Now with more information and context, I think I can give a more measured response.
Firstly, I think that for shoes to be sold as seconds, the issues should be strictly cosmetic, NOT structural.
A wonky medallion, finishing not up to par, stuff like that.
Structural problems, like failed gemming, a broken shank, failed inseam... all these, should NOT be sold, and written off at the manufacturing level.
Given that it was stated that the shoes were slight seconds and have been worn / tried on, we will expect some creasing.
Now, in a pair of shoes that was lasted properly, and did not initially exhibit any gape at the topline, IF a customer with overtly wide feet were to try on those shoes and walk around in them in the shop (and some customers probably like trying on shoes for a long time). It could actually give rise to quite a bit of creasing below the topline and around the quarters. Though I am not convinced this might not be to the extent you see in the pictures.
In any case, I understand you would have paid less for the pair, and whether you've got your money's worth, that's your judgement call.
Don't let this episode put you off shoes. I hope. There's a lot of good stuff out there.
