New Shoes - "Wear & Tear" after 10 days

Sarahsaver

Some shoes, even expensive ones, may not have very hardwearing heels/soles. The uppers may be fantastic, the manufacturer can keep costs down by putting a cheapo heel and sole on. I have a pair of metal heeled boots, and the heel tips wore out after one night out, but the shop warned me of that. I knew to expect it because of the type of plastic that was used for the heels. I had them redone with a metal tip and they are much more hardwearing;)
What happened in this case here? Interested to know.

IvanOpinion

I have got DW to return several pairs of shoes recently (unworn) because when she showed them to me I pointed out that the soles were very soft and would not last - she does a lot of walking. I guess to complete, like everything else, they are being made from cheaper and cheaper materials where fashion is more important than longevity.

I believe however that the shop is working within the law by only offering you a repair. I would wait for the repair and then see if they wear any better.

I should also add that I am very heavy on my feet, I have a habit of scuffing my left foot, due to an old motor cycle injury, which means that my left hand shoe can be worn out while the right hand one is still in pretty good condition.

Ivan

webmasterpolo

Did you buy them on a credit card? You might be able to take it up with them...

MarkyMarkD

Less than £100 though so they have no legal obligation to get involved.

greenwich

skintchick wrote:

I would have gone in, stated Sale of Goods Act, said I wanted a free repair or refund, then refused to leave until I got it. I have done this before, always on a busy Saturday when there's massive queues, and they always cave.

I expect they do. They probably have some sense that money-grasping is not the only thing in life and that being a reasonable human being who acts with some consideration and dignity is also something.

kellymobbs

I USED TO WORK IN RETAIL AND I WOULD HAVE REFUNDED THEM FOR YOU. gET THE HEAD OFFICE ADDRESS, SEND IN A LETTER OF COMPLAINT STATING THAT YOU DO NOT EXPECT THE SERVICE YOU RECIEVED, THE GOODS WERE NOT SATISFACTORY AND THEY TRIED TO INSULT YOUR INTELLIGENCE. TELL THEM THAT YOU WANT COMPENSATING FOR THE SERVICE YOU HAVE RECIEVED AND WARN THEM THAT YOU WILL NOT SHOP THERE AGAIN AND WILL ALSO TELL FRIENDS ETC WHO SHOP THERE OF THE SERVICE YOU RECIEVED. I'M NOT SAYIN YOU'LL GET A REFUND BUT HEY THEY MAY GIVE YOU A VOUCHER FOR THE INCONVENIENCE CAUSED, BUT YOU REALLY NEED TO LAY IT ON THICK. GOOD LUCK.

taxi97w

I bought a pair of Ben Sherman's for £65. Within 2 weeks the heels had worn down to the leather outers. Like the OP, I only walked on them for part of the day because I work in a carpetted office. But I never considered taking them back - just went to the 'cobblers' and got them re-heeled within 2 days for £4.50. If this had cost more, then maybe I would have thought of taking them back.

poppysocks1

Thanks everyone for your replies - i didnt realise i had so many replies as wasnt getting alerts!!
Anyway, update is this - i got my boots back a week after having sent them off - had to keep chasing Head Office for the return date, staff were unhelpful and uninterested. The heels have been redone - there are 2 new heel grips which look like they have been glued on and have 4 small "staples" (?!) in the middle of each heel (is this normal?!). Anyway, have worn them for 4 days and i can see exactly the same part of each heel beginning to wear down more, so give it 2 weeks and i will probably be back to square one. the thing is, it was SUCH AN EFFORT for the shop to even do this repair (and they said that it was a goodwill gesture) that if i end up with the problem again i cant face phoning head office or going into the shop as the staff were very intimidating (I had to ask my boyfriend to collect the boots as i couldnt face going back into the shop after everything that had happened). I am still unsatisfied with the service, and the result but as long as the boots are wearable i will wear them this winter and next (if they last that long) and put it down to a bad experience. I expect if i pay to get them reheeled (#9) then they will last longer but not the point.

I also cant believe this shop has won awards - unbelievable.

kellymobbs "I USED TO WORK IN RETAIL AND I WOULD HAVE REFUNDED THEM FOR YOU. gET THE HEAD OFFICE ADDRESS, SEND IN A LETTER OF COMPLAINT STATING THAT YOU DO NOT EXPECT THE SERVICE YOU RECIEVED, THE GOODS WERE NOT SATISFACTORY AND THEY TRIED TO INSULT YOUR INTELLIGENCE. TELL THEM THAT YOU WANT COMPENSATING FOR THE SERVICE YOU HAVE RECIEVED AND WARN THEM THAT YOU WILL NOT SHOP THERE AGAIN AND WILL ALSO TELL FRIENDS ETC WHO SHOP THERE OF THE SERVICE YOU RECIEVED. I'M NOT SAYIN YOU'LL GET A REFUND BUT HEY THEY MAY GIVE YOU A VOUCHER FOR THE INCONVENIENCE CAUSED, BUT YOU REALLY NEED TO LAY IT ON THICK. GOOD LUCK". Kelly - I did everything you said in your email (see my previous posts) but no voucher, no compensation, nothing. I dont know what more i can do. Even trying to phone is ridiculous as the same girl answers the phone and wont put me through to the manager. She also said that because the shop saw the boots and wouldnt issue a refund then she also couldnt issue a refund. Also the shop said that "no one else has returned these boots" - i ended up having such an argument - just because no one else has doesnt mean that these arent faulty...!!

So sick of the whole thing, and they are only a pair of boots but it is so frustrating and its the principle of it all. Do not shop in exclusive shop outlets in Bath is all i can say!

Thanks everyone. If you do think i can do anything more then please email but i do feel its so time consuming and it has been going on now for a month.