Shoes bought on eBay and soles crumbled after first use.

ahfat41

I bought a preloved hotter shoes on eBay. The item arrived in good condition and was very pleased with my purchase. But on first wear the soles started to crumble. I did a search on the internet and it seems to be very common with hotter shoes. Hotter shoes are not cheap and I thought I was getting a bargain. I have emailed the seller to let him know. It is not his fault he could not have known the soles will crumble. He does not deserve negative feedback the item was as described on his listing. Buying from eBay is risky and I cannot really complain to eBay as it is not the sellers fault. I guess I cannot do anything about it and that’s a chance I take when buying. I am going to be careful in future in buying preloved shoes. Thanks

soolin

Personally I would just open a SNAD claim and return them. It’s a risk sellers take when selling second hand items . 

BargainJunky

It is quite a common occurrence with 'older' shoes I did write to Hotter a few years ago about a pair that crumbled and it was something to do with the way the soles used to be made.  It also happened late last year to a pair of my moms K shoes - no idea how long she had them in storage in the cupboard - probably 10's of years.

Like Soolin says it is not your fault they have crumbled and on this occasion the seller needs to take the hit.

ahfat41

I think I will leave it, it was not that much  £9. His listing was good, shoes came in original box and well packaged the winning bid was £5.It’s not his fault I will put it down to experience. It is also a risk buyer takes when buying preloved shoes. It has put me off buying preloved shoes. I have read about Clark’s shoes crumbling as well. Thanks

theoretica

Ecco too - I read that shoes with polyurethane soles which have been stored unworn (so good condition for their age) are particularly prone to it. 

Ineedaservant

This something to remember when in a charity shop as you can test the shoes prior to purchase.  I always bend the shoe to see if the sole is cracked or cracks if they are of this type of construction.  If they are/do I point it out to the staff so that they can remove them from sale.

ahfat41

The shoes were in perfect condition when received. The soles were fine no crack and looked as new. I have bought another pr of hotter shoes I am very fond just hope this one does not start to crumble as well. The leather are in excellent condition except the soles. There are some great bargains on eBay but from now will restrain myself.

MalMonroe

ahfat41 said:

I think I will leave it, it was not that much  £9. His listing was good, shoes came in original box and well packaged the winning bid was £5.It’s not his fault I will put it down to experience. It is also a risk buyer takes when buying preloved shoes. It has put me off buying preloved shoes. I have read about Clark’s shoes crumbling as well. Thanks

Hi, you might as well make a claim because it is easy to do. Ebay will get your money back for you and refund it, even though it is £9 - which you could actually use for something else. You do have a 100% money back guarantee with eBay too. 

You say "It is also a risk buyer takes when buying preloved shoes" - but it shouldn't be a risk. And it isn't when you buy from eBay because you can be reimbursed.

As this very forum says "Even if the item's second-hand or reduced, it doesn't mean you get second-rate consumer rights, except where the seller pointed out the specific problems before you bought." (https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/reclaim/consumer-rights-refunds-exchange/)

If you want to leave it, fair enough but you could recoup your loss.

TELLIT01

Shoes can have this type of problem if unworn for an extended period.  I had a pair of expensive walking boots which I had worn a lot but still had plenty of tread on the soles.  For various reasons I didn't wear them for 2 years.  First time on after that both split across the centre of the sole.  I enquired about repairing them but ended up buying new.  The person I spoke to in the shop said they had seen it often, with many makes.

Spoonie_Turtle

TELLIT01 said:

Shoes can have this type of problem if unworn for an extended period.  I had a pair of expensive walking boots which I had worn a lot but still had plenty of tread on the soles.  For various reasons I didn't wear them for 2 years.  First time on after that both split across the centre of the sole.  I enquired about repairing them but ended up buying new.  The person I spoke to in the shop said they had seen it often, with many makes.

Yes, some of my favourite shoes have fallen victim to this since I became mostly housebound a few years ago   a disability tax I was not expecting!