In regards to the re-stock fee, yeah, that's a little steep. As a small business owner, customer service should be top priority, as word of mouth travels fast. Even faster when it's a bad word. It's well worth the cost of breaking the restock "rules" to make a customer happy. It's all situational and should be handled on a case by case basis obviously, however, that ONE customer that you helped out will remember that experience and will more that likely be a loyal customer from that point on. People will forget names and possibly faces, but people NEVER forget how you made them feel.
The reality of the early sales situation is that it will always happen. In opinion, is it wrong? possibly. I hate to use the cliche that "it's their store, they can do what they please with the pairs", but it's true. It turns into a moral/ethical issue more than anything else.
However, if you happen to be one of the people that received a pair prior to release day, then I can guarantee that you wouldn't complain at all about it.
For most people, statistically, you won't be on the receiving end of the call, or the one with the early pair. You really do need to put in work. Step away from the computer and have some interaction with people.
Go to the store when there ISN'T a release coming.
Go to the store and just chop it up with the employees.
I'm not saying to invite yourself over for dinner or expect that in return, just keep it casual. Don't be a punisher. Don't be that dude that when you walk in, everybody says "ah man, not this dude again".
It's like when people want to ball out, or treat people a certain way, or any other number of things, with the excuse "whatever dog, I could die tomorrow!"
Right. You definitely COULD, but again, statistically, you probably won't, and you'll live to regret most of those choices based on that thought process.
The shoes will sell out regardless, so it's really of no importance to the owner, in most cases. Until accounts start getting pulled and inventory is drastically reduced, it will continue.
Just my .02