consumer rights??,,shoes that give me blisters

pedigreeblu

does anybody know what my rights are. i bought a expensive pair of shoes from a leading store last week, the first night i wore them they rubbed like hell giving me blisters on both heels, the shoes certainly arent the wrong size, infact they are prob half a size too big, now maybe after time my feet may grow into them but each time ive tried they still hurt a lot, can i take them back and demand a refund or even a credit note? the store say that as the shoe doesnt have a fault they cant do anything, ive demanded they send them back to manufacturers but im not holding my breath,,,

lisyloo

Unfortunately I don't think you have a leg to stand on

The shoes are not faulty simply because they don't fit you properly.
If they had fallen apart very quickly without much wear then that would be a fault.
If they aren't suitable for the shape of your feet then that does not mean they are faulty.

Sorry but I don't think you are going to have much luck unless you can find that there is something actually wrong with the shoe.

rushnowt

Sorry to hear about you plight but unfortunately i'm afraid lisyloo is right it could possibly be that the shoes are slightly bigger than needed and as you walk in them there is a slight movement that is causing the rubbing if it is at the back you could try some inserts that attach to the inside of the back of the shoe to cushion it slightly and maybe give a better fit. sorry i cant be of much more use but hope that helps a bit

lisyloo

As well a the "heel grips" suggested you could try an insole (either full or half).
If it's a court shoe then a half insole might be better.
It has the effect of pushing you foot back so it might fit better.

Really the shoe shop should be giving you a hand with this.
If you want to try some of the methods suggested then ask the shop if you can try them.

You can get foam & leather insoles (foam are cheaper but disintegrate eventually and will flatten as you use them).

Poppy9

Every pair of shoes I buy give me blisters on the first wear. I break them in around the house and put plasters on areas that are rubbing before the blister appears.

If I can get a 1/2 size I have less problems (next are good for doing these) but most retailers are whole sizes and I don't fit them.

If you buy from Clarks they will check the fitting and if you later find them uncomfortable they will exchange for a more suitable pair. Always make them write on the receipt that fitting checked.

Freebie_Hunter_2

(turns out wardrobe)

Right, I'll take that back because it makes my bum look big. Those shoes can be returned because they make my feet ache.

That top is TOO short - how dare they make me show skin!

I'm sorry but I just can't believe that just because a pair of shoes rubbed your feet you think you can take them back and demand a refund!

Your statutory rights are that you can return something if it's faulty and either get a replacement, refund or get it mended. It's nobodys fault that they rubbed your feet.

In fact, you said they are slightly too big so it's your fault as you should have bought the correct size!! It's ill-fiitting shoes that cause blisters.

juno

I had some shoes fitted (my first ever pair not fitted my by mummy!) and after a few days I developed a friction burn on the top of my foot. So we took them back, and I got a more expensive pair of shoes in exchange, and they were fitted by the manager.

However, if they're not faulty and they weren't fitted by a member of staff the shop doesn't have to take them back. Most shops will if they're unworn, but you say you've worn them. The only thing you can do is try to make them fit better.

And in future, make sure you walk around the shop lots before buying any shoes! You will look stupid, and the assistant will be annoyed as they only want a quick sale, but it will save you agony later.

King_David_2

This is like buying a car, crashing it and then going to the manufacturer for compensation.

You have an opportunity to try the shoes on before purchasing.

Occasionally shows will rub when they are new, they have with me but eventually once you've broken them in, so to speak, from my experience the problem disappears.

There is money saving, and there is taking the mickey.

This is certainly the latter.

benbini

Bumping an old thread as i too had a similar problem, i had though bought the correct size. I took them back the following evening for a refund, as i believe them to be faulty trainers (had two pairs the same before and no problems).

There was nothing else in the shop i wanted, nothing in my size anyway, and i rarely visit sport shops, let alone purchase any goods from them.

My point of view however, whether or not the shoes actually are faulty, is that it surely is not reasonable to expect a customer to 'try on' a pair of shoes for a few minutes and be able to say 'yep, they're just fine'. Even less reasonable for me to wear them around the shop for half an hour before i purchase them, to see if they rub or not, although they are the correct size.

Do i have a valid point here, with regards to my consumer rights, or not?

Clive_Woody

benbini wrote: »

Bumping an old thread as i too had a similar problem, i had though bought the correct size. I took them back the following evening for a refund, as i believe them to be faulty trainers (had two pairs the same before and no problems).

There was nothing else in the shop i wanted, nothing in my size anyway, and i rarely visit sport shops, let alone purchase any goods from them.

My point of view however, whether or not the shoes actually are faulty, is that it surely is not reasonable to expect a customer to 'try on' a pair of shoes for a few minutes and be able to say 'yep, they're just fine'. Even less reasonable for me to wear them around the shop for half an hour before i purchase them, to see if they rub or not, although they are the correct size.

Do i have a valid point here, with regards to my consumer rights, or not?

Try giving Consumer Direct a call and see what they have to say, they will be able to advise on consumer rights.

http://www.consumerdirect.gov.uk/

3under3

I work for a shoe company and we would recommend that all shoes are worn indoors so that any fitting problems can be identified before the shoes are worn outside. Unfortunately a fit issue is not a manufacturing fault unless caused by sharp or raised seems / ridges etc. It may not be reasonable for the retailer to expect the consumer to try on shoes for a few minutes but is it reasonable to expect the retailer to exchange non faulty shoes that they can no longer sell just because they don't fit. Some may help as a gesture of goodwill but you won't have any rights under the sale of goods act unless a manufacturing fault is present.