Extremely uncomfortable shoes from Clarks -- any consumer rights laws re. refunds?

peachyprice

maz_student wrote: »

i did try them on in the shop

these did fit perfectly. Even more so, they were the special 'wide-fitting', so Clarks can't say that it didnt fit my feet. The back of the shoe has nothing to do with the width across the front of your foot

I dont know how to say this in a professional way, because the moment you open your mouth to begin saying you want a refund, You are not entitled to a refund, the item is not faulty.


Fair enough, but if the design is bad, then aren't my statutory rights being affected? I've bought a pair of shoes, and are being advertised as being comfortable. If the product which has been sold doesnt perform as it is being advertised, then that means your statutory rights are being affected (to the best of my knowledge).

The design isn't necessarily bad, it just doesn't suit YOUR foot, that's not to say that a thousand other people could wear the shoe without discomfort. It has been advertised as a shoe, it is a shoe, but it doesn't state anywhere that it will be comfortable for every person. It hasn't been falsely advertised.

The best you can do it be polite, explain your discomfort and hope that Clarks will offer you a different pair of shoes as a goodwill gesture.

TonyHoyle

My wife just got burned by clarks non-return policy. She went there and asked the sales assistant specifically for shoes that she could work in as she has to stand for 6 hours a day. The sales assistant told here that the shoes 'wave' shoes - were recommended by the NHS and perfect for people on thier feet all day. At £55 *very* pricy but she thought it worth it to help her with her job.

Needless to say they aren't, and on the second day I had to pick her up from work as the shoes were causing extreme pain, such that she couldn't put any weight on her feet for almost a day afterwords.

When she bought them she was told there was a 28 day return policy and 'to try them at work to see if they're right for you and no worry because you can return within 28 days' (she insists those were the exact words).

Went to return them today... apparently the 28 day return policy *expires the moment you put the shoes on* and the sales assistant had lied.

Can they really do this? The shoes had been sold for a specific purpose and were recommended (and chosen) by the sales staff.. right down to the size. They are manifestly not suitable for the job they were purchased for - in fact she won't wear them again because she's worried about doing permanent damage.

Personally I won't be going within 100 miles of a clarks store again.. but they still ripped us off with a pair of £55 shoes that were presumably pushed on my wife because she looked a bit gullible (she can be*.. has a habit of thinking salesmen tell the truth). Is it really that she has no rights?

* Well, anyone that would pay that kind of money for shoes has to be a *bit* gullible

themull1

Clarks give a refund if your childs shoe was fitted bt staff on receipt, but don't refund general shoes, even as a goodwill gesture. Some of the shoes my daughter tried on, the velcro didn't even reach across to the other side of the shoe, it was so short. And they were supposed to be for wide feet. I ended up going elsewhere.

Hintza

TonyHoyle wrote: »

They are manifestly not suitable for the job they were purchased for

In you and your wife's view.

Quackers

themull1 wrote: »

Clarks give a refund if your childs shoe was fitted bt staff on receipt, but don't refund general shoes, even as a goodwill gesture. Some of the shoes my daughter tried on, the velcro didn't even reach across to the other side of the shoe, it was so short. And they were supposed to be for wide feet. I ended up going elsewhere.

yes, they do.

Quackers

TonyHoyle wrote: »

Can they really do this? The shoes had been sold for a specific purpose and were recommended (and chosen) by the sales staff.. right down to the size. They are manifestly not suitable for the job they were purchased for - in fact she won't wear them again because she's worried about doing permanent damage.

recommended and chosen by the sales staff? your wife didn't have anything to do with it?

right down to the size? Your wife doesn't know when a pair of shoes fit??

Seriously, as an adult, you are responsible for knowing when a pair of shoes fit

as Hintza says, in your opinion they are not suitable for the job they were purchased for.

The 28 day returns policy is for you to try them on around the house for an hour... that would make more sense than wearing a brand new pair of shoes for a 6/8 hours shift??

Maybe the sales assistant didn't lie...maybe your 'gullible' wife misunderstood? (Your words not mine...:cool:)

Anyway, that aside, if you are really unhappy then it is worth contacting Clarks customer services. Generally, they will ask you to try and return them to another store for a second opinion. There is a chance that they will exchange them as a goodwill gesture.

The wave shoes are a new technology...which is why they may feel so different to her.

Wearing any brand new shoes for 6 hours without wearing them in first is a little silly in my opinion

mookiandco

My brother returned a pair of clarks mens shoes a couple of weeks ago that we bought in the sale. They had caused him terrible blisters the first time he wore them out of the house. There were no problems in returning them and getting refund.