to expect Clarks to actually stock some shoes?

[betterwhenthesunshines]

I have been in, not once, but on 3 separate occasions to try and buy school shoes for DC. The first time they had nothing in either size in stock. I could order them into the shop, but they had no idea when they would come in, nor would they hold them for longer than 4 days . As I was going to be unable to come back within that time period I couldn't do that. They told me I could order them online, but the whole point of a shoe shop is that they measure and fit the shoes surely? Often we can try on at least 4 different styles/ sizes until we find ones that fit properly. So that would be at least £120 upfront on an internet order.

Why can't they just hold a decent level of stock? We went in yesterday for summer shoes for DD. We choose 3 pairs to try - again NO stock on any of them. WTF?

i stopped shopping in out local clarkes after the charming sales assistant berated my parenting skills. i hadn't read the memo issued to all new parents that said you had to work out what size shoes your child would need in the future and buy accordingly.

apparently everyone else knows to work out said childs shoe size in advance and buy what you need.....

this was because i was looking a pair of shoes or boots in FEB U FUCKING ARY and they only had sandals - i kid you fucking not!

can't you see i'm still peeved :)

YABU clarkes are totally rubbish and we should all be boycotting them for making paranoid parents but into the whole "precious growing feet" nonsense. Take child to supermarket/Brantano, put them in shoes, ask if they're comfy, ask if they like, if no, try another pair. Kids won't wear something that doesn't fit or that they don't like, no matter how much you spend. Shoe-fitting does not require much brain or NVQs, just some common sense.

Clarkes are rubbish we have three shops in my area all have terrible stock levels. Fitting shoes is a joke every time we have tried to find shoes in Clarkes, the fitter will measure, get the size shoe, put on dgs say they are a perfect fit, tell dgs to have walk around he will come back and say shoes hurt him often when they are taken off there will be marks on his feet. The sales person still insists they are a perfect fit he just doesn't like them. Don't shop in Clarkes anymore.

Always had bax experiences in Clarks. Dd has always had big feet for her age as she is tall. Now 12 and has size 7H since turning 11 so hopefully won't get any bigger - hers is past H too but that is the widest they do. School shoes especially are a nightmare as they have to be quite plain and low. Last time she was measured the young assistant (she was young i'd say no more than 18) asked what size dd was and i said last shoes were 7h. She measured feet on measure with dd sat on chair and legs at angle and assistant said 5 and a half H?? Off she went and brought about 7 boxes of different styles and guess what? Dd couldn't even get half a foot into the shoes. Miles too small. So i mentioned that NORMALLY dd has to stand up getting measured as the foot goes forward with weight etc and spreads out iyswim. Tried that and oh look 7h. Comes back with two styles both absolutely no good as very narrow. "Can try going up a size and down a width" Er no thanks because that isn't her size and thats been tried before. Left empty handed again. Last pair of shoes were from a catalogue that does ladies in different fittings and they have been brilliant although they are £55 but i must say dd is light on shoes and one pair lasts from september to following july. The ones she is wearing now havent't got a mark on them but they are polished well every night with black shoe polish. Agree about Startrite. They did a lovely plain style in H fitting that dd had for primary but i think it stopped at 6 or 6 and a half and they fit very well. Ordered a Startrite style from Russell and Bromley that the assistant said would fit my dd. When it came they phoned me to say it had come in and to bring dd to try it. We did that and she said it hurt her foot and when i asked what size it was it was 7 and a half G. Not 7H because they don't even do that fitting!!! Just trying to get a sale i suppose.

Sorry its bad experience. And yes assistants do insist that shoes fit even though child is clearly in pain!

Am rapidly going off clarks. Took DS1 to get his feet measured and apparently he is a 6e, asssistant brings out shoes for hum to try on and I notice they are all 6f. It appears they don't stock a 6e but an f 'will be fine' - honestly what is the point if measuring feet. Off to an independent shop n sat for a second opinion

I've very very rarely had a problem. However, I am sensible and ask them to bring out what they have in that size that fits my criteria rather than wasting time choosing - DSs were H fitting for a while and there was never a huge choice so I learnt!

Realistically, they can't have every style in every size for every child.

You don't pay for all the ones you order you just choose all the ones you like and they send them to the store, it took about 5 days when I did it.

As an alternative to Doodles this summer, try the M and S similar (for about £6 instead of £15).

I love the lady in Clarks Brighton - she got all 3 of mine fitted in really nice shoes/boots this winter AND complimented me on my well-behaved children . I nearly married her.

Given up on Clarks for kids shoes (only trainer style school shoes in DS's size; nothing at all in DD's size, think we'll be off to Start-Rite, thanks!). And adult shoes too: "We don't stock anything that big, you need a specialist store" (said with a can't be bothered snarl). DH has size 12 feet - big, but not exactly unheard of.

It's so sad when you can see an institution of our high streets going down the pan in front of our eyes.

YANBU. It became a joke in our house that our local Clarks NEVER had what you wanted in the right size. It was a bit of a shock to the system as our previous local shop was Brighton and as NonnoMum says they're fab there (and hold good stock levels).

God I hate Clarks! We have a big store but never any stock! Last time I went in I specifically asked for school shoes got feet measured and stock assistant told me she would bring out some shoes to try on. She brought out one pair of school shoes, one pair of cica trainers, and some sparkly party shoes!!!! Cue the whinging from dd that she wanted the trainers and party shoes!!!!!

They had only one style for little girls.
I think you could get them in red, blue or brown.

Clarks shoes are awful these days, they do not last 5 mins and in my experience the 'shoe fitters' make you buy a size with hardly any growing room, which considering the cost of the shoes is not on. Start-rite are better.
Do what I did, get a foot measuring device on ebay and measure and fit your child yourself. It's not rocket science. If a shoe is slightly too big then use a proper insole until the foot grows a bit. As long as the shoe is secure on the foot it will be fine.
I just bought start - rite online in last term's colour for DD2 and estimated the size, they were a third of the price of the new range and fitted fine. She is 7 .

I am very glad I don't have a DD. When I was in Clarks yesterday the only summer sandals for girls were very flimsy things with no protection over the toes. They looked like adult beach shoes

I know many people who have been to our local store, had their DCs measured then discovered that they had little/no stock. Gone on to the store in the next town and found that they measured them as a different size! They also give you the hard sell on in-soles (one foot is bigger than the other), coloured shoe polish (rip off) etc. They used to be a tried and trusted quality brand but their standards slipped long ago.

I almost died of shock the other day when my lovely son's inability to remember a simple thing like not leaving his shoes oin the beach before high tide meant an unplanned trip to striderites. My heart sunk as I saw the but one get one 50% off signs in the window... In 5 years I have never managed to find two pairs in the store at the same time that were in stock for the right sizes... This time not only did they have exactly what I wanted, but I even managed to use the sale... Wonders will never cease...

Kids WILL wear something that is not comfy and do not fit!!!! Just think back to when you were young!!!! Most kids are not able to distinguish where there may be a problem. You have obviously not had the best experience in a shoe shop, be it customer service or stock related. Try going into the shop without the attitude!

Sorry that message was for PinkyCheese:)

I had the same issues the other day, took in DS2 who's 18 months, they told me he's a 4 and a half H, so I looked at the display, knowing they often have stock issues I picked three different ones. They came out with a pair that hadn't even been on the shelf and a pair of sandel type things with a bell on. So I tried on the shoes to get some idea of the fit and the assistant tells me that in this particular style I would be better off trying a size 5. A five what exactly? A 5 and a half H? Or does changing to a 5 mean a whole different width in which case how can you possibly measure it correctly?
She then tells me I'd be better off trying the clarks bit in the Mothercare down the road. Which I do and again end up with shoes not even on the display, which I buy, at which point I am reminded that at this age they need remeasuring every two months.
Cause I really wanna go through this every two months at £30 odd every time for their "superiour" measuring which they don't even stick to. The joys of having kids I guess!

I haven't bought anything from clarkes since I had this exact problem. I went to 3 different clarkes on the same day as well (two in my mum's town, one in my own).

So, I go to 'my' Clarkes: DD is measured as a 4F. None of the right style in stock in that size (with buckles, as she walks out of velcro shoes).

Go to second Clarkes. DD is a 4.5E. None of the style we wanted in stock in that size.

Go to third Clarkes. DD is 3.5 E (the size she was currently wearing that I could no longer get her feet into). I lost the will to live and haven't been back since.

OP, YANBU.