leather boots leaking - should i ask for refund?

morg_monster

Hi all
bought a lovely pair of leather boots in November 07 for about £70, from Clarks. Have worn them a couple of times a week since then in all weather. This morning in the rain I wore them and after a 5 minute walk to the station my toes were wet! As part of the design there is a seam over the toe and then along the side of the foot and up the side of the leg but it hasn't let water in before.
Is it fair to assume that £70 leather boots are designed to not let water in during reasonable use (ie not standing in a 6 inch puddle!) and so now they do they are faulty?
I have every faith in Clarks to put this right but I just wanted to check that I wasn't being unreasonable before I trek to oxford street and try to sort it out.
Unfortunately I don't think I'll get an exchange since they are last seasons style - but maybe they are in the sale now and I can buy them back cheaper! They are so comfy to walk in!
thanks a lot for your opinions

kingmonkey

Leather isn't waterproof. All that may be needed is an application of weatherproofing spray/polish.

Sooler

As kingmonkey says, have you cleaned and polished them, to maintain waterproof qualities you’ll need to apply polish regularly

RAMBLER

Agree with other posters - I clean mine monthly with a waterproofing spray.

Treat shoes well and they look after you

morg_monster

I'm sure there's a joke here about cows not being soaked through?!

seriously though, I was wondering whether I would be told that. I must admit I've never waterproofed everyday leather boots like these before (though I do hiking boots) and have never had a wet feet problem, perhaps I was just lucky. I do polish them every couple of weeks or so.

Will a waterproof spray still work to stop water coming through a seam? I'm pretty sure that is where the water is coming from, it isn't soaking through the leather.

pinkshoes

I have a pair of flat sole Clarks leather boots, and have worn them continuously for 18 months. I rarely clean them, have never applied any waterproofing, and they are still absolutely fine, other than the sole wearing rather thin (almost a hole!) at the heal as I have worn them so much, and do alot of long walks in them - but it's pouring with rain today, i've walked through several puddles, and feet are dry!!!

I would take them back to Clarks, and I'm sure they try and replace, offer a suitable alternative, or if not, give you some sort of refund or credit note.

morg_monster

Thanks pinkshoes, I must admit that is where I am coming from - I just assumed that paying that much for a pair of leather boots they shouldn't be leaking after 2 months of reasonably light wear. I could understand it if they were a year old or somthing and getting a bit worn but they are almost new. Plus it isn't that the whole of my feet are just getting damp from water soaking through leather - there was almost a puddle around my toes! it seems to me that maybe one of the seams is faulty and is letting a trickle of water in. oh well i will wait and see. Would go back to ask today, but have no spare shoes to walk home in, woops!

pinkshoes

morg_monster wrote: »

Thanks pinkshoes, I must admit that is where I am coming from - I just assumed that paying that much for a pair of leather boots they shouldn't be leaking after 2 months of reasonably light wear. I could understand it if they were a year old or somthing and getting a bit worn but they are almost new. Plus it isn't that the whole of my feet are just getting damp from water soaking through leather - there was almost a puddle around my toes! it seems to me that maybe one of the seams is faulty and is letting a trickle of water in. oh well i will wait and see. Would go back to ask today, but have no spare shoes to walk home in, woops!

You should call in after work today, and use the soggy toes/socks as evidence!! You might get a new pair of boots AND a free pair of socks! Clarks have a good reputation for their customer service, so I'd be surprised if they won't replace them!! I think they would also expect their own product to last more than 3 months!