To buy second hand school shoes from ebay for my ds1?

[lookout]

I always go and get feet measured then buy plimsolls or cheaper sandals in store, then go onto ebay to buy the more expensive school shoes, as ds, like all kids, grows out of them so quickly that we can't afford brand new shoes 3/4 times a year.

I thought this was perfectly acceptable, but my mum has just made me feel super guilty for not buying properly fitted shoes.

So am IBU? Or is my mum?

Lots of shoes on ebay and in charity shops are were just bought wrong size and not worn. TBH I think it's a British obsession to have professionally fitted shoes- other countries don't measure kids feet and although its nice that we do something 'properly' if you can't afford it I wouldn't feel bad at all.

An 18 month old is not doing anywhere near as much outdoor walking as a school age child.
I guess how much the shoes have been worn does make a massive difference really. And, to be honest, school shoes that have been worn all day every day for 3 months are not likely to get sold on ebay as children have a habit of wrecking them!

I have no idea about the peppa pig shoes but there is nothing wrong with buying shoes in Asda as a general rule. If they fit her feet properly and they are sensible supportive shoes for a toddler then why not.

nalubeadsgirl I haven't had new clothes apart from maternity stuff last year, for I don't know how long. I already do go without! I am gonna have to make savings somewhere though, as buying new shoes instead of second hand does seem to be the overriding opinion.

helpyourself Thank you, that should make me feel better but the comment about veruccas has really made me think!

Second hand shoes for a child? No, never! and I'd never even buy them shoes without them being properly fitted. Or, at the very least, without them being there! Sizes vary slightly between makes. Frankly, I'm really shocked you do this.

Thanks KitAndKat, been lusting after them for a while now.

Verruccas are far more likely to have been picked up at the swimming pool tbh

i think its more important that the shoe is in good condition and fits properly than whether it is brand new. Im pretty sure the new shoes thing being essential is a myth. Does anyone actually know anyone whos been damaged from second hand shoes? A decent pair of leather shoes in the right size, but pre-worn, is going to be infinitely better than some tight fitting cheap plastic shoes, and the best thing for feet is no shoes at all.
I think its possible to use common sense about it, and you can tell if a pair of shoes have had it, or dont fit properly

Not for their main shoes, I might hand down sandles or even trainers that they wear an hour a week for PE but never something they've worn 6 hours a day 5 days a week.
M&S and Next do good shoes £10 cheaper than clarks or £15 cheaper than startright.

voices.yahoo.com/are-hand-me-down-shoes-damaging-childrens-feet-775123.html

not for school shoes or trainers. but i have for football boots that are worn once a week for an hour and which are extortionate.

lisaro 'shocked'? So was my mum!

I always get measured at Clarks and buy Clarks, so sizes shouldn't vary. And I don't buy ones that are completely worn out, always try to get ones that are less worn.

DinahMoHum I though the same thing about cheap plastic ones being worse than worn 'proper' leather shoes, that was why I decided on ebay rather than supermarket shoes. Seems I am the only one pretty much!

After reading your op again , do they even need school shoes , if they do not wear them indoors , could you not just buy a comfy pair of trainers for the walk to school and back ?

But lisaro other countries don't even have shoe fitters! You go into the shop usea foot guage and then pick the ones that suit your DC.

How do you think forrin children cope? It's not as if every other nationality hobbles around and we rule the world with our perfect feet!

OP perhaps get them measured and then get them from Charity Shops where you can check they fit.

Dinah that article clearly states that with some really commen sense rules it is perfectly safe to let children wear second hand shoes .

Which is clearly why you posted it , doh

lookout

Please don't condemn yourself. You are making the best decisions you can on a limited budget. Sometimes there just isn't money for new shoes. I totally understand that and I certainly don't condemn you for buying second hand shoes.
I do think there can be a little bit of hysteria attached to shoe buying sometimes and it is not helpful at all to those with less money.

Do a little research so you can check your child's shoes fit well and then do what is best for you, your child and your financial situation.

frumpet It still comes back to the same thing, I'd still need to spend a decent amount on whatever the shoe was for the walking to school and playground time. But you are right, they don't necessarily need to be actual school shoes. Although this may change next year as he goes to junior school and I don't know if they wear plimsolls inside.

helpyourself I will do that - have two new ones that have opened in my village so will check them out. It's not always easy to find exactly the right size though, there's always a limited choice.

whyme thank you

Actually I've had my childrens feet measured for shoes when living abroad. Other countries also do lots of other things that we don't here, even if foot measuring didn't happen abroad. I just don't understand why you'd take a childs' perfect feet and just put them in something you haven't even tried before you bought, at the very least.

I've never done second hand school shoes, but I can't imagine anyone eBaying any that are more than slightly worn.

DD had a pair of next ones she wore twice and declared uncomfortable. They went to the charity shop. They were decent leather with proper straps. I recon they'd be far better for another child's feet than some cheap plastic ballet pumps.

Generally girls shoes are such awful quality any going on eBay must be hardly worn.

DD2 often gets hand me down trainers as DD1 needs a pair for school and a pair for home. She hates them and wears crocs until her Guide leader explodes. Thus they are fine for DD2 to stick in her PE bag.

I think it's fine till about 4 - all dd's shoes were nearly-new pom d'api from Ebay. Most small children's feet grow so quickly that they often barely have a chance to wear them. And ppl who buy these new often have lots of spare cash, and thus lots of shoes for their childers. So even less wear.

oh and forgot to say - I knew the brand fitted her, width-wise. As soon as one lot started to get too small, I would buy the next size up - so no worries about getting sizing wrong.

Maybe your mum could help out :) She knows how important it is. Suggest it ;)

I would do this too if i were in your position. Don't beat your self up about this.

There is a world of difference between shoes worn for a couple of occasions by young children and well worn old things from sweaty 10 year olds. Verruccas from second hand shoes. I don't think so.

Second the advice about getting your mum to help.

We all do things the best way we see fit - try not to feel guilty,

I occasionally buy 2nd hand shoes for DD but she's 2.7. I limit it to shoes that aren't likely to be worn every day so their wear is also limited. E.g. Sandles, flip flops, crocs, wellies. I would try to buy nearly new from eBay and study the photos for wear too.

School shoes and trainers would be a no and I'd buy 2nd hand school uniform etc to off-set the cost if needed. I tend to buy at outlet stores or cheaper brands to keep costs down.