to have bought my sons cheap school shoes in Deichmann (light hearted)

[StillWantingADog]

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.

That's what I've started doing too. Found a £20 pair for my daughter that she absolutely loves.

I tended to get my kids feet measured and then buy from Deichmann or wherever.

In my experience, Clarks etc don't always outlast cheaper brands and when they're small their feet might change size over the year. I was perfectly happy to buy cheaper shoes and replace them as required rather than kill my budget for an expensive pair.

Feel better now do you? 🙄

bit uncalled for. My dm specifically gave me money to buy clarks shoes for the kids.
I went and was unsuccessful. Hence went elsewhere.

I've previously spent lots of energy and money insisting that my mine have leather school shoes from somewhere like Clark's. Last week I bought DD the pair she liked from New Look for about £25. She's happy and I've saved loads. Will see how we go!

Clarke's are awful. The ONLY thing they had to offer was good fitting but now they just measure and say "she's a size 4 so all these size 4s will fit". We go to an independent place now that actually look at how each shoe fits the foot and all areas of the foot not just length and they stock a lot of brands.

I've never shopped at Clarks for shoes. Usually supermarkets or Deichmann, school shoes usually last around 6 months which isn't bad IMO, occasionally they can last a year but not the norm.

@WickedUsername
ah yes that's lucky. it's about 30 miles' drive to ours, been lucky in the past but also driven there and found nothing it's very hit or miss. Good that yours is convenient.

Clarks are absolutely rubbish in my area. We go to John Lewis which are good for sizing and advice and have a much broader selection, both on display and in stock (which Clark’s never do).

Bought a pair for £55 last year and they lasted ages! I would have no qualms getting 2 pairs from Deichman as I’ve also experienced getting more expensive shoes and they’ve also not been hard wearing so whatever you do is a risk 🤷‍♀️

I feel like there is a real gap in the market for a decent shoe shop who does actually have appropriate designs/sizes/stock for say y5-9.

If MN is winding you up so much @Lucyboat, you don’t have to read threads you know.

Thank you for this. I had clearly touched a nerve it would appear.

I think some people have missed the 'light hearted' words in your title!

I bought my DD some lovely boots from Deichmann and they lasted for ages.

I got my kids shoes from Deichmann today as well for the first time!

Did they not offer you the 6 month guarantee? We paid an extra £2.50 per pair for some sort of coating and you can take them back for any reason (damage wise) within 6 months and they will replace.

DS's are Hush Puppy so hopefully ok, but DD's are their own brand, so will see how they go!

(waves)
Ah I did pay extra for the coating, I didn't realise that was a guarantee. that makes me feel a bit better.

There's always one. :)

I got my two sons sketchers school shoes half price from M&M Direct. £50 for both pairs, which would get me one from Clarks.

They both had clarks last year and the sole was worn completely smooth on one pair within weeks, it was weird. I mean, we walk to school but you don't expect that and he was skidding about in them! The sketchers look good and both boys say they are comfortable so I'm calling it a win so far (Scotland so they went back to school last week). I would definitely try deichman if we need replacements, clarks are taking the piss for the price.

I always bought my daughter's school shoes from Shoezone, Pep and Co or the supermarket. Never paid more than about £15 a pair (usually less). Perfectly fine quality and they always lasted the whole school year.
Save yourself more money next year 😂
You could tell your mum the truth - there was nothing in Clarks suitable. If your mum is like my mum she will probably say "Ok... keep the change from the £100 and gets the kids a treat".