returning goods

frenchmum

Bought nice boots yesterday from BHS. Only worn a few hours and discovered split on front of sole. Decided to return them for exchange/refund only to be told I had probably caught them on something and was not entitled to anything. I replied that I had only worn them for 2 hours walking around shops and did not damage them myself. They have been returned to head office where they will be examined and contact me. Walked away absouutely fuming, as you do! Has any one else had similar experience and do I stand a chance of getting anywhere with this. I was quite shocked as I have returned things to other shops for similar reasons and been treated quite well so is it just this particular shop? Hope someone can help or offer sympathy!

RadoJo

Shoes that cannot withstand normal walking around are not fit for purpose. I could understand if they were those delicate fairy slipper kind of shoes, but a pair of boots should be able to withstand reasonable conditions and certainly not split from an impact that you didn't even feel, so even if that is what happened I would still say that they were not fit for purpose.

I suppose you will have to wait until you hear back from them, but it might be worth taking a photo of your foot maybe to prove that you haven't got any damage to your sole from walking on something unusually spiky or damaging - if they end up taking two weeks to get back to you it will be difficult for you to prove something like that, whereas photos will provide evidence. Did they give you a time frame in which they would respond? Let's hope that they just admit liability and refund you, but if not, I think you have a good case.

Krystaltips

I wouldn't of stood for that, I would of battled my ground until I got my money back there and then... So what if you did catch the boot on something sharp (not saying you did) then by coming apart the boots are not fit for purpose...

hollydays

Shoes are often problematic for returning,however I don't believe they will be returned to head office.Find out the Managers name,then make appointment to see her.

frenchmum

Thanks for all the advice. Hollydays, I think you are probably right about the head office story when I think about it. Will definately be contacting the store.
Krystaltips, I think you are right I should have been more persistant, It is the first time I have had to quibble with a shop over faulty goods, if it happens again I will be ready for them