Alternative to clarks?

susancs

iammumtoone wrote: »

The second time were trainers I purchased at the start of the holidays so about 5 weeks ago, they are now only fit for the bin I did take them to show them but they said they couldn't do anything as it was how my son had walked! In a way I can see their point but I can't change how he walks and as they cost me £25.

OP, I would email Head Office as trainers should last more than 5 weeks. I had similar once with a pair of shoes I bought from another store, that the stitching came away after 2 weeks. The shop refused a refund saying it was the way I walked. I rang Head Office and they sent me a label to return them for inspection. I got a call to say they were refunding my money a week after sending. The very nice customer services lady, told me that stores are reluctant to refund as it comes out of their store sales, so often try not to and if I returned to Head Office it did not come out of their budget. Maybe Clarks are the same.

Nicki

I've always found Clarks good at refunding to be honest even if you didn't buy the shoes from the store you are returning them to. I've returned worn shoes twice, both times when they were rubbing and leaving sore marks within a few weeks of purchase, once when my child was about 5 or 6 and again last year with a 13 year old who should have known when he tried them on that they weren't comfortable!

If too expensive I would go for the outlet option if possible if there is one nearby. I sometimes do the eBay thing for my older kids (12+) if I know their size but wouldn't do it for younger kids as the fitting is so important when kids are small and it's hard to return eBay purchases if the fit isn't spot on.

Bonniepurple

Startrite all the way here. My family have deformed feet from pointy toes - and all the Clark's girls shoes have less than rounded toes The nearest stores are either 10 miles away (where I was fitted as a child!) or 30 miles away - but it is worth it.

Carmina-Piranha_2

I buy Clarks most often, but Hush Puppies have been a good emergency buy from Brantano when I couldn't get his width in Clarks anywhere. They weren't any cheaper though, but sometimes brantano do offer codes by email.

Carmina-Piranha_2

We've had a facebook conversation about Clarks recently, and some people have said that the way their kids walk mean they ruin Clarks within a month, but personally my children have always grown out of Clarks before they have been ruined, except for one occasion where the store swapped them for a new pair (and another where he fell into smelly water at Alton Towers, but I can't blame Clarks for that!).

I don't know if my childhood shoes have had an effect on my aching foot nowadays, but these days I have to use inserts, so Clarks shoes are the only ones fat enough to take the inserts. Luckily for me I like those sort of shoes anyway.

Anoneemoose

I have found clarks quality lacking of late. So much so, I bought my daughter Lelli Kelly's last yr...she got a beautiful pair of plain black patent school shoes with a bow (I appreciate they don't do boys but might be handy for others to know). They lasted right the way through to May half term.

At that point, because I didn't want to spend too much I got her a pair of coated leather school shoes from M&S for £16. I kid you not, they are fab. Not a scuff on them in the 6 weeks she wore them (Clarks would have been wrecked). So much so, as they still fit, I am sending her back in them next week and will look at Lelli Kelly's possibly in October half term (but only if needed). M&S do boys too so might be worth a try. at half the price of Clarks you can afford to take the risk.

I have also had start rite in the past and have liked those too.

My friend was sick of clarks too so she got some adidas trainers for her son..they were totally black and looked very similar to smart school shoes and they lasted really well.

Make-it-3

I found that Startrite shoes get much more scuffed up than Clarks, but both will last until outgrown. I would definately look into why the shoes are getting so trashed.

My DD is a bit flat footed so I prefer her to wear good fitting shoes.

But that said she just has one main pair for all occasions, I would rather spend on that then lots of cheap fashion pairs to match each outfit.

GlasweJen

If your son is walking in such a way that he wears shoes out unevenly i'd be taking him plus the shoes to the doctor to get him referred for a gait analysis - not griping about clarks or any other shoe manufacturer!

iwilldoitthistime

I had my sons feet measured yesterday in Clarks and the one pair they had in his size ( an E fitting) which he didn't like as he had the same model last year and they fell apart were (gulp) £48 :eek::eek: For shoes which last a maximum of 12 weeks (and more usually 6 weeks) I thought this was crazy!! I've resorted to trying Kickers to see if they last any better.