Second Time Around....shoes lasted two wearings?! - YouLookFab Forum

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Second Time Around....shoes lasted two wearings?!

Mochi

Veteran

Hi. I posted these Tod's loafers I bought exactly three weeks ago here:

http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....ave-a-look

(and here, without pics--just trying to document that I was there):

http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....trend-last

So anyway, they completely fell apart on me yesterday! I wore them twice. To brunch last Sunday (walked from car to restaurant), where they were fine, and then yesterday when I walked a couple of city blocks in them...not feeling anything wrong (apart from some blisters--I wasn't wearing socks). Took them off at home and noticed that huge chunks of foam were coming off, or had already come off.

I'm completely dumbfounded. This is a $400-500 shoe. (I got it at what I thought was a great bargain--yet NOT cheap--at $95. And had I spent $10 on them, that would have been a waste of money--the shoe is toast!

I am not a 90-lb waif, but could I possibly have put that much strain on a pair of walking shoes? I really don't get it. And because this is a consignment store purchase, they don't take returns. I don't even have the receipt (thinking why keep it--they don't take returns). The above posts on here are my proof that I bought these at that boutique.

Nonetheless, I will bring these back to Second Time Around and see what I can do in terms of getting my money back. If they are at all in favor of good customer relations, they may have to eat the cost of these....I don't know how successful I will be, so wish me luck. I'll let you know what happens.

If they don't cooperate, I don't know how I'll feel about high-level consignment shopping anymore. Probably will not do it.

I'm still completely befuddled--this has never happened to me with a cheap-o shoe, much less a super-expensive shoe like Tod's.

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20 replies

Latest reply was from catgirl

Claudia

Veteran

Mochi, could you and the consignment shop been victims of cheap knock-offs?

http://www.ioffershoes.org/brand-68-c0-Tods.html

Mochi

Veteran

Oh, dear. That would put an even more crazy spin on it. STA originally got it from a consigner, so who knows how far down the chain someone would have gotten duped. I'm feeling like I made a bad mistake buying shoes from a place with no returns. In theory it could have been a bag, too, even if it wasn't something that fell apart so dramatically!

Claudia

Veteran

Also found this information on how to tell if they are fake or not: http://reviews.ebay.com/How-to.....0021492512

Claudia

Veteran

Okay, that link to ebay on fake vs real may not help. From the knock off site, here is how the manufacturer describes the knock off shoe, note "all markings are exact":

"Tod's Patent Leather Penny Loafers Black,fake Tod's new designer shoes
Classic craftsmanship for the modern woman, Tod's shoes and accessories will stand the test of time. Glossy patent leather upper. Rounded moc toe. Cutout penny loafer strap at vamp. Signature rubber pebbling at back heel. Leather lining. Leather sole with rubber pebbling. Leather / Rubber.
The fake Tod's Penny Loafers you get will be the same as the pictures.

All markings and accessories are exact!

The best quality in China, comes with shoe box and dust bag"

Mochi

Veteran

(Whoops. Edited to add that I crossposted this with your last comment, which I haven't read yet.)

Thanks. I would not have gotten a dust bag, etc, because I didn't buy them "new." The size seems to conform...only listed on the inside and not on the bottom of the shoe.

I'm not sure when I'll have a chance to get there, but hopefully tomorrow...will let you know what happens.

Jeez, this is the first thing I've bought for myself in around six months!

(Oh well....Tiny Little First World Problem, as my friend would call it)

Mochi

Veteran

Thanks for looking all this up for me, Claudia!

Claudia

Veteran

My other thought is to call Tod's directly with the shoe's style number/code and ask if there was a known material defect/problem with this particular shoe.

My mom had a couple of pairs of Clark's that fell apart quickly (she always had great luck in the past with Clark's shoes quality) and she called the company directly to complain. They asked for the codes on the shoes and then told her that they were aware of problems, her shoes were on a list, and that it happened with defective glue/materials and they told her she could order any two shoes from their site at no charge to replace her defective pairs regardless of cost differences. They didn't ask for receipts on the bad pairs.

Anonymous

That is crazy -- they totally disintegrated!

Could it be there was a manufacturing flaw too, or they were old stock and the rubber was old?

How disappointing for you! I would email the company with pictures also. I know you didn't buy from there directly, but they should know if there is a major issue with the shoes.

Mochi

Veteran

Thanks! I will try this. I'm so glad I documented the original purchase here, too.

Deborah

Veteran

Mochi I am so sorry. I am glad you have this all documented and I hope you find a positive resolution at the consignment store. I saw a lot of Tods knock offs in Thailand last year. I would have thought the store had some responsibility to verify what they were selling?

Mochi

Veteran

That's a good point, too, Deb.

I think that if nothing else, the power of this blog will have some effect. I've heard of other people (in general, not YLF) having a tough time getting redress until they mention they own a blog or something where they can instantaneously communicate on a large scale...and with that discolosure, suddenly they are treated very differently.

I don't have any particular problem with this consignment store chain (they're all around the Boston area, with some stores in NYC and even in other states). It's just that their policy is not to take returns (I'm always amazed when I read of Claire or someone else wondering whether they should return something they thrifted--does not happen here in Boston, anyway). This is the first time I have any problem with something they sold me, so we'll have to see. I think/hope they will work with me. I'm still extremely disappointed, as well as inconvenienced. Will report back!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Wow - Mochi - that is awful!! They're a complete mess! Who would have imagined?

I think talking with the people at STA and if neccessary communicating with TODS is the way to go. This is completely unacceptable. Can't wait to hear what happens.

Diana

Veteran

Oh no! How terrible! That is really horrible looking - I have had shoes fall apart dramatically in the past (from a place I no longer shop because of it) but even then it was after a few months of wear and it was something like the sole coming unglued or seams bursting, nothing like this. I am honestly kind of flabbergasted at how badly these must have been made to be literally disintegrating before your eyes. (Some kind of structural flaw maybe? It's so weird that the two are falling apart in almost exactly the same way...) I can verify that they looked perfectly fine in person (and in excellent condition) when you wore them on Sunday.

I would definitely contact STA. Can't hurt in any case. If you paid w/ a credit card you'll have the charge on your statement and I'm sure STA keeps records of sales so they can match them up. Make sure you show them the actual shoes or at least the photo above - it's amazing how bad it is!

ETA: I think they would want to know since part of STA's cachet is that they sell high-end genuine, high-quality items, and it does nothing for their reputation if they are going around selling potentially fake or poor quality items.

Mander

(website)

Veteran

I would think that they would still be obligated to take back merchandise that is defective, even though they don't take returns in the event that you changed your mind. Certainly it works that way here in the UK -- even if a retailer doesn't normally take returns, if it turns out not to be fit for purpose then they have to take them back or make it good with you.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Having bought (and sold) quite a lot of second hand shoes, another possibility is that the shoes had been left out in the sun and rain, or otherwise abused, and dried out. They might be genuine Tod's (although I would definitely check the ebay guide and see if they have any signs of forgery), but there is no way for you - or the consignment shop - to know what their history has been. I would definitely see if the shop will refund your money in any case. So sorry this happened!

DonnaF

Veteran

Do you know/can you tell when the shoes were made? When we were doing some remodeling, DH boxed up some of my shoes and I think he stored them in our attic. Years later, he brought them down. The first time I wore a pair or two, (Eccos? Munros?) the rubber completely disintegrated and crumbled like that and made a sticky mess. With another pair of boxed shoes and a pair of thrifted ones, the insides looked perfect, but the next time I wore them the lining disintegrated and basically shredded on my feet.

shiny

Veteran

What Shevia and Donna said. I've had this happen as well, to running shoes. My favorite model was being discontinued, so I thought I was being smart buying several pairs. I stored them away and every year broke out a fresh pair. But after a few years the rubber began to disintegrate, without having worn them. They were not even stored in the attic; I'm sure heat would have disintegrated them a lot faster.

Or, they are fakes. And I always fret about this when I'm consignment shopping. I fretted that my two recent handbag purchases (Kate Spade, Moschino) were fakes. I don't think they are -- they both seem very well made, I can't find a flaw on either -- but with second hand, you just never know.

I would take them back to STA. Can't hurt to ask for a return. If nothing else, maybe they'll give you a credit or a discount on your next purchase. Be sure to ask to talk to the manager.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Holy cow - that's not just a tiny problem, like you say the shoes have completely disintegrated. Absolutely ridiculous!

Definitely speak with the store where you bought them and fight for a refund. They should not be selling something that would completely fall apart after a second wearing.

rute

Veteran

Tod's leaofers should last a lot more! Did you bought them on a Tod's store? I would write them and explain what happened! Those brands have a good costumer service.

catgirl

Veteran

Dang, that's frustrating. Our consignment stores don't offer any guarantees of authenticity or a return policy.

When my quilted booties fell apart, I emailed the manufacturer and they actualyl responded helpfully. But since these were secondhand, they may have a history, as Shevia said.

SO SORRY, Mochi (though tiny little first world problem made me laugh)!