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.

Clarks are shit! Over priced fall to bits.

Dd2 is in yr 11 so (hopefully) feet stopped growing. She has weird feet and its difficult to find a good fit. I very reluctantly paid out £104 on dr martins shoes ladt september and she has worn them all the time (not just school). They are still like newso i dont have to buy school shoes this year!

If junior DMs are inly a fiver more expensive than clarks i know what i would buy.

I would have had to buy four pairs of clarks a year and thats not down to growth

Last 3 times I've tried Clark's they've only had one or no styles in my kids' size. After stressing autistic child by forcing him to choose a cartoon character before he can have feet measured, despite being asked.not to do that. And then trying to get them to try on shoes that will be tight, which ds can't tolerate at all. So ended up in desperation at Deichmans and Shoe Zone.

Deichmans sell a lot of decent shoes if you look (Hush Puppies etc) and Shoe Zone tend to sell good boots for girls. Which Clark's don't and are really missing a market. I didn't mind paying for boy shoes there but I'm not paying 40 quid for a jumped-up ballet flat that won't keep my daughter's feet dry.

If Shoe Zone are the only people selling black ankle boots for girls, they'll get my money. Just bought 4 pairs of shoes for ds from them (spares in the next size up). 25 quid for four pairs of shoes.

They tend to last 6 months and it doesn't matter how well constructed a shoe is if your kid won't wear it.

@charmsofasimplelife

Hush puppies do removable inner soles so they may do the job. My daughter was always an h and they fitted wel for her.

My youngest has sensory issues and so I have got some for school as they seem to work for her as she can change the insert.

It's strange how some people find they "fall to bits" and others don't. I've had kids wearing them for 12 years and found they lasted well.

We’ve never had a problem with them falling apart. My lad abuses his shoes playing football in the mud in them, but as long as they’re cleaned properly when he gets home they usually survive! The girls tend to do all their growing right about now, so often we have to take shoes back in for a refit within the first month for them 🤦🏻‍♀️

Sports Direct do a decent range and I just get black leather trainers for him. A lot of Clark's shoes looks really naff. Sainsbury's surprisingly have some really lovely patent chunky shoes for girls that are much trendier than than the thin soled ballet pumps and half the price of Clark's.

We ditched Clark's a while ago. Switched to M&S for school shoes decent pairs for around £25 and last the whole school year. Trainers we usually go for Nike or Adidas again under £30 and last far better than any we've had from Clark's.

The Clarks ballet style and Mary Jane’s have always been stupid for school shoes. Nice for best but not practical for being out in a playground in wet weather or running around with a football.

would have had to buy four pairs of clarks a year and thats not down to growth
I'd talk to the branch about that, they'd definitely do something about it, that or they're using dud shoes as I've never ever heard of Clarke's shoes not being hard wearing (before this thread!)