Consumer Rights help - trainer purchase

musashi10

Hi,

About a week ago I went to a specialist athletic store to buy some decent running shoes. the person in the store put me in some "neutral" running shoes and asked me to run on running machine while he filmed me.

We then looked at the film and he said that on one of my feet I land on the inside part of the foot. Therefore, I need a trainer with support on this side.

So I said ok. He said he didn't have that model in the shop (although same make as one I tried), so he said he will order it for me and I can come and pick them up.

I didn't get time and got my dad to pick them up for me. I then tried running in them, and they seem very slightly bigger than the ones I originally tried. But more coincerning, is that after two runs, I have the most excruciating pain in my leg where this support is suppossed to help with. Now my bottom part of my leg is completely swollen and I can hardly walk at all and I have pain in ankle and shin.

I've looked on running websites and from what I can gather, the most likely event was that the guy got it wrong and gave me a shoe with the incorrect support structure for my running style and type.

I ran a bit on the grass so the bottoms are a bit muddy and the shoe I guess is not in re-saleable condition because of this.

I was wondering if I can demand my money back for this?

They were very expensive and I'm very gutted about this.

any help on what I can do would be great. I don't really want another shoe from that store.

musashi10

I should also add that I am not new too running and have never had any problems with my legs before.

fluffnutter

You can try. The SOGA won't prohibit a solution simply because the shoes have been worn. Your difficulty will be in demonstrating these are not fit for purpose. But that's your starting point - the shoes were sold on an 'expert's' recommendation and they're not fit for purpose, therefore in accordance with the SOGA you'd like a replacement or refund.

One thing though... how objective can a sales assistant ever be? He clearly wanted to flog you an expensive pair of trainers. All this stuff about filming you and diagnosing some running problem is probably nonsense. What does he know? Is he qualified? A doctor? A physiotherapist? I wouldn't trust his opinion one bit, frankly.

musashi10

No he's not qualified in anything I suspect. But apparently it's quite usual for specialist running shops to film you and provide you with a running shoe accordingly

Mupette

Yes same here i would be wondering what qualifications did the sales person have to say that you needed these supports.

Have you been seen by a doctor to see what damage has been done to your feet and ankles.

fluffnutter

musashi10 wrote: »

No he's not qualified in anything I suspect. But apparently it's quite usual for specialist running shops to film you and provide you with a running shoe accordingly

They're probably just supplying the (admittedly niche) market for 'sweaty runner !!!!!!'.

musashi10

Mupette wrote: »

Yes same here i would be wondering what qualifications did the sales person have to say that you needed these supports.

Have you been seen by a doctor to see what damage has been done to your feet and ankles.

No. Maybe I should. But the doctors where I live seem to be more of a referal unit than a diagnostic unit. Therefore, I presume they would refer me to a physio or whatever, which would take a few weeks and by that time I'd expect to be ok.

Maybe I'm presuming incorrectly, but they never in the past seem to diagnose anything, it's either refer to a specialist or for a scan.

Chimpofdoom

Bit odd that he put you in some "neutral" trainers.

They should of been able to tell what sort of support you'd need by looking at the base of your existing footwear (unless the tread is completely gone).

musashi10

Chimpofdoom wrote: »

Bit odd that he put you in some "neutral" trainers.

They should of been able to tell what sort of support you'd need by looking at the base of your existing footwear (unless the tread is completely gone).

Apparently it's standard to use neutral for the 1st trial and I think you then trial the recommended versions afterwards, but they didn't have it in store on that day.

neilmcl

Have you actually been back to the shop to explain your concerns?

It may well be that you've been running in incorrectly fitted shoes for years and now you've got the correct shoes there may well be some initial muscle pain and discomfort as you get used to them.

musashi10

Ok I phoned the guy up and he said he will see me on saturday (when I've hopefully recovered), and he will personally look at me on the "gait" test and exchange the shoe for another one.