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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to expect better from Clarks, pics included?

69 replies

Conkerharvester · 20/10/2016 13:37

I took my daughter to get shoes from a Clarks factory outlet store. Had her feet measured but the fitter said the children's shoes she tried didn't fit. She got her an adult pair of shoes, fitted them and said they were good so we bought them.

3 weeks into the new term and noticed that the rubber on the sole of the shoes had worn away and the wooden heels were being worn down. I took them back with receipt in hand. The shop assistant and manager said that this was 'normal wear and tear' (after THREE weeks!) and they couldn't do anything. Apparently adults shoes aren't subject to the same rigorous testing as kids. They refused to replace them so I contacted head office who said:
"From looking the photo's we can't see any fault in either the materials or the construction, and believe the condition reflects the type and amount of wear received. Therefore, stand by the stores decision. Children's shoes are designed to deal with the rough wear and tear school shoes receive. It is therefore our opinion that an adults shoe worn for school would not give the same wear. "

She's 12 - she doesn't do rough play in them!

So mumsnetters, aibu to expect that they shouldn't have recommended adult shoes if they aren't suitable for normal school wear? And aibu to expect even adult shoes to stand up to being worn for 15 days without needing re-heeling?

Not much I can do about it now but I'm really cross that I spent £32 on them!

to expect better from Clarks, pics included?
to expect better from Clarks, pics included?
OP posts:
Thread gallery
6
ItShouldHaveBeenJessCastismas · 20/10/2016 15:05

Agree with Kickers (several pairs of which I have bought from eBay). Last forever! Brilliant soles and very comfy.

GrinchyMcGrincherson · 20/10/2016 15:09

They were brilliant but last few years they have been getting steadily worse. Last years were so bad I won't touch them again.

Tidypidy · 20/10/2016 15:09

Always buy clarks for school including my teacher husband. Never have an issue with them wearing out just outgrown. Startrite by contrast gave ds1 such awful blisters he had to wear crocs to school for a fortnight and dd outgrew them in 6 weeks.

NellysKnickers · 20/10/2016 15:11

I'm not a fan of Clarks shoes but can highly recommend M and S school shoes, they are much cheaper than Clarks and are outgrow rather than wear out. They go up to adult size 7 and I currently have 2 pairs myself, really comfy too.

EweAreHere · 20/10/2016 15:15

Blast the link to this thread across their social media pages, FB and Twitter. Perhaps they'll reconsider their position when they realize that lots of people feel the same way about their shoes and that their shoes just aren't holding up reasonably.

IceLemonGin · 20/10/2016 15:21

I bought my DD her 2nd pair of shoes from Clarks last weekend. I thought the first pair looking shabby (after a few weeks of padding around indoors - she's 1) was a one off.

The second pair have a fault and there's glue marks around the side of the sole. Definitely won't be spending extortionate amounts there again.

StrongerThanIThought76 · 20/10/2016 16:13

I'm a teacher and am currently sporting a pair of Adult ladies Clarks shoes. They are the second pair of exactly the same style which I've worn pretty constantly at school for the last 2 years. Whilst I don't walk to work I am on my feet for most of the school day and your shoes certainly shouldn't have worn as much as they have.

I'd go back to another branch and say that they are your own shoes, bet they'd give you a refund then!

deadringer · 20/10/2016 16:25

I have always bought clarkes shoes and find them great. My dd is a size 6.5 to 7 and is on her second year with her clarkes school shoes. I find that they last a year at least. What size are your dds feet op that she needs adults? Does she ride a bike, some kids wreck their heels using their feet as a brake.

BerylStreep · 20/10/2016 16:26

Well you have the right to reject goods as being of unsatisfactory quality within 30 days under the Consumer Rights Act, so you might want to google some sample letters (Which do good samples) and advise Clarks as to your rights under Consumer Rights Act.

You are entitled to a refund within the first 30 days, thereafter to a repair or replacement (and it is your choice as to whether it should be repair or replacement).

ThoraGruntwhistle · 20/10/2016 16:34

It's an ingrained thing in parents heads to buy children's shoes from Clarks because 'they fit them properly and your kids' feet will be ruined by cheaper shoes' etc etc. It seems they're still trading on a reputation for quality from years ago. I think they're hugely overpriced and don't seem to particularly care about them fitting properly anymore as long as they make a sale.

roseteapot101 · 20/10/2016 16:36

i dont know were to shop now as clarks was the only place i could get shoes that would not give me foot pain and i look at the quality now and its gone right down the toilet.

i need new shoes for the whole family and i dont know were to go for good quality shoes

OhtoblazeswithElvira · 20/10/2016 16:41

What Beryl said. Is it worth a call to your local Trading Standards, OP?

I second getting school shoes from M&S. They are definitely outgrown rather than worn out by the destroyer DD.

blueturtle6 · 20/10/2016 16:47

Try saying at a baby group you aren't going to use Clarks.....

OhtoblazeswithElvira · 20/10/2016 17:00

So true blueturtle Grin
Alphamum: I always go to Clarks because they measure them properly and the shoes are good quality
Ladies-in-waiting: yeah, me too
Blazes: I don't like Clarks, they never have enough sizes, the shoes scuff after a week and the designs are all blue or pink. I just go to another shop / order online and try the shoes on the DC myself.
Grin

I am impressed with Clarks being able to trade on past reputation for so long!

PopFizz · 20/10/2016 17:19

DS1 can't get a pair of Clark's to last four weeks. Kangol leather shoes from sports direct last him months though.

Ds2 on the other hand can make a pair of Clark's boots last a whole year and then some. So seems children are different.

I love clarks brogues, and have several pairs. Favourite ones have lasted way past a year of heavy use.

Notso · 20/10/2016 17:23

I've never had any problems with the quality of Clark's school shoes. They have always been outgrown not worn out by my children.

I am surprised they fitted an adult shoe for your DD though. I have been told several times in different branches that this is against their policy.

Can't see the picture too well but the purple and pink shoes look like they needed a protection spray before use and a good polish to get the scuffs out.

raspberrysuicide · 20/10/2016 17:27

Never ever bought my dcs Clarks shoes. I buy shies from supermarkets that cost about £12 it doesn't matter if they get trashed. Although they last much longer than 3 weeks.
The last pair of shoes I bought dd 13 from Brantano only lasted about 2 weeks and they gave me a full refund.

wiltingfast · 20/10/2016 17:30

I'm totally fed up with them. They'll be getting no more money from me. Options in Dublin surprisingly poor though. No startrite near me anymore for example. I still mourn a gorgeous ROBUST pair of Mary Janes my DD had when she was about 3...

What brands for kids WOULD ye recommend?

RhiWrites · 20/10/2016 17:33

That's not normal wear and tear. However she seems to be walking on the back of her heels. I do this too although I've been trying to correct it. It's a really bad way of walking and actually something you should look into addressing.

EsmesBees · 20/10/2016 17:34

To be fair, I had a pair of boots from there a couple of years ago that we're going 'baggy' round the ankle. I popped in to Clarks to look at some other shoes and mentioned it, and they let me swap them for new ones, no receipt needed.

HMF1 · 20/10/2016 18:45

Try Geox for school shoes expensive but we have found they last well.

TheoriginalLEM · 20/10/2016 18:53

clarkes are total shite for both adult and children's shoes. i no longer even look in there. i think we are programmed into clarks being the "good parent's" choice from being forced to wear them as children.

teachpeach · 20/10/2016 19:01

I get very cross when I go to the shop and all the bother of having my DSs feet measured, pick out the shoes we like - and then the assistant says they don't have them in their size, but try them in a size up/ width down to make sure they get a sale.

Sidge · 20/10/2016 19:05

I think Clarks are pretty shite. They're still trading off their reputation of 20 years ago when they were pretty much the only place to get good quality, well fitted children's shoes.

They're now poor quality, shoddy and not even terribly well fitted - last time I was in there they tried to sell me shoes that obviously didn't fit DD properly.

I'd rather spend the money elsewhere. DD3s current pair of shoes came from Lidl! £6.99, they're leather and really sturdy. I'm perfectly capable of telling if they fit or not, I don't need to go to Clarks and spend 30 quid more for a machine to tell me what size she is.

AlistairSim · 20/10/2016 19:10

Most of the heels are made from compressed cardboard rather than wood nowadays, but if you go to a good cobbler they will be able to put on quality rubber heels that will last a lot longer than the original ones.

Unfortunately, pretty much all the high street brands are made in India/China and use the cheapest materials possible. There is very little difference in quality between Clarks and shoes from Primark now.