I used to have good experience with Rockport shoes quality and haven't pay attention to keeping the receipt in order to be able to claim refund when the Rockport shoes start falling apart soon after purchase. This is what actually happened to the shoes I bought at Rockport Toronto in April, 2009. The thread keeping the top of the shoes together broke after I have had them on my feet no more than 15 times.
The Rockport store manager I met on Sunday August 30, 2009 was considerate and agreed to give me refund if I produce the purchase receipt. Otherwise she offered to replace the old shoes with the new one of the same kind. The price for the shoes I have bought went down from approx. $220 to $100, perhaps because more people registered with the problem I have experienced. Unfortunately there was no my size replacement shoes available in the store and my preferred option was refund or replacement with the other shoes available in store.
I went home to look for the receipt, couldn't find it, returned next day with printout from my bank account debit transactions with information about purchase date, amount paid and store name on it.
I met another store manager on Monday, and presented him with the debit account extract information. The store manager manager refused to consider the debit account extract as a proof of purchase and after short conversation not to his liking barked "Out" and threaten to call security if I don't leave the store. The friendly and considerate members of Eaton Center security workers arrived and were helpful by asking the rough store manager to provide the information where I can appeal his decision to reject my debit card statement as a proof of purchase. The manager gave them number 905 727-0704 to call. Unfortunately the given number is not in service.
The lesson learned. Don't trust Rockport brand. Don't assume that more money paid will give you more product quality or polite treatment by the store staff. Keep your purchase receipt in case something will go wrong.