little shoes store

I launched OddShoeFinder.com in 2007 after becoming aware of the millions of people around the world who must buy two pairs of shoes at a time or one shoe because of severely mismatched feet, an amputation or an injury.  I envisioned users selling pairs of mismatched and unused shoes stuck in their closets to those with similar problems, but complementary shoe sizes.  After six months, fewer than 150 single shoes and pairs of shoes were posted, leaving me discouraged about the future of the site.

I received an unexpected e-mail through the Web site a few weeks ago offering to sell me thousands of new, name brand mismatched shoes at one dollar each. I felt this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to populate the site, make matches with users more likely and keep thousands of shoes out of landfills. 

Around the same time that those shoes were being delivered I received another e-mail from someone else offering to sell me thousands of new, name brand mismatched shoes to me for ten cents each (if they shipped them) and free if I could pick them up.  I  realized that this was a twice-in-a-lifetime opportunity that just happened to come within weeks of the first of the offer.

Before I had a chance to make shipping arrangements for the second batch of shoes, I received yet another e-mail through the site from a shoe manufacturer asking if I was interested in taking 3,000 shoes off their hands.  It was becoming clear to me that new, mismatched shoes are an extremely common problem in stores that sell shoes – especially self-service stores and thousands of these shoes are being thrown away each year.

How do stores end up with so many mismatched shoes?  Sometimes, people open more than one pair of shoes to try them on and unintentionally put one of the shoes of each pair in the wrong box.  Some of those people come back to the store when they realize their mistake but others do not.  Perhaps more common is people with mismatched feet intentionally switching out shoes to get one in each of their sizes, leaving a pair of mismatched shoes the store cannot sell.

With most chain stores, the mismatched shoes are sent to a central location.  In some cases the chain itself sorts through the shoes and makes as many matches as possible to return to their stores and take whatever they can get for the shoes that cannot be matched.  In other cases, the chain just sells the entire batch of shoes to salvage companies, who sort through the shoes to find matches to sell at discount stores.

Mismatched shoes are worth very little to shoe stores, but are potentially worth a lot to those who normally have to buy two pairs of shoes at a time.  Until now there has not been an efficient way to match the shoes with those who need them.

OddShoeFinder.com is the first searchable Web site that matches otherwise unwanted shoes that would normally end up in a landfill with those who can use them.  It offers business opportunities to some and low-priced shoes to millions.  While it was launched for people with mismatched feet, there is no reason for users not to post their matched pairs of shoes.  It costs nothing to post shoes on the site, and there are no commissions.

OddShoeFinder.com started as a very simple site.  People registered with the site and posted their shoes and others clicked on “buy this shoe,” triggering an e-mail to the seller including the shipping address and contact information of the buyer.  Buyers and sellers decide pricing and shipping and payment methods.  Users are encouraged to give feedback on the site and enhancements have been developed based on their input.

Some users complained of the inability of to communicate with each other prior to a sale, so a messaging system was added.  If they decide to complete the sale then we recommend they use the “buy this shoe” button because it removes the shoe from the listings and helps the seller and Webmaster keep track of sales.

Realizing that many people may visit the site repeatedly to search for shoes in their size, only to find nothing new, we installed a feature that allows users to receive an e-mail each week to when someone posts shoes in their size(s).

A few users asked for a means of rating sellers and buyers such as those found on eBay and Amazon.com.  While we have not reached that point yet, OddShoeFinder.com now has a forum where people can post information about their experiences – or anything else (in good taste, of course) they want to talk about.  Many users of the site suffer or have suffered from similar health issues and we hope the forum provides a place for them to find each other for advice and comfort.

Our plan is to help the site reach critical mass by purchasing and posting mismatched new shoes so that everyone will have the opportunity to purchase an inexpensive pair or shoes, a mismatched pair or a single shoe in the perfect size.

(c) 2008, Odd Shoe Finder.  Reprints welcomed so long as the article and by-line are not changed and all links are made live.

About the Author:

Kent Basson is the founder of OddShoeFinder.com an online website that helps people find mismatched or single shoes. The site was created after Kent’s sister suffered a foot injury that resulted in her having to buy two different sized shoes. After searching the web, he discovered the problem is far more common resulting in millions of unused, mismatched pairs of shoes that can now be given away, sold or purchased at http://www.oddshoefinder.com

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Odd Shoe Finder Evolves and Joins the “green” Movement

CPSIA Family Dollar SLASHES & DESTROYS little girl SHOES! NBC 25 Hagerstown MD 4-9-09

Naturepedic Waterproof Fitted Crib Pad, 28x52 $59.00 Provides a soft, non-sweaty and comfortable waterproof barrier (as compared to vinyl and rubber). Also blocks dust-mites and other allergens.100% Organic Cotton Fabric both top and bottom layers. Ultra-thin waterproof membrane n center features DrySleep™ technology, which effectively blocks liquids from passing through while still allowing the fabric to "breathe." Some water vapor is allowed ...

Naturepedic Waterproof Flat Crib Pad, 28x52 $45.00 The Naturpedic Organic Cotton No-Compromise Waterproof Flat Crib Pad is soft and breathable providing a non-sweaty and comfortable barrier that blocks dust-mites and other allergens. The top and bottom layers are 100% cotton fabric. The ultra-thin waterproof membrane in the center features DrySleep technology, which effectively blocks liquids from passing through while still allowing the fabric t...

Naturepedic No Compromise Organic Cotton Classic 150 Crib Mattress $259.00 The Naturepedic No-Compromise? Organic Cotton Classic is simply the healthiest crib mattress available. It is waterproof, firm and eliminates potentially harmful chemicals from your child?s crib. It will provide your child with a more natural, healthy and comfortable sleep environment. Easy-to-clean 100% Polyethylene food grade waterproof surface. Made with organic cotton promotes a healthy and mo...

Standing Room Only (2 CD Collector's Edition) $69.95 This previously unreleased concept album, a 2-CD set from the Follow That Dream Collector Series, features the Las Vegas masters from February 1972 and the masters and outtakes from the March 1972 sessions at RCA. Track listing: Disc 1 - The Album Side 1: 1. Separate Ways 2. Never Been To Spain 3. You Gave Me A Mountain 4. For The Good Times 5. Fool 6. The Impossible Dream Side 2: 7. Burning Love ...

JJ Cole Mode Diaper Tote Bag The mode includes plenty of pockets inside and out for organizing. Depending on preference, the mode allows for three carrying options including two tote straps, a removable padded shoulder strap, or stroller attachments for a no-slip grip to your stroller handle. Easy-to-clean laminated canvas. Removable, padded shoulder strap. Changing pad included. PVC and PHTHALATE Free!...

DadGear Backpack Diaper Bag $98.00 If ample storage space and extreme organization are what you're after, look no further than the DadGear Backpack. Designed in the spirit of hiking packs from our native Colorado, this rugged backpack maintains our standard of excellence for DadGear diaper bags. We were able to combine the ultimate in looks and functionality with features for great organization. This roomy backpack includes our pat...

Mud Pie Baby Little Princess Ruffles Sock Set $13.95 Adorn the tiny feet of your little princess in style. Set of three pairs of socks with grosgrain ruffles. Pink with white polka-dots, white with pink striped ruffles, and white with pink ruffles. Perfect to go with any Little Princess outfit. O - 12 Months....

Alex Toys Learn to Dress Monkey $22.00 Learn to dress with Alex the monkey from head to toe! 22 long plush doll has 11 dressing activities that helps develop fine motor skills. Learn to snap on straps, button, hook and loop, zipper and more. Comes with real socks and lace up sneakers. Shirt and overalls are removable, too! Ages 18 Months+...

K's Kids Learning Shoes on Little Feet $14.60 A new pair of learning shoes encourages kids to learn all six dressing skills: shoe lacing, buckle-up, snap, Velcro, button, and zipper. And...they can also put this pair of shoes on their little feet while learning! Who can stop kids from walking around to show off their dressing skills? Each shoe measures 5.1" H x 4.5" W x 7.1" D. These shoes are not walking shoes and should be worn only at home...

Alex Toys My Crafty Cars, Alex Little Hands Art Series $10.90 Create a fleet of 3 vehicles out of cardboard boxes: race car, ice cream truck and school bus. Includes 4 precut, ready to assemble vehicles and lots of craft supplies. Hundreds of stickers, pipe cleaners, ribbons, buttons, popsicle sticks and more. Chunky glue stick and easy instructions. Each vehicle measures approx. 4.5'H x 3.5'D x 8'W (11cm x 9cm x 20cm)....