A pair of shoes that fell apart

During the last 4 years I bought 4 pairs of identical Clarks black shoes. I bought them in Germany, France, Belgium and Singapore. Once I took them to Singapore they fell apart after 3-4 weeks. They don't seem to survive climate changes. A Clark employee told me that the their shoes are made to be worn 2 years at most. Those shoes used to be made in Portugal. Production was outsourced to Vietnam. They are very much struggling with quality problems through the whole production process. Clarks doesn't understand that it takes 10 years to build up a reputation of being a quality supplier and it takes a split of a second to destroy that reputation. I am now trying out Rockports....

I had a pair of Hotters that split across the sole & was told the tale about it being because I hadn't worn them for a few months. They were obviously summer shoes so I think the manufacturers should sort out the problem.
I used to wear Clark's alot but only take a size 3 and a couple of years ago they drastically cut the range they make in my size. Now I find the only styles they do in a 3 are the ones I don't like!

I had a pair of Clarkes shoes that were described as 'airwalk' or similar. Like you, I rotated my shoes. These were black and I saved them for high days, weddings and funerals.
About five years ago, I wore them only for the sole of each shoe to disintegrate into a white powder. Everywhere I went I left this trail of powder,. It so happened that this was at my sister's funeral.
I sent the shoes off to Clarkes for their comments. it seems that I had treated them wrong. These shoes need constant wear otherwise the sole drys out. As for recompense - not a hope. They were over ten years old. Another lost customer.

I have had 2 prs of Clark's shoes come apart at the soles after minimal use. The first pair I ret'd and they replaced them w/ an improved version. The second pair, I just discovered the problem last week and I am looking for their US telephone number and or e-mail address to contact them.

Yes, as it happens I have just had a similar situation. I bought my son's school's shoes 3 weeks ago and on one side, the shoe had fallen apart. I took them into Clarkes yesterday but had the wrong receipt an was told to come back today and they would change the shoes. Today I saw the manager who said that they were very worn and that they would offer me a percentage towards the shoe. I was about to 'go into one' after explaining that a child's shoe for£36 should last at least 3 months, when she decided to give me a full refund. She explained that she was only doing this as she was ill and did not want the hassle!! They at least need to make their refund policy clear before hand on the receipt or better still in a large sign on the till. This is the second time this has happened with Clarkes in 1 year and I will not be buying shoes from them for children at least. I am happy to pay for quality but it seems that they want to produce less for more.

Clarks Shoes .. Cannot be re-soled any more as I found out yesterday. I took my work shoes which were only 4 months old to be heeled and soled and was told that nothing will stick to a clarks sole.. well that was news to me.

I am writing to tell you how disappointed I have been in the quality of Ecco and Clark shoes. The soles just fall apart. Often leaving me in a precarious and even hazardous position.
Therefore I'm forced not to purchase your shoes, even though I like them. I believe it is a problem with your materials used on the rubber soles. I am sorry.
I am forced to buy your competitors products even if at a higher price point. Mephistos don't have this problem.
I am hoping these company's will do something to correct this problem.
It's happened on every pair whether worn or not. They disintegrate. Some sooner then others.
A disappointed customer

http://www.consumerdirect.gov.uk/ Sale of goods act. You have rights. Give these guys a ring and they'll advise you how to complain and make them pay attention.

I am so angry about the Clarks shoes I just returned. I bought a pair of mens black office-shoes in the January sales, within a couple of days the seam had gone around the outside of one of the shoes. I was very very surprised. I naively assumed that Clarks, apparent pillar of British shoe-making would still be maintaining high standards. I took the shoes back, and was told there were almost no problems with Clarks shoes, hardly anyone ever brought them back. I was so unimpressed with the way I was treated (they were out of that style and shoes and wanted me to pay more money for the same shoe in the apparently 'new' range). Customer care were equally hard-nosed and unwilling to help).

Customer 'Care' telephone: 01458 443131; Clarks head office is 40 High Street, Street (yes, the town!), Somerset, BA16 0YA.

I disagree about ecco. Both my daughter and I have had shoes from them for ten years and they have been fantastic. Sadly most shopes only have about 4 varieites. I have tried on every make of trainrs and shoes and both myself and my daughter can not get our feet in aprt from the ecco shoes. So I am grateful because otherwsie it would be two pairs of mens shoes,They are comfortable and we have walked miles with them. They are expensive but they last a few years. We could do with more shoes beig made for wider fittings.

My mens shoes from Clarkes shoes were total rubbish, after only short wear,both soles beacame unstuck at the same time.I think the glue on a postage stamp would be stronger.Will never buy Clarks shoes again.The shoes I had were stamped Made In England.I seems a waste of time to protest,according to the gripes above.Pity about a well known company going down the tubes.

As I have read thru the comments it appears most of them are out of the USA. We here have had the same problems with Clarks and ECCO. So sad...as these shoes are wonderful for people with foot problems or need comfort shoes. Yes I too agree that the companies don't care about your problems it appears. I would rather pay a few dollars more to have my soles stay on the shoes (ie. cracking, spliting). If this happens because they are not worn enough they should state as such when purchasing them. This were shoes I only wore in the winter so obviously they would sit in the closet during the summer. But this is outrageous when one considers the cost of the shoes...especially Ecco. Also there shoes do not fit as well I have noticed the past couple of years...so I steer clear of both brands. Too sad for we who have foot problems. I will just keep on looking unless someone can advise a wonderful brand that has a stable footbed.