WILL I BE ABLE TO REFUND OR EXCHANGE SHOES THAT HAVE BEEN WORN OUTSIDE FOR 40 MINS?

[mustrunmore]

From Clarks.
Basically, i tried sandal on today; they were fine in the shop, but you cant walk round there for more than 10 mins, and its not exactly a big floor space to walk properly.

Anyway, I kept them on, paid, walk to the bus stop, home from nursery (20 mins) and back up there (20 mins). I was in agony. The shape really dug in. I have huge blisters on my big toes, and blood was pouring from the back of my ankle, and I had to hobble back to the bus stop after collecting ds1.

They are my size (I'm not that daft) and I did try them as best I could.But until you wear footwear in the real world, you just dont know. Will they exchange for a different style/refund/credit note? Or will they laugh me out of the shop? Do I have any rights to any of these options?
I can see that I bought them and so agreed that they fitted. But on the other hand, I expected them to feel the same once they'd been on a while; it was only 40 mins, not an 8hr day ffs.

I would certainly take them back and say they were not fit for purpose

I have done this at M+S and pointed out the bloodstains in the shoes and got a full refund (however M+S refund policy is superb IME)

I would be quite assertive and say they are impossible to wear and that you would like a full refund

The pain will make me assertive
I just have something at the back of my memory about them being worn outdoors scuppering my chances.

mustrun, i think they will be hellpful. they only wont take them back if you've been wearing them outside and just changed your mind - ie if you've taken the piss!

Sale of goods act says that the item sold must be fit for purpose

shoes that make your feet bleed are not fit for purpose

IME they won't accept returns that have been worn outside

You always need to break shoes in in the house

Franny Sales of Goods act does not mean that shoes or clothes that don't fit right can be returned - you need to try them out inside. Otherwise they can't be re-sold.

i got a credit note for brantano, after DD had spent a couple of hours in the garden in her new sandals, and the velcro strap had given her an appalling rash, as the velcro was rubbing directly on her skin......said it was a design flaw as not going to put socks on with summer shoes, and toddling round the shop for 2 minutes would not show that they would hurt her like this

But these fit

they are just badly designed, no? I mean MRM bought the correct size but the shoes are too stiff or dig in or something.

That's how I read it.

With children's shoes it is different because they check that the fit is correct - so you might get a refund with children

i think some shops will give a credit , if you are polite, and even if not legally obliged to!

you could always undo the stitching

Well, I'm off there in 30 mins, so we'll see

Good luck.

Got an exchange with no hassle. But the only alternative was £10 extra I've got 8 days to try them out...inside!

well done!