To be fucking annoyed by Sports Direct?

[Absentmindedwoman]

Trainers fell apart within three months, holes in the heels and inner soles falling out. They're insisting this is completely normal. I'm insisting it's not and there's no way they are fit for the purpose of exercising. It's a reasonable expectation that trainers last 400 miles, not 150.

How can it be legal to sell shit faulty goods like this?

ARGHHH I'M SO ANNOYED!

[notapizzaeater]

I'd print off the consumer law and. Go back in.

[Glovebug]

Contact CAB who will report it to trading standards to investigate

[Pipbin]

Average use for the shoes was 5k on the treadmill 3 times a week during the three months I had them.

I wear NB and run a similar amount on the roads. Mine lasted for about 3 years until the wore through at the bottom.

Someone up thread said the SD didn't make them so why should they refund?
As the retailer they are responsible, not the manufacturer.

[Specky4eyes]

I had issues with Sports direct and did manage to get a refund in the form of a cheque.

It was bloody hard going though and I fully expected it to bounce when paying it in (it didn't!)

[DailyMailAreAFuckingJoke]

I'd expect NB to be good for about 500 miles. When I went for gait analysis and a trainer fitting (at an independent running shop), they told me to expect to replace my runners approx. every 500 miles. The advice was to purchase the new runners at 450 miles and alternate to break them in before retiring the old pair. Old ones should still be good for weights work in the gym, general wear etc.

Sounds like you got a dud pair - I'd email NB and ask them for their guidance on the model you have. No disrespect to SD staff but I wouldn't put a lot of store in them training people properly to fit running shoes. Proper gait analysis should look at you whilst you are running - standing on a machine won't tell you whether you actually pronate or not.

[JaceLancs]

I bought some Nike trainers from SD 3-4 years ago and they're still going strong (worn at gym 3-4 times s week)
I've since heard how bad their customer service is so won't shop there anymore - I made a similar decision some years ago about Argos after a bad experience trying to return s faulty sat nav
If we all did this in the end they would notice the lack of customers

[JessieMcJessie]

The fact that you consulted a SD "expert" and told them exactly what you wanted the shoes for is an excellent point in your favour. Look at section 10 of the CRA as well and keep at them!

www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2015/15/section/10/enacted

[fascicle]

Ah, ok. Although the shoes could be faulty, it's possible that you were misadvised - maybe they're not suitable for your running style. Worth getting some advice from NB before talking to Sports Direct, in case they're not the right shoes for you, in which case a direct replacement wouldn't be much good.

[lifesalongsong]

I've had New Balance shoes before and they lasted well, sounds like a dud pair. Even though SD should deal with it for you if they aren't going to I'd email NB with pictures of the shoes explaining the situation

[Absentmindedwoman]

They are running shoes, bought for that purpose, after I stood on the wee machine in the shop which makes an image of your socked foot to see what kind might suit you, and a youth working in the running section advised that they would be good for what I wanted.

They were so comfortable too and what I really liked about them was how light they were. So all things considered I was pretty disappointed when they started to disintegrate.

[fascicle]

I would expect branded running shoes to last a lot longer. But are they running shoes, or something more general?

[Absentmindedwoman]

*principle, even!

[Absentmindedwoman]

Thank you for all replies.

I wasn't even looking for a refund. I just thought I must have got a freak dud pair, and in the first instance asked SD to exchange them for another pair of the same price.

It's the principal of the thing. I feel like I've been hoodwinked.

I also think their 'customer service' policy seems to rely on stonewalling you when you complain and counting on you giving up. Well, they have no idea how stubborn and persistent I can be IF there is any hope of getting shoe justice here I will make sure it happens!

[WriteforFun1]

Ah, I would expect New Balance to do better. But then i also expect SD to be realistic about it, so I would take it further with both tbh.

[JessieMcJessie]

peggyundercrackers

I don't think it matters how much you pay for stuff - price has little bearing on quality

The law does however think that price may matter - see section 9 of the Consumer Rights Act:

QUOTE

(2)The quality of goods is satisfactory if they meet the standard that a reasonable person would consider satisfactory, taking account of— .
(a)any description of the goods, .
(b)the price or other consideration for the goods (if relevant), and .
(c)all the other relevant circumstances (see subsection (5)). .
(3)The quality of goods includes their state and condition; and the following aspects (among others) are in appropriate cases aspects of the quality of goods— .
(a)fitness for all the purposes for which goods of that kind are usually supplied; .
(b)appearance and finish; .
(c)freedom from minor defects; .
(d)safety; .
(e)durability. .
(4)The term mentioned in subsection (1) does not cover anything which makes the quality of the goods unsatisfactory— .
(a)which is specifically drawn to the consumer’s attention before the contract is made, .
(b)where the consumer examines the goods before the contract is made, which that examination ought to reveal, or .
(c)in the case of a contract to supply goods by sample, which would have been apparent on a reasonable examination of the sample. .
(5)The relevant circumstances mentioned in subsection (2)(c) include any public statement about the specific characteristics of the goods made by the trader, the producer or any representative of the trader or the producer.

UNQUOTE

I agree that price is not determinative in any way and may indeed be less relevant in the context of trainers mass-manufactured in China and bought in a discount store, but it can be relevant in some instances. I'd be looking at the full value price though as my reference, not the discounted price as they were not discounted to reflect quality they were discounted to reflect SD's willingness to make a lower margin on the sale.

[JessieMcJessie]

I'd contact New Balance with a polite email and ask for their view about whether the model you bought should last longer than the use that you have had from them. You still have to get the replacement from SD but an official statement from NB about quality should help. Tell NB you're not trying to get a refund from them and understand your recourse is to SD. They might intervene on a goodwill basis if you're lucky.

[peggyundercrackers]

I've never had any trouble buying from SD, bought loads of trainers to try and sent them all back, refunded within a couple of days of them going back. Bought clothes from them and sent them back without issue as well.

As for your trainers, it's not SDs fault they fell apart - they don't make new balance trainers, they only sell them.

I don't think it matters how much you pay for stuff - price has little bearing on quality especially when these things are made in their millions in Taiwan or wherever and cost pennies to make. I have had my Nike trainers for about a year now, they were £30 and I go to the gym most weeks and they are still fine. I only wear them to the gym though, don't go out in them otherwise.

[yippeekiyay2]

Just read your last post - I would expect new balance to last longer than that so would be worth pursuing I would think.

[yippeekiyay2]

I hate sd - only buy walking sandals for dd from there (just for everyday tho not huge walks) and me if I can find the right size because they have a baffling system of if you return something you don't get your money back you get a credit note. But some of them don't have changing rooms so not sure how you're expected to know if something is right before you buy it. So I don't. For running trainers you would be better off spending a bit more and going to a shop which can offer advice on the best fit for your running style etc I think.

[Absentmindedwoman]

Sorry - have not read all replies yet - but wanted to answer a couple of recurring questions. They are New Balance (a brand my sister has used for ages and always gets great quality from, she does a lot of sports) and cost £30 reduced from £60.

So, they were cheap and on sale but in my innocence I believed I was getting trainers that were as good quality as £60, but just not fashionable or whatever ie last year's style or something, which I couldn't give a shit about.

Average use for the shoes was 5k on the treadmill 3 times a week during the three months I had them.

Going back to read thread properly now, but to my mind they should last far longer!

[lifesalongsong]

DownstairsMixUp - SD sell branded trainers including Nike, they aren't fakes. I've had branded trainers from there that have lastest as you'd expect and my children have had countless pairs of branded sports shoes for different sports and they've never had a problem.

If you want your air maxs to be this season you might not get them there but you can certainly get them, My budget doesn't stretch to paying the price to get them from the nike website.

[CoraPirbright]

I hate hate hate SD. Never any staff anywhere to help - after my second ever visit, I swore I would never go there again. Would rather stick pins in my eyes. We have a Decathlon near us - great prices, fascinating, wide ranging stock and lots of staff who (surprise!) actually know about their stock and where to find it. I am utterly flummoxed by how SD managed to stay in business. Completely awful.

[DownstairsMixUp]

Id never buy running shoes there. I run miles per week and my nike air max have lasted ages

[zen1]

Channel 4 did a programme on them a year ago. Seems they treat their staff very badly as well www.channel4.com/info/press/news/sports-direct-investigation-reveals-harsh-working-conditions

[EweAreHere]

SD is crazy, but I have to admit we've done very well there with football/cricket/tennis/summer sandals/etc gear for the DCs.

I did buy a pair of black school shoes from Debenhams once that DS needed solely to get through the Summer Term at school last year. They lasted 4 weeks of school days/hours only, no biking, scootering, extra wear. Completely destroyed. I pulled them out of the bag at the sales counter and they landed with an embarrassing thud (for them) in front of the salespeople when I brought them back to complain. They were horrified at the state of them after such a short amount of time and refunded us quickly.