Too good to be true?

We do like to mix things up and this won't be the first time we've posted about Zappos this month but we just had to let you know about their generous shipping policy. The very large online marketer of boots is offering what does sound almost too good to be true. They state on their site that they will not only cover the costs of initial delivery but also provide free return shipping for a up to a year after your purchase. Furthermore, they suggest that customers order several different styles and/or colors, try them for as much as 12 months, and then return the ones that don't suit them, at no extra charge! Ce n'est pas mal!

We have not ordered from them recently but when we do we'll be sure to let you know how it goes. With most online companies, our number 1 question would be, what happens if they go out of business (in what continues to be a very competitive online retail industry) before we get a chance to both return all those boots we were "trying out" and before we receive a complete refund for all purchases? However, with Zappos, the future is looking fairly stable, (as these things go) given that they do have a relatively good size piece of the online retail market for shoes and they are one of the first pure e-commerce retailers to be profitable.

However, if corporate scandals like *take deep breath*...Enron are any measure then size is no guarantee of security and, if you try this, do buy only as many pairs as you can afford to keep, even if you plan to return a few. That way, you don't get stuck with a nasty bill you weren't expecting in the case that everything doesn't turn out as planned.

Happy boot-hunting,
Claire Comtois-Lécuyer

Postscript: Wish me Bon Voyage...I'm headed back to Paris on Monday! Maybe I'm crazy to fly out on the last day of a long weekend but I'm homesick and I've got to get out of here! What kind of boots do you think I should wear on the plane?