Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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

137 replies

StillWantingADog · 25/08/2023 15:51

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.

OP posts:
Needmorelego · 25/08/2023 18:11

@JudgeJ Shoe Zone sell branded shoes these days. Some are quite expensive.

Mummyoflittledragon · 25/08/2023 18:20

StillWantingADog · 25/08/2023 16:10

wow that is definitely not something I need to worry about just yet. They're at primary and I don't think have noticed what their friends have on their feet. But am sure they will when a bit older.

Show quote history

The other thread is about a 12 year old girl, who is just starting secondary. My dd was close to school refusal at some stage in primary and found transitions very difficult so there was no way she would have gone to school with Skechers in secondary... or any shoe, which made her feel less confident.

I used to get dd Clark’s when she was little for the width. I agree the quality isn’t brilliant.

Maybe put the money aside for later in the year. Odds on you’ll spend it on another pair each and the money will all be spent.

SunWorshipping · 25/08/2023 18:22

Clarks shoes are overpriced rubbish. I got them from there once when my daughter had her first pair of school shoes for nursery (they wear uniform), they pulled this bizarre stunt with an ipad where they asked our daughter her favourite colour on a app thing, I thought it was just a fun thing to occupy her. When the shop assistant brought out the 4 pairs of school shoes I asked to try on, there were 2 extra boxes, I asked what's in there and the shop assistant whispered to me "don't open it, my boss is watching me serve". So of course I went and looked and there were 2 pairs of trainers in my daughter's favourite colour. The shop assistant apologised and said it was a thing they were made to do to get you to buy another pair, she hated doing it and didn't unless her boss was watching (she had kids too). I was already spending £45 on a pair of shoes for a 3 year old, they were wanting another £40 on trainers I didn't need or want, they were hoping pester power would work. No thanks. Never went there ever again. No idea if they still do this, it was over 4 years ago now?

We get them from next, asda or schuh now, they have all lasted as long as they still fit 9-12 months, as they are cheaper you can replace them sooner if necessary, although I've never needed to. Always worth trying a cheaper option and seeing how their fair.

RitzyMcFitzy · 25/08/2023 18:22

A lot of people seem to genuinely believe that if feet under the age of 10 make contact with non-Clarks shoes that said feet will instantly turn gnarly as well as feeble.

Truly genius marketing from Clarks that this belief went so deep for so many decades.

MrsRandom123 · 25/08/2023 18:23

SherlocksDeerstalker · 25/08/2023 15:56

I will say that I bought Deichmanns for DD last year as they were the only pair in the whole town she deemed suitable, and they fell apart in approx 13 seconds. Looked like I’d dragged her up from a pit by Christmas. Ended up buying another pair for January as the seams had split and her feet were soaked every day.

My daughter didn’t even get that long. Sole all worn away by October break & the strap broke off as well. We walk 10mins to & from school but only 3 days as drive the other 2 & they change into indoor shoes in school so not even on everyday! Bought them as she has akward feet & only pair we found anywhere that fit - couldn’t find another pair anywhere but luckily could get boots & she just had to wear those (which i usually buy her for winter anyway) this year trying a kickers pair after trying on about 50 pairs of shoes 😩

hot2trotter · 25/08/2023 18:24

I've always bought my kids school shoes off very (Toe Zone I think? Other places stock them) and they have always lasted the full school year. Never paid more than £30 a pair either.
Only problem is not being able to try them on so I have to buy 2 sizes for each, and then send back the pairs that don't fit (simple returns procedure).

QueenOfThorns · 25/08/2023 18:25

SherlocksDeerstalker · 25/08/2023 15:56

I will say that I bought Deichmanns for DD last year as they were the only pair in the whole town she deemed suitable, and they fell apart in approx 13 seconds. Looked like I’d dragged her up from a pit by Christmas. Ended up buying another pair for January as the seams had split and her feet were soaked every day.

This was my experience with Clark’s last year. The replacement pair after Christmas was Startrite and they were a bit better!

SunWorshipping · 25/08/2023 18:27

hot2trotter · 25/08/2023 18:24

I've always bought my kids school shoes off very (Toe Zone I think? Other places stock them) and they have always lasted the full school year. Never paid more than £30 a pair either.
Only problem is not being able to try them on so I have to buy 2 sizes for each, and then send back the pairs that don't fit (simple returns procedure).

We've had these too, they lasted all year v good quality I thought, even with my then reception aged boy dragging his toes along etc, they still looked fine by the end of the year.

GellerYeller · 25/08/2023 18:33

We had awful experiences with two different Clark’s stores measuring wildly different sizes(consecutive days, not weeks apart BTW). And suggesting shoes that were far too big but with insoles in, so they would last. They were visibly slipping off but I had a very polite child who agreed to the. They looked like Ronald McDonald so back they went.
We have had very good service from Schuh if that helps.

katepilar · 25/08/2023 18:36

Why do you think Deichmann shoes are rubbish? In my home country Deichmann does sell some good shoes that last.

Never understood why you would need a shop assistant to tell you whether your shoes fit you or not. Or your childs.

BertieBotts · 25/08/2023 18:39

Weird, I live in Germany and Deichmann is basically the local version of Clarks. Never thought of it as down-market. I suppose they do have a range of brands but they tend to have a good selection and great sales. Haven't had any shoes from there fall apart, ever.

BertieBotts · 25/08/2023 18:40

Why wouldn't you take them back if they lasted less than two months? You'd have right of return under the fact the shoes were not fit for purpose.

RitzyMcFitzy · 25/08/2023 18:41

katepilar · 25/08/2023 18:36

Why do you think Deichmann shoes are rubbish? In my home country Deichmann does sell some good shoes that last.

Never understood why you would need a shop assistant to tell you whether your shoes fit you or not. Or your childs.

In the UK their shops are seen as 'pile 'em high and sell 'em cheap' type of places.

Procrastinatingbecauseithelps · 25/08/2023 18:41

Clarks shoes haven’t been the same since they were sold to a private equity in 2020 and subsequently a majority share was sold to a Chinese firm.

any shred of quality has evaporated.

Private equity firms care about 1 thing… profit profit profit. They will cut quality, corners, and service to capture every drop of it.

All we can do is use our feet (pun intended) and not shop there.

SquirrelFeeder · 25/08/2023 18:42

RitzyMcFitzy · 25/08/2023 18:22

A lot of people seem to genuinely believe that if feet under the age of 10 make contact with non-Clarks shoes that said feet will instantly turn gnarly as well as feeble.

Truly genius marketing from Clarks that this belief went so deep for so many decades.

A bit of an exaggeration there. It stems from the fact that Clark's used to have arch support which is certainly preferable for growing feet (but obviously not essential).

RitzyMcFitzy · 25/08/2023 18:43

Procrastinatingbecauseithelps · 25/08/2023 18:41

Clarks shoes haven’t been the same since they were sold to a private equity in 2020 and subsequently a majority share was sold to a Chinese firm.

any shred of quality has evaporated.

Private equity firms care about 1 thing… profit profit profit. They will cut quality, corners, and service to capture every drop of it.

All we can do is use our feet (pun intended) and not shop there.

Same with DMs and Hunter

Procrastinatingbecauseithelps · 25/08/2023 18:43

I used to work at Clarks - fitting shoes and training staff in fitting shoes. My DS has just started school this year and was measured a full foot size smaller than he actually is. I had to show the lad in the shop how to measure properly 🤦🏻‍♀️

SquirrelFeeder · 25/08/2023 18:46

SuperiorM · 25/08/2023 17:33

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.

I always buy Petasil for my child due to the arch support as my child really needs it and honestly, every pair we've had have been sold on after a year. They're Italian made. Excellent quality

Needmorelego · 25/08/2023 18:47

@RitzyMcFitzy I've never thought of them as a particularly cheap retailer. But then again I see people refering to shops like Wilko as "discount" shops when they are just a standard ordinary shop that sells things at standard ordinary prices - not discounted ones 🫤

SquirrelFeeder · 25/08/2023 18:48

Correction, Petasil are Portuguese

icelollycraving · 25/08/2023 18:49

I am having an absolute nightmare with school shoes this year. Took Ds to Clark’s, 5 staff and just us as customers. Clearly undertrained teenager ‘fitted’ him and told me he was a 5.5. Unlikely as his shoes last year were bigger (also from Clarke’s). I went home, ordered a pair in a 7. Too small and narrow so took them back. Had another fitting. One foot they think is a 5.5 and one is a 6 but couldn’t tell me why the 7 was too small.
His school is very strict so they have to be smart and at £50+ they need to last.
She brought out about 5 pairs, all too small so I suggested perhaps a men’s shoe. Men’s size 7 too big 🤦‍♀️
Went to M&S, nothing.
I have ordered two pairs from Start Rite, both in a 7. One too small and one ok ish. £60 for a pair of ok shoes that’ll probably be wrecked soon.
If there had been ANYWHERE else in my town, I would have given it a go!!

Mumof3girlsandaboy · 25/08/2023 18:50

LaurieFairyCake · 25/08/2023 16:02

I bought Start rite in the sale every year - shoes were about £40 in the sale

Lasted all year, every year

That is exactly I do for my 9 year old son. John Lewis had a lot of them on sale and all was half price bought 2 pairs for £40
1 pair school shoes
1 pair trainers for PE

bellac11 · 25/08/2023 18:52

Personally I want to continue to buy Clarks shoes but they are so so overpriced and dont have the support that I would expect from a retailer like that

Im finding these days that anything with real proper support and removable insoles are costing upwards of 150 quid, awfully expensive

The only condition I would always have with shoes is that they must be leather, non of this fake leather or plastic stuff, not good for feet in general or growing feet specifically

FloweryWowery · 25/08/2023 18:57

SunWorshipping · 25/08/2023 18:22

Clarks shoes are overpriced rubbish. I got them from there once when my daughter had her first pair of school shoes for nursery (they wear uniform), they pulled this bizarre stunt with an ipad where they asked our daughter her favourite colour on a app thing, I thought it was just a fun thing to occupy her. When the shop assistant brought out the 4 pairs of school shoes I asked to try on, there were 2 extra boxes, I asked what's in there and the shop assistant whispered to me "don't open it, my boss is watching me serve". So of course I went and looked and there were 2 pairs of trainers in my daughter's favourite colour. The shop assistant apologised and said it was a thing they were made to do to get you to buy another pair, she hated doing it and didn't unless her boss was watching (she had kids too). I was already spending £45 on a pair of shoes for a 3 year old, they were wanting another £40 on trainers I didn't need or want, they were hoping pester power would work. No thanks. Never went there ever again. No idea if they still do this, it was over 4 years ago now?

We get them from next, asda or schuh now, they have all lasted as long as they still fit 9-12 months, as they are cheaper you can replace them sooner if necessary, although I've never needed to. Always worth trying a cheaper option and seeing how their fair.

This happened to us with the ipad, the colour thing and bringing out trainers. I was so cross. And trying to get you to buy shoes that clearly don't fit because they have nothing in the correct size. And getting different sizes depending on who measures. And shoes for girls being impractical and all very girly for young girls. And being crap quality. Grrrr.

We find startrite good for quality and width fittings. Also like Charles Clinkard.

alwaysneedanap · 25/08/2023 18:58

I have 3 kids, and end up buying 6 pairs for them in September, we have used Deichmann shoes several times ( the trainers I buy are Sketchers from there tho) My eldest's (13) always last until he outgrows them, and the younger two (primary) are hit and miss. We usually get at least 1.5/2 terms out of the school shoes, sometimes longer. The school are happy for them to wear trainers as well, so by Summer term they just wear Sketchers every day. Just avoid patent ones, they rub through so fast!