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Primary education

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Original poster

Start-rite shoes falling apart...

20 replies

KathG · 15/10/2009 13:17

My DD 6 has worn her shoes since the start of term - they are now both in need of repair (sole falling off). I am not impressed! Wondered if there is a general fault with "trilogy" as her friends are doing exactly the same thing...

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lexcat · 15/10/2009 13:36

I'm really surprised startrite are normally really good. In fact I buy them for dd as she wears out the clarks before she grows out of then where as the start-rite have been hand on to my neice in the past.

Take then back to the shop our local shoe shop wouldn't bat an eye lid at replacing them after such a short time.

Carrotfly · 15/10/2009 13:40

Similar thing happened to me with DS's shoes.

It was a real pain as I bought them in a Startrite shop when visiting MIL.

The local independant shoe shop which stocks startrire wouldnt take them back for me even with the receipt !!

Eventually posted them to MIL who returned them for me. They were happy to exhaange, but it taught me a lesson to buy locally in future.

I'm sure they will repalce yours without as much fuss !

mcfee · 15/10/2009 14:12

Have just checked online which ones Trilogy are and they are the same ones my DD has which are falling apart (sole isn't coming off but bits of it are flaking round the front) . She has only had them since mid-August but I did think they would last a bit longer. Wasn't going to do anything as her feet have also grown so need to get her new ones any way during mid term break next week but now I wonder if I should contact Startrite.

mcfee · 15/10/2009 14:17

In fact have just e-mailed them via their website. Response within 2 working days apparently. Will keep you posted.

BetsyBoop · 15/10/2009 14:33

just checked what style DDs shoes are as they are also flaking off at the toes with less than half a term's wear (and mornings only at nursery at that) - guess what? - also Trilogy there does seem to be a trend here...

Original poster

KathG · 15/10/2009 19:59

there does seem to be a trend - we've always grown out of start-rite rather than worn out before this pair (and flaking off is an excellent description...)

OP posts:

LIZS · 15/10/2009 20:05

dd's had hers since April (size 11) in black leather and they're a bit scuffed but otherwise fine .

VirginiaWoolf · 15/10/2009 20:05

My DD's Startrite shoes were falling apart this time last year, took them back to the small independent shop we'd bought them from and they gave me a full refund and posted the shoes off to Startrite! I'd been doubtful about taking them back because it was clear that they'd had a short but hard life but the shop were adamant that the shoes should have been able to take it!

aircraftannie · 15/10/2009 20:12

Not trilogy, but dd's are flaking too, esp around toes.

MrsGently · 15/10/2009 21:13

DD had a pair of Startrite last year - the strap wore through and sanpped - they are the only pair of shoes she's worn that have fallen to bits before she'd grown out of them.

If you're looking for robust School footwear try Ricosta.

CanvasBags · 16/10/2009 13:37

This happened to us last year. The toe was scuffed and flaking within a few days of wear. I think DD had the Trinity make. I stuck with them as they were wearable but I was not impressed with how scruffy they looked after just a few days. The previous year her SR shoes seemd to hold up for longer and polishing them at least brought them back to looking decent again.

I've bought cheap shoes this year but they have been terrible - so now I am faced with buying shoes at half term and don't know what to do.

Having the sole falling off sounds terrible. I'd certainly be taking them back.

Purplebuns · 16/10/2009 13:51

I work for Clarks and we have a similar policy on returns I think. You should be able to take them back for exchange, even with just a bank statement as proof of purchase.
Faults like that are rare so they should be happy to do that for you.
Ask for the manager, and failing that ring their customer services, and tell them off about it!

Cakesandale · 16/10/2009 13:53

We have bought three pairs of Start-Rite shoes since dd (6) was born - they have all worn out before their time and been pretty rubbish given the price tag.

I have complained to Start-Rite once, about the same problem MrsGently described (no receipt so could not take back to shop). Start-Rite gave me a trite, stock answer to the first email, and did not even bother to reply to the second (which was NOT rude!!!)

My advice? Don't bother with them in future. Hush Puppies and Clarks both much better (and a bit cheaper as well)

cece · 16/10/2009 13:53

DS had some Clark's shoes last year which came unstitiched and had to be replaced. The shop and Clarks would not give me a refund or exchange. So next time I went for Startrite. I noticed today that these two are coming unstitched! I give up!

GrumpyYoungFogey · 30/10/2009 21:06

We had a buckle clasp break on a pair girl's of Start-Rites, not what one expects at £34 a pop. John Lewis changed them no probs.

Other then that, would say Start-Rite slightly better, and are still made in England.

Rather more importantly to my minds, why is it so hard to get Clarks/Start-rites without flashing lights, toy dolls in the heel, or any other ridiculous marketing gimmick?

(Oh, and does anyone remember K's Scuff-Proof leather from childhood - does anyone do an equivalent of that these days?)

Original poster

KathG · 30/10/2009 21:53

Just to update- shoes replaced at shop without problem.

OP posts:

CowsGoMoo · 01/11/2009 20:33

My DD (year1) also has these shoes but we've had no problems.... so far!
but have had probs with Clarks in the past and they've always refunded/replaced with no problems

MumNWLondon · 02/11/2009 10:58

My DD (year 1) has these shoes (navy) and they look like almost like new. I am apply polish to the toes (just the easy squeeze on stuff!) roughly every 2nd weekend.

If these is lots of scuffing around toes its probably that your child is crawling around the floor perhaps in some sort of game.

Its worth buying start rite at john lewis because they are very good at returns if there is a problem!

DontHauntMeBaby · 03/11/2009 22:47

DD has Trilogy shoes this year and they're fine so far (slightly worried now tho). She wore the soles through in last year's (Startrite Bolero II) by propping herself on a playground bench by her hands and grinding the heels of her shoes along the concrete. She's been told NOT to do the same with these; I'm keeping a close eye on the state of them.

mcfee · 04/12/2009 15:40

Just to update, sent the shoes back to Startrite (no proof of purchase to take them back to shop) and they have admitted not up to standard and sent me a voucher for new shoes.
All dealt with quickly & efficiently. Well done Startrite on customer service!

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