DDs shoes that were expensive are too tight - should I just demand the larger width fitting next time?

[Jewelsandgems]

DD1 has narrow feet so we go to a shop that sells the european brands and there are lots for her to choose from (and in really cool colours)

The pair before this pair were dark cherry red patent and after she wore them for about 3 weeks, she complained they were hurting both of her little toes and her feet felt 'squished'. Anyway, she had some others that were not 'fitted' so she just wore them mostly.

When it came to get her new shoes I went back to shop and said that the last ones were too narrow for her, and hurt her little toes. The woman made the right noises like she took it on board and we bought another pair of shoes and they were pretty pricey. DD1 has been wearing them for a few months (2 at most) and they still fit fine lengthways, but she has been complaining that they were too tight around the toes again. Luckily it is summer to she is in sandals all the time anyway.

Should I just be more bolshy and ask them to give me some if a wider fit (even though shop think they are a bad fit?) I did that once in Clarks and they nearly had a heart attack)

How old is your DD? If the shop fitted the shoes, they should allow for reasonable growth, so I'd consider going back to them. Does this coincide with the hot weather? Also think about alternatives that would be acceptable to you - credit note for next pair or something. Hopefully if it's a specialist shop you can talk to the same member of staff.

thanks Blue, she is 4. Good point re the hot weather though, I hadn't considered that.

Yes, think I will go back...just scared that I'll come out with another pair of too-tight shoes!

Problem is, if they are too wide they won't give her enough support. My DD also wears european made shoes like Babybotte as she has narrow feet and bendy ankles so needs really good support. I find continental shoes very hard to get right as the sizes are all completely different! Also patent shoes are quite stiff.

Good luck - I find getting shoes for my DD a complete nightmare and it can take ages to find a pair that fit her properly!

well... it is possible that she has grown and that is why it is pressing on the little toe, esp if the shoes narrow near the front

but if you think they were not fitted correctly then you are well within your rights to take them abck, point out they are rubbing and ask for a replacement. they may not give you a full refund if she has grown since you bought them thouigh

shoes that are too wide can cause problems too though. they often crease more at the front and can dig into the top of the foot, and they allow the foot to move around more which can cause friction on the sole and on the sides of the feet

I always do. For some reason DS1 is measured as an F fitting, but they just don't fit. One new pair I bought actually cut into his feet (he was only 2 at the time and couldn't tell me they hurt.)
So yes, i always ask for a G fitting.
Incidentally, I've now bought a foot measurer, so I tend to check myself before going to the shop.