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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to buy DS1s school shoes from Barratts instead of Clarks

50 replies

Nellysknickers · 04/01/2013 11:24

Reduced to £15.00 instead of the usual £38 at Clarks. Will they last? Will they rub? Oh god, I'm a dreadful mum

OP posts:
EuroShagmore · 04/01/2013 11:26

Why are you a dreadful mum? There is no law saying school shoes have to come from Clarks you know!

HullyEastergully · 04/01/2013 11:28

that is so so bad, what awful unspeakable parenting, his feet will wither and rot

lannyshrops · 04/01/2013 11:29

FFS! Is this all you have to worry about!

MadStaringEyes · 04/01/2013 11:30

YABU to care.

YANBU to not buy poor quality, boring looking clarkes.

Flisspaps · 04/01/2013 11:31

I buy 2yo DD's shoes from the supermarket.

Shall I expect Social Services to come a-knocking?

TantrumsAndBalloons · 04/01/2013 11:32

yes. his feet will be forever ruined.

Original poster
Nellysknickers · 04/01/2013 11:32

lannyshrops Fri 04-Jan-13 11:29:09
FFS! Is this all you have to worry about!

Er, no its not and that comment is a bit rude actually.

OP posts:
usualsuspect · 04/01/2013 11:34

I've never bought a pair of Clarke's school shoes in my life.

lannyshrops · 04/01/2013 11:36

It was supposed to be Nelly!

VitoCorleone · 04/01/2013 11:39

I dont see what the fuss is about Clarkes shoes, they're overpriced and ugly.

Ive never bought them.

Original poster
Nellysknickers · 04/01/2013 11:40

Thanks for confirming what I already knew really!! I

OP posts:
ouryve · 04/01/2013 11:42

No problem, so long as they actually fit him.

My boys have inherited my duck feet, so it's Clarks G&H fittings all the way for them.

LizzieVereker · 04/01/2013 11:43

They will be fine, I used to feel guilty about this, but as DS1 is now 13 and 5' 10", I am reassured that his skeletal structure is undamaged! I find they last just as well as more expensive shops too.

If they ask your DS about it in a future Oxbridge interview, just tell him to lie and say it was Clarks and Minin Boden all the way Wink

Original poster
Nellysknickers · 04/01/2013 11:43

Why say that though Lanny? if you arent interested, dont post and hide the thread so it doesnt annoy you. Like I said its not all Ive got to worry about, no work for DH, no car and very ill MIL if you must know.

OP posts:
FreyaFridays · 04/01/2013 11:49

As a past employee of Clarks (four years, four summers of school shoe rush) YABU! But only because I'm thinking of my ex-colleagues' franchise sales targets, and how utterly unreasonable you are to not help them meet them Grin

Any shoes are usually fine, but you have to be so careful to check that they actually fit properly. We used six points of fit check in Clarks, and parents then kneeling down to check their kids' feet themselves after I was done with them usually didn't seem to have a clue what they were on about.

nkf · 04/01/2013 11:54

Please tell us what the six points of check are. Please.

noisytoys · 04/01/2013 11:58

I do a 2 point check - prod the end to see where the toe is and ask the child if they are comfy

I get Hush Puppies because they seem to last forever

NewYearNewNN · 04/01/2013 12:00

My dsis used to change her Clarks school shoes to a pair of much nicer looking cheap shoes she'd bought in somewhere like Barratts the moment we were out of sight of the house, and ended up having to have treatment for foot problems in her twenties, and even now doesn't wear sandals as she doesn't want anyone to see her bunion-y bits. Just sayin'.

FreyaFridays · 04/01/2013 12:02

Length, width, depth, instep, ankles, walking (walking can also be substituted for tugging the back of the child's shoe when they are sat, since if they are wearing ankle or striped socks it can be difficult to visually guage whether the shoes are slipping as they walk).

yfuwchhapus · 04/01/2013 12:04

My DD is under the podiatrist due to feet problems. The podiatrist always recommends buying European shoes if you can but never Clarks. A study was done with children being brought up wearing Clarks and others brought up in supermarket shoes and absolutely no difference with their feet when they reached 18!

spottyock · 04/01/2013 12:05

Freya I used to work at Clarks too! (And with a Freya but not in a franchise).
From my recent experiences I think the 6 point check has gone out the window in favour of targets. So YANBU
6 point check:

1.length
2.width
3.heel slip
4.ankle/instep
5.top of shoe/depth
6.walk

I think... Feel free to correct me.

yfuwchhapus · 04/01/2013 12:07

As a mum I think I am quite capable of doing the 6 point check! Xmas Grin

Itsnotahoover · 04/01/2013 12:10

I once, as a bit of an experiment after purchasing a pair of Clarks shoes which ripped ds's feet to shreds, took him to 3 different Clarks shops on the same day to get measured. He was a 10.5 G at one, a 10.5F at another and an 11G at the last! I now buy shoes from wherever I feel like it and feel no guilt :)

AnnieLobeseder · 04/01/2013 12:10

The best school shoes are old-skool South African ones. They don't scuff, are comfy and last forever.

NeedlesCuties · 04/01/2013 12:14

If they fit and are appropriate for weather/school/whatever you need them for then go ahead.

:)

Some good bargains in Barretts atm.