeah, I agree that for $15 it might not be worth the hassle. But had the price really been $45 cheaper, I don't think it's unethical at all to return them and re-buy at that much of a cheaper price! I always buy shoes and then wear them around the house for a while. You can't possibly tell in 5 minutes in the shoe store if shoes are going to be comfortable for longer periods of time.

[LittleMissSplendid]

Couldn't you just sell the LL Bean shoes on craigslist or something?

[disneysteve]

I think doing the price adjustment is the best option. That way you don't have to go through the hassle of returning one pair and buying another.

In lieu of that, I see nothing wrong with returning unused shoes as long as you are within whatever the stated return period is.

[HappySaver]

I Got the price adjustment- fast resolution. That's why I love LL.Bean - great service.

I usually will bookmark a site when I buy something and check it for a couple of weeks before I delete the bookmark. That worked well for me this time.

[creditcardfree]

Yes, LLBean has good service. I wouldn't have had any issue returning them if the price difference and hassle was worth it, but I do like that you asked for an adjustment first...both you and LLBean win!

[corn18]

I Got the price adjustment- fast resolution. That's why I love LL.Bean - great service.

I usually will bookmark a site when I buy something and check it for a couple of weeks before I delete the bookmark. That worked well for me this time.

Good for you!

[feh]

Takeaway from this thread - buy the previous year's shoe!

I always do this with running shoes, which seem to be updated annually. I usually pay about half of what the shoe cost the previous year.

[HappySaver]

Yes, the shoes are modified annually, not always for the better. This pair is my 5th of the same line.
Each year they're a little different. I do try to get the older model whenever possible.

Sadly this pair I just got is the last model produced in the US - the new model is now made in China.