Looking for advice on next steps with John Lewis consumer rights issue.

Undervalued

Sh4kers said:

That's all for your advice, it's been appreciated.
I have only worn them to take the dog for a walk when it has been raining. Which, to be fair, hasn't been hugely often over the last 8 months.
They may look uncared for, but I can assure you they have been well looked after!! This is a result of the material deterioration I have mentioned in my post. 

Indeed they do!

If this really has happened with fairly minimal use and normal maintenance you are going to need an independent expert opinion to confirm that!

If these were somebody else's boots what would your reaction be? Have you searched online to see if there are other complaints about similar problems with this particular design?

swingaloo

born_again said:

When you say maintaining boots, just what were you using?

Wellies need nothing doing to them. Other than a wash & wipe down with a cloth if covered in mud.

While bought from JL. Have you spoken to Hunters about the boots?

From the Hunters website-                  

Use Hunter Boot Shine and Rubber Boot Buffer to keep boots in optimum condition. It is not recommended to dry these boots near direct heat sources such as radiators, household heaters or fireplaces.

Could where you have been storing them have caused the issue?

sheramber

born_again said:

When you say maintaining boots, just what were you using?

Wellies need nothing doing to them. Other than a wash & wipe down with a cloth if covered in mud.

While bought from JL. Have you spoken to Hunters about the boots?

Hunter Boot Care

https://hunterboots.co.uk/pages/bootcare

Sh4kers

born_again said:

When you say maintaining boots, just what were you using?

Wellies need nothing doing to them. Other than a wash & wipe down with a cloth if covered in mud.

While bought from JL. Have you spoken to Hunters about the boots?

Keeping them clean so wiping mud off them with a cloth and water and storing them in a cupboard out of direct sunlight when not in use. 
I had initially emailed Hunters but they advised that as I did not purchase the boots directly from their website, they were unable to assist. This is the response I received from them:

"We are sorry to hear that you have experienced a fault with your Hunter product.

 

The hunterboots.co.uk customer services can only help you with queries related to purchases made from our website.

 

For support on products which are not purchased directly from our website, you’ll need to contact the retailer where you have made your purchase"

Okell

@Sh4kers -  Ah... a manufacturer who shows they really care for the end consumer.

If they have a social media page have you tried complaining on it?

(I don't "do" social media myself but I understand that "brand names" go out of their way to "help" people who complain on their Faceache sites or whatever it's called...)