My original fitting was at a pro-shop in Ohio. They were 99% hockey people. They suggested a 3.5 because skates should be "roomy and comfortable", and the 3.5 was, at this shop, I got to try them on, but they didn't have any 3s to try on, so we didn't compare in person. The phrase "roomy" threw me off because you're always told not to buy with room to grow (plus, I'm not growing). I didn't buy them.
I did a fitting by fax with rainbo sports and that's where I ended up with the size 3Cs (they also sent me a Reidell which I thought was way too long and tight- I won't fit by fax again). They fit fine off ice, so I went ahead and accepted them (once they are skated in, no returns- because it was a boot/blade set, although if you have to mount blades, you have the same problem- no way to try them out.) Within minutes of being on the ice, my feet would fall asleep. Not wearing tights helped a little bit - gave me 15 minutes of foot feeling... so that's why I skate barefoot now, the habit stuck from these skates. I tried all kinds of stretching/heat molding with these, but nothing helped. I suffered with these for a few months until a coach told me he had a skater 3Ds for sale, I got to skate in them, and they felt okay, but of course I wasn't used to the blade, so it was tough to tell, but they were better than what I had so that's when I moved to the 3D. The change wasn't made by any fitter. I also had to use a bit of a width stretcher on these, but they've always been okay. Not comfortable, but okay. I've never tried to stretch for length. My coach doesn't have a stretcher that does that.
The 3Ds are mostly okay, but I'm getting large calluses on my big toes, and when I was injured and off ice, they went away, so it's definetly my skates. I don't have any creasing, but I'm having the pain during my power class that I don't know if I can blame on the boot or not. They are old though, and they aren't well padded, it's time for nicer skates.
I have gained weight since I got these, so it's possible my foot has also grown a bit.