As a ballet novice, this whole situation may have been my fault based on my lack of knowledge. Allow me to explain.
I came to get my first pair of pointe shoes. The process was lovely and the fitter was knowledgeable and nice. Being my first time I was NOT knowledgeable and felt unsure. I left with a pair of Suffolk Prequels. I showed them to my instructor because I had a gut feeling they were not right. She didn't like them either.
I returned for a re-fitting. I had the same fitter. We returned to Suffolks again and I ended up with a pair of Suffolk Spotlights. I showed them to my instructor and they were much better. Once I started my class in them, they fell apart VERY quickly and my foot began sinking in them by week 6. The shank split and they were too wide. I should mention I was taking an intro class where most of our exercises were at the barre.
Everyone I know from these intro classes was given Suffolks at the Shoe Room. Everyone I know selected a different brand for their second pair. Given the emphasis on Suffolk shoes from this shop, I tried a different place and had a better experience and ended up with better shoes.