Boots already scratched

ESAB

Hi, other half bought be some doc Martin boots online which arrived a couple of weeks ago. I have only worn them once for around 1 hour and already there is a scratch on the boot but I haven’t tripped etc or done anything obvious to cause this. They were expensive and I feel they shouldn’t damage so easily, but is this cause for a refund or am I clutching at straws!! I have contacted the company and am not getting anywhere, am I wasting my time and should I give up? 

Aylesbury_Duck

I suspect the retailer may suspect it's user damage. Your other half could contact them, but they'll probably expect you to return them for inspection.

Sandtree

ESAB said:

Hi, other half bought be some doc Martin boots online which arrived a couple of weeks ago. I have only worn them once for around 1 hour and already there is a scratch on the boot but I haven’t tripped etc or done anything obvious to cause this. They were expensive and I feel they shouldn’t damage so easily, but is this cause for a refund or am I clutching at straws!! I have contacted the company and am not getting anywhere, am I wasting my time and should I give up? 

The dishonest person would reject the boots assuming its under 30 days claiming they arrived scratched and just make sure they are fully cleaned up before sending them back.

Are they leather or from their vegan/plastic range? Have a photo of the scratch?

Assuming they are leather then there is not really any "manufacturing defect" that can make it more prone to scratching than another piece of cow skin however "patina" thats built up over time from a combination of minor damage and polishing is generally considered one of the best attributes of leather shoes and why well maintained old leather goods look so much better than brand new.

The reality is we don't watch our feet 24/7 and there is a mass of objects out there that can scratch/damage leather. I bought my first pair of expensive shoes 15 years ago and on my first commute into the office with them I stretched my legs out under the seat in front of me on the train. When sitting up straight again the left foot had two parallel deep scratches. 

15 years on, they've picked up no other deep scratches and still people comment on my "great new shoes". 

TELLIT01

A boot or shoe cannot scratch without contact with another surface.  It's very easy not to notice, but I certainly wouldn't consider scratches to be a manufacturing fault.

mattyprice4004

Boots don't scratch on their own, and regardless of how much you paid leather can and will scratch fairly easily.
Boots are made to be worn and look 'weathered' with time - if you want shoes to look pristine all the time I'd recommend an alternative choice of footwear. 

I've had my pair for nearly 10 years now  

Flight3287462

You won't get anywhere for the reasons stated in the two posts above mine.

Emmia

In terms of looking after them, if you're not going for a guardsman style spit and polish shining regimen, then I'd recommend the balsam that Dr Martens do in a tin, it keeps the leather nicely conditioned and in a clean but not too shiny state. 

I've got several pairs of 'docs (although none in the classic 8 hole style) and they're fantastic boots.