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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to return dd clarks shoes?

55 replies

Icantstopeatinglol · 28/01/2016 18:53

I bought my dd clarks shoes for the start of the new school year in September. However, the last few weeks the part in the heel where the toy was is collapsing in on itself. I'm going to have to buy her some new shoes but would I be unreasonable to expect these £30+ shoes to last longer than 3/4 months? I've no idea where the receipt is but as they're faulty would I be ok to return them?

OP posts:
Buttercup27 · 28/01/2016 18:56

Personally I think they have done well to last 4 months, if what the children get up to in our playground is anything to go by.

fastingmum123 · 28/01/2016 18:56

You could try but they probably won't change them as they have been used. I stopped buying the toy ones for this reason. My son has managed to ruin his shoes recently so until I can afford some new ones he's in some cheap supermarket ones

Ughnotagain · 28/01/2016 18:59

Clarks shoes are shite these days. They've changed the way they're manufactured apparently (gone down the mass-produced-cheaply-abroad route).

I had some brogues that fell to bits after only a few months. Absolute crap.

SmallGreenBouncyBall · 28/01/2016 18:59

shoes for small children should last until outgrown imo.
if they still fit take them back.

SheilaTakeABow · 28/01/2016 19:00

The same happened to me a few years ago - a hole where the bloody toy pouch was. They refused to give me a full refund as, according to their measuring, DS had conveniently gone up a size in two months (so much for leaving growing room Hmm) so it wouldn't be a straight swap (double Hmm). Offered 50% off a new pair. I did actually complain to head office but got nowhere. Still makes me bloody cross...

LIZS · 28/01/2016 19:01

You are paying for the gimmick rather than the shoe. I think 3-4 months is considered normal at primary age. If you took her back I expect she'd have grown anyway.

SavoyCabbage · 28/01/2016 19:02

I remember when these shoes with the toy in first came out that they sunk in where the toy compartment is.

anyoldname76 · 28/01/2016 19:07

i wont use clarks ever again, they accused my mum of stealing after she returned a pair of shoes as they were both for a left foot, she was in tears

FeelingSmurfy · 28/01/2016 19:10

If you do try, get them to measure her feet before mentioning, that way they can't claim she has outgrown them unless she has (going by what has been mentioned above and what happened to a friend)

DisappointedOne · 28/01/2016 19:26

I bought DD (5) new school shoes at the start of December. 3 weeks wear and the heels have split and are letting in water. I'm taking them back. I expect more than 15 days out of a £30 pair of shoes! (Last year's lasted her all year!)

Original poster
Icantstopeatinglol · 28/01/2016 19:44

I think I'll go in to look at the shoes and get her feet measured as feelingsmurfy said and go from there. At the end of the day I know she's worn them everyday for school but usually they last much longer. I usually only get new ones when they've outgrown them. Thanks for the advice xx

OP posts:
SoThatHappened · 28/01/2016 19:46

Toy pouches in shoes?

Wolfiefan · 28/01/2016 19:47

So shoes bought end of August? I make that nearly 5 months. Not 3.
Sorry. Shop will likely think you are taking the proverbial.
Shoes have had lots of wear.
Don't buy shoes with toys in for just this reason

gamerchick · 28/01/2016 19:50

I'm having a weird de ja vu.

SoThatHappened · 28/01/2016 20:00

Just looked them up....toys in the shoe heel where the actual shoe heel should be? Hollow instead of solid. No wonder they fell to bits.

anyone remember these? I felt like I had a deprived childhood as I wasnt bought a pair....

SecretSpy · 28/01/2016 20:04

I always refuse to buy the ones with toys in for this exact reason. It's a fairly common problem AFAIK. I've not had any issue with normal Clarks school shoes falling to bits, but the fitting at my local shop is a bit hit and miss.

MsJamieFraser · 28/01/2016 20:06

There was a thread on here about these shoes a good few months back if I recall, they took them back also, but can remember a few people complaining about them.

If you google clarks shoes with toy and mumsnet there is lots of threads about them.

Peppapigallowsmetoshower · 28/01/2016 20:13

I'm with Wolfie. More than one school term...in the winter...

Just buy her new shoes, sturdy ones without a toy pouch.

Original poster
Icantstopeatinglol · 28/01/2016 20:17

My two dd have had the toy ones before and they've been fine. Obviously got a dodgy pair. Not sure I'll get clarks again to be honest, I have noticed the quality going down over the years. Any suggestions on what school shoes are better?

OP posts:
XiCi · 28/01/2016 20:17

I'm sorry but I think taking a pair of shoes back that have been worn for 5 months by a primary age child is an absolute piss take.

Original poster
Icantstopeatinglol · 28/01/2016 21:02

Lovely XiCi

OP posts:
rosewithoutthorns · 28/01/2016 21:05

A kid getting 5 months out of a pair of shoes is good going.

Original poster
Icantstopeatinglol · 28/01/2016 21:08

Yea rose you're right. I just wasn't sure. Normally they've lasted a lot longer so wasn't happy but fair enough if that's what most people think is the norm. Not sure what to get her? I'm thinking she may be heavier footed than my ds.

OP posts:
HPsauciness · 28/01/2016 21:11

I wouldn't take back as 5 months since purchased, and all my kids school-shoes are showing signs of wear/leaking already...

But, the ones with the doll in the heel are very prone to this! I found the sole wears heavier, plus the inner sole bit starts to go to one side, as it is not fixed in like with the normal shoe (you should be able to pull it upwards with the little tab).

I always refuse to get the ones with the doll now, although as they are older it is not so much of an issue.

Original poster
Icantstopeatinglol · 28/01/2016 21:13

HP they definately won't be getting the 'toy' ones again!

OP posts: