Am I entitled to a refund?

pennypincher2013

A week ago I bought a pair of boots from Matalan. I wore them around the house and decided they were good enough so cut the price tag and the cord holding them together. Today I wore them out for the first time, around a shopping centre. After about an hour the front of the boot was rubbing so much I have red marks just above my ankles. It was about an hour later I noticed some of the black suede has come off leaving highly noticable bald scuff lines on the inner back/ side of heel.
If this is what is going to happen so easily (I had them on for about 3 hours today), I would like a refund. IMO they are faulty items.
But seeing as I have worn them out, would Matalan give a refund?
I can only find this information regarding online purchases.
When I purchased them I did ask if I could return them if they were no good and was told yes. But I guess that means only if they were still fit for resale.
When I wore them around the house the cord keeping them together didn't allow me to walk full strides so I didn't feel any rubbing/hurting.

I have the receipt, price tag, the plastic bit that held the price tag and the cord holding the boots together.

shaun_from_Africa

IMO, there are two separate issues here, the rubbing of your ankles and the suede coming off the boots.

If the rubbing is due to the boots not fitting correctly then I don't think that you are legally entitled to a refund as in all likelihood this will be a sizing issue.

The suede coming off could be due to a defect, in which case, yes, you should be able to return them for a full refund.
However, you say that the area concerned is the inside and back of the heel.
As you were wearing these boots whilst they still had a joining cord attached and that "the cord keeping them together didn't allow me to walk full strides", is it possible that because you couldn't walk correctly and with you being unable to move the boots too far apart, walking with the cord attached inadvertently caused you to constantly rub the insides of the boots together?

If this is the case then I would say that the problem is due to misuse and not a reason for Matalan to give a refund.

hollydays

You're lucky you didn't break your neck walking round with the string still on!!
You can get an anti blister stick from compeed which helps if shoes are rubbing.
I've had a pair of ankle boots which rubbed where the top finished-I gave them away. It may just be they are not suitable for your legs.

robatwork

No useful advice.

But the thought of you shuffling around the house with the cord joining the boots still intact is hilarious! How did you manage the stairs? Sitting?

Anyway thanks for the laugh.

I changed my mind about the advice - take them back, don't mention the rubbing but just that they fell apart the first time you wore them. The shop assistant really won't question you.

Leave the cord at home, they won't be expecting it back.

pennypincher2013

shaun_from_Africa wrote: »

As you were wearing these boots whilst they still had a joining cord attached and that "the cord keeping them together didn't allow me to walk full strides", is it possible that because you couldn't walk correctly and with you being unable to move the boots too far apart, walking with the cord attached inadvertently caused you to constantly rub the insides of the boots together?

No, certainly not. I was looking in the mirror to see how they looked with my jeans and was looking at them close up, the the cord had been cut long before. Besides, the bald scuffs marks are HIGHLY visible, you'd have to be blind not to notice them.

pennypincher2013

robatwork wrote: »

No useful advice.

But the thought of you shuffling around the house with the cord joining the boots still intact is hilarious! How did you manage the stairs? Sitting?

Anyway thanks for the laugh.

You're welcome. Yeah, I can be a funny sight, depending on the length of the cord. This cord was long enough to do half-ish strides. I do this with every footwear I buy. But I NEVER do stairs in them. I'm not that stupid. That's one step too far. Geddit? I wasted 'round here lol!