Yes. I used to work at a DCW. All of the shoes are second-tier. There's no such thing as a quality pair of DSW shoes. The problem is that while most retailers will only sell you down items, DSW will also sell you out of style pairs. And since they don't have any real standards, sometimes these out-of-style pairs are still sold under their own brand name. These are not cheap shoes by any means - often costing up to $100 each - but then again, neither are their quality goods. So if you break them or don't like them, just throw them out. They won't cost you anything extra to dispose of as garbage. Also worth mentioning is that although most of their shoes are discounted, some brands do have higher-end products that aren't on clearance. So if you're looking for something specific, check around other stores before making your decision. Finally, be sure to use the proper disposal method for shoes. Some cities may have regulations about how old shoes can be thrown away, so check with your local government before disposing of any old footwear.