I took my 16 mo ds on Monday to get some ridiculously expensive (£14.50) Start Rite canvas shoes, instead of buying the £2 Tesco sort, because I think it is important to have their feet properly measured so that they are wearing exactly the right size. In the past, with my other children, I have only ever bought the Clarks Doodles, which have been brilliant, but this time the only ones in the right size were StartRite.
I washed them yesterday (exactly as suggested on the care label inside) and they have shrunk! Enough so that they now don't go on properly, and if I do get them on they don't do up. His toes are squashed at the ends, so he can't wear them. I don't have any other shoes for him and my daughter has chicken pox so I can't take them back at the moment.
I have spoken to John Lewis (where I bought them) and Start Rite themselves, neither of whom can help until I can take the shoes back to the shop, once we have finished the pox. However, the most shocking part of the conversation with Start Rite was that the customer services rep told me that their canvas shoes are expected to shrink in the wash UP TO HALF A SIZE!! So, what is the point of having their feet properly measured and spending all that money?! I asked her whether Start Rite thought that it was a good idea for children to wear shoes that were half a size too small and she said no, obviously. So, hello??!!
I am very cross, feel like I have been totally ripped off. I will not be buying Start Rite again, back to Clarks for me!!