Toddler shoes return rights - blisters

b830ag2

Hi all,

I've read the MoneySaving Guide on this, but as it's not specifically on toddler shoes I'm having difficulty reading between the lines. So thought I'd post here to get some advice...

Bascially, my Wife went into a small local childrens shoe shop recently and got our two year old fitted for a new lair of leather shoes.

The fitting went ok and so ended up buying some shoes for £37.99 (the exorbitant cost of childs shoes is another subject! so I won't go into it here). Anyway, upon leaving the shop and about an hour or so of walking/playing later, our daughter started complaining that her feet hurt. Upon looking at her feet my Wife found that a small circular area of skin had been rubbed off, on both feet, on the boney bit that sticks out on the outside of each ankle. They were bleeding also.

They went straight back to the shop to return the shoes and was seen by an assistant. The Manager herself was not in the shop, but the assistant called her on her mobile. The assistant herself was apparently quite nice, but was not authorised to give refunds (hence the call to her Manager). However, even though my daughter was crying hysterically as the assistant tried to refit the shoes and assess them, and the blisters/blood were clearly visible, as was the stress being caused to my daughter, a refund was not authorised. The Manager had said that they were top quality shoes and that they would 'give' in time. After my Wife stressed her unhappiness with the situation the manager still refused to give a refund, but suggested she come in on a day when she was there, so the Manager could see for herself. This day is tomorrow, so I'm trying to get an idea of our Consumer Rights on this beforehand.

I realise that my daughter was fitted before the purchase, so it may be deemed that we 'accepted' them. Equally, they are arguably not 'faulty' either, as they may suit another child perfectly well. It only became apparent with use that they were not really fit for purpose..and how the Manager can say they would 'give' amazes me as my daughter can't even wear them to let them 'give' as it causes her too much pain.

Anyone have any views on this? Or anyone had experience of this in the past themselves?

Many thanks,
Andy.

Birdy12

b830ag2 wrote: »

Hi all,


I realise that my daughter was fitted before the purchase, so it may be deemed that we 'accepted' them. Equally, they are arguably not 'faulty' either, as they may suit another child perfectly well. It only became apparent with use that they were not really fit for purpose..and how the Manager can say they would 'give' amazes me as my daughter can't even wear them to let them 'give' as it causes her too much pain.

Anyone have any views on this? Or anyone had experience of this in the past themselves?

Many thanks,
Andy.

My first instinct is to say what rubbish the manager is talking. Your wife took the advice of the sales assistant that they were suitable shoes for your child. Well, they weren't, were they, therefore the advice your wife was given was incorrect, wasn't it?

In Clarks, if you opt to buy a pair of children's shoes without having had them fitted they will note this on the receipt. Effectively, you run the risk of them not fitting properly and no refund will be offered in the event that they don't (if they've already shown signs of wear, I hasten to add).

If you received advice that they were the best shoes for your child, and they weren't well, if that were me, I'd be demanding a refund.

Fuzzy_Duck

They are right that leather shoes need to be broken in. I have really sensitive skin on my feet and no matter how much I try to break in the leather they cut up my feet. I have no choice but to wear socks/tights. Out of interest was your daughter wearing socks with her new shoes or was she bare footed? If she was bare footed I would definitely suggest letting her feet heal and trying them again with a pair of socks to prevent them rubbing.

Looking at similar threads it seems people often do get refunds on shoes that were fitted beforehand, and I see no reason why toddler shoes should be considered differently to adult shoes. If the manager is in tomorrow I would pop along anyway so she can see in person how the shoes have hurt her feet, she's probably less likely to refuse when she sees the discomfort caused.

Do they have a refund policy, and if so what does it say?

escortg3

No childrens shoes need to be broken in if they are fitted correctly.
Demand your money back. The cut of the shoe obviously does not suit your child. My grandaughter cannot wear certain shapes of shoes but clarks always have identified the ones that are not fitting properly and sold us a pair that fits perfectly. My grandaughter has never had a blister in her life and neither should any child who has had shoes fitted properly.

What make of show are they? Can you take them back to another store

b830ag2

hi,
thanks for the responses...
in answer to some questions;

- My daughter was wearing tights (quite thick), so she did have a layer of material between the shoe and her ankle. in fact, you could see the blood stain through the tights!

- not sure about the shops return policy. no doubt we will find that out tomorrow when my Wife revisits (with daughter in tow)

- not sure what make they are, but was told they're quite a good Italian make. will find out. and no, cannot return to another store, it's a single, small shoe shop in our town centre.

the only results i'll be happy with hear are a complete refund or a swap for another pair of shoe that DO fit and are of equal or higher value. otherwise we won't be going there again ..

cheers...

Auntie-Dolly

What a ridiculous thing to suggest the poor child wears them until they 'give'. I would certainly be arguing for a refund or replacement.

nikki_angel

Can I have a link to the guide mentioned in the OP please? We are at this stage now

b830ag2

Sure. .. its just the general consumer rights guide...

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/shopping/consumer-rights-refunds-exchange

nikki_angel

That's great, thanks!

peachyprice

Fuzzy_Duck wrote: »

They are right that leather shoes need to be broken in.

No, childrens shoes should be fitted to that they already fit properly. If they need to 'give' they are too tight, if they rub they are too loose or cut too high for the childs foot.

Unlike your sensitive feet the bones in childrens feet are still soft, any shoes that needs to 'give, to fit the foot properly is likely to cause lasting damage before it's comfortable enough to wear.

That is why we pay so much for childrens properly fitted shoes, so that they fit properly without damaging their tender little feet.

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

peachyprice wrote: »

That is why we pay so much for childrens properly fitted shoes, so that they fit properly without damaging their tender little feet.

i thought it was because the shops have a captive market and can get away with it.

Having said that, DD is regularly sent away by Clarks, as they measure her but can't manage to fit her humungeous but skinny feet (5 and a half narrow fitting). They'd rather lose a sale than hurt her (which is good because I would take them straight back if they rubbed).

But she fits adult M&S shoes perfectly, so no complaints.

Unless she keeps growing at this rate - she's only 4 foot 9 and 4 stone, but nearly size 6 already? :eek: