Nordstrom & Nordstrom Rack Shoe Return Policy: Worn Shoes? etc

Short Answer: While Nordstrom does not impose a time limit for shoe returns, you must return shoes to Nordstrom Rack within 45 days. Additionally, you typically cannot return items purchased from Nordstrom or Nordstrom Rack at the other store. For both stores, it’s best to provide a receipt or other proof of purchase for your return, but the original shoebox is not usually necessary. For more information about returning shoes to Nordstrom and Nordstrom Rack, see below.

Nordstrom Shoe Return Policy

Nordstrom’s shoe return policy allows you to return in-store and online purchases by mail or at any Nordstrom store. This policy also applies to sale and clearance items; exceptions include shoes marked final sale or non-returnable, which you cannot return.

You do not need to show your receipt, though in-store returns will be faster if you provide proof of purchase. There are no fees for making a shoe return, such as restocking or shipping fees.

We confirmed this information by contacting Nordstrom’s corporate customer service department, as well as Nordstrom stores in New Jersey, Missouri, Texas, and Virginia.

Nordstrom Return Requirements

Nordstrom does not impose a time limit for returns, and it does not limit the number of shoe pairs you can return in a certain period. The company handles returns on a case-by-case basis.

You may be able to return shoes that you have worn, depending on their condition. Nordstrom employees ultimately determine whether or not to process returns for shoes that have been worn. Two of the stores we contacted said that they do not usually approve returns for designer shoes that have been worn but will try to work with the customer.

How to Return Shoes to a Nordstrom Store

You can return shoes to any Nordstrom store. It’s best to bring your receipt and the original form of payment. If you do not have your receipt, Nordstrom employees told us that they might be able to use the item number, date of purchase, and description of the shoes to locate the transaction.

Any salesperson in any department can process the return for you. You do not need to bring the original shoebox.

In-Store Refund

When you return shoes at a Nordstrom store, Nordstrom immediately refunds the purchase price to your original form of payment. If the store associate cannot locate a record of the sale, Nordstrom will provide a refund at the current price via gift card, as long as you provide a valid ID.

Additionally, if you return shoes that you received as a gift, you will receive a refund via a Nordstrom gift card.

How to Return by Mail

If you have an account with Nordstrom, you can begin the mail-in return process by accessing your online account. If you don’t have a Nordstrom account, you can initiate the return by completing the online returns form. After you enter the item information (brand, size, color, etc.) into the online return form, Nordstrom will email you a prepaid shipping label and a packing slip.

Note that you can add multiple items to the same return form.

Mail-In Refund

When you return shoes by mail, if you originally paid with a credit card, Nordstrom will credit your account within 14 business days. If you bought the shoes with a gift card or Nordstrom Notes, Nordstrom will refund you via an electronic gift card. If you paid using a combination of a credit card and gift card or Nordstrom Notes, Nordstrom will refund the amount originally charged to the gift card or Nordstrom Notes to an electronic gift card.

You are not required to pay for return shipping, but Nordstrom will not refund you for the original shipping charges. Note that if you request an exchange, Nordstrom will charge your account for the new amount and then credit it for the return amount.

Nordstrom Rack Shoe Return Policy

Nordstrom Rack and NordstromRack.com allow 45 days from purchase or shipment to return shoes. However, you may still be able to return shoes after the 45-day return period at the discretion of the Nordstrom Rack store; if it accepts the late return, Nordstrom Rack will issue a refund equal to 50% of the original sale price. Generally, you can return shoes unless they are marked final sale or non-returnable.

We verified this information by contacting Nordstrom Rack corporate customer service, as well as Nordstrom Rack stores in Virginia, Massachusetts, Illinois, and Washington.

Nordstrom Rack Return Requirements

To make a shoe return, you will need to provide either the receipt or other proof of purchase — such as your order number, Nordy Club membership number or the original credit card — so an associate can locate the transaction record. The stickers or tags must still be attached to the shoes, and the shoes cannot be worn or damaged.

Although the official Nordstrom Rack return policy states that you must return shoes in their original shoeboxes, all of the Nordstrom Rack stores we contacted said that the shoebox is not necessary for returns.

How to Return Shoes to a Nordstrom Rack Store

You can return shoes purchased either online or at a Nordstrom Rack store to any Nordstrom Rack location with the original receipt or other proof of purchase. When returning shoes to a Nordstrom Rack store, there is no restocking or return fee.

In-Store Refund

When you return shoes at a Nordstrom Rack store, you will usually receive a refund to your original payment method; gift card or Nordstrom Notes purchases will receive the refund to a Nordstrom gift card.

If you received the shoes as a gift, you can return them to any Nordstrom Rack location for a gift card, which you can redeem online or in stores at Nordstrom, Nordstrom Rack, and HauteLook.

How to Return by Mail

You can return shoes purchased from a Nordstrom Rack store or NordstromRack.com by mail. You can log in to your online account or look up your purchase record online. Nordstrom Rack will provide you with a prepaid shipping label, but return shipping costs a flat fee of $5.95 for anywhere in the United States; it will deduct this fee from your refund.

Mail-In Refund

When you return shoes by mail, you will receive a refund to your original payment method within three to five business days after Nordstrom Rack receives your return. You should allow seven to 10 business days for your return to arrive at the Nordstrom Rack Returns Center, customer service representatives said.

If you purchased the shoes with a gift card or Nordstrom Notes, your refund will be in the form of a gift card mailed to your billing address.

Can You Return Nordstrom Shoes to Nordstrom Rack? Vice Versa?

The official company policy is that you cannot return shoes purchased from Nordstrom or Nordstrom.com at Nordstrom Rack and vice versa. However, customer service representatives for Nordstrom and Nordstrom Rack told us that this might be possible at the discretion of the individual store. Some stores may be willing to ship the shoes to the correct store for return processing, but processing will take at least a month.

In Summary

While you typically cannot return shoes purchased from Nordstrom or Nordstrom Rack at the other store, both stores will allow you to return shoes in-store and by mail with a receipt or other proof of purchase. Nordstrom does not impose a time limit for returns, but Nordstrom Rack requires you to return items within 45 days of purchase. Also, you may be able to return shoes that you have worn to Nordstrom, but Nordstrom Rack requires shoe returns to be unworn with tags still attached.

For more about Nordstrom, we list where to find Nordstrom gift cards.