Yes a very first world problem.
Long story short my kindly dm gave me £100 for school shoes as she does every year - last year I lied when she asked if it was enough, I think 2 pairs cost me about £130. And one pair had to be glued back together at Christmas, another story
Being an old fashioned sort I know she expects me to go to Clarks so off we went today.
Nobody else in the shop. Served by teenager who was beyond useless. Brought out various shoes and couldn't give an opinion as to whether they fitted or not. DS2 wanted a particular pair and she brought out the same wrong pair THREE Times and didn't believe me when I said she was bringing out quite a different design to what he wanted. Didn't have anything that DS1 wanted at all. DS2 tried about 10 pairs of shoes too big or too small (according to him) so in the end we gave up and left.
We headed to another stockist other side of town which sells Clarks and other brands. But passed Deichmann - brightly lit, welcoming store, full of other mums and kids on the way so I thought let's give it a go. Much easier experience - ok so you find your own shoes but you don't have to rely on useless teenagers to find the ones you want, you either find them or you don't. Result was two happy boys, 2 for 1 offer, paid less than £40 for two pairs of shoes including some weatherproofing in a machine, came home, happy days.
Now I know the quality might be rubbish and that possibly some dodgy child labour was involved (anyone know?) but quite frankly Clarks is taking the piss if a. their shoes fall apart before christmas b. you don't get any actual advice when buying your shoes which tbh I always assumed was part of the cost and c. all the child options are a patchwork of smaller bits of leather which are a nightmare to clean. Added to that they have zero lace up options for a size 3 son. I think they are a rip-off.
Was I unreasonable to have bought my sons cheap (and possibly not hard-wearing) shoes. Will I be shopping again in a few weeks' time? Is Deichmann quality actually ok? At the price I paid if they lasted a few months I'd be happy. The staff person I spoke to was lovely, so much more helpful than her counterpart at Clarks.
But if I was unreasonble I will take them back and head to the other Clarks stockist (who also stocks other brands).
Before anyone says I will explain to my dm and use the other £60 on other stuff the kids need for school. And yes I know I'm extremely lucky that I have a dm to help me with such costs in a COL crisis.