New shoes from the box disintegrate

“New shoes from the box disintegrate”

Written on: 16/06/2012 by tomgeorge (1 review written)

I have always worn Clark's shoes since the eighties - when I start a new pair, I buy another pair and store them until needed. This has worked for me for twenty years. My last pair split at the seem with the sole two weeks ago - they looked in good condition apart from the split where the leather upper meets the sole, but I had good wear out of them, so I binned them and got out my "reserve" pair from the wardrobe - looking brand spanking new, straight from the box. Yesterday I put them on in the morning ready for work and found that the right shoe had separated all along the sewing line between the upper "leather" and sole! I had worn them for only two weeks!
I took them back to the Llanelli Clark's shop (Trostre Park) this evening only to be told "I should have worn them and not stored them". I asked why one shoe had fallen apart, the lady manager said "Oh, that is hydrolysis" I asked for a replacement pair, was greeted with a smile and was told no chence, it was my fault for not wearing them. "You should not have kept them in the wardrobe" - what a plonker - the lady manager from Clark's Trostre Park, Llanelli. I should have realised you don't keep shoes in the wardrobe - my fault - will wear my next shoes to bed, in case hydrolysis in the wardrobe may strike again.
I am seriously disgusted with the way Clarks has downgraded the quality of their product - no way my shoes were the high quality Clarks I remember from past days - they are obviously buying in cheap imports and have sacrificed their reputation for 30 pieces of silver.
They have lost my custom.