My boyfriend bought some trainers a couple of weeks back and he just can't get comfy in them. They have rubbed all the skin from the top of his feet causing massive blisters.

He's tried all sorts to wear them in but he just isn't happy with them.

So anyway yesterday we took them back to the shop in meadowhell and were told they wouldn't take them back because they couldn't be resold. We were told they could only be taken back if there was a fault with them.

I thought everyone had 6 months to take things back if they weren't happy with them?

Anyway I'm now contemplating making a "fault" ie. cutting some stitching on them. Is this really bad? I know it's hardly honest but they were very expensive and we really want our money back.

I feel awful for thinking of doing this but don't know what else to do. ?

Originally posted by steelblade
I thought everyone had 6 months to take things back if they weren't happy with them?

Don't know where you heard this. Many shops have a 14 - 16 day return policy if you're unhappy with their product, but I think the law only protects for things that are faulty, described incorrectly or damaged.

Also, I'd really reconsider damaging the trainers. If you do take them back and they still refuse to replace / refund, you'll be stuck with a pair of useless, damaged trainers. At least you could sell them 2nd hand in the state they're in now.

Was this company by any chance Sport Soccer?

Originally posted by steelblade
My boyfriend bought some trainers a couple of weeks back and he just can't get comfy in them. They have rubbed all the skin from the top of his feet causing massive blisters.

He's tried all sorts to wear them in but he just isn't happy with them.

So anyway yesterday we took them back to the shop in meadowhell and were told they wouldn't take them back because they couldn't be resold. We were told they could only be taken back if there was a fault with them.

I thought everyone had 6 months to take things back if they weren't happy with them?

Anyway I'm now contemplating making a "fault" ie. cutting some stitching on them. Is this really bad? I know it's hardly honest but they were very expensive and we really want our money back.

I feel awful for thinking of doing this but don't know what else to do. ?

Did you speak to the manager?

I not sure about 6 months I have seen 28 days and 14 days in the past. If the shoes were faulty you would be entitled to your money back. I once paid £110 for some trainers and after a couple of months the sole came loose. I took the trainers back and had to insist on a refund but they were reluctant. IMO if I pay that amount of Money for trainers then those babies are guaranteed. With your situation it's a bit tricky. If your not satisfied with what you've been told I suggest you contact Citizeans Advice.

No the initials of the shop are FL.

I know what you mean about damaging them but they are useless at the minute anyway. I don't really know who would want to buy a second hand pair of trainers.

yes we spoke to the manager. He just kept repeating that as they were'nt faulty we couldn't have a refund or exchange them.

Just checked on trading standards and it loks as though I'll have no option but to make them "faulty".

Go for it! The store should refund you, or at least give you a part refund. What happened to "The customer is always right?"

You could probably get a good two thirds of your money back by selling them on ebay. Possibly more.

And what happens when you go back and claim there's a fault, and the manager remembers that there wasn't a fault when you came in complaining a few days earlier? What happens, if by some chance the manager reads this and realises what you've done?

Unless the shop has a notice stating otherwise, the Sale of Goods act only entitles you to a refund if goods are faulty. There's no obligation on them to give a refund because you changed your mind, the shoes don't fit or you don't like the colour. Many shops will, as a gesture of goodwill, but they're not obliged to (unless an advertised refund policy stated that a refund would be given in those circumstances).

PS - If everyone had 6 months to return any goods they didn't like, I'd be getting myself a new pair of shoes every six months. "Sorry, Mr Shopkeeper, but I've tried, and I just can't get comfortable in them."

Depends a bit on what they cost. The places that charge £70 quid plus are making a stonking great profit (the shoes are probably made in the third world for a cost measured in pence). They can afford to throw returns away and offer a replacement. "Rubbing off the skin and causing blisters" might be taken to indicate a design fault so they ARE faulty and persistence should pay off. I've succeeded in the past (with those bloody expensive kids shoes). On the other hand, new shoes do sometimes need a bit of "breaking in" so decide if you are being reasonable. Suppose there was no recompense would you actually throw them away or persist with them, try to stretch the bits that rub?

It is understandable that the shops take a robust approach to returns because people do "try it on" and it wasn't a good idea to leave it 2 weeks to return them. They are understandably more receptive to doing an exchange or issuing a credit-note rather than money-back.

If you are sure you are in the right take some photos of the shop, feet (if blisters etc still in evidence), shoes, staff and manager. When the manager gets inquisitive explain that he refused a refund and so you are building a website to advertise your grievance - DON'T make any threats. Be pleasant and reasonable and understand that he isn't able to offer a replacement and expect him to be reasonable and understand that you only intend to tell the truth - he has nothing to fear in that. Offer him the right of reply if he would like to put together a statement for the website. Chances are he'll want to find an alternative solution.

Originally posted by robh
If you are sure you are in the right take some photos of the shop, feet (if blisters etc still in evidence), shoes, staff and manager...

If you try doing that in Meadowhall, you'll probably find yourself being removed/banned by their security staff.

Originally posted by Andy If you try doing that in Meadowhall, you'll probably find yourself being removed/banned by their security staff.Sounds like a good reason to try!

A mate with another camera should get some good photos of the eviction too and they aren't going to get the film without making a common assault. (A stand-by photographer/witness is useful anyway in case of aggro, I offer my services - free, it might be fun!).

I would shove my blisters into the managers face saying things like "So its not faulty and does this - your syaing your trainers are made to injure feat !?" Say it long and loud.

"fit for purpose" is a phrase trading standards use. The trainers were not" fit for purpose" and therefore you should get a refund. Quote the Sale of Goods act to the manager, and he should bottle out! Good luck!

haha as if you can get a refund for shoes just cos theyre not comfy. I get people like you in my shop all the time and it makes me laugh some of the pathetic excuses they come up with. He should have tried them on properly in the shop and had a good walk round with them.

Could be a blessing.
Most trainers are plastic hyped-crap glued together in some
third-world sweat shop and promoted by
overpaid yobbish sportsfok.
I appreciate that "trainers,tattoos and jeans"are standard
dress for Meadowhall but invest in a decent pair of
Grenson or Loakes shoes.
Your feet will thank you -and if you look after them you'll
still be enjoying them in twenty years time.
Ever wonder how the rich stay rich -cus they don't waste their
money on ****ty shoes.:D

I agree trainers are rubbish. I dont own a pair, theyre awful things. I used to borrow them from the trainer bin at school cos i didnt want to buy any.

If you think about it, if it wasnt so 'cool' to wear them and they were just white leather shoes, would you think they looked good?I wouldnt. I think they look awful on men but even worse on girls.

Theyre overpriced rubbish mass produced awful looking things with 'desirable' labels stuck on them and people who will shell out anything over £20 for them are mad in my opinion. Get some fashion sense!

KittyKat... How can you be like that about girls wearing trainers?? Most girls wear them anyway. I personally only wear shoes when I'm going out. I can't walk in em really so I wear trainers. I'm more of a sporty person, but loads of girls wear trainers a lot of the time. Some jobs also require you to wear trainers, I know mine does, so it may not be from choice with some people??
Chloé

Yes but in my opinion they dont look good. Ive got some very comfy shoes that are as comfy as trainers and good for running in etc but theyre nice because theyre pink with a pink flower. Id rather wear these than horrible squashy sweaty things with a brand label scrawled across anyday.

PS: I have to wear a big baggy blue blouse and navy skirt for work but that doesnt mean i wear this all the time.

removed by spook.