I just wanted to tell you about the horrible experience I have had at Navyboot. At first I thought that this was a great Swiss shoe company, but boy was I mistaken. I bought a very expensive pair of boots there a few weeks ago, and after one hour of wear, one of the heels broke off. Needless to say, I was extremely disappointed with the terrible quality of what I thought were nice boots.
So, as can be expected at any store in the States, if something like this happens, you take the shoes in and get your money back, or at least a new pair of shoes. Quite the contrary. Instead, the woman looked at me like I was crazy and told me that the heel probably broke off because I walked funny. I was completely shocked at this response. The only solution that they provided me with was to get the boots repaired.
When I went back after the boots were ready, I stressed one more time that I no longer wanted this boots, for fear that each time I would wear them, I would have to hobble around without a heel. Again, they told me that there was no other option than to take the boots home. I even spoke with the "big boss" (as he called himself) and he was even more rude than the woman I spoke with on the floor.
I have never been treated so poorly at a store in my life, nor have I spent so much money on such crap.
The situation has still not been resolved, and I have to go back to the store one more time with a Swiss colleague so that she can speak to the man in german, because his english was non-existant.
I just wanted to share my story so that none of you have to go through a similar experience.
Please do me a favor and spread this message. Navyboot does not deserve to be in business selling such horrible quality shoes for such ridiculous prices.
Mmmm you broke a heel. Serious stuff. God know what would have happened if you broke a nail.
I have several pairs of Navyboot shoes and they are great. The staff in the Bahnhofstrasse store are very friendly and helpful, and if you avoid the cheap end of their range (soft synthetic soles, bad quality satin glazed leather) then you have a good pair of shoes especially the welted brogues... Personally I prefer Loake & Barkers, but thats by-the-by.
You have two plus maybe even another option:
a)write to them in German and try and talk to the organ-grinder rather than the monkey;
b) or as you suggested go in there with a native and slug it out in an all-in-tag-team-grudge-match-with-kona-300lb-of-Samoan-dynamite.
Someone was telling me about trying to reason with a young sales assistant on the telephone for a long time, and after about ten minutes trying to explain the obvious to the guy in the shop he said:
"I am sick of this, let me talk to your Dad. Put your Dad on."
Ok well i guess most people will reply that Navy Boot are a very high quality store and sell good products and i would agree with this too.
However i suppose as whats happened to the OP there can be the occasional dodgy product thats sold.
The OP should be 100% entitled to a full refund or new boots and not be told "you were probably walking funny" thats the most ridiculous response i've ever heard so OP i can fully understand your frustration.
Go for it and have your swiss colleague with you. Have everything documented and ready so it can be fully resolved in this one visit.
It is normally up to manufacturer to decided how to remedy a fault. Mind you I am aware of the Swiss attitude that once they have your cash they don't care.
From an Irish/UK perspective the sale of goods is governed by the following principles, do similar principles not hold in CH?:
-must be fit for purpose
-contract is between buyer and seller
-manufacturer may be involved to remedy fault but is not liable
-manufacturer warranty is an option, legall guarantee can be invoked by buyer against seller as they are the contracting parties
therefore the buyer needs to resolve against the shop's policies
personally i've had similar problems with mobile phones where the principle in CH seems to be that until something has been sent for repair a third time within a year, it is only then replaced.
does anyone know the general refund/replacement principles legally applicable here in CH?
I second that, but although extremely high quality, the styles were a little too delicate for my feet, and they tended to wear out faster than I could justify replacement. If you go for Barkers or even Grenson, I found the leather is a little thicker and stiffer , well able to withstand years of abuse.
I have some Loake brogues that I have had for about 8 years. The lifecycle-costs are somewhat skewed by the ridiculous costs of getting shoes re-soled. Outrageous prices in this town.
I bought a pair of Paul Smith brown shoes at Christmas in the sale. The have a city scene embossed on the sole and patterned insteps. A real work of art. So much so in fact that I have never worn them for fear of losing the pattern. What a sad fashion victim I am. Maybe I should designate them my Talacker shoes, and wear them once every 14 days for 23 hours solid.
No no no. If you are in that price league then you should buy proper shoes. Check out Trickers. They do last for years and the leather sole is designed for walking across fields so it is as thick as a slice of toast.