Poll: Do kids' school shoes cost too much?

Former_MSE_Andrea

Are they worth what you pay for them?

Are shoe shops taking the mick?

What do you think?

Vote in our poll and have a look at the deals, tips, polls and chat in our Back to School Hub.

Alikay

No

Fitted leather children's shoes like Clarks and Start-Right have always cost a lot...I can remember my parents lamenting my wide feet back in the 60's! Personally I don't think £60 for a pair of decent secondary-school shoes twice a year is extortionate...it's similar to a tank of petrol in cost.

JP08

Don't know what kiddies shoes cost, but even a fair price is only going to be a smidgeon less than an adult shoe.

Material costs are less (but only a very small part of the overall cost)
Labour costs are the same, machinery costs the same, transportation costs near as dammit the same - only become cheaper if you have a full load of kiddie shoes only due to the smaller boxes.

So realistically expect maybe a £1 or so cheaper for a sprog's shoe ?

pinkshoes

No

I had DS fitted for shoes the other day and my mum was with me. He is only 4 but a size 13. My initial thought was eeeeek, £36 is expensive for shoes that will only fit for a few months, but my mum then told me that 30 years they were much more expensive compared to family income.

I ended up spending £20 on a pair from M&S which fit just as well.

Mumto5

No

It's worth spending money on Clarks or Start-rite. I only buy one pair a year and it's because they have worn out rather than outgrown. I've bought cheaper in the past with my big kids but they fall to pieces. Lesson learned.

Jagraf

No, not compared to the non essential stuff kids have. You could get 10 pairs for the cost of a phone.

GwylimT

Not at all, many people spend more on their make up or phone contract!

Rummer

Yes

I think the cost is ludicrous. We needed a half size this year so Clarks shoes it was and they were £40 and already they are showing signs of wear after two weeks.

AubreyMac

No

My nieces kicker shoes lasted a whole school year and they were £75.

This year my sister has decided to get her 2 pairs of shoes (not kickers though) as having only 1 wasn't practical in all weathers.

Isn't kids anything expensive?

LilElvis

Yes

JP08 wrote: »

Don't know what kiddies shoes cost, but even a fair price is only going to be a smidgeon less than an adult shoe.

Material costs are less (but only a very small part of the overall cost)
Labour costs are the same, machinery costs the same, transportation costs near as dammit the same - only become cheaper if you have a full load of kiddie shoes only due to the smaller boxes.

So realistically expect maybe a £1 or so cheaper for a sprog's shoe ?

Even using your hypothesis childrens shoes should still be markedly cheaper than adults as they are zero rated for VAT, whereas adults attract VAT at the standard rate of 20%.

double_mummy

Yes

i find them really expensive for my son i now buy the cheapest ones possible i dont think his feet have stopped growing in the past year his shoes never last more than 6 weeks (if i am really lucky!)

and i think there should be some way to take the VAT off if you can prove they are for kids even in adult sizes!