Tuesday, February 19, 2008
General Q&A About Foot Shapers™
Find/post/read general questions and answers about Foot Shapers™ products and services. If you have any questions or concerns about us or custom fitted orthotics, please start here! If you have questions or concerns about foot pain, please check our other posts for more specific, detailed information.
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Currently I have a custom orthotic which needs to be recovered, I am sending that soon. MY question is this, I currently have the custom orthodic when I buy shoes, I remove the inner lining and just use it with the orthodic (it actually is the type used in your repair picture, with a full size covering. Once I get that recovered, I want to leave those in my work shoes and order a new set for my gym shoes, does your sport orthodic require you to remove you inner sole from the gym shoes?
ReplyDeleteThanks for your inquiry. We’d be happy to refurbish your existing orthotics for you!
ReplyDeleteRegarding our Sport orthotics, no they do not require you to remove the inner sole from your gym shoes. It usually depends on the shoe and the customer though. Some shoes have thicker inner soles, and some customers find that the shoe fits too tightly with both the inner sole and the orthotic inside the shoe. Others (myself included), find the snug fit just right with both the inner sole and orthotics inside the shoe. It’s really just a personal preference for the customer. Since you are ordering a full length device (full covering), your new orthotics will have a cushioning layer from the heels to the toe, so the existing inner sole of your shoes is not required.
I would recommend ordering our Sport orthotics (for your gym shoes) first, before you send in your old pair to get refurbished. We have a lot of customers who do it this way, because it allows them to use the old pair in both shoes while they are waiting for their new pair, and then they can use the new pair in both shoes while waiting for the old pair to be refurbished. Although we do have a fast turnaround on orders, doing it this way eliminates you from having to go any amount of time without proper foot support!
Should you have any further questions or needs, please don’t hesitate to contact us!
How does it work to get custom orthotics done in the mail? I am a distant runner and have anormal arch. I have worn orthotics over the years,but the last prescribed pair had too many corrections that they are not comfortable! Does insurance cover these and do I need a prescription for them?
ReplyDeleteMonica,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your inquiry!
Our custom fitted orthotics are built the same way a Podiatrist (foot doctor) would build them. In fact, our lab has been making custom fitted orthotics for Podiatrists for over 20 years now! Foot Shapers brings this same high quality craftsmanship and product direct to the general public, at a fraction of the cost!
We start with an impression of your feet. When you purchase your orthotics on our website, the first thing we do is send you a foam impression kit. All of our shipments are sent via USPS Priority Mail, so you would receive it within 1-3 days of placing your order. The foot impression kit comes with easy, step by step instructions (which you can also view on our website by clicking on the Forms link at the bottom of every page), as well as a PREPAID Priority Mail label to ship the impressions back to us. Once we receive your foot impressions, we custom make your orthotics to the shapes and contours of your feet! That means that our technicians would see your arches via the foot impressions that you send us, and your orthotics would be made specifically for your feet!
In addition, one you place an order we also ask that you complete a brief questionnaire about your lifestyle. This helps us determine the proper density and accommodations for your orthotics, if any. Once you place your order online, the link for the questionnaire will be sent to you, and you can fill it out online.
Lastly, you can track the status of your custom orthotics order with us online, as well as track the shipments that we send to you. It’s that easy!
We hope this answers your questions. Should you have any further questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact us!
I need a persrciption to repair my existing orthotics?
ReplyDeleteWarren,
ReplyDeleteNo, you do not need a prescription to have your old orthotics repaired! When you purchase our orthotic repair service, we email you a PREPAID USPS Priority Mail shipping label for you to send us your old orthotics. When we receive them, we will strip them down to the shell, and then replace all of the layers exactly as they were, but with new materials! However, if you do have a copy of your prescription, it is always helpful, but not required!
Should you have any further questions or needs, please don’t hesitate to contact us!
I have a pair of badly cracked orthotics. The cracks (one per orthotic) are in the leather top as well as the underlying foam. Can you repair them? And if the answer is yes, what material will you use to replace the cracked leather? Leather? Something else? Thanks in advance
ReplyDeleteJohn,
ReplyDeleteIf your orthotics are only cracked on the top cover (leather) and cushioning layer (underlying foam), we could definitely repair them! We would replace all cushioning layers, accommodations and top covers, and redo your posts if necessary. We use only the highest quality materials, as we have been manufacturing prescription orthotics for podiatrists nationwide for over 20 years. We use materials such as poron, vinyl, leather and eva. We try to match the material as best we can, based on what your old orthotics were manufactured from.
Should you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us!
My orthodics arrived today, however, I can't get them into my shoes. They are too big, and your instructions tell me not to do anything to them. What shall I do?
ReplyDeleteElizabeth,
ReplyDeleteThanks for your inquiry! Your custom fitted orthotics were made full length, meaning they extend from your heels to your toes. They should fit snugly inside most shoes. However, shoes do vary by manufacturer, and occasionally our customers mind find that their full length orthotics do not fit inside their shoes. Your shoes might have narrower toes, or the orthotics might be too thick to fit inside the shoes themselves. In these instances, there are two things you can do:
1. Remove the original insert that comes with your shoe, and then try fitting your orthotics inside your shoes.
2. Trim the toe section of your orthotics to fit inside your shoes with a pair of scissors. This will not damage your orthotics or affect your warranty. The toe section of your orthotics are made of a cushioning material for added comfort. This section can be easily trimmed with a pair of scissors to fit inside specific shoes.
We hope this answers your question. Should you have any further questions or needs, please don’t hesitate to contact us!
How do you make the custom orthotics if I order them from you online? My doctor recommended a pair of orthotics, but the cost was over $400 and my insurance won't cover it. Is there a difference between your orthotics and the ones my doctor is prescribing?
ReplyDeleteI have two pairs of orthotics that I'd like to have refurbished, but I have a couple of questions. 1. Is there a discount if I have multiple pairs refurbished? 2. Your website description says to send in the orginal prescription along with the old orthotics. What if I don't have a prescription? 3. How long does the repair process take? 4. What does the repair process involve? Thanks in advance!
ReplyDeleteSharon,
ReplyDeleteALL of our orthotics are custom made to our customers feet and lifestyle. When you order a pair of our orthotics, the first thing we'll do is send you a foam impression kit (with easy to follow instructions), along with a PREPAID shipping label to return your impressions to us. Once we receive the impressions back from you, our lab will make your custom fitted pair of orthotics, direclty from your foot impressions!
Our lab has been making custom fitted orthotics for Podiatrists (foot doctors) for over 20 years now. This means our orthotics are the exact same quality and craftsmanship that doctors prescribe.
Should you have any further questions or needs, please don't hesitate to contact us!
Andrew,
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, we do not offer discounts for multiple orders. However, if you give us a call before you order, we will give you a coupon to waive the shipping cost on the second pair.
You do NOT need a prescription to have your old orthotics repaired. If your orthotics were prescribed, we ask for a copy of the prescription to ensure that we refurbish your orthotics exactly as prescribed. If you do not have a prescription (or if you can't find you're copy), don't worry. Our technicians will analyze your old pair, and we'll refurbish them just like new!
The repair process normally takes 3-4 business days, once we receive your old pair. To expedite the process, we'll email you a PREPAID Priority Mail shipping label, and we'll ship your refurbished pair back to you the same way!
Our repair process involves a complete refurbishment of your old pair of orthotics. We'll strip the devices down to the shells (the hard orthotic itself), and then we'll rebuild it with all new materials. Finally, we'll polish and clean the original shell to make your old orthotics shiny and new!
Should you have any further questions or needs, please don't hesitate to contact us!
I have a pair of orthotics that need to be repaired. They are waterproof orthotics, I forget the brand. I use them everyday, especially when I'm fishing, so I need to make sure that they hold up under wet conditions. Can you guys refurbish these orthotics for me?
ReplyDeleteFor waterproof orthotics, we use a material called spenco. We have an acquatic theme park here, and there we have several clients who work and train the animals there who where our products, and it holds up great in the water!
ReplyDeleteWhen you place your repair order with us, please be sure to notate that you need the spenco top covers (or give us a call after you place your order online), otherwise we will use our standard materials to refurbish your orthotics.
Should you have any further questions or needs, please don'thesitate to contact us!
I purchased a pair of custom fitted orthotics years ago from a podiatrist. I wear them daily, and they have helped significantly with my foot pain. They are wearing out now, and I'd like to get them refurbished, but I can't go without them for prolonged periods of time. I still have the molds of my feet that my podiatrists took. What would you recommend?
ReplyDeleteGeorge,
ReplyDeleteGreat question! We can build a new set of orthotics for you, as well as have your old orthotics repaired. Normally, when you place an order online, we ship you a kit to take impressions of your feet, along with a prepaid shipping label to return the impressions to us. Since you already have your foot molds, once you place your order online we’ll simply email you a prepaid USPS Priority Mail shipping label to ship your existing molds to us. Once received, we’ll build your orthotics, and return the molds to you along with your new orthotics!
Once you receive your new pair of Foot Shapers custom fitted orthotics (usually in about 6-10 business days from when we receive your molds), you can then send in your old pair to be refurbished!
Should you have any further questions or needs, please don't hesitate to contact us!
I was thinking about purchasing some orthotics because lately my feet have been starting to hurt. I've doing some research online (since I don't know too much about orthotics because I've never worn them before). I'm a firm believer of the quote "you get what you pay for", but I've seen some in the stores for like $40 dollars & other ones for $249. Is there that big of a difference? I'm only asking because I don't want to make the mistake of wasting money if I buy the wrong ones. Any way you can help clarify this stuff? Thanks in advance.
ReplyDeleteI have high arches & a few years ago I purchased some orthotics, but they weren't built high enough to correctly support my feet (or they didn't support my arches very well). From what the company told me, they said that was the highest that they could make my orthotics in the arch area. Is there a limit to what can be done for people with high arches like myself?
ReplyDeleteAnonymous,
ReplyDeleteThere are a ton of options our there when shopping for orthotics online, and you are correct... the options range anywhere from $19.95 all the way up to $300+. The primary difference between the orthotic options available are a) are the orthotics prefabricated or custom made, and b) the quality and craftsmanship of the orthotics themselves.
At the lower end of the price range spectrum are the prefabricated orthotics. Prefabricated simply means that these types of orthotics are mass produced. Although these products do provide some support, the downside is that they are 'cookie cut' solutions. To offer the product at such a low price, prefabricated orthotics are only offered in specific sizes (normally based solely off your shoe size), and with limited accommodations. Prefabricated solutions don't take into consideration the fact that each foot is unique, and may be wider/narrower, higher/lower in arch, and have other differentiating qualities. Taking this into consideration, prefabricated orthotics can often lead to additional pain and suffering, if the orthotic doesn't fit your specific parameters.
Custom made orthotics are made specifically to the shapes of your feet, either via a digital scan, a plaster mold or a foam impression. Custom made orthotics are manufactured to the shapes of your feet, and have very specific accommodations that are tailored to your lifestyle and personal needs. They can vary in width/arch/length based on your foot impressions, and can include several different options such as cushioning layers, accommodations and postings. These accommodations, coupled with the personalized fitting, make custom made orthotics the better solution for you. This is the same process that foot doctors (podiatrists) would use when they prescribe orthotics to their patients. However, since they are custom made, the cost to you is a little higher than a prefabricated orthotic.
One thing you want to beware of are the companies that offer high priced, custom made orthotics but don't build them off an impression of your feet. If you are paying any more than $60 and are not being asked to send an impression of your feet, you should be leary!
Also, any custom made orthotic worth its price should include a guaranty for life on the orthotic itself. If the manufacturer is offering a quality product, the orthotic shell itself should never break. And if it does, the manufacturer should replace it at no cost to you.
We hope that this answers your question. Should you have any further questions or needs, please don't hesitate to contact us!
Kevin,
ReplyDeleteThis is a great question, and you are not alone! Many people suffer from abnormally high, cavus arches. If you purchased a set of custom made orthotics, then building the orthotics to support your high arches should not be a problem. However, if your vendor is telling you that it's the highest that they can make your orthotics, then something isn't right... If they built your orthotics off an impression/mold of your feet, then your orthotics should have been formed to your specific arch height, regardless of how high/low your arches are!
It's likely that your vendor sold you a pair of prefabricated orthotics, vs. a pair of custom made orthotics. Prefabricated orthotics are mass produced, and come in limited sizes and arch heights. It sounds like your vendor picked a prefabricated orthotic with the highest arch height, so they have no other options to choose from.
We hope this answers your question. Should you have any further questions or needs, please don't hesitate to contact us!
If I order a pair of these and they don't help, can I send them back for a full refund? I have plantar fasciitis and so far nothing has helped. I am a waitress and wear sneakers, which ones would I choose? Thanks!
ReplyDeleteDear Linda,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your inquiry. Since ALL of our products are custom made to order, we do not accept refunds on any of our orthotic products. We are committed to providing high quality products that help eliminate foot pain, and are proud to say we have a zero percent return rate!
For your particular lifestyle, we would recommend either our Walk or Dress models.
Should you have any further questions or needs, please don’t hesitate to contact us!
I have a pair of worn out orthotics in need of repair. Why do I have to have a prescription to repair them. I would prefer just to send them to you and have them repaired. Thanks
ReplyDeleteDear Harvey,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your inquiry. It is not necessary for you to send in a copy of your prescription, we can restore your custom made orthotics to like new condition even without the original prescription. We simply request that if you do have a copy of your prescription, please send it in as it can only assist us. However, you do NOT need to send in a copy of your prescription though, and we have found that most of our customers do not have a copy. We have made changes to our Orthotic Repair Services to clarify this point.
Should you have any further questions or needs, please don’t hesitate to contact us!
Do you rebuild old orthotics and how much?
ReplyDeleteDear Donald,
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely! As long as your orthotics are custom made and the orthotic shells themselves are NOT cracked, we can repair them to like new condition. (FYI – our orthotic shells are guaranteed for life against breakage) Our orthotic repair services are $49.95. For your convenience, the link for the service is below:
http://www.footshapers.com/productInfo.aspx?sku=1261
Should you have any further questions or needs, please don’t hesitate to contact us!
I have an old pair of orthotics my podiatrist had made in a lab that wore out - I don't have a prescription, just the old pair - would you be able to repair those for 49.99?
ReplyDeleteDear Leslie,
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely! We can repair any prescription orthotics and restore them to like new condition for our price of $49.99! If you don’t have the original prescription, don’t worry, we can repair your orthotics without them! We do ask for a copy of the original prescription (if available) to ensure that we provide the best service possible. But if you don’t have the original prescription, it’s not necessary. About 80% of the orthotic repairs that we do is without the original prescription, and we have a 100% satisfaction rate!
We hope that this answers all of your questions. Should you have any further questions or needs, please don’t hesitate to contact us!
Do you take insurance, as I have Blue cross/blue shield state prefered and it covers the full cost.
ReplyDeleteDear Paula,
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, we do not take insurance claims. Many of our clients utilize a cafeteria plan which reimburses them for the cost of expenses related to custom fitted orthotics. We have also found that because our cost for custom fitted orthotics is HUNDREDS of dollars LESS than the exact same quality and craftsmanship orthotics prescribed by podiatrists (foot doctors), our total price is LESS than most health deductibles and a viable solution for our clients.
If you don’t have a cafeteria plan that will reimburse you for the cost, please let us know and we will send you a limited time, online coupon that will discount your cost to $99.95, plus shipping and handling.
Should you have any further questions or needs, please don’t hesitate to contact us!
I am having problems with achilles tendonitis, bone spur and burcitis. I have been to an orthotic surgeon about the problems even though that is not required at this point. I was wondering what is the difference between getting an orthotics from you vs. him. Which ones are recommended for the problems I am experiencing and why, thanks Brian.
ReplyDeleteDear Brian,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your question. Our orthotics are the exact same quality and craftsmanship as those that are prescribed by foot doctors nationwide. That’s because our lab has been making custom fitted orthotics for foot doctors for over 20 years, and now we bring them direct to consumers through Foot Shapers at just a fraction of the cost. Clients with your particular problems have usually selected our Dress orthotics, which provides arch support and an added layer of cushioning for your heels.
We hope that this answers your questions. Should you have any further questions or needs, please don’t hesitate to contact us!
hi! i was wondering how much and is it possible to ship to the uk? i recently lost my insoles on holiday! thanks
ReplyDeleteDear Tina,
ReplyDeleteGood morning! We do ship our products internationally. However, please note that our products are 100% custom made to order and require a total of three (3) shipments:
1. We ship a foam box to you so you can make your foot impressions;
2. You ship the foam box back to us; and
3. We build your orthotics and ship them back to you.
For this reason, international shipping can be fairly expensive. Most of our international clients usually purchase a foam foot impression kit from their area, and then ship that kit directly to us. This saves them a tremendous amount of money, as it eliminates the first two shipments above. We always recommend our international clients take this option instead.
To give you an exact price on how much shipping will cost to your location, could you please provide us with your precise mailing address?
Do you offer satisfaction guarantee?
ReplyDeleteWhat is the life of one of the sole replacements? 2 year, 3 year??
I have flat feet...will these provide the proper support?
Dear Donna,
ReplyDeleteAll of our orthotics are guaranteed for life against breakage, and the cushioning materials are covered for the first six months against any faulty craftsmanship. Unfortunately, since ALL of our products are custom made to our clients, we do not offer satisfaction guarantees. However, we can proudly state that we have a 0% return rate (we have never had to process a return!). Our lab has been making custom fitted orthotics for podiatrists (foot doctors) for over 20 years, and we make about 20,000 pairs a year!
As mentioned above, the orthotics are guaranteed for life against breakage. So if they should break, we’ll replace them free of charge. With proper care (i.e. don’t go swimming in them!), the top covers and cushioning layers should last between 3-4 years. We are also one of the only companies on the Internet that offers custom orthotic refurbishment services. If the top covers get worn out through normal wear and tear, we can refurbish your orthotics to like new condition at a fraction of the price it would cost to get new ones. We’ve been offering this service for almost a year now, and we repair a ton of orthotics from our competitors!
Any of our orthotics will provide ample support for those that suffer from flat feet, in fact, it’s the second most common foot problem that our customers have (first is plantar fasciitis). All of our products are custom made from a foam impression of your feet (we send you the kit via USPS Priority Mail, along with easy to follow instructions and a prepaid return shipping label), so they are designed around your specific feet and lifestyle.
We hope this answers your questions! Should you have any further questions or needs, please don’t hesitate to contact us!
I have a pair of orthodics(although about worn out) that I was prescribed by an Ortho Doctor. Could I send these to you to have a pair of your orthodics made up rather than doing an impression and sending that to you?
ReplyDeleteDear Robert,
ReplyDeleteYes! We can make you a new pair of orthotics from your old orthotics! In fact, while we have them, we can even refurbish your old orthotics to like new condition! Please give us a call toll free at 866-945-8770 x1, and we'll give you a personal coupon code to use for this purchase!
Should you have any other questions or needs, please don't hesitate to contact us!
How do your Heels orthotics fit better into high heels? Do you offer a satisfaction guaranty for your orthotics?
ReplyDeletePeggy,
ReplyDeleteUnlike over the counter supports, our foot impressions are used to customize your Foot Shaper orthotics to the shape and contours of your feet. Our Heels orthotics have a lower heel cup and a specially designed wing cut out to allow them to fit comfortably in high heel shoes, while still providing optimum support and relief.
All of our Foot Shapers custom made orthotics are guaranteed for life against breakage. However, since they are custom products made specifically for each individual customer, we cannot offer a satisfaction guaranty.
We hope that this answers your question! Should you have any further questions or needs regarding custom made orthotics, please don't hesitate to contact us toll free at 866-945-8770!