returning shoes.

lizcap

Hi i purchased a pair of well known shoes for my daughter for school,i bought them in August but she did not wear them untill September. On inspection last week both shoes have 2 to 3 holes in the sole near the heel area. I returned them to the shop only to be told my daughter has walked on them in a funny way and she is heavy footed!!! I disagreed with this and told her i bought the shoes due to the reputation and because they were hard wearing however she was having none of this and said the only thing she could do is send them back to be inspected but she thinks they will say wear and tear!!! How a 12 year old girl could walk holes in shoes in what we have worked out to be 6 weeks when counting the school days and she does not wear them out of school is beyond me!!! What are my rights regarding this as i have tried to ring the company but apparently i can not speak to the returns department or send a letter explaining the situation which the lady in the shop has not!!!!! I would appreciate your help on this as i am really annoyed!!!!

scullster

Based on what you've said - I think you are right to be annoyed. Our boys had shoes from a well known shoe retailer and stitching in both pairs started to fray after about 10 wks - my wife took them back and they were exchanged without problem.

Under SOGA, the shoes need to remain fit for purpose for a reasonable period of time - the onus will be on the shop to prove it is due to maluse or excessive wear. I'd go back, but possibly to a different branch if possible. Our experience was with Clarks, but on a separate occasion we had to deal with a right old witch in a branch - we got nowhere so took it to head office who couldn't have been nicer and sorted it without hesitation.