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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to be pissed off that after visting 6 kids shoe shops..

32 replies

ElenorRigby · 20/01/2010 18:41

Shoe shop 1 told me DD was size 7, they had no buckled shoes that would fit DD.
Shoe shop 2 told me DD was size 7, they had no buckled shoes that would fit DD.
Shoe shop 3, no longer sold childrens shoes.
Shoe shop 4 said, DD was a 6 1/2 possibly 7, but on non actually fitted her.
Shop 5 "John Lewis" Its seemed promising intially, then an epic fail when it was concluded even the 6 1/2 G start rites could not be sold without a disclaimer as they could not be held liable.
The staff at JL recommended trying a local shop as they could not supply DD with shoes.
By this time DD and I criss crossed the city numerous times. The only day I have off with DD is Wednesday, I work the rest of the week.
We were both weary and pissed off.
I had been told by various respected shops my dd needed shoes.
We pressed on, she fell asleep but I felt this so impportant, after the weight of evidence, we continue.
It was then within moments the fitter at the last shop asked me when she had had her last shoes.. She looked quizzical, consulted her supervisor who both agreed DD was still a size 6 f and she still had plenty of growing room. "Bring in her back, in a month of so" they said.

Is the the norm?

OP posts:
Original poster
ElenorRigby · 20/01/2010 19:24

shameless bump

OP posts:
SleighGirl · 20/01/2010 19:25

At the last shop was your dd awake or asleep?

compo · 20/01/2010 19:26

I don't get why John lewis wouldn't sell you the shoes? didn't they fit?

AngryFromManchester · 20/01/2010 19:27

just go to asda

GetDownYouWillFall · 20/01/2010 19:29

well if you now know her size and width can you just buy on the internet?

You've got me humming "Eleanor Rigby" now....

Original poster
ElenorRigby · 20/01/2010 19:34

At the last shop she was wake because I had to wake her.
Compo John Lewis will not sell shoes without the fitters approval. Without that approval parents need to accept responsibility and therefore consequences for the purchase.

OP posts:
HappySeven · 20/01/2010 19:38

I think one problem is that the size 6 shoes probably still fit but to have plenty of growing room (which you'd want with new shoes) she needed a size 7. Not sure I understand why the width fittings are so different though. Did any of the earlier shops check her feet in the shoes she was wearing? I can understand why it's wound you up though.

Original poster
ElenorRigby · 20/01/2010 19:39

Angry do you go to asda for your kids shoes?

OP posts:
Original poster
ElenorRigby · 20/01/2010 19:44

GetDown
Yes now I know her fucking size.
I know it becuase it has taken nearly all of this fucking today to establish that fucking fact.
Thanks to the total fucking fuckwittary of fuckwits, wasting our fucking precious time.

OP posts:
Romanarama · 20/01/2010 19:45

What a load of crap about disclaimers - just look yourself and see if they fit. How much training to you need to squeeze a shoe and stick your finger down the back of it anyway?!

compo · 20/01/2010 19:46

where was the fitter then?!!
how wierd!

FimBOW · 20/01/2010 19:48

There is no need to be rude to GetDown, she was trying to be helpful. Jeezus.
.

QueenOfFlamingEverything · 20/01/2010 19:48

Knowing the size makes no difference anyway IME as all brands come up different anyway.

I have always just taken DD to somewhere where I could just try the shoes on her myself and make my own judgement in my own time, without some hovering teenager telling me they don't fit properly. Next is good for that, as is TKMaxx.

pointysaysrelax · 20/01/2010 20:01

what are the responsibility and consequences of purchase?

blowbroth · 20/01/2010 20:05

I agree with Romanarama, you would know if the shoes fit or not. Take some responsibilty for yourself, and please don't come all heavy on me like you did to poor GeDown!

corriefan · 20/01/2010 20:08

DS was sold a pair of shoes far to big for him after being carefully fitted in John Lewis. Found out when we went back in about 6 months later and they said they were too big then.
I reckon it's a big con and there's no expertise involved at all. You can see if there are gaping bits and feel if there's a bit of room yourself.
Still go there for shoes though as my mum insists on paying for them to have them properly measured.

LittleMrsHappy · 20/01/2010 20:13

Who said she was a size 6F? did they check her width on the shoe or did the measure her? or just check her fit on her feet?

If so then I would surmise she is the bigger size, as her width will be making it look as if she has full growing room, due to her width.

If she is a size 6.5G then it could be very well she needed a 7G in a shoe due to her width. (G,H is the widest fit in children's shoes in UK standard shops)

The size/width is the guideline, the shoe is the fit, irrelevant of size.

hairygodmother · 20/01/2010 20:15

Sounds as though the last shop you went to is the one you should patronise exclusively from now on. I am v lucky to have one great independent shoe shop quite near to us and I always go there for both my dds. They always check feet carefully and quite often send me away with no purchase to come back in a few weeks. The fact that they did this to you rather than trying to push shoes on you (never heard of this disclaimer malarkey before) is probably a Good Thing and shows that you can trust them!

Now go and have a big glass of wine and relax, we all know how hideous it is going shoe shopping with small children, this shop sounds as though your problems are solved from now on ...

expatinscotland · 20/01/2010 20:18

I have a child with a C-width foot and a high instep.

I'm used to having to visit tons of shops before one has shoes in stock to fit her feet, or we have to go back to pick up shoes they have to order in because she's got such long, narrow feet.

The rest of her is long and narrow, too. I usually order skirts and trousers for her online as most shops don't stock for the skinny child with legs like giraffe.

Adair · 20/01/2010 20:20

Oh dear, no YANBU to be pissed off that you tried to do it 'properly' and found out it's all a big con. What a stress. i spent £35 on ds's first shoes as I felt guilty that he should be properly measured bla bla - and even then I took them back and exchanged for smaller size - do love them though, they are gorgeous quality. Especially love how they are covered in mud now.

As Getdown says, next time, go to Asda/Sainsburys/etc, feel where dd's toes are. If they are too small get the next size up. God, I am even worse and buy dd (new) shoes off ebay - if they don't fit, we keep them til they do...

But I do feel for you. Sounds a shitty day.

Adair · 20/01/2010 20:20

Oh dear, no YANBU to be pissed off that you tried to do it 'properly' and found out it's all a big con. What a stress. i spent £35 on ds's first shoes as I felt guilty that he should be properly measured bla bla - and even then I took them back and exchanged for smaller size - do love them though, they are gorgeous quality. Especially love how they are covered in mud now.

As Getdown says, next time, go to Asda/Sainsburys/etc, feel where dd's toes are. If they are too small get the next size up. God, I am even worse and buy dd (new) shoes off ebay - if they don't fit, we keep them til they do...

But I do feel for you. Sounds a shitty day.

LittleMrsHappy · 20/01/2010 20:21

expactinscotland, have you tried Russell and Bromley, and more specifically a shoe called Bolero, its designed for your dd feet, and comes in various colours.

I used to work in a shoe shop when a student, and I used to be classed as a A * start rite fitter. (best you can get and you have to fit over 2,000 shoes).

crankytwanky · 20/01/2010 20:23

JL could not be held liable for what exactly?

I'd try oline too.

expatinscotland · 20/01/2010 20:35

Yes, have tried Russell and Bromley. Usually they can come up with something, and so can JL, but sometimes we've had to come back. They order the shoe in and don't charge us for it if it doesn't fit.

Hulababy · 20/01/2010 20:50

Different shoe makes and styles fit differently, so it is perfectly possible to be a size 6 in on make, and a 7 in another.

Even the fitters say that the measurements they take are only a guide. They use that measurement to try thefirst shoe and then should check its fit and go up or down, or change width as appropriate for that shoe.

My DD varies at the moment between a 13 and a 1.5 depending on make and style of footwear.

Do you have an independent shoe shop locally? If you do it is worth using them. They get to know you and can make really good judgements on your child and which shoes will/won't fit very quickly. It is worth paying that little bit more IMO for that more personalised service.