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.

I think you'll regret it. After avoiding them for a few years after 2 pairs fared very badly, I bought a pair of trainers for dd. They lasted around 2 months. They were very cheap, maybe £15.

I now stick to clarks, m and s or John lewis.

My son insisted on £24.99 ShoeZone school shoes. Swears they are more comfortable than his Kickers were. They lasted pretty well too but I’m pretty sure two pairs of them would be cheaper than a pair of kickers anyway.

I bought from Diechmann too. Started school on cheap shoes (Aldi?) on a mumsnet recommendation but they were a disaster and lasted less than 3 weeks. Had to emergency order Kickers which were great and lasted a year and a half though were always a little wide for his feet. Went to Deichmann to try on kickers but couldn't get a good fit so went for Hush Puppies and they fit him great and he says they are very comfy. Hope they last!

My best friend owns a shoe shop and they do start rite but she doesn't have a lot of choice and feels awkward if a friend comes in and she doesn't have anything that suits them so she advised me to go to Deichmann.

We gave up with Clarks as school shoes after one pair we had were useless in wet weather and caused DC to slip. Regarding sticking them back together at Christmas, I can’t recall ever buying any school shoes that lasted more than a term - mostly cus feet just kept growing. About to go into Yr13 and a half size bigger than last term.

Re Deichman - I buy everyday trainers for myself there. They wear out in about 8-10 months but don’t fall apart and soles don’t split. I’ve had Ecco and other premium brands that have lasted no longer and normally the soles come unstuck or the upper goes. So I rate Deichman as inexpensive but good.

Similarly these shoes I got today the kids def felt they were far more comfy than anything in Clarks, and they look it too.

bur my dh has pointed out that the shoes that are probably best for feet usually start a bit uncomfortable and are only comfy once worn in- this was def the case when I was a kid so he’s probably got a point

Added to that they have zero lace up options for a size 3 son. I think they are a rip-off.

That'll be the Velcro

A 4 year old was in the same shoe size all year??

@SuperiorM
mine have definitely had some shoes in the past that lasted a full school year.

if these make it till Christmas I’ll be happy

We had to go cheap this year as all of the kids needed shoes and I just hope they’re ok as two run around so much in school and one goes on long walks at lunchtime. If they seem okay they’re probably fine op, I don’t know how Clark’s compare to others as when it comes down to it, those type of shoes aren’t made for what kids put them through- they’d probably be better off allowed to have runners

I've always rated Clinkards shops for service and the number of different brands they sell.

If anyone is looking for budget shoes I'd recommend toe zone (I buy them in sainsburys) hard wearing, very comfortable and have easily lasted a full school year and still in good condition.

Not really what the thread is about but I bought myself some boots from shoe zone ( boot emergency). So uncomfortable, I had them four years 😳kept going back to them they’re still waterproof, worn to death. I still have them..

School shoes are always a lottery. Have had cheap pairs last for ages and expensive pairs not make a term and vice versa. Depends what our little darlings decide to get up to in them.

Not school shoes for my children, but for myself - I’m a TA. Bought a pair of flat lace ups from their own brand and wear them every day from September round to Easter. Six years on and they are still going strong (have had them re-heeled twice, but money well spent). Very impressed!

I found Asda shoes lasted well when mine were primary school age. High school we upgraded to M&S which also lasted well.

I live in a Deichmann-everywherebcountry, the quality is actuall, very ressonable - depending on the brand! Did you go for Caprice or Easy Street? The latter will last, the former... not so much...

space before country and actually without the comma
Sorry!

I was just going to say this - if you have the receipt or proof of purchase they will refund you in full.
I took a pair of boots back to Clark's after they developed a hole on the top of foot. I didn't have the receipt as it had been 6months since I'd bought them, but they still refunded us half the price.

Deichman are great, honestly the Clarks people talk of disappeared many years ago. My children have had them for school shoes for years usually out grow but I haven't had any problem with quality

We went to M&S this year, they have kids foot measurers on the floor so you can do it yourself and my local almost always has a variety of sizes. They cost me £29 each, apparent scratch proof leather, one picked frozen Disney black patent ones and the other picked a standard black style pair. Can’t speak for their durability yet but clarks just seems shit and gimmicky to me, they never have the size we need and the pricing is eye watering!

No, I think it's probably way above Shoezone, you don't get that whiff of plastic as you walk past! We used to shop there, Deichmann, when we lived in Germany, intersting that they used to own Elefanten, my very favourite children's shoes! They don't make their own shoes though, they sell a variety of brands.

Yes @SuperiorM imagine that. His feet have grown 1/2 - a whole size in 12months. They fit perfectly throughout.. a checked after Easter to make sure they fit okay still. Is that okay with you?

I saw the light with Deichmanns a while back after years of expensive shoes. They are very good.

I agree with lots of the previous posts. Clarks quality has massively deteriorated in my opinion. We bought some last year. The people "fitting" don't seem to have a clue and they looked tatty so SO fast.

Her startrite ones on the other hand have lasted a whole school year both times. Still look immaculate.

Oh right the ones I got were “Memphis one” I assumed they were their own brand. But perhaps because I didn’t recognise it.