Dress shoes tearing up back of heel?

Yes. Get them stretched or sell them.

You need to buy some heel liners if you decide to keep them, but you shouldn't have to.

There's a set of stairs I go down every day that is too narrow, so my heel always scratches the vertical part of the steps. I've resorted to walking down the stairs sideways because I'd fall if I walked on my ankles alone.

How does the heel compare to your other dress shoes? You will have to stay away from that particular last on the next order.

I had this problem too, Ron Rider suggested putting candle wax in the back and it worked like a charm.

If the heel is the same width as your other shoes, the leather upper might be too long at the heel for your foot shape. It's a cheap fix, you can buy a gel/rubber heal cushion to raise your heel. It'll also be more comfortable walking, if you need the extra cushion. Most shoe cobblers should have a few different brands. You can also check out a drugstore. Amazon.com has some, but the shipping will be too much for one shoe heel cushion. If it slides around too much, you may want to go the shoe cobbler so they install it(glue?). http://www.amazon.com/gp/bestsellers...r_hpc_1_5_last

I guess you've never heard of heel liners, then.

They are adhesive pads placed within the shoe to protect the foot from abrasion. I have used them to break in some boat shoes once that were cutting up my heels until that area of the shoe softened enough to wear without them.

They are available from Kiwi, Dr Scholl's etc in gel, foam or even corduroy.

ouch. sorry to read your shoe fit mis-fortune. Hope you charged the guy extra for your blood when you sold them.