Returning a pair of $1,200 (£900) Christian Louboutin heels shouldn't normally end with both heels snapped off, but that's exactly the mystery one Reddit user is trying to solve.
The shopper shared her experience on Reddit's Mildly Infuriating forum, claiming she tried the shoes on for 'mayyyybe 1 minute 30 seconds' on carpet while keeping the protective sole covers in place. She ultimately decided the shoes weren't right for her wardrobe, carefully packed them back into their box, and mailed them for return.
According to the shopper, the shoes were 'flawless' when they left her hands. Then came an email from Christian Louboutin showing the heels in a state that makes them look like they've walked the Himalayas rather than a soft carpet.
Shopper Says Her Louboutins Somehow Turned Up Broken
In a screenshot shared by the Redditor, Christian Louboutin confirmed receiving the returned merchandise but said there were marks on the soles indicating the shoes had been tried on a hard surface.
The accompanying photo delivered the bigger shock. Both heels appeared completely detached from the shoes, while the protective stickers on the signature red soles looked wrinkled.
'I just want to know, at what point between me boxing them up and mailing them and the return being processed did someone open the box and screw me?' the shopper wrote. 'And HOW did they SNAP the HEELS.'
Christian Louboutin's email said the order could not be accepted for a refund and would be returned to the customer. Reddit commenters began investigating the great broken Louboutin mystery, although theories about what happened during the return sadly won't be enough to claim a refund or unravel how the shoes went from 'barely worn' to 'beaten up and amputated.'
One commenter had more practical advice: 'That's why I record myself opening and packing returns all the way to the post office lol.' The Reddit poster admitted she wished she had done exactly that.
How To Protect Expensive Returns Before Shipping Them
A $1,200 return is probably not the parcel to pack on autopilot. Before sealing an expensive item inside its box, take clear photos or a video showing its condition, including tags, labels, protective stickers, accessories, and packaging. Keep the images until the refund is safely back in your account.
Reading the retailer's return conditions before even trying on an item can also save a headache or an enigmatically broken heel. Christian Louboutin requires footwear to be unworn and returned with its original box, dust bag, heel taps, and adhesive sole tags. The brand also advises customers to try its shoes only on clean, flat, carpeted surfaces because the red soles are delicate.
Packing also plays a big role. For instance, UPS recommends double-boxing luxury goods and using cushioning to minimise movement during shipping. Christian Louboutin similarly instructs customers to place its shoe box inside a separate shipping box rather than mailing the branded box on its own.
Finally, keep the paper trail. Louboutin instructs customers using its prepaid returns to drop parcels at a staffed UPS location, obtain a receipt, and retain the tracking number.
If a return dispute still happens, contact the retailer first and keep copies of emails, receipts, tracking records, and photographs. Depending on how the purchase was paid for and the circumstances of the dispute, shoppers can also contact their card issuer to ask what protections may apply. Overall, if returns ever get as outlandish as the experience the Reddit poster had, then keeping a crime board complete with red string and timestamps might seem like a pretty reasonable measure to take.
As for the mystery of the two snapped Louboutins, the Redditor hasn't figured that one out yet. However, she has already made one decision about future luxury returns: 'as long as I never use shipping again for any return 😭.'
