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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To buy DD's shoes from ebay?

15 replies

NotAnotherNewNappy · 11/12/2009 10:23

I've been into clarks and had her measured (she's only 15mo) so roughly know her size. I really can't afford to buy them from there so I've bid on some from ebay. AIBU not to go and get the 'specialist' advice? Am I going to ruin her lovely podgey little feet forever? I reckon some of my friends would be horrified if I admitted to this

OP posts:

AgentZigzagDoingAYuleLog · 11/12/2009 10:25

I would if they were new, I don't think we've ever had DDs feet 'expertly measured', she's 9 and her feet are absoloutely fine.

Fruitysunshine · 11/12/2009 10:25

If you cannot afford new ones you can hardly let her run around with no shoes at all, can you??!

So, YANBU. If that is what you can afford, then that is what you can afford. Whose business is it if you can't afford them from the shop?

Bettymum · 11/12/2009 10:26

Personally I wouldn't. I have a bit of a thing about feet. My sister however keeps all her DD's shoes and hands them down to DD2 and DD3.
Having said that, I can't bear to throw DD's old shoes out, so if you need a Clarks size 4 1/2 F, or a size 5F, let me know and I will post to you. I am expecting a boy so he won't suit them .

Pineapplechunks · 11/12/2009 10:27

If the shoes are new then I don't think YABU so long as you make sure she's got enough room to wriggle her toes but they aren't falling off her.

I wouldn't buy second hand shoes for a child but would and have bought them without the advice of an 'expert'.

How much training do the shop girls get in Clarks anyway? More than a lot of shoe shops I'm sure but I wouldn't call them shoe fitting experts would you?

AgentZigzagDoingAYuleLog · 11/12/2009 10:30

You saying 'her lovely podgy feet' has made me go all gooey, babies feet are gorgeous

VKinTheManger · 11/12/2009 10:38

YANBU at all. When needs must and all that. I shopped on Ebay for most of DS's stuff when he was a baby until recently.

New or second hand... so what? They are shoes and tbh, most shoes can go in a washing machine if you are bothered.

Don't worry what others think. They don't have to know do they?

Original poster

NotAnotherNewNappy · 11/12/2009 10:55

Bless you Bettymum. Unfortunately she is a 4 1/2 G - very lovely but very podgey feet

OP posts:

JeffVadar · 11/12/2009 10:57

I would tend not to buy second hand now, but that's only because I know what state DSs shoes are in when he has worn them! For little ones they wouldn't get so much wear.

However, I have bought many of his shoes and slippers on ebay.

The only time I have been caught out on size was when I bought some football boots, as the sizes don't seem to be standard at all! But as they were only 99p (they were second hand!) I didn't really care too much.

BendyBob · 11/12/2009 10:58

If you know the size have a look at this site!

biscuitbear · 11/12/2009 11:06

YANBU. I bought DD1's first pair of shoes from a specialist childrens shoe shop and she was fitted with expensive startrite shoes. She was never comfortable wearing them so I took her to another shop where the staff had Clarks training. They said her shoes were completely inappropriate as first shoes as they were so rigid. Nowadays I just try to use common sense when buying shoes. Soft Clarks shoes will be fine. Like Pineapple Chunks says, room to grow and not falling off.

monkeyfacegrace · 11/12/2009 11:23

I use ebay all the time.

I wont buy second hand shoes, as the sole will have been worn down by the other childs walking style if that makes sense?

But I buy brand new at a much cheaper cost. I also call every clarks store in my area every few weeks to ask if they have any in the sale in her size.

Brantanos is also good, Ive bought Clarks trainers for £10 per pair in the sale, so bought every sze from 6-9!

My dd is only just 3, and already a 9.5G so if Id been payin full whack Id have been bankrupt a long time ago!

MuppetsMuggle · 11/12/2009 11:24

I use ebay for DD shoes and always lasted ages and come in good condition.
I do go and get DDs feet measured and then buy from ebay otherwise it would cost me an absolute fortune.

secretgardin · 11/12/2009 11:44

i get dd's feet measured at clarks and then buy on ebay. i bought a lovely pair of suede boots that were probably worn once by the look of them (£6 icluding postage).i refuse to pay £30 for a pair of shoes that will last only a few months. little ones like taking their shoes off in the buggy and make them disappear as soon as your head is turned at that age, which an expensive lesson to learn bet your friends do the same

darcymum · 11/12/2009 11:58

I heard some child foot doctor on the radio a while ago and he said cheap shoes are absolutely no better than expensive ones. Just as long as they fit and you change them before they get tight. He recommended just buy them at the supermarket. It was about six weeks ago on Woman's Hour so I don't think you would find it on the web site any more.

SE13Mummy · 11/12/2009 12:02

I sometimes take my DD to an over-priced, independent shoe shop to have her measured, get her to try on various styles etc. then go and buy them from eBay. This is a particularly good tactic for buying Kickers as there are loads on eBay that have been bought by keen parents and rejected by fussy children so have been tried on but not worn. My best Kickers purchase was a pair of hot pink boots for a mere £2.50 - they were brand new!

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