Birkenstocks cracking after two years: any real chance of claiming under consumer rights?

walesdave

Bought Birkenstock sandals from Schuh in June 2019 - no receipt but found bank statement as proof of purchase.
Wore them for the summer of 2019 then put away.
Didn't really wear them during summer of 2020 due to being stuck at home.
Took them out today ready for the summer sandal season and the leather has started to crack, not much but about 0.5cm along an area that flexes when walking so I reckon it will get bigger quite quickly also the cork sole has started to crumble quite significantly. 
Any suggestions as to whether it's worth taking them back to Schuh to see if I can get a repair under the CRA? Birkenstocks'  website does say their sandals are repairable if sent back to the company.
Cheers for the advice

JJ_Egan

Yes try under CR , but they may ask for an independent report .

or say the leather has dried out .

Pollycat

Is the cracking on the leather upper or the leather insole?

Re the sole crumbling:

I've read (and experienced several tines) about soles crumbling.

Usually on Clarks, Ecco & Hotter.

Here are several threads:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3740743/hotter-shoes-disintegrating-soles

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4694773/ecco-shoes

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/24974409#Comment_24974409

unforeseen

Leather and Cork cracking/breaking up? Sounds like they were stored in too dry an environment. 

walesdave

Thanks for the replies.

I don't think the cupboard was too dry - it's just the one under the stairs where all the other shoes are kept and no other leather has dried out (full disclosure - I haven't looked at all the shoes in there though).

Cracking is just in one place on the upper strap.

photome

they look  like you have had plenty of wear from them, with the cracking in the cork and the wear on the right side of the heel

If you think differently take them back to the retailer and see what they say

68ComebackSpecial

The cracking is where your foot would naturally flex - quite likely to crack at this point and particularly if they have repeatedly got wet from sweaty feet and then dried out. The top edge is very worn which shouldn't happen if they are a good fit - possibly your weight has been impacting on the back of the shoe causing the damage to the cork. You might also have damaged them if you've been driving in them.

All in all these look like they've had their day due to having been well worn and certainly not worth repairing.

walesdave

Thanks one and all - all good points.

While I always fight the good fight when I think it's justified (I even got an award AGAINST the FOS once!) I don't try things 'just for a punt'.

I'll go and buy another pair as I really like them, might take these along just to see what Schuh say but I won't be claiming any CRA 'rights' in my 'indignant shopper' voice 

pbartlett

well done and good luck don't forget to let us know ...! 🙂

sheramber

Several links online stating you need to seal the cork regularly.