Where to Purchase Shoes

My chosen method of exercise is walking. I can do it almost anywhere at almost any time. I have heard of walking referred to as the simplest, easiest, least expensive method of exercise. Least expensive does not mean 100% free. There is no charge to go out and walk around. Walking at the local park is free, but walking at local amusement park is not. Therefore, I will agree, walking can be free but not 100% free. Walking requires I wear shoes. Walking across a bare foot is not for me. Soft grass feels nice but most of the time grass feels like tiny sharp points. It may not be as bad as walking across a floor filled with Legos, but I can't walk on grass for an extended period of time. Walking on a typical street sidewalk is doable, but again, I can not do it for an extended period of time. I need padding otherwise my heal starts to hurt. Walking for me requires having a good pair of shoes.

Previously I spoke about knowing if is it time for a new sneakers? My answer was, yes. Next was figuring out what shoe is right for me. I have a list of a few options. Now I am faced with figuring out where to actually purchase my selected shoe, any one in the Asics GT-2000 series. I can buy it online, but I prefer to walk into a store and make my purchase in person. These were my findings on April 26, 2016.

Asics: They claim free shipping on all orders. Or I can use their store locator. They list 10 possible options but only 5 are in the GT-2000 series specifically and the price is $120.00

Big 5 Sporting Goods: They state free shipping on orders over $50. Or, again, I can use their store locator. They do not list the specific shoe I am looking for but they have another possible option, the Asics Gel Surveyor 3 for $159.00

Dick's Sporting Good: They offer free shipping no minimum required. They also offer, buy online and pick up in-store. This is nice given all the theft of packages from front doors going on throughout the country. They have a large selection of the shoe series I want, unfortunately they do not have the shoe size I need.

Khol's: They offer free standard shipping with $75 minimum purchase. They can ship to your home or to the store. They do not carry the shoe I am interested in but they do have the GT-1000 series, unfortunately it is not available in store in my size within a 50 miles radius.

JcPenny: They offer free shipping anywhere with minimum purchase of $75 or free shipping to store with minimum purchase of $25.They are currently offering $30% off coupon if you order online and use your JcPenny credit card, 25% off coupon if you order online and use any other form of payment. This online coupon code is: FAMILY and is valid through April 26th.  They do carry the shoe I am interested in but it is not available in my size.

Sears: They offer free shipping on orders over $35 but it has an asterisk, so there is probably another criteria that needs to be met. They do carry the shoe I am interested in but it is not available in my size.

Sport's Authority: Shoes are eligible for free shipping with minimum purchase of $39. They do carry the shoe I am interested in in various colors. Unfortunately the only one they have in my size is a pink and orange combination. I don't do that much pink.

Sport's Chalet:   You would have to walk in and see. This company is in the process of closing down all their stores.

After looking at 8 stores my options are to either buy them from Asics.com for $120 or purchase an alternative from Big 5 Sporting Goods for $159.

Had I found the shoe I wanted in various stores readily available, I would have to pick a store to buy from. My first choice would be the place that has it for the least amount of money. The price of shoe I am interested in varies in stores by $1. Price is not a deciding factor in this case. I would most likely pick the closest one to where I live or one that is close to my routine paths. At the moment I have a gift card to Target but Target does not carry Asics. Gift cards are not influencing me toward one store or another.

Knowing what shoe I am interested in getting helps keeps me focused when shopping around. Sales and promotions do not distract me from getting the shoe that best works for me. Knowing shipping fees helps in case I do not find the shoe in a store local to me. Since I will most likely be buying another pair of shoes in 4 months knowing the stores' frequent buyer programs helps. There are a couple more stores I want to look at before I make my final decision.

Pick a store based on:

• How you want to shop, in person or online.
• Who has the best price on the shoe you actually want.
• Which store is closest to you or has the lowest shipping fees. 
• Consider who has the most favorable frequent buyer program. This point I did elaborate above because they all have lots of long winded details and are optional.
• Lastly, store coupons often found on the store's website or weekly ad.