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AIBU?

To not want to pay £25+ for a pair of Clark's children's shoes?

109 replies

ophelia275 · 15/06/2012 10:54

My son goes through shoes quite quickly but I cannot afford to spend £25+ on Clark's or Startrite shoes each time. I always get the guilt trip from the other parents at my ds school that if you don't get your kids feet properly measured and don't buy "fitted" Clark's or Startrite shoes, your kids feet will fall off or they will become horribly disfigured social outcasts.

Anyway, I normally buy Mercury brand which are cheap but have lasted longer than any pair of Clark's. But I am actually eyeing up a pair of slightly worn Kickers shoes on ebay that new would cost £45+ but are less than £5. Is buying used shoes the ultimate in bad mummying?

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WorraLiberty · 15/06/2012 10:57

I've only ever bought one pair of Clark's shoes for my DS and it was a waste of money as far as I'm concerned.

All 3 of mine have worn well fitting fairly cheap high street brand shoes and have never had any problems (eldest DS is now 20yrs)

But I would never buy second hand shoes because they will be moulded into the foot shape of the previous wearer and that won't be good for your child.

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daisydoodoo · 15/06/2012 10:57

depends how old the child is and how often they wear them. Ive brought used shoes like crocs or lelli kellys for my 6 yr old daughter, but they aren;t the main pair of shoes, she has a proper fitted pair of shoes for school that are worn the most. Having said that i do sometimes buy cheaper brands as clarks/start rite and john lewis often dont have anything in stock that she likes or will wear.
I can tell if a shoe is too big/toosmall/too narrow/too wide, so as long as you check that they fit correctly i don't see why not.

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WilsonFrickett · 15/06/2012 10:58

Cheap shoes are better than second hand IMO.

My DS6 has never worn anything but Clarks and I noticed last night just how crooked his two middle toes were Angry. I think it's all genetics rather than shoe brand myself.

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ReallyTired · 15/06/2012 10:59

Once children are school age then they are capable of telling you if a pair of shoes are uncomfortable.

I think a lot depends on the shape of your child's feet. If your child has exceptionally wide or narrow feet then you might find hard to get shoes that fit. If you find a cheaper pair of shoes that you and child likes then good luck to you.

I think with the pair of shoes from ebay a lot depends on how worn the shoes are. If the shoes are second pair of shoes then I don't think it matters too much.

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fatlazymummy · 15/06/2012 11:05

My kids shoes come from places like Tesco and Shoezone. They last a few months [often outgrown] and none of them have ever even had a blister.
As far as guilt trips go, just ignore them. Other peoples opinions on your kids shoes are irrelvant.

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SugarBatty · 15/06/2012 11:05

Hmm I know what you mean about shoes being expensive but I would go for 2nd hand as they will feel strange as they have being moulded on other feet. Have you ever worn anyone elses shoes? Iv tried on my friends before and it feels odd!

Have you got a Brantano shoe shop near you? They often do good brands much cheaper and tk maxx do really good italian and french brands cheaper. Also try Charles Clinkards website they often have shoe sales.

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SugarBatty · 15/06/2012 11:07

Sorry meant WOULDN'T go for second hand!

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HoneyMurcott · 15/06/2012 11:07

I am hanging out to pay 25 quid for Clarks for my dd. Coming to England soon and stocking up on so much stuff. In Oz they are $110 so 25 quid seems like a bargain to me, but it's all relative, isn't it. Last year my dd was in two pairs of hand me down Clarks and they lasted so well. This year I spent 25 dollars, like about 12 quid on school shoes from Target and have had to chuck them out after 4 months because they just fell apart.

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BikeRunSki · 15/06/2012 11:08

DO you have a Clark's outlet shop near you? Limited raange of sizes and styles (but still plenty), a about half price. Oftne found in Designer Outlet Villages, McArthur Glenn type places.

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LeBonkeyMollocks · 15/06/2012 11:09

Fair enough if you don't want to fork out loads on Clarke shoes.
Cheaper high street or supermarket shoes will do a perfectly good job.
But please don't buy 2nd hand for a child. They will be moulded to the other child foot and will not be comfortable for your child.

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LeBonkeyMollocks · 15/06/2012 11:11

Should add that I buy Clarks for ds. They last. I buy no more than 2 pairs a year. We get them from a Clarks outlet though. £ 15 -20 a time.

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ExitPursuedByABear · 15/06/2012 11:11

The thought of second hand shoes make me feel a bit queasy, sorry.

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newmum001 · 15/06/2012 11:20

I also wouldn't buy second hand. Can you not go in and get his feet measured then buy new ones on ebay. I have done this before and paid £12 for a brand new pair as opposed to £28 in store. You can get more or less all styles on ebay.

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CamperFan · 15/06/2012 11:24

Don't understand how anyone would make you feel guilty - just don't talk about it with them! Secondhand shoes if they have not been worn much - a friend passed on some barely worn trainers for DS1 the other day, and he will definitely use them. From eBay, not so sure tbh, I agree that cheaper new shoes would probably be better. They have some half price shoes in Clarks Sale at the moment. You can read online how to find correctly fitting shoes - I think on the Geox site for example.

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southlundon · 15/06/2012 11:27

I got my DS's feet measured at their shop last week and bought two pairs of shoes in the sale this week.

Also check out TK Maxx for excellent brand shoes much cheaper.

I have used 2nd hand shoes in the past but only barely-worn ones because the shoes will have moulded to the other child's feet otherwise. It's like you trying on another lady's well-worn shoes, they feel odd.

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Mrsjay · 15/06/2012 11:27

My children never had clarks shoes and the 1 time i did take DD2 for a pair of the bootleg older shoes they were like boats.
you are letting others make you feel guilty they will be saying things like on Clarks are the best you can't put a price on good shoes blah blah, and you are probably picking up on that , I do think children should have good fitting shoes but you can get those anywhere .

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Mrsjay · 15/06/2012 11:32

and i wouldnt buy second hand shoes because they have a name on them they will be in the shape of the last wearers feet just buy him the shoes he normally gets,

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ophelia275 · 15/06/2012 11:35

Just to add that the second hand pair on ebay are described as "hardly worn" so that was why I was considering it but on second thoughts I think I am going to stick to cheap but new.

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imnotmymum · 15/06/2012 11:36

My kids have shoes from everywhere and do parents really take the high ground I would tell them to bugger off! Depends on child my DD3 has always had to have Clarks as is an odd size/fitting can never get cheap shoes. Always do sale though .

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SophieLeGiraffe · 15/06/2012 11:39

My DS has fat pasty feet still, can't get anything but Clarks on him Sad so £25 all the way - one pair we looked at were £32!!!!!!!! How? How can that be so!

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veritythebrave · 15/06/2012 11:42

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

LaurieFairyCake · 15/06/2012 11:46

I bought two pairs of girls school shoes (adult size 6) in the sale this week for DD - £15 each, no delivery charge.

the Clarks and Start-rite sales are on now.

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HappyJoyful · 15/06/2012 11:46

The Clarks website has got a 50% off sale on at the moment.
Also, there are Clarks outlet shops - I've found the one at Bicester Village very good value.

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ophelia275 · 15/06/2012 11:47

Mrsjay - Lol. Yes that is exactly the kind of stuff they say. But they are all millionaire lawyers and accountants so for them £45 on a pair of shoes that will last 6 weeks for their dc is nothing.

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TuftyFinch · 15/06/2012 11:48

DS (5) is an E fitting and our last shoe shopping trip ended in tears. Clarks. Russel and Bromley and Jones refused to sell us any shoes because they weren't happy with the fit. Previous to this and now he has had Kickers with velcro straps. They last until he grows out of them. I wouldn't buy them second hand as he'll be in them alot but look on Javarri as they've got some Kickers reduced at the moment.

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