DMs can be purchased well under retail price on eBay, and DMs on eBay are often brand new overstock, not used, although used DMs are often very wearable. (A lot of my coloured DMs were bought 'used' from someone who sold them due to not actually wearing blue oxfords or pink mary janes that often.)
So, that's one thing.
Insoles do protect against wear to the footbed and can also be used to replace a worn-out footbed provided you haven't worn through the filler. (Oh yeah, I've done that.) In addition, some brands of shoes (most notably, Drew shoes) not only come in large sizes, but also have replaceable insoles. I have a pair of Drew shoes that I love but need to get the buckles and insoles replaced on. They are pretty expensive but long lasting. They are also one of the few good shoe brands for wide feet that has office-acceptable styles.
I actually based on what you've said would recommend Drew shoes on the grounds that you can replace the insoles when you need to.
Zappo's has amazing customer service and free shipping even on returns, but you pay for it by paying extra for your shoes--a lot extra. Amazon.com, eBay and 6pm.com all offer better prices on shoes and if you know what you are getting and that it WILL fit, going to Zappo's is not really worth it--Zappo's is for when you're not sure you're going to be able to wear that, so you want to be able to send it back free and fast.
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So, that's one thing.
Insoles do protect against wear to the footbed and can also be used to replace a worn-out footbed provided you haven't worn through the filler. (Oh yeah, I've done that.) In addition, some brands of shoes (most notably, Drew shoes) not only come in large sizes, but also have replaceable insoles. I have a pair of Drew shoes that I love but need to get the buckles and insoles replaced on. They are pretty expensive but long lasting. They are also one of the few good shoe brands for wide feet that has office-acceptable styles.
I actually based on what you've said would recommend Drew shoes on the grounds that you can replace the insoles when you need to.
Zappo's has amazing customer service and free shipping even on returns, but you pay for it by paying extra for your shoes--a lot extra. Amazon.com, eBay and 6pm.com all offer better prices on shoes and if you know what you are getting and that it WILL fit, going to Zappo's is not really worth it--Zappo's is for when you're not sure you're going to be able to wear that, so you want to be able to send it back free and fast.