Clarks shoe fiasco

[ApolloRain]

I just went into Clarks as the sole had begun to come away from the front of my daughter’s school shoes. I purchased them late Aug and obvs she didn’t start wearing them until term began. Well I just be naive because I expected them to be really helpful, I have only ever bought them Clarks for school and never had another other than great service and shoes. Well the lady was vile! She said I hadn’t looked after them and it’s normal wear and tear, she was referring to the bottom being dirty and inside where the sole had come away having some dust inside. It is her first year of secondary so not running around on a playground and school is a short walk away. I said as much and that they had been properly polished weekly and have never had issues before. She was really rude and in front of my 11year old, I am truly baffled. I said they have been worn for 35 days total, surely for £50 they shouldn’t fall apart after that? However she totally disagreed. I went in fully thinking it would be a helpful/polite process as it was when I made the purchase and have walked out utterly shocked?

We didn't have this problem in primary school by the way when he wore shoes with velcro straps and they seemed more robust. He also walks 20 minutes each way now to school.

This and I would splash it all over social media too!

I had a refund on a pair of clarks with Ds they measured and fitted them and he had blister after two days.
Dd used a pair of Heavenly feet black shoes for the whole two years of 6th form and first year of uni.
these only hers were the old style

Now Consumer Rights Act 2015

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2015/15/contents

Those shoes look absolutely thrashed for a month’s wear. Thats not normal wear and tear - they look like my DS (Clark’s) shoes after a year of wear and playing football every lunchtime

I don't buy kids shoes from Clarks anymore, I had the same experience as the OP only without a refund ☹️

I still buy Clarks because they fit DC1's wide feet but agree that the quality and customer service is shite.

In September I was almost glad to see that they had started selling school trainers M&S style hanging up by size without a box. Still took ten mins of waiting in an empty shop (I knew the size already) to pay.

Last year DH took DC2 to a different Clarks shop for new school shoes. Despite the fact that he has narrow feet (can wear an F, but might be better with an E) and was then a size 12 they insisted he was a 1G. Should have taken shoes back after he got blisters from his feet sliding around in them, but I just bought another pair online.

I would complain to Clarks HO.

But as an aside, I have never bought less hardwearing school shoes for my DC than the expensive pair I bought from Clarks. They didn’t even last a term, despite costing £45.

This reminds me of returning shoes to Camper (expensive) who said with horrified face "you didn't wear them often did you? They're not designed to be worn regularly"

Dd shoes last year from clarks sole came away like this. Dp glued it and the other one too when that went. We'd had simialr shoes before with no issues.

I had similar experience with Clarks a couple of years ago over a pair of kids wellies which split after 2 wears. The staff were really unhelpful, quibbled over a refund and I had to return another day to get it sorted. I ended up buying a pair from a cheap shop for about a third of the price which lasted for years instead.

DD's DMs lasted 5 months of school.

I bought myself Solovair boots - they are the former DM uk factory which the staff bought out , and still hand make boots there. I've worn them about 2/3 of the data for the last 2 years, still look new.

I have these for my 8yo. She is running, climbing, doing gymnastics in them and scraping her feet along and they have stood up well. I’d have thought as you’ve said an 11 year old in secondary won’t be as hard on them and if they can withstand the abuse my kid is throwing at them, they should not have fallen apart for yours.

Find the number of head office and put in an official complaint.

It looks like she rolls outeard on her feet: side of her foot when she walks and that’s put pressure on one side of the shoe as the leather is thin and soft not structured and so it moves with her foot and this has come apart from the thin sole. I do this & have had similar issues with similar shoe but diff brand.

Even so, lots of people have different walking styles and feet & it’s expected that a Clark’s shoes has a level of quality.

Maybe mention uk consumer law & that no level of wear could be achieved in just over 4 weeks that could justify this (literal) tear.

Yep, and if no good after that, small claims court.

https://www.which.co.uk/consumer-rights/advice/what-do-i-do-if-i-have-a-faulty-product-aTTEK2g0YuEy

Sorry didn’t meant to quote op

I refuse to buy Clark's now. I've had much more luck with Start Rite, especially if I ask for a hard wearing pair.

I expect a pair of shoes to last a year of daily wear in all weathers. Including a mile or so of walking. Most last much longer. Obviously this particular pair was not fit for purpose. Try Sainsbury's own brand or toe zone. Leather and cheap but seems to be ok quality

Dr Martens are similar, I treated myself to some a while ago having lived in them when I was younger - these were really uncomfortable and noticeably poorer quality (no corresponding reduction in price of course!)

They've not been as good for a while
https://www.theguardian.com/money/2019/nov/30/are-things-going-wrong-with-the-uk-beloved-dr-martens-brand

Solovair suggested as alternative -
https://uk.nps-solovair.com/collections/derby-boot

They look absolutely knackered after two months. Wow. And that's really bad customer service. The whole point of school shoes is they should be built to last a school year even if outgrown in that period. They're not party shoes.

I recommend Start Rite. Good website, great quality in a variety of widths.

The only health warning is that a girls size 5 and a boys size 5 appear to be entirely different sizes. DD1 wanted a completely plain brogue so I ordered a pair from the boys section and she might as well have been trying on clown feet.

Has yr child picked up wrong shoes after pe as these look like they have been worn for a year and are rolling outwards?

That is appalling. I have a feeling that Clarks shops are owned independently? Either way, I'd do some googling and email the CEO as well as some other big shots. Use AI to write a compelling complaint (you'll need to tailor the tone so it doesn't seem too wooden). You'll get your money back.

I bought my ds Clarks and they didn't last a term iirc ..I was shocked because Clarks are meant to be high quality right? Never bought them from there again. Try asda 100 day guarantee

Definitely email head office

I contacted Lakeland due to rude staff and got a lovely apology and £20 voucher!