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AIBU?

to take these shoes back to clarks?

19 replies

gilmoregirl · 02/03/2011 22:30

I bought DS (5) some shoes in clarks on 30 October.

He has worn them a fair amount but by no means everyday as he wore boots for most of December and January and has other shoes and wellies.

I had previously noticed that a bit of the front rubber scuff gaurd bit was peeling off but was not overly concerned.

Today I noticed a rip in the body of the shoe between where the stiching is for the velcro fastening and the front of the shoe.

Given that they cost £34 I would expect them to not start to fall apart in five months, but I am just not sure I have the strength to go into battle with clarks.....

A similiar fault happened to a previous pair of shoes DS had and clarks were awful - it is worth it?

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Beamur · 02/03/2011 22:32

I think you've left it too late, TBH.
I've had middling quality shoes from Clarks too. I did take one pair back as they were falling apart, but this was within days and they were fine about changing them.

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KatyMac · 02/03/2011 22:35

At that age I was lucky if shoes lasted 6 - 8 weeks

5 months is amazing imo

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redfairy · 02/03/2011 22:35

TBH I think five months is pretty good going for a pair of shoes - even Clarks. I dont think I would go back and try to argue...
I have had to take shoes back to Clarks for my daughter as things have fallen off within days etc but I think five months is pushing it.

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pooka · 02/03/2011 22:38

Agree with other posters that 5 months is pushing it.

I wouldn't expect a 5 year old's shoes to last 5 months. Fair enough, he hasn't worn them constantly. But if I were CLarks manager, I would have no way of knowing whether this was the case, and would be unlikely to agree to replacement/refund.

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PrincessWellington · 02/03/2011 22:39

If Clarks were awful last time then vote with your feet and shop elsewhere. However, 5 months is reasonable for kids shoes.

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Primafacie · 02/03/2011 22:40

I hate Clarks, buy Kickers instead, they last forever.

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PrincessWellington · 02/03/2011 22:41

If you want forever, Doc Martens are your friend

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gilmoregirl · 02/03/2011 22:46

Thanks guys that is what I thought.

I grudgingly bought them in the first place as found it neigh on impossible to find any navy blue shoes anywhere and they are just not good quality - feel very synthetic as DS gets v sweaty feet although they say they are leather.

I expect the shoes to last till he outgrows them but guess that is just unrealistic!

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foreverondiet · 02/03/2011 23:00

I think 5 months is a reasonable length of time although annoying if they still fit. I have been buying start-rite schools for school, a little more expensive but much better made and last longer.

DD had start rite in reception, they lasted until she outgrew after 9-10 months.

DS1 (in reception) has geox trainers, worn every single day since June 2010, the soles are worn in the corners but still fit and totally sold. I thought they were expensive at the time, but have had money's worth. Annoyingly will have to get something else school have no trainer policy from september.

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FabbyChic · 02/03/2011 23:02

My son when he was younger used to have shoes per term. The eldests would last a year. Just depends on the child.

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gilmoregirl · 02/03/2011 23:12

oh dear I cannot count. It would actually be FOUR months, Nov, Dec, Jan and Feb not five, so actually only two months full wear as not worn over winter.

Does that make a different mumsnet jury?

They do still fit annoyingly. I had hoped they would last a couple more months.

I agree re startrite, that is what I wanted but no navy ones past size 8.5 for some reason.

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Tryharder · 02/03/2011 23:21

My mum bought DS1 some shoes from Clarks that fell apart after a month and we took them back and exchanged them. I don't think they will give you a refund but they may replace.

I second GEOX. Expensive but literally only a few pounds more than Clarks and infinitely nicer, sturdier, trendier. I hate Clarks.

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Heroine · 02/03/2011 23:32

If the soles are worn out (eg tread gone) probably no chance, but if not, then worth photos and a letter to head office about is this what you should expect, previous good customer, but have things changed re quality etc - then they have the option to be good about it and might help

sale of goods act means you should expect reasonable use - I had a pair of naturalistas I wore almost every day for a summer then one of about 5 pairs afterwards and are still going strong apart from a new stuck on sole Blush upper is still stiched and whole, and my last clarks, worn reasonably rarely, but phases mean I do wear daily for periods are still good over a year.. and I'm an adult! more care but greater forces!!

Kids shoes are variable, but clarks have a reputation for quality to keep up!

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gilmoregirl · 02/03/2011 23:42

the soles are a bit worn - but they are definitely not worn out by any means.

I just expect things to last which I guess is just not the case. I have plenty of shoes/boots that I have had for years and I walk miles every day, whereas DS wanders to school and back!

Maybe I should just try them and see what they say?

At the moment I am not keen to ever buy another pair of clarks so cannot really lose!

Thanks for input.

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begonyabampot · 02/03/2011 23:50

I took some back that were quite worn and old but still had wear left. the heel had collapsed due to those silly toys - they gave 15 or 20 quid off the new pair - it can be worth a try. But have also taken shoes back to Next and said they were too uncomfortable to wear and had ruined some nights out - got a refund - you just need to ask or you'll never know.

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gilmoregirl · 04/03/2011 09:55

Well, hats off to clarks in this case.

I decided I had nothing to lose and took them back, explaining they were four months old and had been worn a fair amount but that I was disappointed they had a rip as they still fitted DS.

The two sales assistants could not have been more pleasant or helpful. Within about five minutes I had a full refund! I was not expected that at all, after the battle I had with the staff last time when in my opinion the fault was worse and the shoes less worn. So clarks have definitely gone up in my estimations now.

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begonyabampot · 04/03/2011 10:01

well done, 'those who dare' and all that! You did better than me with a similar situation. Though I was pleased with about 15 quid of the new pair I bought.

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Heroine · 04/03/2011 14:09

yay! perhaps those assistants subscribe to mumsnet :) (or perhaps a all shop bulletin: 'mumsnetter on the way: for the next two weeks all stores are instructed to give refunds for any ripped child's navy blue shoes no question because of the risk of national campaign)muah ha ha

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Beamur · 04/03/2011 19:13

That's great!

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