Cheap Shoes - False Economy?

judyjetson

Very occasionally I buy cheap fashion shoes (always reduced though) if it's just for the look, but I find for everyday wear you get what you pay for. I tend to pick up bargains in TKMaxx, or sale time in Schuh, Office or Fenwicks. I usually wait until the end of sales when there's around 70% off. Best bargain ever was a pair of Choos for £75 at the back end of Harvey Nicks sale - well, you can't not, can you.

Normally I pay around £15-£30, but that's sale prices. The only thing I do pay full whack for is my MBT trainers, but they really help with my dodgy knee.

It's worth having a hunt around for a independent cobbler, rather than one of the chains, as they can be cheaper and the work quality better. The one I got to can rescue anything, if it's properly made in the first place.

Sarahsaver

Please call shoe repairers Shoe Repairers
My Dad was one and neither he nor any of his fellow 'snobs' (as they called themselves) referred to it as cobbling.

I agree independents are cheaper, and better quality.

Anyway, he used to say to people don't moan about your kids shoes wearing out, be thankful they can run around and wear them out!

My kids get trainers from Primark or Price Less SHoes because DD does cross country and little DS gets the cast offs, or else posh 'big brand' trainers from Soccer Sports when they are very reduced to clear. The proper shoes i get for them are leather uppers, again if I can find them in Price Less, M&S sales, or online catalogue sales. Vertbaudet was good for kids boots which were leather lined which ineeded for DS when he had a bad eczema flare up.

Fashion shoes tend to last longer if you go for platforms,(keeps the uppers off the ground away from scuffs) and treat them with a little respect, keep them clean and store in boxes.

I just got some DM boots from m and m sports for 29.99 instead of 69.99 rrp. I know they will last ages but dms have to be sent off for repair AFAIK.
I saw in a Caterpillar shop in London you can take your old ones in to 'recycle' and get money off a new pair.

Yes I admit I have a shoe 'thing' I thik I should write a book about shoes...;)

taplady

Sarahsaver wrote: »

I just got some DM boots from m and m sports for 29.99 instead of 69.99 rrp. I know they will last ages but dms have to be sent off for repair AFAIK.
quote]

I have just been looking at their catalogue as my son has just got a temp job there and they have some beautiful DM ladies boots reduced, am having a battle with myself not to buy some as I dont really need them but they are too good to miss!;)

bellsbells

I always buy shoes from places like Clarkes. In my opinion it does seem to be better quality the more you are willing to pay. I have a pair of soft flat shoes I wear for work that are over 5 years old and going strong. I tend to buy boots and shoes in the sale so that I am getting a bargin.

Dazi

ahhhhhh Kickers - they never wear out!
I remember years back when I was married I insisted on buying this pair of Kickers, they were about £60 then which was a lot more than I usually spent on a pair of shoes, my then husband thought it was far too much to spend. Well they just went on and on and on, each winter I said I must get some new shoes and he said, nothing wrong with those expensive ones you got. Sooooooo in the end after 3 winters I took an unpicker to the stitching and oh dear, I needed new ones. Needless to say, I now do not have the shoes.....or the husband lol

Now I tend to buy cheap shoes and if they last its a bonus, if not, well didn't spend much in the first place. I did have a pair of boots from New Look that lasted 3 years - thought that was good.

beingjdc

My girlfriend's Primark shoes did dissolve in the rain the other day (she's not MS at all and has other pair worth about fifty times more). I'm on my ninth identical pair of men's shoes from Marks and Spencer, they last me a bit less than a year, worn pretty much non-stop for both work and going out. £27.50 a pair.

Ticklemouse

I buy my boys school shoes from Clarkes - I have bought DS1 non clarkes shoes twice and they just fell apart so I still ended up at Clarkes:(

As for me - it depends. I try to buy decent quality classic shoes but I'll buy cheaper "fashion" shoes - mainly from outlet places. I do try to keep to leather shoes though.

And another MBT wearer I paid full whack for mine too (£129!!) and wore them day in and day out for about 18 months. The insides have worn out now and I'd love some more but can't justify them yet. I have Earth negetive heel ones - I don't rate them anything like MBT's. Where do you get yours from judgejaq?

LilMissEmmylou

Austin re the person whos hubby got his shoes made for £220 - it was 10 yrs ago remember, inflation and all that...

Im not a 100% believer in this. I tend to buy cheaper shoes as i dont like to wear leather and i have to say my shoes last me just fine re the getting shoes capped, i so need to do that to the front of my cowboy boots - they ALWAYS wear down!

Bargain_Rzl

I buy most of my shoes from highish-end high street shops, during the sales.

For "proper" shoes (i.e. for work etc) I particularly like Jones Bootmaker for the balance of quality and value - during sale time I typically spend £25 a pair there (reduced from £70/£80). Dune and Bertie sales are also great.

I also have three pairs of trainers/casual shoes - one from Clarks, 5 years ago, well past it now but still nothing wrong with the general structure. They're still good for muddy walks etc. The other two pairs are brand names - one's a pair of Timberlands, they were £25 or £30 in a half price sale at Jones, and the others are Diesel, £26 reduced from £80. They've both had a good innings already and have loads of life left in them.

To whoever it was that warned against shoes from Tesco - I had a pair once from Asda, they cost £23. They actually looked really expensive and I got loads of compliments on them. However on the second wearing the heel caps shattered and I had to pay another £5 to get them heeled (at an independent place, obviously ) and on about the fifth wearing the leather ripped and they weren't worth fixing.

I agree with the OP. I'd much rather buy quality, and it's very reasonably priced if you're good at sale shopping.

lil_me

**sits here looking inside cheap shoes, seeing all of the insoles etc has come away, lesson most definately learned, going back to a better shop next time**