I do not have direct knowledge with Nordstrom but I do know a lot about Bloomingdales. I have a friend who works for the corporate offices. At Bloomingdales and Macy's ( and any other Federated Dept. stores ) they take returns even if they are used shoes or handbags. The items are then sent back to a regional facility where they then group the items into lots. Federated has a list of approved clients who then can buy customer returns, new items that did not sell, and mail order items. Nordstrom sends their unused items to Nordstrom rack and does not liquidate their stuff at a facility. I believe that Nordstrom has a store by store decision with their used items. If the item is well used I would think either 1) it is an employee selling it themselves 2) it is a friend of the employee or 3) it is the person who liquidates for Nordstrom ( though with Federated clients can not disclose where they got the item from when they resell it )