School shoes - shops closed

[CoRhona]

Is it just me who didn't realise Clarks and Sports Direct are both temporarily closed?? Had to order online and pay next day delivery (shoes falling apart, only told this morning ) but obviously hoping size is correct.

AIBU to think actually school shoes should be on the essentials list?!

YANBU.
Plus secondary schools usually give no leeway in these situations. If I sent ds in the wrong shoes it would likely result in a detention (even with a note) and a very anxious child.

Do you not regularly clean their shoes?

Made me laugh too. My dds are only allowed to choose patent shoes because honestly life is too short. Tip resentment for boys granted!

@Tunnocks34

Yes it’s a ball ache. My one year started walking last week and I can’t get him shoes, nor do I know what size he is!

Clarks and some other shoe shops sell a foot measurer for around £10-£15. It can also save you loads in the long run as you can buy second hand off eBay or pick up shoes free via Facebook groups once you know the size.

Disappointing when people have no idea of the dire straits many families find themselves in currently. If you're on a limited income, you can't afford to buy things in advance.

I completely understand people who are severely struggling, so if I needed to buy Clarks shoes and knew we were going into a lockdown and I was on limited funds, I would check my kids stuff to see what we needed as a priority to avoid buying something that didn't fit and sending it back and avoid wasted postage rather than going in store for free.

I wasn't saying she should have them sitting there for a month waiting to grow into, just check before lockdown and if they are hanging off his feet, get them before lockdown to avoid additional costs.

I'm not sure it's a financial issue here and oversights happen, but the shoe shop staff shouldn't be made to work through this and put at risk unnecessarily.

@Hayeahnobut

you had enough notice to go and buy some.

Disappointing when people have no idea of the dire straits many families find themselves in currently. If you're on a limited income, you can't afford to buy things in advance.

That's exactly why I did actually. I needed them to be from ShoeZone because it's cheaper than the supermarket.

If the OP was is that much financial difficulty she'd buy them from Asda and not Clarks.

How patronising

I’ve just had to replace DS’s school shows because he lost them (and a bag on uniform) the day after half term, when he went in in PE kit with a bag of uniform to change into afterwards. He had very narrow (Clark’s C/D) very long (adult 8) feet. I ordered a selection of styles/sizes from M&S. Fortunately one of them fits, but I now have 5 pairs to return!!

Y DD has just outgrown her school shoes. School has said not to worry until the shops are open again. Somehow, I doubt her education will suffer as she is wearing brown winter boats instead of black ones (boots are permitted).

I feel fortunate that she attends a sensible school.

Also, fortunately we could afford this, and DS has paid half. It must be an awful situation if on low income.

Dd came home from school the day before lockdown with a split sole.
Unfortunately due to after school activities she didn't get home until after the shops had closed.
Dh took her to two local supermarkets to buy a pair but they didn't have any in stock so we ended up buying from new look on line, paying for delivery and having dd go to school in trainers for 2 days while we waited for delivery.

@butterpuffed I apologise if I sounded patronising. It wasn't the OP who said she was struggling- I was responding to PP who said that she was.

What I meant was, OP probably didn't buy shoes in advance because like most of us life is hectic and we forget these things. Not because she is financially struggling because if she was she probably wouldn't have ordered Clark's shoes (I can't afford Clark's every time because they're bloody expensive and my daughter has Asda ones right now).

Income not an issue, fortunately although galling to spend a lot on next day delivery.

You can still buy them, though.

Lots of shops here are doing "click and collect" so you can ring up, order, try things on and return what doesn't fit the same day. Or you can go to a supermarket, try on and buy them there and then.

Or order online like you have done. There's plenty of choice, really.

I was literally presented with a pair of falling apart shoes before school this morning.

Hopefully yours will all last the next couple of weeks!

Shoe zone online

I always buy online then can send back or take to the shop when open

They do free delivery

vanilla yes but we had schlepped into town.

Lesson learnt.

You can measure there feet with a tape measure or ruler and convert it to the shoe sizes on the website. I've done that before for sports direct.

Their

@CoRhona

vanilla yes but we had schlepped into town.

Lesson learnt.

Ah okay.

Next time, Google is your friend

[quote NerrSnerr]@butterpuffed I apologise if I sounded patronising. It wasn't the OP who said she was struggling- I was responding to PP who said that she was.

What I meant was, OP probably didn't buy shoes in advance because like most of us life is hectic and we forget these things. Not because she is financially struggling because if she was she probably wouldn't have ordered Clark's shoes (I can't afford Clark's every time because they're bloody expensive and my daughter has Asda ones right now). [/quote]

You tell the head teacher that their shoes have fallen apart and they wear their trainers until lockdown ends. That’s what I have done

Also, to everyone saying buy online from Clark’s or similar with a hole shoe gauge. That totally defeats the point of shoe measuring. The whole point is that a trained member of staff feels the shoe on the feet. Not all shoes fit the foot even if they are ‘the correct size’ Some shoes, makes and styles will fit better than others.
Properly fitted Shoes for growing feet are extremely important if they are wearing them every day for 5 days a week. Supermarket shoes come a very poor second as do anything bought over the internet!!

YABU in the sense that I thought everyone knew that if it doesn't sell food or household items like bleach/loo roll, it's not open. Garden centres excepted as they were mentioned separately.

However, YANBU about shoes being essential. I had to buy DS 2 pairs of wellies in lockdown and everywhere online that didn't charge £40 a pair was sold out in his size. Same with supermarkets. I could really have done with Shoe Zone, Clarks or our local shoe chain!

I have my own gauge and buy online. Their feet haven't dropped off yet.
To be honest I reckon I'm just as competent as the Clarks Saturday girl.

Amazon Kick-Hi Kickers. Buy the next size up when the last size get too small.

First time buy current size and size above. Return for free whichever one doesnt fit.

Main reason we've had Amazon prime for years. Kickers, Dr Martens and non crocs style crocs in summer