shoes for school

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Which are best? Don't know whether to go to clarks, start rite, marks and spencers???

Dont even start me there!. Have had a hellish time today finding shoes for 2 of mine. Clarks -load of old cobblers. They did it again, told me dd1 was one size then tried to sell me another pair a whole size and width different. When I asked why they always do this, she replied that the size was only a guide at where to start. In other words the electronic machine they use is a complete waste of time, and they sell you what they have not what you need. I ended up going to Stead and Simpson.

DS1, who's 15 now, has had Bootleg (Clark's) for the last 4 or 5 years - not the same pair! - and they have been very hardwearing. We got his yesterday, size 10F, I thought that was quite big for school shoes but apparently they go up to 14!

I think the quality of the fitting service is entirely down to the individual shop. Our local shoe shop has been in the same family for 100 years or something and they are very proud of their record.

No you won't convince me Janh! I've tried a few different Clarks and they were all rubbish, lol.

I could never be convinced to buy another pair of shoes from clarks. Twice now I've left with shoes that are too small for dds feet. One of these was actually 1 whole size too small.

They use excuses such as it depends on the style of the shoe. For some reason in blue they seem to come up bigger (that's my fave) and another good one was because it's his 1st propper shoe (for ds) it doesn't matter that the sole won't bend, he'll get used to walking in it more quickly (how?, what? why?).

The incident with ds was the last straw and we've never been back.

Recommend individual shoe shops where the owner/manager is also someone who serves the customers. My sil and bil owned and ran a children's shoe shop for about 20 years until recenlty when they sold up. They were always scrupulous about fitting shoes and paying attention to whether ankles needed extra support etc. They even refused to sell a pair of shoes to a mum who liked the style but the size was wrong! Like janh's shop, they had real pride in providing a good service and shoes that fitted properly and the kids and parents liked.

Clarks have very little variety! I asked about a nice plain pair of trainers for my dd. The woman came back from the store room and said "we didn't have them but would you like to try these?" BRIGHT pink and turqoise with flashing hearts!!!!!!!!! DD loved them but very qiuckly lost interest thank God and i escaped!!!

I spent an hour in Clarks on Wednesday waiting for my ds to be measured. When he was eventually measured they said that they only had one pair of shoes in his size. I didn't like them but my son saw the dinosaurs on them and wanted them and having waited an hour to be seen, I brought them. I'm never going in there again the styles are very limited for wide feet. Incidently Clarks said my son was a 10 and a half and that they would only sell me that size in that width fitting, when I went into Start rite straight afterwards they said he was just going into a 10 and were trying to sell me 11's. So I'm not sure what to make of kids shoe shops, its just confusing.

Start-rite measure half a size smaller than Clarks, so a 9F Start-rite is a 91/2F Clarks. Start-rite have started to have a lot of European shoes in their In-Step shops which don't have width fittings, hence the tendency for sizes to go up and down. The measure really is only a guide, even as an adult I am a % in some shops and a 6 in others.

I worked P/T in a children's shoe-shop as a tudent, never go in on a Saturday as some of the saturday girls just get pulled off the adults section and don't have a clue. Also, some staff get very hung up on allowing growing room so parents don't come back and complain.

Wouldn't touch Clarks shoes with a barge pole!

Would agree that Clarks are rubbish, the most awful service, especially concidering the prices they charge !!! I stoped going there last year.

For school shoes I went back to Brantano, very good service and plenty of choice. You can get everything sorted all in one place, with out having to trudge round the shops.

i got my dd1 feet measures in 3 clarks shops the other week. one said she was a 7d, the others both said she was 6 1/2F. so for now she is wearing some tescos trainers in a 7. the selection they had in the clarks shops were good, shame they didnt have any in her size (i asked for velcro fastenings so she can do them herself, and no open bits as she puddle jumps, so they bring out shoes with T bar buckles). i wasnt prepared to pay nearly 30 quid for shoes i didnt really like. her shoes are for nursery, but i still want them fairly decent so they will last as long as she fits in them.

Clarks own shops are obviously awful (never been to one myself) but if you can find a small independent shoe shop which sells Clarks - as well as other makes, obviously - it really should be better (but maybe not on a Saturday...)

What is Brantano? Sounds interesting.

They have a site here - Not been so can't comment, they are too far away

Unfortunately we have been to Clarks and I could swear til the cows come home about them, have recently started going to a small family run shop who's fitting of shoes don't involve an after effect of blisters.

john lewis good - more than just clarks & they give you a pager when they're busy so you can go round rest of shop and return when they're ready to fit you. there's also a lovely shop called Jimmy's on Essex Rd, for any north londoners. good, impartial personal service,
.

Took dd1 to clarks for summer shoes, and was told her feet were so narrow that the style she liked would fall off at her ankles. Bit bizarre.

Anyway, took her to small independent shop, who sold me the exact same clarks shoe, and said no such problem would occur, and it hasn't.

Are clarks deliberately trying to sabotage their own sales?!!

Took dd1 to clarks for summer shoes, and was told her feet were so narrow that the style she liked would fall off at her ankles. Bit bizarre.

Anyway, took her to small independent shop, who sold me the exact same clarks shoe, and said no such problem would occur, and it hasn't.

Are clarks deliberately trying to sabotage their own sales?!!

Brantano are a shoe super store. In our area they are usually in retail parks.

They stock top brands Hush Puppies, Kickers, Rebok, etc, only do Clarks for adults (yes.. they do womens and mens footwear as well). They also do their own brands, they have assistants to measure feet or you can do it yourself.

They have slippers, wellies, trainers, football boots, as well.

john lewis - bah humbug! sold my 9 yr dd a pair of size 5 (adult) trainers last year. she is still wearing size 3 1/2, as I was sorting out other dds shoes I stupidly didn't do my usual check. We go to the co-op after school and we have a favourite assistant ...almost as good as an independant. Our clarks shop are totally useless they never have the right size.

Hate Clarks. Tupid people ( and I mean tupid not stupid) - ruined ds feet. Hard skin and blisters. Now trying Russell and Bromley who sell Clarks shoes! Start Rite and their own brand. But again crap service and ill fitting shoes which cause ds and me grief. Gonna try that Jimmy in north london, even if it means I've got to travel. I gotta do it cos it's gotta be done. Any recommended shops in sarf (south london).

Hate Clarks - can usually find a style in Start-Rite to fit perfectly but the best pair of shoes dd had recently were Pom d'Api, a French make. Found a shop near MIL in Bournemouth which sells them, cost a fortune but have seen their shops in France (maybe cheaper there not looked yet). For her age (6) no width fittings just length but absolutely perfect for her.