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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think Clarks have lost the plot?

234 replies

AudTheDeepMinded · 02/09/2020 14:20

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.

OP posts:
Feminist10101 · 02/09/2020 20:48

@BikeRunSki

I got DD DMs last year. They were falling apart (smooth soles, thread undone, cracks in leather) by the start of lockdown. Very didsapoinying, They were only size 4, so maybe DM don’t build the small sizes as well as the big ones. They were still £50!
The sole is about an inch thick! How on earth did she manage that?
BikeRunSki · 02/09/2020 20:51

@Feminist10101, she hadn’t worn all the way through, but there was no tread left at all. The soles are not that thick on the small sizes, and the tread not as deep. Even so. We have about a 2 min walk to school, do I can only out shoe destruction down to football.

dementedma · 02/09/2020 21:04

Sports Direct have decent shoes at a fraction of that price. We always got DS from there right up until he left school

Lurcherloves · 02/09/2020 21:21

Clark’s are awful the last few pairs I bought from them fell apart within a couple of weeks. I buy Geox now or just from M&S much better quality

SushiGo · 02/09/2020 21:32

That is taking the piss.

The thing is, they don't put prices on the boxes. So the shop assistant bring out a random selection of shoes, 2 of which might be an okay price, and another double the cost and then you have to ask them to find out how much they all are. After your kid has tried them on and possibly fallen in love with the fancy pair. It's a crappy selling technique.

We went to John Lewis this year. No queue, more brands. I asked for the cheapest trainers in the right size and the assistant came back with a £10 pair. Much easier.

Original poster
AudTheDeepMinded · 02/09/2020 21:49

@SushiGo it's like you were actually there from your description, that's exactly what happened. I was mortified and son was really upset as he loved them. TBF though the assistant seemed genuinely astounded upon looking up the price too, and even came back to say she'd told her coleagues and they too were surprised as that cost is usually for a boot style at that size! Also, what five year old needs to be flogged a pair of 'gaming' themed shoes?!

OP posts:
Feminist10101 · 02/09/2020 22:15

@dementedma

Sports Direct have decent shoes at a fraction of that price. We always got DS from there right up until he left school
Arron Banks though. Confused
Timeforanotherusername · 02/09/2020 22:21

£56 is quite expensive.

I must admit i don't even ask the price Hmm

I just get them fitted and whatever fits we get. But its always Clarks or Startrite.

Did get a bit of a shock at over £90 this year (2 pairs).

DD who knows how long they will last. She had 3 pairs one year!

SushiGo · 02/09/2020 22:38

@AudTheDeepMinded I have been there before! I once bought my 5yo a pair of £40 summer sandals because I was too embarrassed to say no, that's way too much at the till. I have hardened up a bit now, but I also avoid certain shops because it's stressful.

I'm not convinced it's a good PR technique to make it stressful for parents.

titnomatani · 02/09/2020 22:41

Definitely NBU. My toddler's shoes (6.5F) cost me £48. I was shocked when I got to the till (but still bought them like an idiot).

TheTeenageYears · 02/09/2020 22:46

[quote AudTheDeepMinded]@haveagoodyear my nearly ten year old has just gone into size 1 from a 13! Are you breeding a giant?[/quote]
@AudTheDeepMinded DS had size 8 feet when he was 10. At 18 he is now most definitely a giant.

SweetMeadow · 02/09/2020 22:51

I agree with you OP and I’m always suspicious about how good Clark’s and Startrite are for developing feet. I think they push and trade off myths that we need well structured shoes etc to support children’s feet. I came across this short video which explains this better than I can and it was a big eye opener for me: type in Shoespiracy into YouTube. I now buy my daughter’s shoes from happy soles online. They do sell expensive brands but they have very good sales which makes it affordable and I feel much happier that all the shoes they sell are designed to properly support natural foot development.

Timeforanotherusername · 02/09/2020 22:54

My 8 year old DD is not far off my shoe size.

I reckon next year I could wear her school shoes Blush

emma8t4 · 02/09/2020 22:59

My mum used to fit shoes in her twenties so I send her to buy ds shoes, best fit and comfiest £7.99 from a shoe outlet on the retail!! Could have saved a fortune on e years when I took him to Clark’s

SeasideMaiden · 02/09/2020 23:04

We paid £42 for a child's size 1G today. Jeezus.

fabulous01 · 02/09/2020 23:15

Clarke's is the worst shop. Completely over rated. Awful fitting and poor customer service

I have twins and I learnt the hard way with I'll fitting shoes at a huge cost!

I went to clinkards and haven't looked back. Still expensive but I know they fit

Dixiechickonhols · 02/09/2020 23:51

Been really impressed with m & s school shoes.

Emmelina · 03/09/2020 00:08

They do seem a bit more expensive this year. They’ve also brought in the 6 month free exchange period if kids outgrow them, so u do wonder if there’s a sneaky clawing back of lost earnings between the size thing and COVID!

TooCloseToTheProject · 03/09/2020 00:17

I've found Clark's shoes cheaper at Clinkards with better service!

Allaboutthepizza · 03/09/2020 00:31

@SweetMeadow completely agree with this. Just out of interest, has anyone ever known another adult who professed to have problem feet due to their parents buying cheap shoes? If shoes fit poorly they will cause problems, but if they fit well it doesn't matter how cheap they are.

DioneTheDiabolist · 03/09/2020 00:35

YANBU OP. £42 for a pair of boots for 2yoDS today.ShockHmmShock Yesterday I bought DS1(13yo) a pair of leather HushPuppies, adult size 11. They were £40!Confused

FakeFlamingo · 03/09/2020 08:46

We've moved to hush puppies this year which cost 10% more than Clark's but the quality is a world apart. These are chunky & thick soles compared to the thin soles Clark's which looks weak for the price they charge.

Jellybeansincognito · 03/09/2020 09:59

‘the shoes don’t wear well’ what on Earth are you buying?

My kids school shoes worn from September - March from there look barely used.

Parker231 · 03/09/2020 10:11

My DD and DS would destroy their school shoes so no point paying a lot. Playtime football matches, climbing and racing around is hard on shoes.

charmsofasimplelife · 03/09/2020 10:24

Apologies if it's already been said but

Does anyone else with a baby/child with the extra wide H fitting know of any other shops where you can get the extra wide fitting?

DD2 is 1.5 and is a 4.5h

I've just purchased a £30 pair of Clarks but obviously for autumn I'd like her to have a pair of trainers and a pair of boots too...her sister changed foot size every 6 months but had much thinner feet so can't reuse her shoes unfortunately.