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.

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

Too often retail staff makes things up rather than having the nouse to go and ask a manager the answer. You can't rely on this unless it is recorded somehow. If you rang a call centre and they said something there is probably a recording of the call, so there is evidence. But there's no evidence of a conversation in a shop and most promotions and contracts will say that they can only be varied in writing.

I think the attitudes here quite interesting. Everyone thinks Clarks should have an open ended extension to this promotion even if it makes them go bust and even though there is no legal requirement on them to extend it.

Yet in the early days of lockdown, when nurseries were trying to charge parents full fees for a place they couldn't use, everyone was saying it was perfectly acceptable and "force majeure" (hint - it isn't).

I'd be more worried about having to pay ££££ each month for nothing than losing out on £50 for a pair of shoes.

@MidSummersNightmare

I think it’s time to do away with the requirement for children to have certain types of shoes in order to go to school. I found it mad to have to buy new shoes and trainers in September even though my daughter already had a few pairs of perfectly good shoes in her size and obviously now they will hardly be worn.

I completely agree with this. DS' old secondary school required shoes that you might wear for a wedding. All seemed a bit over the top to me. I remember them sending out photos of shoes that were acceptable and not acceptable and I couldn't work out what was wrong with the unacceptable ones. DH eventually thought it might be size of the heel...

Sorry to resurrect the thread. I've just been on the Clark's website and the offer is still in the terms and conditions. I have emailed them to clarify. Have they definitely cancelled the offer? It is only if they have grown out of shoes purchased between July and September 14th. Is it worth trying or should I just buy new shoes?

@PandemicPalava with the fight we had to change shoes in October after purchasing at the end of August, I’ve listed the too-small shoes on FB selling sites and bought hush puppies for the same price. They come with several sets of insoles to mix and match to fit, so I’m hoping for a longer spell from them!

Thanks, I have taken photos and that was going to be my next step. I may avoid it then