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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To take them back... Advice needed

37 replies

Letsbekindplease · 20/04/2020 19:53

No, not a cheating partner, but a pair of boots I got last year (zzzzz boring I know!)

Last year I saved up and bought myself a lovely pair of boots for the winter. More than I would ever usually pay, but on a gin head, it seemed like a great idea.

I'm usually a size 5, but felt the 5.5 were bit better fitting. Anyway, got home and wore them out the following night and they were soooo tight. I don't know if perhaps my feet were cold and fitted better whilst in the shop, but I am crippled by them.

When I looked at the size, they're a size 5!!! There's obviously been a mix up and the lovely sales assistant has put the wrong ones through and I've stupidly not noticed.
I wore them to a friend's house and there really isn't a scuff on them. The stickers are off the bottom of the shoes, but still have the bag, box and dust bags.

I've never been one to take something back especially 6 months later, but do I chance my luck??? Will they even believe me!?!

The website are still selling them and will sell them as I believe its one of their classic styles.

What would you do?

OP posts:

IFancyANamechange · 20/04/2020 19:54

Is the shop even open?

cupofteaaa · 20/04/2020 19:56

I'd chance it!! I'd say I lost my receipt and not mention the 6 month time frame. Cheeky I know but for the sake of an exchange I can't see them saying no!

Ipadipod · 20/04/2020 19:57

How will you prove that you meant to buy a 5.5 and not a 5?

tontie · 20/04/2020 19:57

I don't think it's possible the shoes look unworn

underthepatio · 20/04/2020 19:57

It's been too long. You can't take them back after six months.

icelollycraving · 20/04/2020 20:00

Six months?! Not a chance.
I assume they are seasonal stock, by the time shops open again, they will be full of all tge spring/summer lines that just arrived.
It’s annoying but you need to suck it up really, I think some cobblers can stretch leather a little.

sweeneytoddsrazor · 20/04/2020 20:02

You have worn them. They are not going to take them back

AuditAngel · 20/04/2020 20:02

I think you can buy a spray to help stretch them.

Wear them in the house with thick socks on, or 2 pairs of socks.

icelollycraving · 20/04/2020 20:03

Ah just seen they are a classic line. If I was desperate, and they looked perfect, I’d order the 5.5 online and return the 5 but only if they look absolutely 100% perfect which if you have worn them is unlikely.

steff13 · 20/04/2020 20:03

No stores here are accepting refunds right now. Are they there? If they were expensive I'd sell them on one of those selling sites (Poshmark?). I can't imagine even the most lenient return policy would allow you to exchange boots six months later. Do you have a receipt?

EvenMoreFuriousVexation · 20/04/2020 20:04

There's no way they're going to be accepted as unworn. Not after 6 months and walking down your front path and up your mate's, and vice versa.

I'd ebay them as "worn once briefly outside house" and include a photo of the soles.

ANoiseAnnoys · 20/04/2020 20:08

You’ve nothing to lose but i doubt you’ll be successful and is the shop even open?

The worst thing I ever did was buy an expensive dress, wear it to a wedding all day and night so eating, drinking, dancing, sweating etc. Then returned it and got a refund the next week! They didn’t bat an eyelid but I felt a bit guilty!

Original poster

Letsbekindplease · 20/04/2020 20:25

Don't worry, I know the shops aren't open I'm just getting around to tasks that I should have done 6 months ago

@anoiseannoys haha. My friend does this constantly. She will buy expensive ones too. I couldn't do that. I'd feel too guilty, but almost everytime I wear something nice you can out your money on it that I'll spill SOMETHING down it.

OP posts:

SuckingDownDarjeeling · 20/04/2020 21:11

If they are very expensive then I would definitely ask for them to be exchanged for the correct size and be upfront about why. I worked in retail for a long time and I know that when a company places a high value on their product it's normally (and hopefully) because they want the consumer to be happy with it for years to come. If they exchange it for you, they would be securing more business from a customer that feels valued! I definitely wouldn't ask for a refund though as that would be cheeky x

SuckingDownDarjeeling · 20/04/2020 21:13

Although @icelollycraving had a brilliant idea too and that would definitely work in a pinch!

bridgetreilly · 20/04/2020 21:27

They have no obligation to take them back and you ought not to take them back having worn them. However, depending where you bought them from, it's possible that they might choose to accept a return.

Honestly, I would just sell them on eBay/Facebook.

bridgetreilly · 20/04/2020 21:30

Last year I was waiting at the Customer Service desk in Sainsbury when one of the assistants who had been processing returns came over. She showed me a top someone had brought back AFTER DOING ALTERATIONS TO IT!!! Like, literally you could see where they had sewed it. We were both utterly in awe of the absolute cheek of some people.

Original poster

Letsbekindplease · 20/04/2020 22:04

They were from Hobbs, so cost more than I usually pay.

I might try that @SuckingDownDarjeeling just be honest and see how it goes. If not, I'll ebay them and hopefully get something back.

@bridgetreilly that's shocking. Some people have no shame.

OP posts:

Fuss · 20/04/2020 22:47

Seem to remember a trick I used years go to stretch boots where you fill a sandwich bag with water, tie very securely, pop it into the boot And out boot in freezer.
As the water freezes it expands and stretches the boot slightly.

I the returns trick fails it might be worth a go.

SuckingDownDarjeeling · 20/04/2020 22:50

@Letsbekindplease good luck! I'm actually interested to know what happens so keep us posted x

heartsonacake · 20/04/2020 23:01

YABVU and a cheeky fucker to boot.

It’s been six months. You had your chance (and even then, having worn them, there’s no guarantee you’d get a refund), you left it too late.

You need to swallow it and in future learn not to procrastinate.

Binglebong · 20/04/2020 23:49

Clark's do a stretch spray which is really good - I was very dubious but they got a tight pair fitting perfectly.

Original poster

Letsbekindplease · 21/04/2020 07:28

@heartsonacake it's not a YABU post so pipe down dear.

I'll let you know what they say when we go back to normality. I'll, try the freezer bag trick then and see how that works. Will try anything.

OP posts:

Ginfordinner · 21/04/2020 07:32

I have awkward feet, and this is a typical example of why I can never buy footwear online. I don't think you would be able to exchange or refund six months down the line TBH.

fuckinghellthisshit · 21/04/2020 07:52

I think it’s fine to ask for a refund As she boxed the wrong size but taking back worn clothes and asking to refund as new is a really shitty thing to do and everyone knows it.

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