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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be really annoyed with Clarks....

46 replies

purplefish · 25/02/2011 20:07

....for putting silly toys in their childrens shoes?
DS2, who is normally very laid back and a pretty good boy got really upset today as I wouldn't buy a pair of trainers for him which had one of those toys in. I object to spending more money on shoes just because they have them in! Shoes are for walking in, not playing with!! I have ALWAYS refused to buy them and explained to him why, but he really wated them. I don't think it was so much even because he liked the trainer, more the toy!!

It's a really annoying marketing ploy and it's made me cross!

OP posts:
nickytwotimes · 25/02/2011 20:10

it is a marketing ploy, yes.
capitalism at it's finest.
it's shit.
why expect better from clarks?

SunshineOnARainyDay · 25/02/2011 20:10

YANBU. If we end up in Clarks for shoes I always ask the assistant not to bring out shoes with toys in.....but that doesn't leave much choice - they ALL seem to have a sodding doll/whatever in the heel!

sandyballs · 25/02/2011 20:12

Shit shoes as well, they seem to make the heel weak. i suppose because it's hollow.

Original poster
purplefish · 25/02/2011 20:14

I'm the same, I always ask for the ones without the toy and I tell the shop assistant why!

But these were on display clearly hyping up the bloddy toy!!

Why oh why oh why??

I mean, parents will still buy shoes for their children won't they...they don't NEED toys inside!

OP posts:
redfairy · 25/02/2011 20:15

YANBU
Like SUNSHINE I also ask the Clarks assitants not to bring me any shoes with dolls in. I am always disappointed with the huge choice of two styles that leaves us with.
Previously we have had two pairs with dolls in. Within a couple of weeks we found a ridge developed where the flap pulled down plus DD decided to be generous and give away the dolls to friends at school on the very first day of wearing.

nickytwotimes · 25/02/2011 20:15

but they are a shop
they exist to make money, not to make our lives easier.
if this means pester power, then they will use it.
why the surprise?

Original poster
purplefish · 25/02/2011 20:16

Exactky sandyballs, thats what I think too. I tried to explain to DS that i means there will be a big hole under his foot, and that would probably mean it was uncomfortable, but he is a child and they don't see that, they just see the toy.
I also said that I won't ever, ever buy the shoes with the toy in...end of story!

OP posts:
Original poster
purplefish · 25/02/2011 20:16

But they will still make money WITHOUT the toy. Parents buy shoes for their children.

OP posts:
Rannaldini · 25/02/2011 20:17

i hate clarks

their leather is covered in fairy wings so that the merest scuff ruins the whole blardy shoe

i've had hardier snake-skin stilettos

Original poster
purplefish · 25/02/2011 20:17

And it wasn't a surprise really, just annoying that I had to deal with an upset child.

OP posts:
Original poster
purplefish · 25/02/2011 20:18

Where do you go if not Clarks?

OP posts:
toeragsnotriches · 25/02/2011 20:18

I go in, get their feet measured, then march out fast and go on ebay to buy the exact same size for, generally, about 5 quid.

It is horrible. And yes, most people do ride out the tantrum, but why should you have to? Particularly over something so expensive as shoes.

nickytwotimes · 25/02/2011 20:19

aye, but without the toy, parents might go somewhere else for the shoes (our town has clarks plus independent kids' rip off shoe merchants) and the shoes sans toy would last longer.

Gleekfreak · 25/02/2011 20:19

This is why I always get startrite shoes for my DC's-much wider and nicer choice and no fuckingtoy! DD had them once-ruined inside of shoe (all ruckled up) within 2wks! Angry

Honeybee79 · 25/02/2011 20:19

YANBU but this kind of shit is everywhere these days and just has to be negotiated. Pain in the arse though.

Furball · 25/02/2011 20:19

We accidently bought some of these trainers last year in the sale.

The toy was not even a car, it was a square bit of plastic on wheels. and after a few weeks the inner heal collapsed into the toys void - so took them back for a refund.

They tried to sell me full price trainers before finally giving into me wanting my money back.

Furball · 25/02/2011 20:20

oops obviously a typo and meant heel Blush

toeragsnotriches · 25/02/2011 20:21

It was all about the princess' key in the heel in my day. And the kid in the advert went to my school. Ugh.

Tanith · 25/02/2011 20:21

Where do you go if not Clarks?

Startrite. They seem to fit better, too.

nickytwotimes · 25/02/2011 20:21

honestly, don't bother with clarks.

my pal is a podiatrist and buys the kids' shoes in asda! they need a little room around the foot, decent over-foot velcro or strap and flexible flat sole.

BendyBob · 25/02/2011 20:21

Yep that's Clarks for you. They spout the 'we care..' routine but really it's not..Hmm

If any shop was in serious serious need of some competition on the high street, it HAS to be Clarks.

SunshineOnARainyDay · 25/02/2011 20:22

We go to the local independent shoe shop too but then you have the problem of the flippin Lelli Kelly shoes - argh! £48 for school shoes? I don't think so!

Original poster
purplefish · 25/02/2011 20:22

Are they Clarks, toerag?
I have been told about a shoe shop about 12 miles from here which offers a really good service at the same price and sells startrite. I think i will make the effort to go there next time.
Nicky, we only have Clarks or another shop which sells the Clarks shoes, so not much choice.

OP posts:
WincyEtNightie · 25/02/2011 20:23

Lelli Kelly may yet bring in the child's
snake-skin stiletto Ranaldini Grin

I actually like Clarks shoes and for a fitted shoe (IYSWIM) they are on the cheaper end. If you are lucky you will get an assistant who understands what you are getting at with "don't bring out...". If you are unlucky (or they have low stocks Hmm) you will indeed be faced with a big pile of pink/flashing/cheap toy-ridden tat and an imminent tantrum.

(YANBU BTW)

unfitmother · 25/02/2011 20:23

YANBU, they're shite!