Shoes - Retailer or Manufacturer ?

StuieUK34

Hi all,
After some advice/input or options of how to proceed in writing if you can please...

Product: Shoes / Mocassin (Footwear)
Brand: Barkers (Javron model)
Cost: £180 (paid with Credit Card)
Purchase: November 2018 (was 8 months old when handed to retailer)

I purchased my shoes from a retailer, in terms of the brand, have been using this brand for years, with the average longevity being around 2 1/2 years (before you just buy another pair regardless).

I wear these shoes at least 4 times per week for work, and not wanting to sound lazy, I walk from house to car, carpark to office, as well as social nights, ie: normal use for shoes... I don't walk a marathon daily.

Didn't notice until end of June I could feel the floor as such, only then I turned the shoe over and saw the hole

---

---

Took the shoes to the retailer 4 weeks ago, and they got sent back to me last week.
The retailer had sent them to "Barkers" Shoes, and Barkers had sent them back not-repaired, but with a letter instead.

Letter states:
Quality Control evaluation....
Close examination of shoes, they find that the sole on the right shoe is worn through with a hole measuring 26.5mm across the lockstitch sole stitching is also worn away in various different areas, the sole on the left shoe has worn stitching and the sole is wearing thin.
The uppers as well as the soles have sustained heavy water damage with staining all over the leather and the large tow area on the right shoe is pronounced which would indicate a possible premature wear point.
Insoles on both shoes are soiled with a heavy depression inside the right shoe.

We find no evidence of material or manufacturing fault.


Ok...……….
So a £180 pair of shoes, which show my right toe pokes the front of the shoe, shows heavy water damage (lol! , REALLY ?! ) , the heels still show the branding, so not worn out as walking 10000000 miles.....

I think I paid a lot of money for a pair of shoes which should last me longer than 8 - 9 months, should be fit for purpose rather than the sole wearing out like that. (I just want the sole repaired)
I used to and still wear the previous model for this shoe called "Barkers Torquay", they done a lot more miles than these shoes, and the soles are well intact..

Do I have to take it on the chin, or can I fight this one ?
Not sure Section 75 would apply here ?

JJ_Egan

Basics are that you are going to need an independant report . To prove your < not fit for purpose > Consumer Rights against the retailer .
They will probably dispute that with the report from Barkers .
You have no claim against Barkers only the vendor .

pinkshoes

They have clearly not been worn excessively, but... the hole does not look like a manufacturing defect.

Have you stood on something sharp and round??? If it was a manufacturing defect, a weak part of the sole would have been visible from purchase.

neilmcl

It's very easy to wear through a pair of leather soles particularly if they've had extensive contact in the wet, and that does look like water damage to me, I had a good pair of Loakes go the same way after walking in puddles during heavy rainfall. Also, given that it's the right shoe you're going to get more wear through driving than you will with he left.

It's the retailer (and credit card company) who you have your statutory rights with but the onus is on you to prove that fault is down to manufacture and not due to excess wear & tear or misuse. Given the manufacturer's report I think you going to find this difficult to do.

NCC-1701

Had this with shoes years ago and sussed it being down to accelerator/brake pedal wear as it was mainly only the right shoe.

neilmcl

NCC-1701 wrote: »

Had this with shoes years ago and sussed it being down to accelerator/brake pedal wear as it was mainly only the right shoe.

Wet soles and driving, not a good combination.

StuieUK34

cheers for input...
will stick with cheap £60 Base / Ikon shoes in future !
Anyone had success with having soles replaced by a shoe shop ?

unforeseen

Find a proper cobbler. It used to be the norm.

Manxman_in_exile

Looks like water damage to me too. Also the uppers look more worn than just eight months wear(?). I wouldn't wear shoes like that every day. I'd alternate them with another pair every other day to air properly. (Isn't that usually advised for high-end leather shoes anyway?)


I'm amazed at the size of the hole in the sole. I'm always aware of soles needing replacing long before they reach that stage.

Manxman_in_exile

unforeseen wrote: »

Find a proper cobbler. It used to be the norm.

Second that.


OP - if you bought these from a "proper" shoe shop, they may be able to recommend a proper cobbler or arrange a repair for you.

Hunter_Jaeger

Buy a pair of heavy brogues.