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AIBU?

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Original poster

To return Clark's shoes

48 replies

rasberryandlime · 13/07/2019 19:59

Went to Clark's today to get my little boy (14 months) measured for his first 'proper' pair of shoes now he is walking confidently. He has had pre-walkers from there with no problems but these are no longer suitable as he's properly running around outside.
The shoes (leather Velcro trainer type) were fitted by a sales assistant and I commented they looked a little narrow but she double checked and said they were fine. Anyway I got home and took Ds out for a short walk outside (only 5-10 mins as didn't want to do any longer in brand new shoes). Came back and on taking his shoes off to check his feet was so upset to see they had caused him a blister (bright red and broken the skin). AIBU to return the shoes? I am really upset his first pair of shoes have done this, and they cost £35! DH says blisters are to be expected with new shoes, and he just needs to break them in over time, so they won't take them back as they've been worn outside and are muddy and it's normal to get blisters when you wear new shoes. What do you think and any experiences of Clark's?

OP posts:
spongebunnyfatpants · 13/07/2019 20:02

Take them back and ask for someone else to measure him. My two always have Clarks and have never blistered.

Original poster
rasberryandlime · 13/07/2019 20:05

Thanks, I agree and think properly fitting shoes shouldn't cause a blister (and that is the reason I paid extra for Clark's shoes), but dh says I'm overreacting and of course he will get a blister as they're his first proper shoes.

OP posts:
AmIRightOrAMeringue · 13/07/2019 20:08

They shouldn't blister. I assume he was wearing socks though? I wouldn't let kids wear new shoes without.

Kids shoes are much softer than adults, and at his age, he wouldn't have been walking miles, so blistering is unusual and I dont think dad can compare to what usually happens to his shoes. At that age they grow out of them every few weeks so they dont have the time to break them in, they're not meant to last for years and sure built for comfort rather than durability .

Clark's are fairly good for returns. Unless it's an hours trip for you or something you've got nothing to lose.

MyDcAreMarvel · 13/07/2019 20:10

Did he have socks on?

Original poster
rasberryandlime · 13/07/2019 20:10

Yes he was wearing socks, I would expect maybe a few red marks given they're his first shoes but a proper blister so quickly says to me they clearly don't fit properly.

OP posts:
Inde95 · 13/07/2019 20:11

I used to work for Clarks and shoes that are causing a blister are not fitted properly. It's always worth asking a second opinion when getting a toddler's shoes fitted as they can be wriggly (I'd always have a manager double check anyway).

Throughthenever · 13/07/2019 20:11

Take them back and show the staff what has happened.

I have been into 2 different Clark's on the same day and got both to measure dd... both gave me different widths.

Due to an issue with her feet I went with the wider width and have not had a problem.

It's worth checking inside the shoe to make sure there isn't something that could be rubbing, maybe a defect with the shoe.

Was he wearing socks? The only shoes dd wears without socks are her sandles and even then it's not often. Their skin is so sensitive I get worried about rubbing .

BarryBarryTaylor · 13/07/2019 20:12

I’ve got to say I’m not a Clark’s fan any more mostly because of the sales assistants. I’ve had three very poor experiences with DD. We got to Russell and Bromley’s now, much more money but worth it!

Original poster
rasberryandlime · 13/07/2019 20:13

Thanks, reassuring to hear I'm not being OTT.
He was wearing socks - the exact same ones he had on when they were fitted a few hours earlier!
Have just checked the width of his prewalkers (which he was only fitted for 3 weeks ago) and they are the 3.5H, the ones he was fitted for today are 4F.

OP posts:
shoofly · 13/07/2019 20:18

Sounds (from previous shoes) as if they're too narrow. If there was one width change possibly? But certainly not from an H to an F in only 3 weeks? Take them back and ask for someone else to fit them

firawla · 13/07/2019 20:22

Blistering is not normal in new shoes! Definitely take them back, can’t understand why your dh would want to keep putting them on him to “break them in” it’ll just hurt his poor feet even more

MyDcAreMarvel · 13/07/2019 20:23

If wearing socks then yes definitely go back.

Original poster
rasberryandlime · 13/07/2019 20:27

Thanks, dh seems to get blisters every time he gets new shoes so thinks it's normal. I certainly won't be putting these shoes back on him. I think I'm going to go back tomorrow, explain what happened, ask for him to be remeasured and see what they say.

OP posts:
user1471530109 · 13/07/2019 20:28

They will definitely take them back. I've done it more than once. One pair of sandals blistered, were returned and replaced with different style. Last set of school shoes were replaced as daughter said they were uncomfortable. They were in the sale and £10! The assistant on return said that honestly, they were not tight but she'd of course replace if daughter (5 at time) not happy.

Take them back

moreismore · 13/07/2019 20:29

Definitely take them back! I have successfully returned adults shoes which caused severe blisters.
Also have a look at barefoot shoes... www.happylittlesoles.co.uk is a good place to start Smile

RollOnSummerBreak · 13/07/2019 20:30

Yes definitely. I've found awful service at Clarks lately. My dd size. 4.5gwere too small
I removed them and asked them to. Measure she said oh a 4h and. Would not re measure because she's been doing it 3 months! I left and went to John Lewis and got start rites.

MacInTheBox · 13/07/2019 20:32

Definitely return. Properly fitted shoes shouldn't be causing blisters, especially with socks.

We've taken shoes back to Clarks before - not for poor fit but because they have no staying power whatsoever. I'm always a bit pissed off with the quality of them considering the price. Saying that, they've always been understanding and swapped or exchanged, so I'm sure you'll have no problems.

crustycrab · 13/07/2019 20:33

Clark's measured my DC 3 times in twok weeks (because I couldn't decide and kept popping back in). They measured him different all 3 times and on the last time he'd shrunk from an 8G to a 7F Hmm

Take them back

thirdfiddle · 13/07/2019 20:33

Definitely take them back. But by the way it's a myth that you needed new shoes in the first place just because he's walking more solidly, unless he had grown out. The "pre-walker" leather ones if that's what you had are great for toddlers too as they are more flexible. Specially in summer you don't need anything heavier.

RedSoloCup · 13/07/2019 20:36

I've had a few tiny issues with Clarke's over the years and they are always amazing at sorting issues so don't worry about taking them back they will definitely refund.

Original poster
rasberryandlime · 13/07/2019 20:37

Thanks, yes I was actually happier with the pre-walkers having soft soles and know it's better for their feet. The main reason they weren't suitable is that the soft leather has been totally destroyed through scuffs in the few weeks he's been walking outside (which I don't blame Clark's for as know they're not intended for that, he progressed more quickly than I thought after taking his first few steps)

OP posts:
Magicpaintbrush · 13/07/2019 20:38

My DD very nearly always gets blisters with Clarks shoes - we have always ended up taking them back. We find Marks and Spencer kid's shoes fit better and are more comfy, also cheaper than Clarks. Clarks is a last resort if we really can't find shoes anywhere else.

StringedBeans · 13/07/2019 20:41

A few years back I had the same with DD's shoes. She was older (about 5) but the first/second time she went out in her new shoes they rubbed. We went back and they gave us a full refund - no quibble.

81Byerley · 13/07/2019 20:56

No, you shouldn't have any marks on a baby's foot, and the only reason adults break in shoes is because they don't fit properly. Children don't break in shoes. Definitely go back.

myself2020 · 13/07/2019 20:59

Clarks are notoriously shit for measuring. the told me to buy my son 2 sizes too small to be narrow enough..... go to a real shoe store, and forget about clarks

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