To think that my 9 year old shouldn't have to pay adult prices for shoes?

[squilly]

WTF did shoes start being charged at 'adult' rate once you went into a size 3? I'm talking about Geox sandals here, not Converse or fashion/designer brands.

I half get the fact that Converse are looking to make a quick buck, they're a high fasion brand, but Geox? I can't catch my breath.

Instead of £36 for the size down they want me to pay £42. Am I being unreasonable to think this is bloody unfair?

That does sound expensive. Vote with your feet and buy a different brand. IME most ranges of 'children's shoes' go up to size 6. Children's shoes from Next go up to size 7. I'm sure there are loads of size 3 sandals out there that are cheaper than £42.

I know you're right melpomene, but my daughter hates pink and white and 'girly' colours. I therefore end up with 2 or 3 styles that she'll actually wear that are in her size and suit her style. Why do stores like Next and Debenhams think that girls all like pink??? Don't even get me started on that argument.

All I wanted was a solid pair of sports sandals and it looks like I'm about to be disappointed.

I'm just appalled that stores like John Lewis jump on the bandwagon of making parents cough up more for kids than they should.

£36 would have been more than enough. £42 is just taking the mickey. I think it'll be a foot vote, but am I wrong? Aren't UK shoe sellers supposed to class kids shoes as being up to size 5?? Or do we no longer have that guideline in place???

Don't buy Geox then...buy something else

YANBU

I think it is to do with the VAT as his size is classed as "adult". I don't know any adult males with feet smaller than a size 8.

I nearly fainted when I bought DS1 (8yrs and a shoe size 3.5)his last pair of school shoes. £45 pounds. For Start rite and they are crap.

I would never pay that for a pair of shoes for myself. TBH it is the guilt that made me buy them. I am sure shoes from Next would be absolutely fine.

YANBU .....except that it sounds like they were a range of adult shoes that for once have smaller sizes available. Most ladies styles start at 4...

Children's ranges usually go to 6.5 or 7, but obviously ladies start at smaller than that. So the classification of whether it is aimed at children or adults will determine the VAT status.......(its how it works for trainers anyway)

Tell me about it,ds is in a 5 going up to 5.5, costs a bloody fortune.

Geox are really expensive, I don't think it's to do with the size. I got DS a pair of their sandals last year and he is only a children's size 10. Nearly choked when I got to the till and they were £43 - it hadn't occurred to me to ask because I never dreamed they would be that much.

This year we are going to ShoeZone to pick up a pair for £2.99

YADNBU (although I don't understand the British shoe sizing), dd has always had international feet. Currently she is a 32 and has been for about a year. The biggest problem I find with Geox (and I do tend to get those or Ecco for her) is that they wear really quickly. She does have gorge feet though.

"international feet" How glamorous!

Startrite and Clarks children's go up to a 6 in girl's sizes at child prices. Most children's style shoes are cheaper up to a 5 or 5.5.

The price is determined by the handwork - there is the same amount of human input manufacturing a childs she as an adults, and the materials usage is very similar when you get to sizes 1, 2, 3, etc,

I too would like international feet! Better than the ones I have.... I wonder which website I google?

I'd love International feet, mine are really horrid, particularly since I had my toenails removed and then caught my heel in the door last night and made it bleed.

Just bought DD1 (11) a pair of Timberland sandals in a size 4. They were about £30 I think.

I'm a 4 and can buy kids

YANBU

I think the price rise is caused by VAT which applies to adult shoes and not to childrens.

DD1 is 13 and size 7 and still growing. Even kids shoes don't go up that far. Really don't see why I should have to pay VAT when she is still a child.

Same applies to DD2 age 9 and size 3.

Drives me mad!

maggotts, girls shoes from Next go up to size 7. I am size 7 and have bought shoes for myself from the children's section of Next Directory. I enjoyed saving on VAT but was rather when everyone noticed that dd1's seven year old friend was wearing the same shoes as me

I'm a massive size 8, so I guess I'm a bit sensitive about feet. Things are better for bigger fotted people, with ranges now going up to size 8/9/10, but I would love to buy a pair of sandals that weren't too girly (which rules out Next for me) and weren't too blardy expensive.

I'm off to check sports sandals on Google.

I'd love international feet too Instead I got domestic feet + VAT!