Footasylum - how long should shoes last?

Millie27_2

After some advice please. I bought my son a pair of £49 Vans online from Footasylum 4 weeks ago. Took some time to agree to buying them as thought they were expensive but assured (asking in store) they were a 'quality shoe' that would last. He uses the shoes for walking to and from school (2 miles) and socialising. He told me last week his feet were getting wet and on looking at them the 'waffle' sole was flat with wear on one, and worn so badly on the other there is an inch hole on the sole. Just tried to return them to the Footasylum store with the receipt as faulty and have been told it is our fault as he skates, boards, or plays footballs in them. None of which are true, he has never boarded/skated and plays football in his boots. He confirmed this with them and they made out we were lying or had the shoes considerably longer and were providing a receipt for another pair. They then said Vans will not last longer than 5 weeks with walking in them as the soles are so thin. I asked to speak to the Manager but apparently was not willing to speak to me or come out the back offices. They offered to send them away but she stated it would confirm he had walked in them (this was not under debate they are shoes!), and their decision would stand. After a few minutes of me trying to explain that the shoes were not fit for purpose the store assistant advised me she was not willing to discuss it any further and asked me to leave or I would be removed (shocked and upset by this). By the strength of their rudeness am I in the wrong here and expecting too much of these shoes?

neilmcl

I find it hard to believe that the soles would be worn down in only 4 weeks. You're right they are either faulty, or otherwise sub-quality, or your son is possibly pulling a fast one, ie, he's swapped his new pair with a mate's old ones in an attempt to get his mate a new pair as well.

dalesrider

Millie27 wrote: »

They then said Vans will not last longer than 5 weeks with walking in them as the soles are so thin. ?

WHAT.......

Shoes that don't last when you walk in them... :eek:

Would be great if you had proof of that statement. Given this statement on the footasylum website

On March 16th, 1966, in Anaheim, California, Paul Van Doren and three partners opened up their flagship store as the Van Doren Rubber Company offering thick vulcanised rubber outer sole made them ideal for skateboarding due to their durability, and nearly 50 years later the legacy still lives on.

In the event that we fail to meet our high standards of customer service, please do not hesitate to contact us
Please put your complaint in writing and send it to us by post to Footasylum Customer Services, Unit 1 Broadfield Distribution Centre, Pilsworth Road, Heywood, Lancashire, OL10 2TA; or by email to [EMAIL="customerservices@footasylum.com"]customerservices@footasylum.com[/EMAIL].
We aim to provide an initial response to a complaint by email within 24 hours (Monday to Friday 9am to 5.30pm) and to postal complaints within seven working days of receipt.

Millie27_2

Thanks for your replies.

The thought of shoe swapping had not occurred to me! Fairly sure that they are the original ones as the wear general pattern is the same, but far more extreme, as his other older shoes and his friends have Vans of different colours. Maybe the store get a lot of suspicious returns and that was why they were so rude.

I think I will email the customer services with some photos and see what they say.

Guardsman

VANS

On March 16th, 1966, in Anaheim, California, Paul Van Doren and three partners opened up their flagship store as the Van Doren Rubber Company offering thick vulcanised rubber outer sole made them ideal for skateboarding due to their durability, and nearly 50 years later the legacy still lives on.
http://www.footasylum.com/vans/

wealdroam

Thanks Mr Guardsman.

I read that earlier... in post #3.

kazzah60

my son is VERY heavy footed and even he hasn't worn a pair of vans out in 5 weeks
I think even with him wearing them day in and day out in rain, snow etc the minimum they have lasted is about 9 months - some he still wears from about 3 years ago
sounds very odd to me

Millie27_2

Thanks all for comments and advice.

I emailed Footasylum customer services and the response by email is ....

'After looking at the images myself, I would not accept these back as a faulty pair of shoes. I would put the state of these trainers down to wear and tear. I think it may be possible that the way they have been walked in that have resulted in the wear and holes in the soles of the shoes.'

These shoes are 5 weeks old! They have been walked in as they are shoes!

Spoken with Vans who say their shoes are durable and should last.

Do I have any redress in this?

neilmcl

Depends on how far you want to take this. Start by sending an official letter (not email) of complaint, both to Footasylum and Vans, stating that you do not believe the shoes in question are durable and of satisfactory quality and should not be wearing down so far in a matter of weeks - Although your complaint is with Footasylum involving the manufacturer may well have positive results.

Give them a couple of weeks to reply and if still not satisfied then send a letter before action to the retailer giving them 14 days to provide a satisfactory resolution or you will proceed with a small claims action.

dalesrider

What is the rest of the shoe like ?

Clearly if the sole has worn through. Then the inside/uppers will be looking pretty well worn as well.

Al_Ross

Hi Millie27,
A few years back my son was really into Vans shoes,he was quite hard on shoes but would usually get a few months out of them.There was one pair of Vans bought from a local Schuh store only lasted about a month and he was through the soles of them.
We returned them and got a replacement of an identical pair no problem,they lasted only slightly longer.We didn't return the second pair but came to the conclusion that the soles were made of really soft material.
Different types of Vans lasted a reasonable length of time.
The best pair(and cheapest)of Vans he had, were bought from store in a Shopping Mall in Floride.