Then how come y'all always frown and huff at me when I take the shoes out of the box, put them in the bag, slide the box across the counter, and say "You can keep that - I won't be needing it."?
Well, if you choose to return them, then there will not be an original box from the maker, to rebox your returned, unworn shoes in, for the next customer that tries them on and considers to buy them.
That's the only reason.
On the other hand, we also welcomed empty boxes such as the one you left, so that we can use it to rebox another shoe in, with relabling it of course, that another customer came in and returned without a box ...
so those empty boxes are kinda a love hate relationship
But I'm one of those weird females smart enough to try *both* shoes on, and actually walk around in them prior to buying them. If anything feels the slightest bit uncomfortable, I don't say "Oh, I can break them in." Back on the shelf they go.
Keep yer damned boxes.
I have a few pair of "sitting shoes", I only wear them for special occasions and I usually bring flip flops in my "battle bag".
I found one pair of high heal Mary Janes, that I could wear all night, but one of my ex friends stole them. I have been trying to find a similar pair since.