Buying shoes

Took my child to get a pair of shoes today and the

process was dreadful, she was measured one whole size different and told the shoes did not come in her size, but they do!

We went specifically to get a pair of Start rite lovely red patent shoes for my Dorothy aged 3.

We have had these before and love the style. Classic, good heel counter, well made and in a lovely colour. Her sister has them for school and my only request is that they extend the colours into the bigger sizes.

First stop John Lewis who despite no queues keep us waiting for half an hour. (Why?) Chap comes out and measures her on a Clarks gauge and declares that she is a size 8 and a 1/2 and that the requested shoes are not in stock as they finish that colour (not the style) at size 6 and a 1/2. Not true! We try another style of red patent but they are the last pair and the display shoe, ill fitting and not what we had set out for.

Next stop Russell & Bromley who did pay attention to the queue and the wait was brief. We were measured again, this time on a Start Rite gauge. The young shoe fitter tried the bigger gauge first ,too small, and then the baby gauge which is non-weightbearing. Dolly was declared to be a size 7 and a half! I decided not to ask why she had measured one whole size smaller than the last measurement and thought I would see how it panned out. I asked for the red Mary Jane patents, that were in the shop. The response; that was not possible as they started at 8 and a half!

I insisted on trying the 8 1/2 pair and they fitted well. However when I asked to recheck the sizing and this was duly done and then I agreed to buy the shoes. I was told I would be a "self fit" as I had not gone with her measurement! Apparently this means that any blisters or tripping up caused by the shoes would be my fault!

So in summary

I am invited to speak on womans hour about childrens shoes as a foot expert and am met with this ridiculous scenario when buying for my own child.

Two well known stores, one classic brand and so much mis-information. Actually the red colourway is available on the wonderful Start Rite website easily and simply in a size 9.

So much for getting them professionally fitted!