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.

My DD (who was what we called a "tomboy" back in the Olden Days) shredded Clarks within about 30 seconds, so I bought her Start Rites. She shredded those within about 35 seconds. I then bought her some school shoes in M&S which were no better, but a fraction of the price. Not that this is hugely relevant, but it might be useful to someone. BTW, I wouldn't feel bad, OP.

I never get the mumsnet thing with Clarks. My ds lasted his final 2 years at secondary and he regularly played football in them at lunch. Plus a 15 min walk each way on all weathers.
Worth the money imo.

Another one who’s given up on Clark’s. I think they’ll be gone in the next year. The quality is awful and the prices are insane. Have taken both kids in store in the last three months and each have chosen shoes and trainers but Clark’s haven’t had their first choices in stock. Measured daughter at a size 11 but didn’t have any shoes she wanted in her size so tried to push us to buy the next size up even though the clearly didn’t fit. Tried to leave to order online and the assistant began badgering me to make a sale. I felt awful, was very awkward. My five year old was beginning to get upset. don’t want to be in thag position again!

But then you’d have to go elsewhere to find a thread to do a ‘you do know..’ on.

My son could make a pair of Clarks shoes last for a school year. I decided that boys' shoes were made to withstand activity, and the shit assumption of shoe designers was that girls would just sit around looking decorative.

Clarks staff don't know how to fit shoes properly. I wouldn't buy shoes there again. We go to an independent shoe shop which isn't cheap either but the shoes are much better quality... and also fit properly!

Not read entire thread but just wanted to add my daughter once had Deichmanns own boots doc martens style and they lasted whole winter no problems.
We went today hoping to take advantage of buy one get one half price offer but no luck now that she's starting secondary with their petty rules regarding school shoes. It doesn't help she's in between sizes so size 5 were too small and size 6 too big. We're heading to clarks outlet tomorrow, fingers 🤞.
I am surprised to hear all of the negativity regarding Clarks, never had a problem with them. I also often buy Startrite from their online outlet and I think they're a bit better. Last year mine had startrite and kickers and they lasted really well.

We've had Startrite, Petasil, Primigi, Ricosta and Geox at various times and they've all been excellent quality and lasted well - DD grows out of the shoe rather than the shoe wearing out first.

They've mostly still been in good enough condition to pass on too.

Deichman shoes I’ve bought for myself last better than Ecco and North Face and North Ridge as walking shoes

I purchased school shoes from there once and never again...both pairs fell apart in less than a month

I ended up in matalan! Adult size 6. Look perfect but im sure will fall apart, but then so do Clarks. For the 4 year old he loves the dinosaur ones and the half sizes and wider fit can be useful. But by age 8 I think sainsburys matalan and deichmann shoes are better. Plus anything in a 5+ in clarks is v ugly.

Depends what width feet your child has ? Mine is wide foot so I only buy from start rite now. Clarks are shit they measured wrong on so many occasions, I bought a pair from Clarks and took them round to the good independent shoe shop to check because I didn’t trust Clarks and they were completely the wrong size.