topic Re: I will NEVER buy Clark's boots (or shoes) again! in Fashion

I will NEVER buy Clark's boots (or shoes) again!

kittymomNC — Mon, 05 Jan 2015 20:50:46 GMT

About two years ago I bought a pair of navy blue Clark's Bendables boots, which were a TSV. I had ordered two pair, but sent the grey/taupey color back, and now I'm glad I did.

I had tried many pairs of Clark's shoes and sandals, but the fit was always so "off" that I never found a pair I could keep. I ordered these boots, and the fit was good as well as the comfort factor. Now I regret my purchase.

I've probably worn the boots maybe 25 times at the most, only for running errands, etc., mainly short trips in the car. The "finish" or whatever Clark's wants to call it has worn totally off the back of the actual black heel, and it has also worn off the back of the navy heel section of the boot. This is where the boot rests on the carpeted floor mat in my car. The area on the heel is rough, with virtually no color at all. The heels are made of rubber, a little soft, and it's wearing down on the edges. The comfort factor is gone, and I have to put extra insoles in to make them comfortable. The only way I can make them look better is to polish them with navy boot polish to try and bring back the color on the heel section of the boot (but it's hard to find this color navy polish), and black polish for the actual heel.

I paid $98.00 for those boots. They talk about "cost per wear" - well, I don't think $4.00 per wear is good enough! I have an old pair of black leather ankle boots that I bought over 15 years ago and have just about worn them to death, many hundreds of times - got them at Sears for about $35.00. The heels are made of hard rubber and are not worn down, and the finish is not worn off. The heel section of the boot is in good shape, no wear of the finish at all. There are a few scratches (my fault), but if I polished them up they would still look almost as good as these Clark's boots.

I personally don't think the TSV's that QVC offers are the same quality as that which you would find in a store. I'll never take a chance on another pair of Clark's, period. And I will be very careful of any of QVC's TSV's in the future - I've thought several times that the quality is not there because they bring in so many made just for them.

Sorry, I needed to vent!

Re: I will NEVER buy Clark's boots (or shoes) again!

Jova — Mon, 05 Jan 2015 20:54:12 GMT

That's a cute boot! I am staying away from Clark's due to the fact I keep reading the quality has become poor. I don't blame you for being angry, the boots sound cheaply made.

Re: I will NEVER buy Clark's boots (or shoes) again!

rhinovodka — Mon, 05 Jan 2015 21:08:37 GMT

I used to love Clarks and I am sorry to hear that the quality has went down. I am now hooked on Alegria (really helped with my feet issues).

Re: I will NEVER buy Clark's boots (or shoes) again!

Ibby114 — Mon, 05 Jan 2015 21:16:41 GMT

I have these boots in black, so far so good with holding up. The sizing was strange though- I bought them at a Q outlet and I needed an 8 1/2 W. I haven't needed an 8 1/2 in any shoe in probably 20 years!! Clarks sizing is inconsistent, sometimes I even need a 9 1/2.

Re: I will NEVER buy Clark's boots (or shoes) again!

Annabellethecat66 — Mon, 05 Jan 2015 21:17:00 GMT

If you've read my story you can skip over. OK, so (I think it was last Spring, I've lost track), but I had on a pair of Clark cloggs.

I loved those shoes. I'd worn them maybe 10 times in the past few years. I was on my way to the dentist.

I got out of my car to go into the dentist office (garden offices). I put my foot on the asphalt and felt a 'flop' and then a lot of AIR.

The entire sole came off. Separated from the top part of the shoe. It was flopping!

I found some rubber bands to put around the shoe until I got into the office. The office manager gave me more.

There I was laying back getting my teeth cleaned with rubber bands on my shoes.

I'd planned to run many errands as it was early in the morning. Instead I had to go home. By the time I got back home it was too late to go back out and run the errands.

I went to my closet to look at the other Clark shoes. I swear to you. I pulled hard on another pair of Clark Cloggs and the same thing started to happen.

It was as if the thread used to sew the sole to the top of the shoe was rotted.

I threw them out too!!

Re: I will NEVER buy Clark's boots (or shoes) again!

Topaz Gem — Mon, 05 Jan 2015 21:25:53 GMT

I have that same pair of boots in navy as well. I've had them for awhile and they're holding up great, but I'm going to check to see if the finish is worn off from driving. I wear them only with jeans, so I'm not too picky about checking them out as I wear jeans when I want to be casual.

Re: I will NEVER buy Clark's boots (or shoes) again!

donuts — Mon, 05 Jan 2015 21:26:11 GMT

I have over 8 pairs of White Mountain boots, booties, etc....they are the most comfortable boots I have ever worn and I've tried just about all kinds.......White Mountain gets my vote, year after year........

Re: I will NEVER buy Clark's boots (or shoes) again!

Mustang Shar — Mon, 05 Jan 2015 21:36:22 GMT

I agree with you, OP, no more Clarks for me either.

Re: I will NEVER buy Clark's boots (or shoes) again!

cosmic1 — Mon, 05 Jan 2015 21:43:29 GMT

That should not happen. Boots, especially, should be made to last. If it were me, I would write to Clarks and tell them the story. This is reflecting on their brand, even if they are making shoes and boots specifically for QVC.

Re: I will NEVER buy Clark's boots (or shoes) again!

~Lucky Lu~ — Mon, 05 Jan 2015 21:51:43 GMT

After my pair of clogs fell apart at work a few weeks ago, I have been very leery about wearing Clarks. I have three pairs of water-resistant suede boots that were a TSV several years ago. There was a wintry mix on the ground this morning, so I got the black pair out and inspected them closely. I also pulled and pushed, but they held fast. So far, so good today.

Re: I will NEVER buy Clark's boots (or shoes) again!

RainyDayGal — Mon, 05 Jan 2015 21:53:40 GMT

I have the Springer sandals from years ago - several pair. All of those soles are breaking off in chunks.

Re: I will NEVER buy Clark's boots (or shoes) again!

Debbie555 — Mon, 05 Jan 2015 21:59:59 GMT

Wow that is unbelievable especially at those prices!! The only pairs of clarks I have are 2 pairs of sandals, more of a flip flop type. One purchased in marshalls over five years ago and the other more of an athletic style purchased 2 years ago. Both have been worn a lot and are in great condition, barely look worn!

Re: I will NEVER buy Clark's boots (or shoes) again!

Jova — Mon, 05 Jan 2015 22:02:52 GMT

After my pair of clogs fell apart at work a few weeks ago, I have been very leery about wearing Clarks.

I have a newer pair of Clark's clogs sitting in my closet. I bought them several months ago and forgot about them. I am afraid to wear them because of all the issues people are having. If I do wear them, I am bringing a back of pair of shoes with me.

Re: I will NEVER buy Clark's boots (or shoes) again!

Cookie06 — Mon, 05 Jan 2015 22:08:09 GMT

I have had excellent luck with the wear and tear with my Clark's purchases. I can't understand it. I would certainly write to Clark's and tell them what happened and see if they will make it good for you.

Re: I will NEVER buy Clark's boots (or shoes) again!

Lipstickdiva — Mon, 05 Jan 2015 22:14:18 GMT

Driving is very, very hard on the heels/backs of shoes. They get more wear than one would think from the movement of your foot on and off the gas and break. I used to keep driving moccasins in my car and change into them for that very reason but I stopped.

I bought a gorgeous pair of Clark's leather shooties last year that had to be tossed this year but it is my own fault. I wore them over and over again all last winter in bad snow and salt on sidewalks, etc. The salt just ate away at the leather and tore it up.

I reluctantly tossed those shooties a few weeks backs and replaced them with a pair of Aerosoles which are cute but I don't like them nearly as much as my Clarks.

Re: I will NEVER buy Clark's boots (or shoes) again!

author — Mon, 05 Jan 2015 22:15:22 GMT

I have two pairs of those boots, black and grey, got them at Marshall's for $40 each, and have worn all last winter and quite a bit this winter, and they look like new.

I live in the midwest and believe me, the backs of those boots in the car rest on my floor mat, road salt, gravel, all the stuff that settles there. I think yours must be defective, as mine are not only still very comfortable and cushy, but have held up beautifully thru all the polar vortexes, blizzards, salt, slush, you name it. No loss of color, roughness, anything like that.

I do keep an eye on my extensive Clark's inventory, and so far no issues for over 20 years. I certainly feel bad for those of you who have had problems and it is good to know it can happen and be watchful.

The Clark's outlet store I shop at will take back any pair even without a receipt and refund you a fair amount for them or replace with the same or similar pair new. My DH had some suede loafers and his bunion caused the suede to split there, and they replaced them, no receipt, no questions. Perhaps contacting Clark's would be a solution.

Re: I will NEVER buy Clark's boots (or shoes) again!

Peaches McPhee — Mon, 05 Jan 2015 22:25:41 GMT

I have had a few Clarks, but some I find to be uncomfortable. They fit funny (sometimes).

Re: I will NEVER buy Clark's boots (or shoes) again!

Kathlen — Mon, 05 Jan 2015 22:26:16 GMT

I have a couple of pairs of Clark's shoes and boots ... they are comfortable and still look good.

I don't drive a car ... so I don't have the problem you have. I just walk around in mine.

Re: I will NEVER buy Clark's boots (or shoes) again!

Sister Golden Hair — Mon, 05 Jan 2015 22:27:59 GMT

This may be a dumb question but I will ask anyway. What is the difference in buying shoes, clothes, handbags etc from an outlet or at a store like Macys?

My sister-in-law took me to a Coach outlet in St Louis because she said the prices were better than at a regular store. But does that mean the quality isn't as good? Thanks

Re: I will NEVER buy Clark's boots (or shoes) again!

VioletEyes — Mon, 05 Jan 2015 22:32:08 GMT

On 1/5/2015 Sister Golden Hair said:
This may be a dumb question but I will ask anyway. What is the difference in buying shoes, clothes, handbags etc from an outlet or at a store like Macys?

My sister-in-law took me to a Coach outlet in St Louis because she said the prices were better than at a regular store. But does that mean the quality isn't as good? Thanks

A lot of the outlets have specially made goods just for the outlet. I went to a Talbots and a Coach outlet and the employees told me they do not carry anything but their own made for the outlet merchandise.