To think Clarks have lost the plot?

[AudTheDeepMinded]

School shoe shopping today. Was shown school shoe for five-year old (size 10) from newest range. Lovely shoe, but fuck me £56. I don't spend this on my own shoes.
www.clarks.co.uk/c/Encode-Flash-Kid/p/26153466
AIBU to think Clarks have lost touch with the reality of what the majority of parents can afford. I don't mind paying for quality and a pair that will endure but £56 is surely completely ludicrous for a five year old? A pair of DM boots in the same size is only a fiver more.

Actually Clark's shoes are relatively cheaper now than 30 years ago. Clothing is a lot cheaper. I bought size 4 (adult) for dd and they were £49 which I thought was decent to be honest for leather shoes

YANBU! A pair of ballet pumps was £40!! £40 for a pair of shoes that are useless (fall off when playing, feet get very wet if it rains). I refuse to pay that. In fact I went for the DMs! Although £60 my DD will wear them almost constantly for 6 months!

My dcs school seemed to cost a fortune this year. More than usual. Didn't pay much attention as it was boiling in the shop and just wanted to get out.

I don't really rate Clarkes tbh. Had all kinds of problems with them measuring the dcs feet too small, getting completely different sizes in different shops.

Only go because youngest has wide feet and they have a good returns policy.

BUt that's still £7 cheaper for an adult size than a small childs. It's disproportionate.

I agree. It’s insanity.

Clark’s have always been expensive

If we have to use Clark’s, we go to the local outlet shopping centre which means the shoes are cheaper.

Not much more cheaper but cheaper

I hate Clark's. Their range is crap, they're overpriced, the girls shoes are daft.

Crazy! I never shop there now. I can find good leather shoes in places like Sports Direct for closer to £25.

The only time I've shopped there recently was in the sale.

I've heard other people say they've had problems with clarks lasting but for my three sons they've always done the entire year.
The shoes were unpriced and the assistant had to look up he price, even she was shocked and said usually that would be the price for a pair of sturdy boots.

Clarks are very overpriced. By mum insists my DD has Clarks shoes for school, but she pays for them! I'd be happy to get a pair from Asda...

Apart from trying to convince me that "black school shoes from the boys range" were similar to "brown ankle boots from the girl range", they were perfect for dd this time.
And even the fitter was surprised they were only £24! Size 3, junior school....

I'll try and summarise the inevitable next ten pages:

1. Some people will say that it is important to have children's feet properly fitted by someone who is trained to do it and therefore it is worth the money.
2. The others will say that you can fit them yourself and therefore it is a waste of money as you can but much cheaper shoes or go for a different brand.

In fairness they have cheaper models than this one OP!

Kids shoes are not much cheaper to produce than adult shoes, the difference is minimal. I know it can be a big outlay, and as much as I scrimp on other items I don't begrudge having to spend a bit more for good quality shoes. I just wish DD's feet didn't grow so fast!

Prepare yourself for teenagers, DD15 DMs were £120 for school 😢
£56 for a wee boys school shoes is pricey but if he gets a full 6/9 months they are worth it,whereas you’d probably go through 2 or 3 £20 pairs in that time.

Actually, boots could have been from boy range.
Dd always chooses boots. I dont look at which shelf they come from.

@OhToBeASeahorse I probably fall into the former camp, especially for school shoes and usaully pay in the region of £40 for youngest DC but £56 is ripping the absolute piss, they're not gold plated.

At least this year, if your child’s feet grow you will get a replacement pair for free!

@AntennaReborn, which he got as there was no way I could justify the that price with three pairs to buy. I just think Clarks have lost touch with reality.

@lurker101 not sure of the full terms and conditions on that offer, bet there's lots of clauses to enable them to wriggle out of it!

I find Clarks quality hit and miss. Some shoes we've bought DC last and others don't at all. I've totally stopped buying DD school shoes from there as they only seem to stock the ridiculously thin soled ones which end up quickly becoming detredded and slippy. I tend to get her DM shoes now just so I know she's not going to go flying in the playground, and the cost isn't that much different to what Clarks charge.

The issue with Clarks imo is that they make the quality uneccessarily good for children's shoes. As in, most children will outgrow them long before they wear out, but as they mold to the foot they don't recommend buying second hand shoes for children. The price is probably actually reflective of a fair cost for the materials used and making them etc, but they don't need to be that good!

@Chairbear I think in the case of this particular model it is because they are 'gaming' themed, rather than any better quality.

DD and I went Primark and spent £4.50. Ideally they'll last till November when I'll get her some boots for the bad weather.

my kids Clark's shoes have always lasted a full school year if not outgrown which seems good value to me. Plus they are guaranteeing if kid grows between now and feb then they will replace their shoes for free so seems even better to me