Kids shoes...why so expensive?

Gingham_Ribbon

Thanks, Quackers! Sorry about the massive rant everyone! My lad being 'big' is becoming a bit of a sore point at the moment due to some very silly, ignorant strangers and the fact that he's grown out of his terries! Not really a shoe issue at all.

Quackers

Savvy_Sue wrote:

Or get a job in Clarks and learn to fit shoes yourself! Friend of mine had worked in Clarks and said it wasn't rocket science. Although you don't always get the width fittings in cheap shoes so it's even more trial and error.

Anyway, wait until they are older and need trainers for school AND proper school schoes AND their feet are so big that each pair costs nearer £50 AND you have 3 of them!

:rotfl: I think working in Clarks has saved me some pennies.:D

And dont forget wellies, slippers, a pair of winter boots for the weekend etc. etc. The list is endless with girls. And with boys there's the football boots, trainers for school, trainers for playing out in. :rolleyes:

Gingham_Ribbon

[QUOTE=Quackers
And dont forget wellies, slippers, a pair of winter boots for the weekend etc. etc. The list is endless with girls. And with boys there's the football boots, trainers for school, trainers for playing out in. :rolleyes:[/QUOTE]

:eek: Having spent 15 years wearing doc martin boots all year round and now trainers every day, I hadn't even considered having more than one pair! Oh dear!!!

Di you reckon it's okay to get wellies, slippers etc in a cheaper shop that doesn't measure? As long as you know the size and can feel how much room they have. Or do you think they need to be fitted too?

Quackers

Gingham_Ribbon wrote:

Thanks, Quackers! Sorry about the massive rant everyone! My lad being 'big' is becoming a bit of a sore point at the moment due to some very silly, ignorant strangers and the fact that he's grown out of his terries! Not really a shoe issue at all.

No probs. Anyway, there's nothing like a good rant to get things off your chest. It sounds like you've had a bad experience at Clarks so you've a right to rant. Its a shame 'cos most of us are good fitters and really do have the customers interests at heart. Obviously, like any retailer there are a few badduns who give us a bad name.

Can I just say that its really is common to get 2 or 3 different measurements in the same day as we all measure slightly differently. Its how the shoes are fitted that counts.

Gingham Ribbon - the details they take off you are only to enter you into a cometition for FREE shoes for 12 months.:D You are automatically entered every month once you fill in he form! And to send you catalogues of new styles. You can tick a box to be excluded from marketing stuff.

Quackers

Gingham_Ribbon wrote:

:eek: Having spent 15 years wearing doc martin boots all year round and now trainers every day, I hadn't even considered having more than one pair! Oh dear!!!

Di you reckon it's okay to get wellies, slippers etc in a cheaper shop that doesn't measure? As long as you know the size and can feel how much room they have. Or do you think they need to be fitted too?

Wellies aren't made in width fittings - as long as there's plenty of room at the front (around a thumbs width or a little bit less if they are a toddler) you should be fine. Slippers are made in width fittings but to be honest the length of time they are in them and the fact that they are made of soft fabric means they shouldn't be of too much concern. Just make sure they aren't 'bulging' out of the sides. The only thing with slippers and toddlers is the fact that if they are cheap ones they could trip up if they slip at the back. Clarks have 'boot' type slippers that velcro on so they grip really well at the back of the heel.

Or do what I do - buy cheap slipper socks or ask for other people to buy them for christmas

bylromarha

GR- we all need a rant now and then! Sorry to hear that strangers are getting to you by talking ignorantly about something they know nothing about (I assume). When I get that cross, I look at my lad and my OH and think how life is very good. Always puts me in a good mood. Soppy, but true.

So Quackers (hoped you'd turn up as an insider!) can you suggest to your head office that they start to make a value range of shoes please? Or do you know of any companies that do cheaper shoes that don't last as long as Clarks, but are good for growing feet?

Or are there any tips to measuring which you're allowed to share as I am seriously considering doing my own fitting in Asda for the next pair. I have been impressed with the clarks/Startrite people who have served me, but £120 a year (minimum) for baby shoes is madness.

Gingham_Ribbon

Thanks, folks! I know what you mean, Bylromarha. My lad gave me a huge bedtime kiss as his dad took him up for his bath. Can't feel blue for long with those 2 around.

And Quackers, I THOUGHT there should be a box to be excluded from marketing stuff. Shame. The lass probably just couldn't be bothered. She did look a bit hung over! And I have had some really good service there too. I suppose when I'm in that frame of mind, I remember the really annoying stuff.

The wellie, slipper tips are helpful. He's a bare feet boy, but we're cutting back on our heating bills so the floors should be a bit colder this winter! I'll try the socks.

funky-footprints

I also avoid clarks and although may have to pay more use startrite.

Choice in clarks is appalling and as the stores are franchised the ones near me dont stock all styles. I have a choice of 5 clarks shoe shops, and my son & I visited them all in one day when he due due to be page boy. We were after a black shoe/boot. He was measured from a 8D to a 9F. He tried the 9f on and the one fell of his foot as he walked. (He has always measure a g fitting so to suddenly be a D, had me thinking ?) )

Have you noticed in clarks how they always ask you "what size is your child wearing now ?" they see you coming and add a 1/2 size on to make you buy a new pair. The styles havnt chnaged in 5 years !! I dont mind paying the extra if I am not being ripped off. My childrens feet and correctly fitting shoes is very imporant to me, after I see my poor mum, and the agonies she has from wearing hand me down from her 3 old sisters. That one day put me off clarks for life !!

funky-footprints

oh and Quackers this isnt a dig at you at all. Im sure there are good measurers out there, I have just had a very bad experience !!

Melissa22_Mum

I completely agree, luckily I'm not at the essential shoe buying stage, babys only 6 months. I was browsing through the Vertbaudet catalouge from which I regularly order from as it's all very good quality, until I came to the shoe section where I almost fainted at the price of BABY shoes that will never even be walked on!! A pair of Mary Janes costing 44.99!!!!! some others were more. It's completley shocking, considering you can get an adults shoe for around 20 quid, that uses a lot more materials etc
I wont even mention baby trainers!!! MADNESS.............