Replying to Boots -- SPK vs Hotdogger

THis year I got a pair of volkl walls with schizo (jester) bindings. they ride fantastic maybe a little stiff for me so maybe looking for a softer ski. However I purchased a pair of Salomon boots from sports authority about 20 minutes before they closed on the night before my ski trip. Pressured into purchasing a large boot. Anyway I bought them size 28.5 (all they had) I got measured two days ago and I am a 26 and 3/4 cm. Yeah really big. Everytime I go to carve or jump my heel comes out so its a bad situation.

Now: I went to a local shop in PA. to try on some full tilt boots. I wanted Hotdoggers but they didnt have so i figured Id try on Seths because all that is different is the flex so I could order the hotdoggers online for cheaper as well. However I had the worst time putting the bottom buckle on and then finally after a long stuggle with assistance from the fitter It was on.. Yet we couldnt get the tongue to lay flat. They also had a terrible pain underneath my foot i believe due to the arch in side of boot. They were snugger than my boots but I figure thats just because of how large mine are.

THe next week I went to another store by my mountain where I got fitted and tried on the booter. I had the exact same problem of getting the tongue to lay flat and i had difficulty strapping in. The salesman also jerked it to SPK because he rides the spk pros. So i tried on a paair of them and they were comfortable but my heel was still coming up in a 27. not to mention the fact of a HORRIBLe pain where the bottom buckle goes across my foot. He said that it was the same for him and it will go away but that is an expensive risk I dont feel like taking as the season is over.