Leaky shoes from Clarks - am entitled to a refund / exchange

[janneyhu]

I bought a pair of work shoes from Clarks just over 2 weeks ago.

I have now found they leak. As I have to walk to and from work (about 30 mins) I am really pissed off with this. I am on a very tight budget and they are the only office shoes I have.

Clarks are refusing to help as I have lost the receipt and with Xmas and stuff|I relly can't afford to buy another pair.

[ilovepowerhoop]

are they labelled as waterproof? If not, I dont see what is wrong with them. Wear wellies and take shoes with you?

[TheMuppetsSingChristmas]

I agree, unless they're labelled as fully waterproof, there's nothing wrong with them if they're just allowing dampness through. Even top quality leather isn't always waterproof, what with stitching etc. If however they have developed a hole or or open crack then yes, take them back, as that's not acceptable.

[janneyhu]

Sorry I didn't explain this very well!!

They have developed a crack, and I returned to the shop but didn't have the receipt and the asst manager wouldn't believe the date I bought them.

I have put cardboard in but it doesn't stop damp coming through.

[nancy75]

Fabulouse, in the case of a company like clarks they can ask for proof of purchase. Their goods are sold by multiple other retailers and some styles are in stock for years at a time. With out proof of purchase the shoes could have been bought elsewhere or could have been bough years ago.

OP if you bought them using a card the statement should be good enough as proof of purchase - they will be able to use that to cross check with their till system

[janneyhu]

I asked her to check their system but she said it wasn't possible.

And then she said they couldn't do anything unless I left them their for the manger to look at.

[nancy75]

OP how did you pay?

[janneyhu]

Unfortunately I paid cash, and I wonder if she didn't believe me because they were a bit mucky -I live in the country and walk along a lane to work

[nancy75]

Op, I used to be a manager at clarks and from what you have said there is a chance I wouldn't have given you a refund.
If the shoes look particularly battered for being only 2 weeks old I would think you had been using them inappropriately (work shoes are generally now designed to withstand long walks down muddy lanes).

My suggestion would be to clean the shoes properly and return to the store (call first to check the manager rather than the assistant manager is there)
You will need to try to remember the date and time that you bought them. Do you still have the box and bag? If yes take them in the box (sometimes the staff member that served you will write their number on the box and that will help them find the sale)

[nancy75]

sorry that should say NOT designed for walking down muddy lanes

[janneyhu]

Thanks so much that is really helpful.

They are not very mad just a bit muddy but i can clean them up. I still have the box and bag and know the lady who served mes name - does that help?

I won't be able to go to the shop till the weekend - is it best not to wear them anymore between now and then?

[nancy75]

Yes if you know the persons name that will certainly help. I haven't worked there for quite a while but the way the till system used to work was that things were put through under the number of the person that served you (that way they could track who wasn't selling anything)

If you can say I came in on Monday 1st Dec at 3pm and Sue served me, I paid cash and they cost £35 that should make it possible for them to find the transaction. Having a bag and a box acts in some way as proof of purchase (it goes a long way to showing you didn't steal them!)

If you go in at the weekend try to make it as early as possible - remember it is only a few weeks to Christmas and the shops are busy. If they have got a queue of people half way round the shop the manager is not going to want to go in to the office to look for your transaction when they could be on the shop floor selling stuff.

If you can I would wear other shoes until you can take them back.

[janneyhu]

Nancy - thanks for all your help.

I rang the branch this afternoon and have arranged to see the manager first thing on Sat - so hopefully that will be productive.

They are the only work shoes I have but I have taken them off this PM and can wear wellies tomorrow and Fri .