M + S Girls school shoes - GRRRR

Threebabes

I bought my DD school shoes from M&S and they were rubbish. I complained and they sent me another exactly the same. She wore them for a few weeks and I went to Clarks.

pigpen

bylromarha wrote: »

Does that not miss the point though? You pay extra for M+S and they're shoddy.

And having tried to do that on the last pair - I don't have the skills :rotfl:

But you DON'T pay extra for the M&S quality.. you pay extra for the NAME.. it is false economy.

You get 3 items for the total cost of 2, yes.. but the cost of the 2 items is way in excess of 3 items from elsewhere. So spending £20 in M&S for 3 items you may as well go to another shop and spend £5 on the same 3 items and buy the shoes from a proper shoe shop.

Exactly why I buy good branded properly fitted shoes for my children.. yes they cost more BUT they last much longer and fit better.. Sadly, you don't get what you pay for when it comes to shops that rely heavily on their brand name.

RoseFairy

just had to reply and mention too that i bought my dd1 shoes from M&S too - first and last time - they are rubbish quality - the soles have really worn through within a couple of months - it's ridiculous to pay so much. however dd2 ones from BHS, has been wearing hers for the whole academic year now and though the top is scuffed the soles and velcro are good - i am definitely going back to BHS - their shoes have been the best quality and value for money. some velcro shoes that both dd's have had - have also lost their velcro-ness - not school shoes just casual shoes and maybe if you purchase some velcro, say john lewis anywhere that have a haberdashery dept. then you could superglue some to the strap - having picked the sewing off the damaged ones.

annie-c

If you are not happy with the response you go in store, you could write to Customer Services?

andrealm

I wouldn't buy school shoes from high street shops, I'd rather go to a shoe shop and have them fitted. My DDs usually wear Clarks and we've never had a problem with the velcro, although after 3 months they've outgrown them anyway. And I only buy them one pair at a time so they are worn ever day until they grow out of them.

Although no matter where you buy them I agree the velcro should last longer than 7 or 8 weeks.

I expect they are all velcro as a lot of children that age can't do buckles, my 4 year old struggles even with velcro shoes, she can do it but needs a lot of coaxing to do her own shoes.

bylromarha

pigpen wrote: »

But you DON'T pay extra for the M&S quality.. you pay extra for the NAME.. it is false economy.

The rest of the M+S uniform I bought has been brilliant compared to the items I bought last year for DS. The trousers only look about 1 month old and DS has worn them since september! Well worth the extra money. Which is why I thought they'd extend the same quality to the girls shoes - like I said, the boys shoes have been great.

pigpen wrote: »

Exactly why I buy good branded properly fitted shoes for my children.. yes they cost more BUT they last much longer and fit better.. Sadly, you don't get what you pay for when it comes to shops that rely heavily on their brand name.

And having had to return Clarks shoes 3 times in 5 years for stitching coming apart I no longer buy into the "Fitted Clarks is best" mantra. :rotfl:

With my 3 year olds feet having grown a size in 4 months is it really best value to buy the trainers, the school shoes and the not school shoes from Clarks? £75+ for 3 pairs just there and all needing to be bought again after 4 months. Same rate of growth means £225+ on shoes for my daughter for 1 year. Can I have your money tree please?!;)

Like I said, the fit on these M+S shoes are still good, there are hardly any scuffs on them, the leather is soft, the velcro is just papp. Buckles all the way for her from now on - just need to find 3 year old buckled shoes (which Clarks don't do either!)

babyshoes

Would the school accept her wearing cheapy plimsolls for the last few weeks of term? If so, why not visit Asda or Primark?

I second the suggestion to take them to a shoe repair place - something that is way beyond your capabilities may be a 5 minute job for them...

Also, I would keep complaining. Write to the Head Office - the people in store aren't allowed to use their discretion in bending the rules on return times, however at Head Office they may be able to offer you something as a 'goodwill' gesture to get you to shop there again, especially if you imply that you will shop elsewhere from now on!

pigpen

I have 8 children who NEVER had anything other than clarks/Startrite.. though 2 now have piedro boots which are in excess of £80 each pair!!! I regularly go in and spend in excess of £400.. that is what the child benefit is for surely? Providing for your childs needs.

As far as I am concerned clothes don't matter so much (apart from Primark.. I won't even go in the shop ), you spend a lifetime walking round on your feet so you keep them in the best condition that you can.. They have charity shop clothes, 99p school uniform (littlewoods clearance is a wonderful thing!!) and £40 shoes.

Stitching on the tops of shoes is a REALLY bad idea for children.. they do crawl about which destroys the stitching.. which is why I wouldn't ever buy those hideous 'meatpie' style shoes.. in 19 years I have returned 2 pairs of Clarks shoes as they were not fit for purpose.. My children have a variety of foot problems and disabilities which mean they have trouble with their mobility.. it also means their shoes get 4 times as much hammer as anyone elses.

Mine always have buckled t-bar shoes so they do, do them. I don't trust them to fasten velcro ones tight enough to support their feet properly and not allow the shoes to slop about. DD1 (16) has buckled Clarks shoes right now in size 5.. adult size 5, not toddler size!

OrkneyStar

pigpen wrote: »

I have 8 children who NEVER had anything other than clarks/Startrite.. though 2 now have piedro boots which are in excess of £80 each pair!!! I regularly go in and spend in excess of £400.. that is what the child benefit is for surely? Providing for your childs needs.

Perhaps normal working families need to use some of their child benefit to pay for things other than just shoes (eg food, clothing (even if not brand new, school meals, swimming lessons, etc) ? Childs needs reach farther and wider than just shoes! Also child benefit for 1 or 2 may not stretch as far as for 8, as surely you don't need to buy new clothes that often as you can pass from one to the next and the next and the next and the.... oh I give up beyond 3 or 4!
OP, imho M and S shoes are no better quality wise than George (Asda), Cherokee (Tesco) and the like.
I realise you were trying to be money savvy buying 3 for 2 but it is not really a good idea for childrens shoes....surely she should be measured for the new pairs ? Ideally Clarks or Start-rite are good.....brand new is best, but also check out ebay as you might find some new pairs on there (which were bought in advance and never worn- worth a try ?). Failing that places like Brantano will often have Clarks etc slightly cheaper. In the meantime could she wear plimsoles to school....or even smart darker trainers that she could also wear in the summer hols ?
So glad there is no uniform up here, or not much of one, so the shoes don't have to be 'school' shoes. Hope you get something sorted out.x

pigpen

Guess it depends what your priorities as a parent are.. Even when XH was a student and we were on the bones of our @r$e the children had proper fitted shoes because that is what they require and what is important to me..

Wages go on food and bills .. child benefit goes on the children first and foremost and other stuff next.