Since I don't have a car, I walk A LOT. I have bad knees, so I walk everywhere in sneakers. And I have wide feet, so finding said sneakers can be tough.
I went into Champs out of convenience, since I go through DTX on my commute. A salesgirl asked me if I needed help, and I told her I was looking for wide sneakers. Of course, they didn't have any, but there were a couple styles that looked like they had a wide toebox, so I asked to try them on.
The salesgirl brought out a pair and without asking, replaced the sockliner with a special insole. Had she asked, I would have told her that I have very high arches and can't use insoles in most shoes. But she didn't. And when I put the shoe on I was really confused until I figured out her switch.
Since I didn't want the insoles, she started telling me about the most amazing socks in the world, that she loves (and wasn't wearing). Oh, and the shoe protector. You have to have the shoe protector to keep those sneakers clean.
I decided to buy the sneakers and a couple pairs of socks, but the salesgirl looked horrified that I wasn't getting the protector. "You know, the netting will get all dirty and you can't get it clean, right?" she said. When I replied that they were for my commute and I didn't care her face was a mix of confused and grossed out.
I had to return the shoes and was barely acknowledged. The music was WAY too loud and the store was really hot both times. Not to mention the overstocked salesfloor with no room to move around and the filthy floor itself. I really like the socks I got, but I'm not sure that I want to brave the store to get them again. read more