How long should you expect Clarks school shoes to last?

webwahm

Hi, looking for some consensus and advice on what route to take here.

I've always 'paid extra' for the quality and robustness of Clarks' school shoes - and they've always lasted so long my kids grow out of them. Normally I only have to buy 1 pair school shoes, and 1 pair winter boots a year per kid.

Last week a pair snapped on the strap - they have only been worn about 3 months when you work it out (winter boots from Nov-Mar, not worn in school holidays etc.)

But because it's been longer than 6 months since I bought them, Clarks won't do anything and now I have to fork out for some more.

I understand I can try argue under Sales of Goods Act, if I can prove it's not down to misuse?

I appreciate we've had 3 months out of them, but it's not the usual standard I've come to expect from Clarks.

Any input appreciated.

Mankysteve

I spose it has been a heavy winter which will put a bit more wear on them. Unfortunately as been six month under SOGA its now down to you to get independent report stating the fault is inherent with them.

I brought a some Clarks shoes for my old work when they started to make us where black shoes. The insole last about month i wasn't very impressed with them.

webwahm

Mankysteve wrote: »

I spose it has been a heavy winter which will put a bit more wear on them.

...but that's just it, they were wearing their winter boots during the extra long/heavy winter spell - not the school shoes. The school shoes were only dug back out in March.

We've only had 3 months wear out of this pair of shoes :-(

caeler

Is it worth complaining at HQ rather than at store level? Just so you can provide them with details of the damage and the type. You never know it might be an inherent issue with that particular style?

jungliemac

My son's last pair lasted 5 weeks. They started to come apart at the back on both shoes and the foam was leaking out. They were velcro fastenings so it's not as if he used to squeeze his foot into them or anything. Doubt I will buy Clarkes again. Sticking to Startrite or Ecco. They last him forever. Clarkes just aren't what they used to be.

Birdy12

My son had a pair of trainers Clarks and the same happened, one of the straps broke. They were about 4/5 months old but, luckily, I had the receipt (in fact, I keep all Clarks receipts 'just in case').

The assistance did state the 'normal wear and tear' line but I pointed out that his trainers were only normally worn at weekends, and that he lived in his school shoes during the week.

Perhaps it's because I'm a 'persistant;)' person but, in the end they agreed to either a) exchange with a like for like pair if he hadn't grown in size or b) give 50% off the price off a new pair if he had.

Bearing in mind the price of Clarks shoes, I do expect them to last a reasonable length of time. DS and DD had new school shoes last September - DD had to have a new pair at Easter, DS's are still going strong.

Mummy81

I recently had a similar probelm with Lelli Kelly shoes my sister bought my daughter a pair in September at a cost of £50 the were worn from Sept to Approx Dec, given the school holidays and snow between this dates there was actually very little wear. I got the shoes out after the christmas holidays to discover that the sole had completly detached from the front on one of the shoes.

I duly return the shoes to be told that this was general wear and tear, I explain that due to the expense of the shoes, a price I'd persoanlly never have paid!! I expected better things quoted the sale of good act etc, the lady then said that her feet had grown so they couldn't replace them as they now wouldn't fit!! Eventually after much LOUD complaining in a very busy store they agreed to give me 50% refund on the shoes, which given the January sales were on worked out ok.

I agree that you do expect better from Clarks, I'd complain to head office and see where it get you. Good Luck

Quackers

Birdy12 wrote: »

in the end they agreed to either a) exchange with a like for like pair if he hadn't grown in size or b) give 50% off the price off a new pair if he had.

That's the standard guidelines for stores to follow once you've had them longer than 3 months

Head Office would recommend that you take the shoes to another store for a second opinion - as they cannot see the shoes they do not like to advise - so it may be worthwhile you doing this

Getting a whole year out of a pair of school shoes without your child growing is quite lucky - most people get 4-6months max. Obviously this depends on how old the child is as they do start slowing down as they get older.

bcl999

I think a lot depends on the child as well. My shoes lasted me forever (well, at least until I had outgrown them) whereas my brother's shoes never lasted more than a month or two. ANd my mother always bought us both quality shoes such as Clarks, Tuf and Everite (was it?).