Everything you need to know about buying single shoes through Buy One Shoe.
What is Buy One Shoe?
Buy One Shoe is a marketplace that matches people who each need just one shoe from the same pair. Instead of buying a full pair and wasting the other shoe, we split the cost between two buyers — so you save 45% off the retail price for the shoe you actually need.
Who is Buy One Shoe for?
Anyone who only needs one shoe — whether you're an amputee, have a limb difference, or simply have feet that are different sizes. If you need a left UK 8 and a right UK 10, we can match you with two separate buyers who need the opposite shoes.
How does it work?
1
You add a shoe to your wishlist
Browse the catalogue, pick your shoe, select left or right foot, your size, and preferred colour (or "any colour" for a faster match). Need two different sizes? Select "mismatched pair" and add both.
2
We find your match
Our system searches for someone who needs the opposite shoe from the same pair — same model, same size, compatible colour. This can happen instantly or take days/weeks depending on demand. You'll get an email the moment a match is found.
3
We check stock
When we find your match, we verify the shoe is currently in stock at the retailer before prompting either of you to pay. If it's out of stock, we'll monitor it and notify you both when it's back. No one pays for a shoe that isn't available.
4
Both buyers pay
Once stock is confirmed, both you and your match are prompted to pay. When one of you pays, the other has 24 hours to complete their payment. Your card is authorised at checkout but only charged once both parties have paid.
5
We order the pair
With both payments secured, we purchase the full pair from the retailer at full retail price. The pair is shipped to our facility.
6
We split and ship
When the pair arrives, we split it and ship each shoe individually to its buyer. You receive just the shoe you need, in its own packaging. Mismatched pairs are shipped together in one box.
How much does it cost?
You pay 45% off the shoe's retail price, plus a flat £6 shipping fee. For example, if the full pair retails at £100, you'd pay £55 for your shoe + £6 shipping = £61. That's a 39% saving compared to buying a full pair just to get the one shoe you need.
How does matching work?
When you add a shoe to your wishlist, we search for someone who needs the opposite shoe from the same pair (same model, same size, compatible colour). When we find a match, both buyers are notified and given 24 hours to complete payment. Once both pay, we order the pair from the retailer, split it, and ship each shoe to its buyer.
How long does matching take?
It depends on demand. Popular models and common sizes (UK 7-12 for men, UK 4-8 for women) tend to match faster. Less common sizes may take longer. We'll notify you by email the moment a match is found — you don't need to keep checking.
What if I need two different sizes (mismatched pair)?
We support that! When adding a shoe, select "I need a pair in different sizes" and choose your size for each foot. We'll match each shoe independently with separate buyers and ship both to you. You pay for each shoe separately.
Can I choose the colour?
Yes — you can pick a specific colourway, or select "I'm happy with any colour" to increase your chances of a faster match. If you choose "any colour", we'll match you with whatever colourway is available and in stock.
When am I charged?
When you complete checkout, your card is authorised but not charged immediately. We only capture the payment once both you and your match have paid and we've confirmed the shoe is in stock at the retailer. If the match falls through for any reason, the authorisation is released and you're never charged.
What if my match doesn't pay?
Once one of you pays, the other has 24 hours to complete their payment — and vice versa. If either buyer doesn't pay within that window, the match expires and any card authorisation is released. Your shoe goes back to searching for a new match automatically — you don't need to do anything. You'll be notified when a new match is found.
What if the shoe goes out of stock?
If the shoe goes out of stock at the retailer after you've been matched, we'll let you know and keep monitoring. When it comes back in stock, both buyers are notified to pay. If a different colourway is available and you selected "any colour", we may rematch you with an in-stock option automatically.
Can I skip a match?
Yes — if you're offered a match and don't want to proceed, you can click "No thanks, skip this match". However, skipping matches or missing payment deadlines counts as a strike on your account. After 3 strikes within 6 months, your account will be placed on hold.
What is the strike system?
To keep the marketplace fair for everyone, we track skipped matches and missed payment deadlines. Each one counts as a strike. If you accumulate 3 strikes within a rolling 6-month window, your account is temporarily placed on hold — meaning you won't be able to add shoes to your wishlist or request matches until you contact us to resolve it. Strikes expire after 6 months.
How is the shoe shipped to me?
Once both buyers have paid and we've captured the payment, we order the full pair from the retailer. When it arrives, we split the pair and ship each shoe individually to its buyer. Shipping is a flat £6 per order (mismatched pairs are shipped together in the same box).
Can I return a shoe?
Because each shoe is split from a pair and matched specifically for you, returns are handled on a case-by-case basis. If the shoe arrives damaged or is the wrong size, please contact us and we'll work with you to resolve it. Under UK Consumer Rights, you have the right to return goods that are faulty or not as described.
Can I cancel my wishlist?
Yes — you can remove any shoe from your wishlist at any time before you've been matched and paid. Once you've completed payment and your match has also paid, the order is being processed and cannot be cancelled.
I can't find the shoe I want in the catalogue. Can I request it?
Yes! Use our
Custom Request form to tell us the brand, model, size and colour you need. We'll add it to our catalogue if it's available from our partner retailers.
