I purchased men's Acorn slippers from RedEnvelope a little over a year ago. Over the last few days they've fallen apart. The sole split open on one, then another. It's as if the thing just dissolved.

I called RedEnvelope today, and explained the situation -- including that they've only been worn indoors (which the treads would have shown) and not been exposed to any abnormal use. A rep and a supervisor told me that they take returns for only 180 days, no matter what. He acknowledged that they might be defective, but after 180 days their policy did not allow them to take them back, replace them, or anything.

Unfortunately, I bought a pair for my wife a couple months ago. Those are, like mine, bound to fall apart way too soon. They refused to take those back, too -- within their 180-day window -- because (said the supervisor) if something is defective they have to be notified immediately and the 180-day window does not apply. This despite the evidence that the product is defective.