To want to buy school shoes in September not July?

[Oddpet]

My DS starts school this September. I've just been to the local shoe shop to book a shoe fitting slot for early September but have been told they don't do slots that late. Apparently they won't have any stock left and am better off buying the shoes now !
The reason I want to leave it late is because DS's feet seem to grow really quickly every summer so I'm worried they won't fit him by mid September when he starts school.
So AIBU to want to be able to buy him school shoes in September? Or is this just how it works? I'm new to this school lark

[Goshthatsspicy]

That is silly.
Of course you should be able to buy shoes closer to the date.
How about you buy them, don't wear them - if they become too small... exchange them?

[IAmAShitHotLawyer]

YABU - everyone knows the school shoes will be gone by September and that clarks will be full of sandals then.

[Griphook]

I wouldn't worry too much, ds's clarks shoes lasted a whole year, so will be buying his tomorrow.

[SaucyJack]

Is it Clarks?

There are lots of other places to walk in and buy shoes without subscribing to the weird cultish marketing power associated with certain brands.

[helenahandbag]

Goshthatsspicy

But if there's no stock left, what will OP exchange them for, exactly?

[PicaK]

Got my DS's new Clarks shoes yesterday. I wanted him to be able to choose. They said in store that I could pop back in towards the end of the holidays to remeasure if I was worried and they'd swap them. TBH the rapid foot growing thing slowed down after reception and the last pair lasted the full academic year.

[Oddpet]

Nope it's an independent shoe shop, the only one in our town that stocks kids shoes - it does all the brands.

Yes an exchange is a good idea but she was implying there would be no guarantee there'd be his size

[BarbarianMum]

Well we always shoe our two at the end of August and have never had a problem. Independent fitter, Startrite, and you don't need to pre-book an appointment either. When ds' were small they outgrew shoes in about 3 months at times so would never buy so far ahead.

[Sirzy]

The way clarks have measured DS feet in the last if you got them now he may well have grown into them by the end of the academic year! I have no faith on clarks anymore.

I just take DS to a shop and size the shoes myself. Much easier and they actually fit!

[BarbarianMum]

X post. We are in a city, maybe that makes a difference. Too much competition to just say 'now or never'.

[Goshthatsspicy]

Flip flops - Helena!

In my experience, it is easier to exchange.
They will have something
I think the shop is trying to make their lives easier.

Do you live near an outlet op?

[Oddpet]

There is a Clarks outlet about 45 min away- I hadn't thought of that! Also we do have a big Clarks in a town not too far from here so I could see what they say. I did want to use our local one really but if that's not the best option I'll go elsewhere!

[tomatodizzymum]

I used to buy plimsoles for the first week (used for PE anyway) and take my children to John Lewis or clarks factory shop in the first week of school. We were saving up for something and every penny saved really helped. We got clarks and start rite shoes that were then £15 or even £10 and they ALWAYS had something left in the children's sizes even if I had to go to two different shops. I am one of those saddos that gets kicks out of getting expensive things really cheap.

[Gileswithachainsaw]

school shoes should be available all year round.

how are these idiots still in business.

pre booking slots? how about just getting some staff and some crayons so people can drop on whenever they want. given that people may travel a fair distance fir shoes of their kids have awkward feet or whatever.

[Goshthatsspicy]

Yes, try the outlet. In our closest small town is a small independent. I normally go there, however the stock isn't what it used to be. I'm going to use the outlet this time.
A bigger Clarks, will give you a better chance of an exchange/refund.

[exLtEveDallasNoBollocks]

Just measure his feet yourself, and buy 'off the rack' at any shop that sells shoes.

Clarke shoes are just shoes. They aren't any better or worse than any other pair of shoes (just more expensive). You would be no worse off buying them in Tesco or ShoeZone.

[Goshthatsspicy]

tomato like your style.
I think our headteacher may implode if l try your plimsole trick though.

[PeterParkerSays]

I buy DS's shoes from Brantano, then you can get your son's feet measured and order shoes online for delivery at home / to the store. Much easier than buying now. We also need to spread the cost of all the uniform between two paydays.

I went into an independent shoe shop with DS (preschool) in September one year to be told they'd sold out of shoes in his size, because of the Reception starters, but they had this lovely pair of £60 boots for him instead. Within 12 months the place had shut down because people didn't have £60 to spare on toddler shoes.

Your shoe shop needs to sort their stock out and order in early September, not try and fobb you off now. Say that you will be coming in and they will need to have stock available or you'll be taking your business elsewhere.

[tomatodizzymum]

Goshthatsspicy one of my kids always came home and said Mr/Mrs/Miss so and so said I need proper shoes.....obviously that problem was easily fixed in a day or so

[TendonQueen]

I'd go back in and say that you want to book a slot in early September and buy then, and that if that's not possible, fine but they will be losing your custom for this year and the foreseeable future as you will go to the big Clarks instead.

[starfishmummy]

Good grief. I have ever even heard of booking a slot ahead of time. We just turn up and take a ticket (if needs be). This is at a really old independent shop which has brilliant fitters so is very popular. We just go when we need to.

[Littlepixie75]

YABU. Just bought new shoes for ours yesterday. Their feet don't grow that quickly. feeling very smug now all uniform is bought and ready to go. In fact both DDs could go back to school tomorrow! If only. Bloody rain!

[Topseyt]

Never heard of that before.

I always took my lot to Clarks / Startrite around the end of August. I never booked appointments weeks in advance and never had a problem either.

These days I use a Clarks factory outlet not too far from here and get their end of line shoes for loads cheaper than on the High Street. Again, no pre-booking.

The cynic in me says that your local retailer may be trying to strong arm you into coming back for future business.

My experience was that my children's feet grew pretty fast at reception age, so I would hold off buying for now.

[TheRealAmyLee]

We have got 2-3 pairs of school shoes from clarks outlet in last week of Aug the last 3 years. Have to queue for measuring but no more than 10 mins or so. They were efficient and helpful. Staff have measured, left us find shoes, then checked fit and gave free insoles if needed. All 3 years shoes have lasted the full year.

[Oddpet]

Great, thanks everyone. I did think this was madness! Agree that you should be able to buy school shoes any time! You've reassured me I will be able to get shoes nearer the time. I think I'll go there in early September to get measured and see if they have anything. If not, I'll try elsewhere or online. It's a shame as I would like to give them custom, being on the local high street and all that.