Personally I would buy boots on how they feel not how you measure - I was measured for ski boots at Snow and Rock and they were advising a size smaller than I would normally expect.

I tried on the size they recommended and also insisted on trying on the size I thought I was. The size I was measured at gave me very uncomfortable boots (even tried on the same size from 3 different manufacturers).

Tried on the size larger (that I expected) and they were just right.

So - in conclusion - I would not trust how they 'measure' I would trust 'how they feel'.

They gave you v.bad advice! Being a boot fitter myself, Borneo's should be bought with a v.snug fit. This is for two reasons, firstly the MFS needs a snug fit to properly adapt to your foot shape, and being an all leather boot they really do give a lot! so I think 10's or maybe even 9.5's might be good (Meindl Sizes come up quite large!).

Check out Asolo Boots if you have very narrow feet - their VERY high quality boots as well, better made than Scarpa or Meindl in my opinion

Sounds like incompetent boot fitting from someone that doesn't know their product. Id advise you to go back, talk to the manager and the boot fitter as well (preferably at the same time). If all else fails then make a scene :-)

I have the receipt for the boots, but I get the feeling I am going to get the” sorry but as there is no fault with them, there is nothing we can do” answer. Do I have a right to say, sorry but I can’t wear these boots, as you fitted them, and they don't fit me. The shop where I purchased them , the 2 chaps who own it, are top quality blokes, both well up on gear, I just feel I am going to come off second best on this very costly mistake. The boots felt snug when I bought them, but now are just way to big...

I wish you luck in getting them exchanged / your money back but if you fail then I would be interested in them.

Frank

Well they made profit on the boots they sold you - even if you *cannot* encourage them to give you a refund - perhaps they will sell you a replacement at below cost (i.e. cost price of new boots less profit made on the ones they sold you).

At least that way they are not actually out of pocket and it's going to be a lot less costly for you...

(Although obviously a full refund or replacement for the smaller size is still better!)

Salopianman: did you not try the 10 on at the same time? i always like to try half a size eitherside of what they recomand in shops just so i can feel what is the best. its good to be told you need this size but at the end of the day you need to feel how it feels on your feet. and even if what they recoman is the best size you will know this when you try on the next size as it will feel obvious that its the right shoe.

anyway i wish you the best in gettign it sorted, boots are so hard to get right and so costly to get wrong.

I let a so called boot fitting expert in a well known outdoors shop in Aberdeen talk me into a 10.5 keen Targhee. I can now only wear them with very thin socks and for "leisure" use. A thicker sock or when my feet get hot they are just to tight. I should have stuck to my size 11's. I have bought several boots/shoes etc from the net and stick with 11's. With a bit of playing around with socks they all fit fine..
Lesson is that most of these experts haven't got a clue. Save time in all the "fitting" malarkey and get them to pull a couple of sizes of the boots you want to try and then ask them to leave you to get on with it yourself.

Salopianman,

If they gave you bad advice and you bought the boots in reliance on that, and now the boots don't fit, then the shop's advice was negligent and you're entitled to compensation.

It's not like the sort of situation that more usually comes up here, because you're not complaining that there's actually anything wrong with the boots. The boots are fine: it was the advice that caused the problem.

As has already been said, go in and be polite but firm. Causing a row achieves nothing: you need to try to get them on your side. To try to do that you need to explain to them calmly exactly what happened i.e. the assistant advised you that you needed the bigger size and you relied on him, because he held himself out as an expert. Now the boots don't fit, they're useless to you and you either need a replacement or a refund.

You took them back as soon as you'd worn them, and that was within a week of purchase, and so it seems to me that they really ought to swap them for a pair in the right size or refund your money.

If they refuse to do that then you could bring a claim against them in the Small Claims Court. Have a look here for further information. Before doing that, though, you should write to them, in calm terms, again explaining exactly what happened and telling them that if they don't refund your money, or replace the boots with the right size, then you'll take them to the Small Claims Court.

What a major pain it is - I really hope you can get it sorted out. Good luck.

Personally, I'd take Peewiglet's advise, "go in and be polite but firm".
Ask the manager if he's willing to meet you halfway, maybe sell you another pair (size 10) at cost price? I'm sure you'll make up the shortfall by selling the boots you have on ebay or something.

I'd certainly advise against "If all else fails then make a scene"


Glyn.

Laurence Elliot - I thought you may appreciate a different view: I've had years of problems with blisters and tried EVERYTHING to get rid of them with no success until recently. The solution - Meindl Borneos with plenty of room (certainly no way near a v.snug fit).

I'm sure I'm the exception rather than the rule, but it works for me, when nothing else has!

I'm surprised half a boot size can make that much difference (sock thickness can adjust for this difference?), but then as I said above, I need space in my boots.

Incidentally, I had a very similar experience with my first Paramo smock. I wasn't sure whether I should buy a snug one or a baggier one, so I took the advice of the two young women working in the shop that snug was best. I took the smock up to Scotland that weekend and almost developed hypothermia: it became immediately apparent that I should have got the baggier one so that I could put another layer underneath.

I took it back, explained and requested a larger smock. The manager was very unwilling to give me one, and pointed out that I'd worn it, but I explained that I couldn't have known there was a problem without wearing it since I'd relied on his two assistants to advise me on the size. Eventually he relented.

I hope this encourages you :)

Personally I would recommend people take their own advice rather than people in shops - if it 'feels' too tight or too slack it probably is.

A machine may measure you feet exactly - but I have seen variance between two (otherwise identical) pairs of boots - let alone the difference between different makes.

If buying boots I would probably recommend someone 'walk' a decent distance to the shop (rather than just jumping out of the car) so their feet will be warm and nearer how they would be when actually wearing the boots.

Also make sure you would try them on with the same socks (and liner if you wear one) as you would normally.

Personally once you find the boots you want I would even be tempted to try on another pair (same make / same size) just to compare the fit.

Lastly - take them home and walk about 'indoors' and leave them on for a while. If they are not right it is going to be a lot easier for the shopkeeper to take them back than if the have been 'worn' outside.

would another option not be to hav cleaned them up so they looked like new and then bent the truth slightly saying you had only worn them indoors, afterall the sole should not of worn that much if they had only been worn once. but i supose they know you now and that would not be an option

Best to make sure they are comfortable ideally before leaving the shop, certainly before wearing them 'outside' and before taking the tags off.

I got my Borneos from White and Bishop, they suggested I try size 8 and 8.5. I vary between a 8 and 9, dependent on manufacturor.

The chap actually said the smaller size would likely be best due to the MFS needing to mould itself to me.

I took home the size 8s a little concerned they were too snug. He did say however that I should wear them around the house for a week, see how they felt and that they would certainly exchange them if I felt I needed the larger size. Maybe all good retailers advise this? I do know it's not unusual if buying from 'independant' shops.

They were perfect as it happens.

Well the nice approach didn’t work, they would like to put adjusters, volume reducers, and heel lifts in.etc.etc.he said absolutely no chance of a refund, or an exchange. He did recommend putting them on EBay & selling them for £99.00,”AS SOMEONE WOULD SNAP MY HAND OFF”(his words not mine) so looks like it’s eBay for my new Borneo boots, So anyone who wants a pair of 3 week old boots size 10.5. They will be going on sale on ebay for £99.00. If you want to save the EBay fee, mail me and the boots are your...Inc receipt if you want it.

Did you tell them that "you'll take them to the Small Claims Court"?

No, i din't i was tring to be Mr Nice guy, I don't know if i can be bothered with all the hassle, i just want rid of the boots now, but i will not be using Spike outdoors(Shrewsbury) for any of my future purchases.The fact he said if i was to buy another pair of size 10 Borneo boots off him he would not loose out on the deal, he would still make some money from it.really pi**ed me off...Ebay here i come.

Hey Paul, thats interesting mate, you are definitely the exception to the rule though! When I bought my Borneos there were quite a few pressure points, and the scree collar was chafing my leg a lot. It all went away cause of the MFS and leather adapting to my foot, and I can even use slightly thicker socks now they've given a bit

Really sorry to here all this Salopianman. My advice to make a scene was just based on where I work - Cotswold (not a great store), where there obsessed with appearances. Hope you get a good price on ebay mate

Well sounds like a retailer to be avoided - hope they read these forums as well!

It is difficult as they had been worn 'outside' (hence my comment about wearing them in the house etc.) - but they could have done something as a goodwill gesture.

If they gave you new boots at cost (or slightly less considering the profit they made on the original deal) and you sold the boots on ebay you would probably not have lost out...

But guess you will have to sell the boots on ebay and try and find the boots at a discount on the net now that you know the size etc.

You should certainly be able to get them for about £100 but not sure if you will really get £99 on ebay for your old boots! ;(