Clarks pulling promotion

[CaffineismyBFF]

Brought a pair of clarks shoes in the summer with the promise that these could be replaced if my child outgrows them before the end of February. My daughter was complaining about them in mid-November so we went back and they were adamant her size hadn't changed but she was on the verge of being the next size, but come back in the Christmas holidays for a resize then.

Now I've just heard that the promotion has been pulled. I'm not a happy bunny! I specifically asked in store when I purchased the shoes what happens if we go into another lockdown and was reassured they would extend the promotion. Had I known, I would have brought cheaper alternatives rather than spending £50 on a pair of school shoes shes only worn for a term.

Kind of split views on social media, some are fuming and vowing never to shop at clarks again (I'm in that camp) and hoping they go bust (which I'm not!) And others are telling people to suck it up and stop whinging.

I'm guessing those who are telling others to stop whinging are those who can afford £50 shoes every term. I can't. As a "goodwill" they have offered a measley 30% discount on new school shoes if purchased by March. They're having a laugh! They are expecting us to spend more when we were promised new shoes due to their guarantee. I wasn't planning to spend on another pair of school shoes and even with the 30% off it makes them £35.

AIBU to think they are copping out on thousands of customers? Probably going to lose a lot of business as a result of this decision. 100% will never buy clarks again.

Clarks are awful. I got hideous blisters off some when I was a child - supposedly expertly fitted (my arse).

They are reliant on their brand name, and reputation, but the shoes are no better than supermarkets (nothing wrong with supermarkets).

If you can afford Clarks, then I would suggest looking up your local independent retailer who is registered with the society of show fitters and use them.

I think it's getting to the point schools should stop with uniforms until the situation is stable.

Absolutely agree with this. Clarks are a retailer, they just supply stuff that people want to buy.

The waste is caused by schools insisting on uniform even when it's blindingly obvious that pupils won't have much use for it this year. At least Clarks tried to mitigate some of the pointless expense. But it's not up to them to lose money by compensating parents for unnecessary spend directly caused by school policies.

@CheesePleaz

Do children's feet only grow when they attend school?

Very relevant. Thanks

I think it's getting to the point schools should stop with uniforms until the situation is stable.

But children would still need shoes that fit.

Very relevant. Thanks

Well indeed. Over a long enough time period every child will outgrow their school shoes. Why should Clark's foot the bill for that?

Sell the old ones that doesn't fit on eBay and use the money for some new ones.

I'm guessing those who are telling others to stop whinging are those who can afford £50 shoes every term. I can't.

Or those who can't afford Clarks shoes at all?

I wouldn't expect shoes worn every day to last more than 6 months anyway. That promotion was being offered in July, 6 months ago!

YABU. You knew they were too small in November, and all promotions can be removed at any time.

I stopped giving clarks my money after they sold my ex a pair of boots for my son in a size smaller than what he was already wearing.
Poor kid was complaining for a couple of days until I realised and they wouldn't give a refund only store credit which we didnt want as we couldnt trust them to measure his little feet properly which was the whole point of using them.
Asda sell real leather school shoes for about £18, as do matalan and Tesco.

To be honest you knew there was a problem in November and held off for some reason - presumably based off the word of someone in store (and let’s be honest they’re the last to know half this stuff). Also I thought it was well known clarks was about to go under - hence the desperate promotions in the first place.

I was wavering about buying school shoes over the xmas holidays as I didn't replace either DC shoes in September. I was looking for a sale and count find one so thouhht i might wait a week or 2 and then lockdown happened.
My DS last few pairs of school shoes have been from M and S and I found them really good quality and lasted a full year.

Kind of split views on social media, some are fuming and vowing never to shop at clarks again (I'm in that camp) and hoping they go bust (which I'm not!)
They might get their wish as Clarks are really struggling and in November 2020 entered into a conditional Company Voluntary Agreement. Maybe this is why the deal was pulled? It may have been a condition imposed on Clark's by the Hong Kong private equity firm, LionRock Capital who rescued them.

But children would still need shoes that fit.

Yes and obviously you buy them. But you won't have additionally spent money on shoes that are useless due to schools being closed.

The only purpose that school shoes and indeed school uniform serves is to allow your child to attend school. If there is no school, those shoes and clothes serve no purpose and buying them is wasting money. Therefore schools shouldn't have insisted on uniform.

What?!?! That is dreadful! You cannot run a promotion, advertise it heavily then decide one month before the deadline that you've changed your mind! It's fraud!!!

I get all my kids school shoes in Clark’s outlet. They are half the price at least of a high street Clark’s. Sorry missing the point I know!

That was clearly a stupid idea of theirs knowing how many parents would be finding loopholes to blag a new pair. Madness on their part!

YANBU. They can withdrawn a promotion for new customers, but can't retrospectively cancel one that has already been sold.

hat would be like receiving a bill in the post from Tesco for the cans of soup you bought under a "buy one get one free" offer a couple of months ago, that they've now decided to withdraw.

@EnglishBreakfastTea

What?!?! That is dreadful! You cannot run a promotion, advertise it heavily then decide one month before the deadline that you've changed your mind! It's fraud!!!

Fraud under what legislation? Did you read the small print?

How do Clarks even manage promotions like that? A lot of Clarks stores are franchises, bought and paid for by the store manager/owner. They dont really have the protection of being part of a chain. They are independents under an umbrella name but they're financially on the hook. A lot of them will be struggling.

@Zolaaaaa

To be honest you knew there was a problem in November and held off for some reason - presumably based off the word of someone in store (and let’s be honest they’re the last to know half this stuff). Also I thought it was well known clarks was about to go under - hence the desperate promotions in the first place.

I didn't hold off. They measured and said they are still fine. She had an insole and they said remove it and come back over Christmas. I didn't manage to get out then, but thanks for the judginess.

Well indeed. Over a long enough time period every child will outgrow their school shoes. Why should Clark's foot the bill for that?

Because they said they would? Or is it OK for companies to tell you something so you buy their brand over another one, and then take that advantage away, so you may as well have bought the other brand? Is that good marketing practice now?

So the promotion was due to run until the end of February, and they're not extending it even though the shops will probably remain closed? I don't think this is wrong.

It will be interesting to see if anyone complains to the ASA and what they make of it. I don't think they'll uphold complaints though.

If they had pulled the promotion early, that would be grounds for complaint.

@Thewiseoneincognito

That was clearly a stupid idea of theirs knowing how many parents would be finding loopholes to blag a new pair. Madness on their part!

Not about loopholes. It was clearly advised. All over the net, posters outside the stores and emails.

@EnglishBreakfastTea

What?!?! That is dreadful! You cannot run a promotion, advertise it heavily then decide one month before the deadline that you've changed your mind! It's fraud!!!

Depends if they've pulled it early (not fraud, but not allowed) or simply said they're not extending it (perfectly acceptable).

@redsquirrelfan

So the promotion was due to run until the end of February, and they're not extending it even though the shops will probably remain closed? I don't think this is wrong.

It will be interesting to see if anyone complains to the ASA and what they make of it. I don't think they'll uphold complaints though.

If they had pulled the promotion early, that would be grounds for complaint.

Asa don't do anything. They wouldn't reinstate the promotion at the most they may get a fine which would probably be nothing for them.

Technically they have pulled the promotion early. Lockdown was meant to last until mid Feb, nothing has been said to date about extending it (speculation but nothing confirmed by PM). The promotion was due to run until end of February.

Anyway I've gauged 50/50 on this matter so thanks all for your input.