clarke's shoe shops

[swallowthree]

Bought my son shoes three weeks ago, measured at 13.5. Took him back for trainers today, measured him at 1.5. Some similar fitting blunder nearly every time we go. Isn't the point of Clarke's getting shoes that fit. Always come out feeling narky but haven't found an acceptable alternative. Anyone else ?

Yes, have had this, twice. I had the receipt and they changed the shoes for free.

At that size of foot I am assuming he is at least 7 yrs old? Old enough to go into any other shoe shop, try on some shoes, walk around and tell you if they're comfy or not. Clarkes do not make the Holy Grail of shoes, and their 'fitters' are not the amazing gods that mums make them out to be. Try Barretts for lovely leather shoes, or one of the supermarkets for trainers. My DSs have black leather school shoes from Sainsburys, bought in September and showing almost no signs of wear yet, best shoes we have ever had (and only £14).

Oh and for trainers/walking shoes, try Sports Direct. Wide range of stuff, lots of big brands (Karrimor, Nike, HiTec, etc), for very low prices. And suprisingly helpful staff

I tend to go to startrite for measuring/school shoes and then cheaper alternates for trainers play shoes etc.

We always gets dc's shoes from clarks. My son is a different shoe size in trainers (he normally needs a larger size then his school shoes) but if your ds's other shoes don't fit take them back

I vote for the independent shoe sellers/fitters every time. They sell a broader range, seem to be better trained and don't sell you shoes if they don't fit (as Clarks have done several times to us) as they have other brands they can try instead.

totally agree with FilthyRichAndCatflap, i actually think clarke's are pretty crap and alot of the staff are very condesending. I have actually vowed not to buy anymore shoes there, as I think they always measure too small and their shoes do not wear well at all. I actually much prefer Next, Asda or search for 'brands' cheaply online.

actually, actually, actually... sorry

Try googling for an independent shoe shop. I have always found them loads better than Clarks.

After 19 years of child rearing & shoe buying I have come to the conclusion that the whole clarkes shoe correct fitting thing is a scam. I get my youngest's shoes from wherever, from m&s more often than not. I do get his feet measured at a local independent shoe shop occ, and I use the measure they provide at m&s & I think it's fine. AND much cheaper!

Trainers 4 kids often are different sizes than shoes.
Even different brands of shoes may require different sizes.

Clarkes used to have far better shoes than anywhere else but that was when they where made in Enland with top quality English leather. Now most of what they sell is made in Romania the quality of the leather is not as good and as for the stiching ect pah the soles are now glued on. You can get better quality in ASDA now. Only go to Clarkes if you want to pay a extra £10 for a cardboard box with their brand name on.

England

I am so naughty, because I get DD measured in Clarks and then do to Sports Direct for trainers and walking boots...

Clarks is awful, go to your local independent shoe shop and if you want shoes that last forever then buy Ricosta.

I took my DD last week and was measured at the same size as her current clarks so didn't buy any more, she is yelping if I try to put them on her though so they can't possibly fit. Girl who measured her was a sullen cow too.

In my local one they are great! Really friendly and honest about whether my dcs actually need new shoes or not and as far as I know have always sold us shoes that fit well.

i took ds to clarks in leicester to get him measured. this is more or less how it went...

clarks assistant 'he's a 9.5'

me 'really, are you sure? but when he was last measured he was an 11 and his school shoes last year were a 10.5'

clarks assistant 'ok, i'll do them again...., he's an 11 on one foot, and a 13 on the other, would you like to pick out some shoes to try on?'

me 'i would, but i wouldn't have a clue which size as you've told me his feet are a 9.5, an 11, and a 13. think i'll go somewhere else if you don't mind'

they are shit and just want to sell shoes

We have been told to get bigger size than they measured for because the correct size was out of stock.

and fuckin toys in the heels of shoes ? fuck off

"Clarks is awful, go to your local independent shoe shop and if you want shoes that last forever then buy Ricosta."

dont they out grow them ?

Of course they'll out grow them because they won't wear them out, and they won't have soles falling off after a couple of mnths of wear. My ds's Ricosta are now one year old and still look in pretty good nick. I guess his feet grow slowly, but I won't buy him anything else.

Clarks have tried to sell me/DD shoes that only just fit. .. and 1 pair that DD cried and said hurt when she tried to walk in but they insisted were fine - now I use a local shop that sells hush puppies and others. .. they are great there.

Try John Lewis if you have one near you, we've had simialar issues with Clarkes.

I've had this with Clarkes.

Had DD feet meausred for her first shoes - just walking, mind, so right fit critical - in Clarkes, they said 2.5H, almost a 3H.

The only shoe they had in that size was white (who thought that was a good idea!) with velcro, which she can undo, so we said thanks but no thanks. The following day, she measured a 3.5F, in two seperate independant stockists.

The one we bought from was actively advising a mum buying school shoes not to buy Lelli Kelly, even though they had nothing else in stock that the girl liked, because, "they won't last as well as start rite, you won't get three months out of them."

Surprise, surprise, guess where DD will be getting her shoes from in future?