To get toddler feet measured in shop then buy online?

Heather91 · 2023-08-16T15:56:03+00:00

Just that really. Is it ok to get my toddlers feet measured in a shoe shop but then buy online? so many options are half price online but full price in the shop. But I feel bad… do I tell the shoe fitter I only want a measure or will they not want to measure if I’m going to go way and buy elsewhere?!

Jitterybugs · 16/08/2023 17:04

There’s no need to tell in advance you didn’t intend to purchase shoes in store. You can just say you are undecided when they show you their options and you’re going to have a think. They mightn’t even have the size and style you want anyway.

Firebrickblue · 16/08/2023 17:06

I personally think it’s a bit cheeky if you want to use the service that a walk in shop provides but don’t actually want to support them when high streets are struggling

TenderChicken · 16/08/2023 17:08

I just ordered the actually measuring device from Clark's, then you never have to go to the shop at all.

They sell a toddler one and a junior one.

Toddler White/Green Shoe Gauge | Clarks

https://www.clarks.co.uk/c/Toddler-Gauge/p/20352422

DinnaeFashYersel · 16/08/2023 17:09

It's cheeky but you won't be the first or last to do it.

However show fitting for your children is not just about sizing but also making sure the shoe fits properly. Worth hearing in mind.

FloweryName · 16/08/2023 17:10

If it’s a small independent shoe shop YABVU.

A large chain makes it slight less unreasonable, but only slightly.

MrsAvocet · 16/08/2023 17:15

I would be cautious. I guess if you actually have some shoes fitted and then buy exactly the same ones on line they will probably be ok, but even then I have bought identical pairs of shoes in the past and found one pair fits and the other doesn't! But I definitely wouldn't just be measured and then assume that all shoes of that size will fit as there is a lot of variation between brands and even within styles in the same brand. Personally I wouldn't buy shoes for a small child without trying them on.
There is of course also the risk that the more we all do this kind of thing the more high street shops will close and thus not be there when we need one. A friend of mine runs a bike shop and he cannot possibly sell bikes at the same prices as the massive online companies but people still expect him to be open all hours when they need an inner tube in a hurry! It's difficult, because the price difference can be significant and money is tight for most people at present, but if we want real shops to survive we do need to use them.

CalistoNoSolo · 16/08/2023 17:16

I've always had to do this in my local Clarkes, because the range they have in stock is tiny, and I've never seen the point in buying school shoes 6 weeks in advance (growth spurts). DD was in Clarkes shoes from toddler to 16 so I didn't ever feel guilty about getting her feet measured in the store and then buying on the website. I wouldn't do it at an independent though, that's a shit thing to do.

Sirzy · 16/08/2023 17:16

Given my experiences of in store fitting when Ds was little I would order the gauge and do it all yourself

enchantedsquirrelwood · 16/08/2023 17:17

In running shops they often charge £10 for a shoe fitting and gait analysis now and then the £10 is taken off the price of the shoes. I guess it's to deal exactly with this situation.

Yes it's cheeky but businesses don't exactly run themselves for the benefit of their customers. You don't owe them anything. Yes they might close down and yes the ones you get online might not fit properly but that is a lot of if's.

TropicalTrama · 16/08/2023 17:17

Just buy a guage and do it all yourself. We have the startrite ones.

Turfwars · 16/08/2023 17:22

Just be warned, sizing can vary between brands. So if they use a clarkes guage, use that size for clarkes shoes but that same size in a Startrite might be a poor fit as you need a startrite guage.

You really need to try shoes on the child as the size & width is only the starting point. If you want to order online then order a few sizes if you can, a size either side and width either side.

You need to put DC into whatever socks they would usually wear and measure them, open up the shoe fully, push toes down to the end of the shoe, you should be able to get your middle finger between the heel and their heel (men measuring should use pinky finger) and have them standing with their weight on their feet when you do it. (when sitting they tend to curl their toes under!)
Width wise it's ensuring that their feet aren't too narrow for that width or if their socked feet are too tight in the shoe that way.

I've used clarkes but tbh they were crap and fell apart. Startrite shoes were indestructible.

coxesorangepippin · 16/08/2023 17:26

People do this all the time

Summerrainagain1 · 16/08/2023 17:29

It's fine to just get measured I think, although often with toddlers it not just size but also fit. In the store they will try the shoes on and check the fit. Both mine often didn't suit particular shoes. I would be out of order to go try on shoes, get them fitted etc and then say no thanks and go buy them at home. I think anyway.

ThickSkinnedSoWhat · 16/08/2023 17:37

Firebrickblue · 16/08/2023 17:06

I personally think it’s a bit cheeky if you want to use the service that a walk in shop provides but don’t actually want to support them when high streets are struggling

As do I. I worked as a kids measurer and there was nothing more irritating than people coming and wasting my time as they got measured, THEN say 'oh I'm popping home to order from XX' or 'only wanted to check before I head to XX later as they don't measure'. On most occasions, the fitter has KPI's and will get pulled by management if they aren't meeting them because all they are doing is measuring feet so you can go elsewhere to buy. It's rude and their feet can still size up differently in other brands anyway. The same customers tended to be the ones who let their children pull all the shoes off shelves, leave them lying everywhere, letting them run into stock rooms, all things which also wasted time.

teaorme · 16/08/2023 17:39

You’re wasting their time they could be using with a customer. I used to fit children’s shoes. You’re on targets and if you don’t achieve you get questioned and grilled as to why. Buy your own gauge… but please watch a video on how to do it properly, it’s very easy to do it wrong

teaorme · 16/08/2023 17:39

ThickSkinnedSoWhat · 16/08/2023 17:37

As do I. I worked as a kids measurer and there was nothing more irritating than people coming and wasting my time as they got measured, THEN say 'oh I'm popping home to order from XX' or 'only wanted to check before I head to XX later as they don't measure'. On most occasions, the fitter has KPI's and will get pulled by management if they aren't meeting them because all they are doing is measuring feet so you can go elsewhere to buy. It's rude and their feet can still size up differently in other brands anyway. The same customers tended to be the ones who let their children pull all the shoes off shelves, leave them lying everywhere, letting them run into stock rooms, all things which also wasted time.

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This!!!!

Original poster

Heather91 · 16/08/2023 20:16

Ok I just wanted to sound out before going to get shoes.
for my DCs first shoes we went to the store that was cheaper first, but the fitting was terrible!
they seemed unsure and then got someone else to measure again who gave completely different sizes etc
so I went to the only other store in my area and the fitting was great. The last really knows what she was talking about etc and great with my little one. We bought his first shoes from her but they were £45! (Only certain shoes fit best)
I was using up annual leave and he wasn’t at nursery yet, so life was more affordable then!
I’ve already seen the next shoes are anywhere between £45-70 but they are brands that I do see half price online.
I don’t want to so anyone a disservice, but I want to get my child measured properly and afford shoes. I do buy other things from the shop like gifts for new babies, slippers for my little one …
But the shoes are so expensive. Would it be ok to ask to only try sale shoes? Because if his feet have grown we will also need new slippers for nursery and wellies and it’s just all adding up :(
I think I’ll try the foot gauge but I feel so nervous about getting it wrong!

OP posts:

ThickSkinnedSoWhat · 16/08/2023 20:26

Heather91 · 16/08/2023 20:16

Ok I just wanted to sound out before going to get shoes.
for my DCs first shoes we went to the store that was cheaper first, but the fitting was terrible!
they seemed unsure and then got someone else to measure again who gave completely different sizes etc
so I went to the only other store in my area and the fitting was great. The last really knows what she was talking about etc and great with my little one. We bought his first shoes from her but they were £45! (Only certain shoes fit best)
I was using up annual leave and he wasn’t at nursery yet, so life was more affordable then!
I’ve already seen the next shoes are anywhere between £45-70 but they are brands that I do see half price online.
I don’t want to so anyone a disservice, but I want to get my child measured properly and afford shoes. I do buy other things from the shop like gifts for new babies, slippers for my little one …
But the shoes are so expensive. Would it be ok to ask to only try sale shoes? Because if his feet have grown we will also need new slippers for nursery and wellies and it’s just all adding up :(
I think I’ll try the foot gauge but I feel so nervous about getting it wrong!

I would never have had an issue with people looking for sale shoes, I was always happy to direct toward a bargain, still counts towards Targets. It was the ones who came in and never had any intention of buying so much as a lace and then going somewhere else that were the issue.

Original poster

Heather91 · 16/08/2023 20:29

ThickSkinnedSoWhat · 16/08/2023 20:26

I would never have had an issue with people looking for sale shoes, I was always happy to direct toward a bargain, still counts towards Targets. It was the ones who came in and never had any intention of buying so much as a lace and then going somewhere else that were the issue.

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Oh that’s good then I’ll ask! (Just hope there are sale ones that fit my child!)

OP posts:

ItsNotRocketSalad · 16/08/2023 20:33

For me it would depend if the measurer is on commission or not. I don't know if most shoe shop employees are... maybe if you name the chain, somebody can tell you?

dontletsaskforthemoon · 16/08/2023 20:35

ThickSkinnedSoWhat · 16/08/2023 17:37

As do I. I worked as a kids measurer and there was nothing more irritating than people coming and wasting my time as they got measured, THEN say 'oh I'm popping home to order from XX' or 'only wanted to check before I head to XX later as they don't measure'. On most occasions, the fitter has KPI's and will get pulled by management if they aren't meeting them because all they are doing is measuring feet so you can go elsewhere to buy. It's rude and their feet can still size up differently in other brands anyway. The same customers tended to be the ones who let their children pull all the shoes off shelves, leave them lying everywhere, letting them run into stock rooms, all things which also wasted time.

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Came here to say same @ThickSkinnedSoWhat . My DD worked for a well known shoe shop that caters for kids. Stories of parents bringing their kids in for a measure, she would then get a range of shoes out for them to try and inevitably they'd say no to everything or just bugger off whilst she was trying to find suitable shoes in the size needed. With the other kids in the family would wreck displays whilst parents would sit on their phones, not taking any notice.

OP don't do it. It's so unfair to the employees of these shops, especially when they are monitored for their KPIs...loads of measures but no sales gets them a bollocking!!

Strawberryfieldsforeverrr · 16/08/2023 20:41

I haven't ever paid a lot for slippers or wellies so I wouldn't worry about that, but for actual shoes I think it's important to have them fitted in store, not just measured.
My dc both have awkward feet so I've never been able to trust sizing, they need to be tried on and checked, and half the time they come out with a different size due to the fit of the shoe.
I'm not a label snob or anything, but I think that we'll fitting shoes are vitally important for little feet.

ThanksItHasPockets · 16/08/2023 20:41

No, I wouldn’t do this OP. I did however buy a Startrite gauge and start measuring them myself when I realised that the extra staff they laid on in John Lewis during the holidays had barely had any training and were clueless. My DD has high arches which I now know an inexperienced fitter will misinterpret as very wide feet. After a ridiculous situation with a sales assistant who tried to insist that the G width shoes that were like boats on DD were a perfect fit I have always measured and fitted at home. It is so much less stressful.

ThickSkinnedSoWhat · 16/08/2023 20:45

Heather91 · 16/08/2023 20:29

Oh that’s good then I’ll ask! (Just hope there are sale ones that fit my child!)

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If they don't have any sale in stock that day that you like, it is worth checking if they can order them in from online stock for you to collect. This was something I was able to do.

Willmafrockfit · 16/08/2023 20:48

bit cheeky