WWYD - boots that i bought for dd last winter?

[TheBolter]

Sorry, not sure where to put this but I thought that a bunch of avid shoppers would have had experience of something like this...

I bought some boots for my dd last winter, about 10 months ago. I bought them in a generous size hoping that they'd last her into this winter.

They weren't cheap (about £50-60 full price) but AFAIR I bought them in the sale and they were meant to last two winters.

Anyway, dd has just started waring them again and not only have they scuffed badly, revealing the leather to be coated not deep dyed (was a little at this due to price) but also, the heel of one of the boots has badly broken down giving her inadequate support.

The final straw came yesterday when dd tried to put them on but we discovered the zip to be broken, thus they are now unwearable.

Do I have any legal rights here? They come from a very well known retailer (a Mumsnet favourite ). Can I send them back and if so can I demand any compensation / refund?

Any help much appreciated, and again apologies if this is posted in the wrong place.

wearing, sorry

Take them back and explain what has happened and see what they say. You might get lucky!

I would always try taking them back and returning them if they were sub-standard or faulty.
Sometimes (IME) an assistant will say "we've had loads of complaints/these coming back" and will refund no matter how old.

I think that you just have to write it off TBH. Lots of kids' shoes won't take 2 winters - wouldn't have thought they were designed to given the rate at which feet grow. Neither of my kids has ever owned a pair of shoes which had any chance of fitting the next year.

you certainly can't demand compensation! youcould give customer service a call and explain the situation - most retailers will be able to tell if they have been worn a few times or alot, but i would say anything they do will be goodwill.

Where did you get them - Retailers tend to have their own policies but, depending on where they are from, they may agree to a goodwill exchange. The only concern would be that you have had them a long time so they could argue 'wear and tear'

What size is your DD? I think you have more chance if she has reached a size at which feet grow less rapidly. TBH if someone told me they had bought shoes too big and the shoes were damaged I would put the damage down to the fact they probably fitted badly in the first place.

However assuming you are referring to a primarily online retailer known for its customer service I think you probably will get a replacement or credit regardless assuming you decide it's reasonable to ask for one.

mystery, I think we are assuming it is the same retailer. Their customer service is second to none which is why I think there may be the possibility of an exchange / credit.

Hi, thanks for all your replies. I must say I do feel a little cheeky asking for compensation but I did feel that due to the price of the boots I would get better use out of them. If I had known that they would be unwearable after 4/5 months of actual use there is no way I would have bought them.

Meggles and mystery, yes this is a primarily online retailer! I will call them tomorrow then and ask them what their policy would be should I return them. I do now have to fork out for a new pair of boots for dd and am feeling somewhat unwilling to do so!

Boden?

The Bolter - Last year I bought DS a Boden coat in September. By January the cuff was coming undone (he had been wearing it everyday). I rang up Boden customer service and they were fab. Said the length of time was irrelevant. No only did they send me a replacement but, by January, it had gone in the sale and they refunded the difference as I had paid full price.

5 stars from me... but as DH pointed out, it keeps me going back... and back... and back

God if its boden just email them - they'll definitely do something. I returned recently a cardigan that bobbled from last year and they refunded me no questions asked.

I wouldnt dream of buying boots for my ds hoping they would last 2 winters,i suppose it depends on how old your dd is & whether she has stopped growing.

OMG Meggles, that's amazing

Yes, it's Boden.

I spoke to them this evening and they're going to send me a returns label so the boots can be inspected. So fingers crossed. Will let you know how I get on.

I didn't want to 'out' them on here as I am a massive fan of Mini Boden and have been a loyal customer for about six years now - my dds have virtually worn nothing but (sale ) Boden since they were old enough for proper clothes!

Cwitchy, I see your point but dd's feet grow about a size per year and these were bought while she was almost about to go up into that size. She definitely still fits them now but I expect would be too big for them by next spring.

Just a quick update - if you're interested .

Boden sent me a returns label a couple of days after I called them. The boots were returned with a letter indicating the problems.

Today they have refunded me with a credit on my account for the amount I paid for them - no questions asked.

What fantastic customer service! Can't wait to spend it on a new pair of boots for dd - just have to wait until the sales now!