Shoes Deffo made for walking, my best ever.

[Nod]

Shoes are something I'd never buy online - different pairs of the same style are slightly different so even if you order an "identical" pair to ones that are supremely comfortable, you can end up with a pair that's less so. You can always return them and reorder but that's as much of a PITA as visiting a shop to try some on!

 

[dejongj]

You could try them on first

 

[jonbeeza]

Generally true, unless you're prepared to pay for the more expensive makes. Biggest problem for me is the lack of narrow fittings. Church, Crockett and Jones and a couple of other manufacturers offer them, but only in a couple of styles. I might look into Trickers. Pricey, but not crazy, and they'll make up most of their boots/shoes to order.

I normally buy three pairs or so in one go, from the Clarks retail outlet. Normally have a deal on the third pair, which averages out about £20 per pair. Not bad for decent shoes .

By online and don't forget Quidco as you'll get another 7.5-10% off

Thanks for that.

I can be in a shop and try about ten pairs on or more, before I find a pair that feels comfy. A little difficult doing that online.

 

[jonbeeza]

Shoes are something I'd never buy online - different pairs of the same style are slightly different so even if you order an "identical" pair to ones that are supremely comfortable, you can end up with a pair that's less so. You can always return them and reorder but that's as much of a PITA as visiting a shop to try some on!

Beat me to it .

 

[dejongj]

I normally buy three pairs or so in one go, from the Clarks retail outlet. Normally have a deal on the third pair, which averages out about £20 per pair. Not bad for decent shoes .


Thanks for that.

I can be in a shop and try about ten pairs on or more, before I find a pair that feels comfy. A little difficult doing that online.

You can try out and then buy online or just leave the 'free' money. Your choice.

Debenhams is good that way as even when using my debit card in store they still give the quidco cashback.

Retailers are happy to give money away, I'm happy to take it The choice is yours whether you do or not.

 

[Nod]

You could try them on first

Not the pair you'll actually buy. Besides, using high street shops as a showroom for the internet is one of the things that's killing local retail and is (IMO) rather immoral.

 

[dejongj]

Not the pair you'll actually buy. Besides, using high street shops as a showroom for the internet is one of the things that's killing local retail and is (IMO) rather immoral.

If quality control is that bad that the same shoes in the same size fit differently I really don't think you should buy from that retailer in the first place.

Immoral when the retailer actually encourages that and provides you a significant discount? Seriously? Nah I think you are being to British there buddy and they are taking you for a ride.

Now if you are talking about say a good service shop, say like Sevenoaks HiFI was and try it out there and demo but then walk out and buy it from a DIFFERENT retailer online to save 2% then I agree. But we are talking about the same retailer here and they are offering it to you.

As I said your choice but I hate leaving money on the table.

 

[Nod]

Anything made on a line that has some human input will have small variations between samples and shoes are no exception. Hell, even fully automated line produced items can vary!

Over the past couple of years, we've lost 2 very good locally owned shops, one an outdoors clothing and one photographic because they simply couldn't compete with internet prices (or even Jessops on some Canon kit but that's a whole different can of worms...) They had to pay for the "demo" stock and people would come in, handle the goods (which then become "shop soiled" so devalued to below cost [margins on cameras and lenses are already pared to the bone]) then order online. The outdoor place had the same problem, although they could at least sell off their display stock as new.

 

[dejongj]

Anything made on a line that has some human input will have small variations between samples and shoes are no exception. Hell, even fully automated line produced items can vary!

Maybe you should try a size up if the tolerance are that small I can honestly say that I've never asked for another pair in the same size if the one that I tried did not fit. I've naturally tried a different model or brand.

Over the past couple of years, we've lost 2 very good locally owned shops, one an outdoors clothing and one photographic because they simply couldn't compete with internet prices (or even Jessops on some Canon kit but that's a whole different can of worms...) They had to pay for the "demo" stock and people would come in, handle the goods (which then become "shop soiled" so devalued to below cost [margins on cameras and lenses are already pared to the bone]) then order online. The outdoor place had the same problem, although they could at least sell off their display stock as new.

I think it is totally different, than the same shop doing that. But hey if you want to leave money on the table for Clarks whilst they are offering it to you, that is your choice.

 

[viv1969]

If quality control is that bad that the same shoes in the same size fit differently I really don't think you should buy from that retailer in the first place.

Immoral when the retailer actually encourages that and provides you a significant discount? Seriously? Nah I think you are being to British there buddy and they are taking you for a ride.

Now if you are talking about say a good service shop, say like Sevenoaks HiFI was and try it out there and demo but then walk out and buy it from a DIFFERENT retailer online to save 2% then I agree. But we are talking about the same retailer here and they are offering it to you.

As I said your choice but I hate leaving money on the table.

I can't say Clarks have ever encouraged me to pop into the store, try on a few pairs, then bobby off back to the internet to purchase.

Perhaps the fact that folks have the brass cojones to do that, is the reason the Clarks on high streets are closing.

 

[Llamaman]

I think it is totally different, than the same shop doing that. But hey if you want to leave money on the table for Clarks whilst they are offering it to you, that is your choice.

You do realise that many Clarks stores are franchises?

 

[viv1969]

You do realise that many Clarks stores are franchises?

Yes, so what?
(Less than 1/3 as it happens)

 

[dejongj]

I can't say Clarks have ever encouraged me to pop into the store, try on a few pairs, then bobby off back to the internet to purchase.

Perhaps the fact that folks have the brass cojones to do that, is the reason the Clarks on high streets are closing.

Neither have I, I normally find that the size is the right size and not much variation in width either. So I go straight online to get the discount. If they don't want to encourage people to do that, then perhaps they revisit their pricing strategy. It is their choice to do that, not mine to guard them for their own behaviour. For example John Lewis doesn't provide discounts for their online retail, doesn't stop me from going into their stores. For example Debenhams harmonised their discounts with cashback providers such that you get them both online and in-store.

You do realise that many Clarks stores are franchises?

And? If they have an issue with their pricing strategy then they should take that up with Clarks International, not my issue as a consumer.

 

[Llamaman]

Yes, so what?

It means they're not the same company, contrary to what our esteemed member was asserting.
The parent company might be pleased that you try on in the shop then buy online but I doubt the franchisee will be.

 

[Llamaman]

And? If they have an issue with their pricing strategy then they should take that up with Clarks International, not my issue as a consumer.

So shouldn't that also apply to independent camera stores? Shouldn't they take it up with Canon?

 

[dejongj]

It means they're not the same company, contrary to what our esteemed member was asserting.
The parent company might be pleased that you try on in the shop then buy online but I doubt the franchisee will be.

So why make that the consumers problem?

I find it amazing that there is such an discussion about it and being classed as immoral when the company is offering 7.5-10% discount. You lot may all be rich and want to leave that on the table for the retailer, but I'll have it thank you very much. Most peculiar in my opinion.

 

[dejongj]

So shouldn't that also apply to independent camera stores? Shouldn't they take it up with Canon?

They are not a franchise though are they? They are independent. If you they were a franchise and if Canon sold directly to the public then yes, but they don't and the independent shops are ahem independent

 

[Nod]

Maybe you should try a size up if the tolerance are that small I can honestly say that I've never asked for another pair in the same size if the one that I tried did not fit. I've naturally tried a different model or brand.



I think it is totally different, than the same shop doing that. But hey if you want to leave money on the table for Clarks whilst they are offering it to you, that is your choice.

I buy slightly tight if anything since most shoes stretch slightly to fit. The only pair of Clarks shoes I have came from the factory outlet beside their factory in Street and were significantly cheaper than the same shoes on the high street. As for the 7.5 - 10% discount, many shops here offer that to students so I ask for the same discount since I'll be here shopping in town for the foreseeable future while most of the students will only be here for 3 years (and, here at least are often much better off than me!). Most places are happy to do the discount and if they aren't, I'll usually go elsewhere.

 

[viv1969]

It means they're not the same company, contrary to what our esteemed member was asserting.
The parent company might be pleased that you try on in the shop then buy online but I doubt the franchisee will be.

But the point is that as far as I know, Clarks aren't happy for customers to do that, no matter if it's a franchise or not.

 

[Nod]

So shouldn't that also apply to independent camera stores? Shouldn't they take it up with Canon?

Canon don't give a stuff about independent shops - they sell enough through the box shifters not to worry about the little buyers.

 

[Llamaman]

They are not a franchise though are they? They are independent. If you they were a franchise and if Canon sold directly to the public then yes, but they don't and the independent shops are ahem independent

What's the moral difference between a franchise and an independent? Both are offering a high street service and are risking their own capital. Why is one considered important to protect from online undercutting whilst the other is not?

Oh, and Canon do sell direct online;
https://store.canon.co.uk

 

[dejongj]

What's the moral difference between a franchise and an independent? Both are offering a high street service and are risking their own capital. Why is one considered important to protect from online undercutting whilst the other is not?

Oh, and Canon do sell direct online;
https://store.canon.co.uk

I still don't get why morals are brought into this, the retailer chooses to do this, the franchisee choose to do this, the brand chooses to do this. The consumers are free to choose whether to take the money on the table or not. And independent is ahem independent, they are not part of the same organisation. They do not operate under the same rules as a franchisee does. Hey it is their choice and your money. I honestly don't care whether you take the money on offer or happily just pay more for the same product.

I stand corrected on Canon selling online - and funnily enough they also offer 3% cashback as well

 

[jonbeeza]

You can try out and then buy online or just leave the 'free' money. Your choice.

Debenhams is good that way as even when using my debit card in store they still give the quidco cashback.

Retailers are happy to give money away, I'm happy to take it The choice is yours whether you do or not.

Just had a look at Quidco, ahh they want all my details. Love a bargain, but hate junk mail .

You do realise that many Clarks stores are franchises?

Now I did not know that. Wonder if the retail outlets are Clarks owned, and maybe that is why they can offer deals?

 

[jonbeeza]

Strange that if some Clarks are a franchise, how come they can set their own prices? I thought they had to stick to set prices. A bit like McDonald's, you know a burger and a shake costs x amount. I thought a franchise had to stick to set prices? Plus if the retail outlets are Clarks owned, would a franchisee not get miffed, being undercut by their franchisor?

 

[viv1969]

Strange that if some Clarks are a franchise, how come they can set their own prices? I thought they had to stick to set prices. A bit like McDonald's, you know a burger and a shake costs x amount. I thought a franchise had to stick to set prices? Plus if the retail outlets are Clarks owned, would a franchisee not get miffed, being undercut by their franchisor?

Mcdonalds franchises do not have to stick to the same prices.
Their ads have very small print "Participating Stores Only"; plus, every seen the prices in motorway outlets?

 

[Llamaman]

I still don't get why morals are brought into this,

Nod brought it up and you replied to him.
You disagreed that it was immoral if they were the same retailer but said it was 'different' (in capitals no less) if they were independent.
So you have previously implied there is a moral element then apparently done a volte face within an afternoon.
So which is it? Is it immoral to browse in store at an independent then buy online?
If it is, why is it ok to do the same with a franchise, given the franchisee is - in the key element (risking his/her own capital if the store fails) - identical to an independent?

 

[jonbeeza]

Mcdonalds franchises do not have to stick to the same prices.
Their ads have very small print "Participating Stores Only"; plus, every seen the prices in motorway outlets?

Ahh, that is probably why I thought I was over charged once .

 

[badlywornroy]

I have just bought a new pair of Ecco Track GoreTex walking shoes.

Incredible shoes, I have had the previous pair (photo's) about 15 years and I am now still using them for dog walking.

Still waterproof and while the soles are pretty worn I think they are good for a few more miles yet.

Ecco are Danish I understand http://global.ecco.com/en/company

No connection just a very satisfied customer.