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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

NO refund when DD's shoes have dropped apart in 8 weeks?

78 replies

candleshoe · 05/03/2011 16:27

I bought from a very expensive kids shop some shoes for DD age 5. They have completey dropped apart and the shop will not give me a refund!! I am furious! Kids shoes should last until they grow out of them shouldn't they!

OP posts:
Original poster
candleshoe · 05/03/2011 16:29

that should read 'completely'!

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Tortington · 05/03/2011 16:31

sale of good act which

LyingWitchInTheWardrobe2726 · 05/03/2011 16:31

You can get a refund. Ask to see the manager. The goods much be of 'merchantable quality' and for the shoes to fall apart within that timescale is unacceptable. Mention the Sale of Goods Act and demand your money back. Do you have the receipt? If not, take a credit card/bank statement showing the purchase with you.

fedupofnamechanging · 05/03/2011 16:32

I agree with you, but I think it depends on whether your DD has just worn them normally or whether she's been treating them particularly roughly. If they haven't been 'mistreated', then you could contact trading standards via your local council, because goods have to be fit for purpose and last a reasonable length of time by law. You may end up having to get someone to look at them independently to prove they are unfit for purpose.

LindyHemming · 05/03/2011 16:32

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

fiveisanawfullybignumber · 05/03/2011 16:32

Depends what you mean by dropped apart? If they've got an obvious flaw like coming apart at the seams I'd say YANBU. However if they've been well worn and like my DC's scuff the toes and trip up and crawl around in them then YABU.
My DS2 can destroy a pair of shoes in less time than that!
They don't have to give a refund either if they are at fault, but either try to fix them or replace them.

LyingWitchInTheWardrobe2726 · 05/03/2011 16:32

Custardo beat me to it. Grin

Original poster
candleshoe · 05/03/2011 16:34

I have driven an hour round trip to the shop with the receipts and original box and bag! They have told me they can't do anything because the manager is away!

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chicaguapa · 05/03/2011 16:34

YANBU. I had similar problems with Startrite shoes bought from independents. DD has got through lots of pairs of school shoes that don't even make it to half term and the only shop that has ever considered this unacceptable is Clarks. They have happily replaced the shoes, or if DD has gone up a size, they give me 50% off the new pair. Even there though I have resorted to buying her boys shoes as they are the only ones that last! Hmm Just vote with your feet and shop somewhere that will refund you.

Original poster
candleshoe · 05/03/2011 16:35

The sole has flowers and butterflies 'carved' into the rubber as grip. One of these flowers just wore through, fell out and left a huge flower shaped hole!

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valiumredhead · 05/03/2011 16:36

They are not 'fit for purpose' - take them back and see the manager.

chicaguapa · 05/03/2011 16:37

I actually sent one pair of shoes to Startrite head office but they still refused to do anything about it as they said the shoes weren't faulty. My argument was that they weren't fit for the purpose and that they had been sold as school shoes and yet clearly weren't suitable for school and playing in the playground.

Original poster
candleshoe · 05/03/2011 16:37

I don't usually buy £45 'posh' shoes for my kids but they were to wear at my brother's wedding. I'll stick to Clarks in future. I am so cross! Angry

OP posts:
chicaguapa · 05/03/2011 16:37

I still didn't get anywhere and have never bought Startrite again.Angry

valiumredhead · 05/03/2011 16:42

Oh Clarks are just as bad - they fitted ds when he was 2 as a size bigger than he actually was and after a week of falling over, I contacted head office. They refunded............. eventually!

TheCrackFox · 05/03/2011 16:42

What make of shoe were they?

MollysChambers · 05/03/2011 16:45

Clark's dreadful too ime.

elmofan · 05/03/2011 16:47

Hi candleshoe , Could you send an email / letter to the head office & maybe a photo of the damaged shoe ?

Batteryhuman · 05/03/2011 16:49

Your contract is with the retailer, not the manufacturer. Keep pressurizing the shop. Was it part of a larger chain? If so go higher up the chain of management. The CAB website has useful advice.

valiumredhead · 05/03/2011 16:53

Yes, you must deal with the shop - that's who your contract of sale is with ( although they will try and fob you off with any old nonsense they come up with!) 'sigh'

muddyangels123 · 05/03/2011 17:18

I have taken many pairs of shoes back to clarks & Clinkards over the years.
I've never had a problem with exchanging them for another pair in the shop.
After having two boys, it has been a shock that DDs shoes are of poorer quality and not fit for purpose.
I spend a fortune on shoes a year for DD. The girls school shoes just don't lastSad. DD needs a new pair every term (£40, and i usually end up buying two pairs), and it's not down to her feet growing, it's usually the strap/heel/hole.
I never buy, clarks shoes with the dolls in, they just collapse at the heel.
I could go on all day about DDs bloody lovely shoes.Angry

Original poster
candleshoe · 05/03/2011 17:54

Shop is called 'Apples and Pairs' in Sherston, Gloucestershire and the brand of shoe was 'Kid Express.'

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onceamai · 05/03/2011 18:12

Write directly to Kid Express, naming the shop, with proof of purchase and enclose the shoes. I did this to Start-Rite once after R&B were very rude when a pair of S-R shoes fell apart after a week. I ended up with two letters of apology, a replacement pair of shoes and a 50.00 voucher.

Original poster
candleshoe · 05/03/2011 18:13

Good idea! onceamai

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Original poster
candleshoe · 05/03/2011 18:20

I wouldn't have been so cross if they were £15 party slip ons from Tesco or whatever!

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