Selfridges refusing to refund £875 shoes- help!

[Shoedisastor]

I ordered a pair of Louboutins on selfridges online to wear for my wedding day. This is the second pair I’ve ordered online. The first were from flannels. Ordered them tried them on, on carpet, way too big in size so I sent them back and they refunded me a couple of days later. They didn’t have the size down in stock but Selfridges did so I ordered from there. They came I tried them on, again on carpet and didn’t love them on me so took them back to the Selfridges store. The staff were really helpful and suggested I try them on in a different colour and I loved them and asked to exchange mine. They said since my shoes were an online purchase they need to go back online. Since it was only 2 weeks till my wedding I bought the new pair in store (as the tailors need me to be wearing my shoes for the final fit of my suit) and I repackaged my shoes and sent them back to Selfridges. A few days later they’ve contacted me to say they’ve rejected my return as the shoes are damaged (red sole). Ive emailed back (and called) and explained that I only tried my shoes on carpet and sent them straight back! I packaged them up in their original packaging, dust bags and packing intact exactly as they arrived to me. As I did with the first pair I returned. They were pristine when they left me. Am I going to have no choice but to accept these shoes back? (That I won’t wear and don’t suit me)

Please don’t say you live in the first world, it’s really fucking offensive.

Ah stop. Now you are being rediculous.

I spent many years in retail so I’m fully aware of that. I’m also aware that the higher up people never seemed to work a weekend.

Great news @Shoedisastor I’m new to this thread and pleased to see you got a refund in the end.

The red sole on Christian Louboutin shoes must be deliberately made delicate. I have 2 pairs of authentic CL shoes and the red sole was decimated in a couple of wears. I then bought a very convincing fake pair of CL heels and the red sole has stayed pristine for about two years! Utterly ridiculous!

The shoe on the left is my genuine Christian Louboutin, worn around 5 times.

The shoe on the right is my fake Christian Louboutin, worn about 30 times.

I think it does show how utterly brainwashed some of us have become that we covet shoes of such huge expense. This is not aimed at OP. And I hold my hands up as someone who used to enjoy designer brands. But now I feel like I’ve been ‘had’.

Mostly these brands are run by men, shaping what we glorify, what we desire, what we ‘stretch’ for in the name of ‘spoiling’ ourselves.

Some things are truly beautiful to look at but these days I won’t buy into the mirage of ‘because you’re worth it’.

We’re all worth so much more than the sexualised perfectionistic version the media and men tell us that we are who insidiously/subconsciously get us to part with cash to attain hoping that this new item will make us feel like we’re enough.

Wishing OP a lovely wedding day nonetheless and joy wearing whatever you wish!

I’m glad you get the refund OP

In future if you order anything expensive use your phone video opening the parcel and the product in the package.

With you all the way, Vive42. Most women earn significantly less than men throughout their lives and are also under pressure to spend a higher proportion of their earnings on 'looking good' and on status items. I know women who cut back on food and basics in order to spend £200 they can't afford each month on hair, nails, eyebrows, make-up and cosmetics, waxing and tanning because someone's persuaded them that they're not acceptable without it all. Only this morning on Woman's Hour a young woman in her 20s commented that she feels under pressure from her friends to start having Botox — knowing full well that if she starts she'll need to keep having the treatment.

I'm really glad that so many younger people have turned their backs on it all and are making their own clothes, buying handmade and vintage and used and doing what they can to ensure that the shareholders of Louis Vuitton and Burberry etc don't profit from their hard-earned money.

Brilliant result, OP!

I never knew that the 'red' on the soles disappeared. I don't know what I imagined happened to it but, there you are. Every day's a school day!

Sorry but the shoe on the left looks hammered... and you've only worn it 5 times? The fake one that's had 30 outings looks fab!

Well done OP and also gives me some hope because I am having some terrible customer service from Selfridges at the moment!

I have opened a pay pal dispute for a similar reason. The shoes arrived, I sent back immediately, the vendor said they had been worn. They had not. Opened pay pal dispute, no response, rang pay pal, refunded immediately whilst on the phone.

@Abeona

In the past beauty got you better mating chances, a better mate, better prospects for your offspring etc

Women compete with other women, and the psychology behind the entire beauty and fashion industry starts when we’re very young and we’re taught to compare ourselves to other girls and ultimately find ourselves wanting.

It’s on steroids now with cosmetic surgery, porn, social media and the general media telling us how we could be so much better…

Its like the men doubled down on trying to make us even more insecure, before the final emancipation begins…

Its certainly started and with time as less and less women have children (no need for mate any more) and are self sufficient and choose to stay single… we’ll see where this ends up!

People are having less sex than ever so all this beautifying isn’t working…

Sorry Abeona, just went on a rant about it all but nice to have someone in agreement with me 😊

I really hope women can stop competing with each other and see who the real culprit in all of this is…

Those Laboutin shoes are really not fit for purpose! I had no idea.

Don't apologise, I agree entirely. It's really sad that young women are under such unbearable pressure. I was strangely fortunate enough never to be a looker and so never had to participate in competing for the attentions of a man. While my friends were investing in their hair and make-up and clothes, I wore jeans and t-shirts and saved enough to put a deposit on a flat. I may not own a pair of Louboutins but I'll always have a roof over my head.

at @ 175 quid per wear, you'd expect better for sure!

Wow amazing, so pleased for you @Shoedisastor !! Thought it was a lost cause from what you had said. You've given me some hope for my own hopeless consumer conundrum…[Anyone have the CEO of Land Rover’s email?]

so pleased for you @Shoedisastor !!!

I know it does look like that doesn’t it! Honestly wore them about 5 times. The last time was to a wedding and the heels sunk into the garden several times while we were doing all the photos. They were absolutely destroyed by the end of the day. I took them to a cobbler to see if they could be restored but they said they were beyond repair! Will stick to my fakes outside now. My other genuine pair are now only worn at indoor events.

I’ve bought lots of stuff online at Selfridges and I’ve never had any problems with returns. I think you were unlucky, OP. I think the issue is that there will be some people who buy something, wear it to one event and then try to return it for a full refund which makes them question these things more, especially on a high ticket purchase. Absolutely not saying this is the case of the OP btw.

actually, no - the Distance Selling Regulations apply for purchases made online which mandate the seller accepts returns for a certain period, albeit at the purchaser's expenses

in addition, the seller may have t&cs, contractually binding, more favourable than the purchaser's statutory entitlement

Congratulations - what a relief!

Buying fakes is not cool tho.

Absolutely FANTASTIC news OP! I'm afraid you really do have to fight for your rights these days, and an awful lot of us can't afford to write off that sort of money, so I'm over the moon to hear that you won.