Brantano Bargains are AWOL (Brantano)

Member Name: MrsDave

Product:	Brantano
Date:	12/11/08 (95 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: There's a free foot measuring service

Disadvantages: High prices, uneven quality, some really shocking bad quality shoes

I used to like shopping in Brantano for the odd pair of everyday shoes but I recently got quite a shock when I went in and found that they have doubled the prices of most of their ladies' shoes! I have previously relied on them for a couple of pairs of casual shoes at low prices while buying my nice shoes from somewhere like Barratts but on looking the other day around my local branch I found that the prices were the same as Barratts while the quality remains as mediocre as ever.

Brantano has never been a place to get the best shoes from. If you examine a lot of the shoes up closely you will find poor stitching and weak soles. This has not been an issue for me in the past because the prices have been so low I have not minded compromising on quality to get the price I wanted to pay. Now I find poorly stitched boots with weak soles are on sale for £65 a pair and that to me is not acceptable quality for money.

On the brighter side of things they do have some nice children's shoes in here still. I especially like the range of Clarke's shoes and sports trainers that they sell in my grandson's size. They offer a free fitting service in this store which is extremely important for young children as their feet are constantly growing. Not all of the shoes are great in the children's section though, I was appalled with a pair of Thomas the Tank Engine trainers they were selling for £18 as they were so poorly made that when done up, the velcro tabs did not even reach the other side of the trainer! They were too short unless you took the trainers off and really yanked them across. The tongues were not the same size on both shoes and the soles had absolutely no shape to them either. Yet for £3 they do a similar pair with better velcro tabs in Woolworths.

I used to like that I could walk around this shop and find all of the shoes laid out in pairs for me to try on without the need for assistance. However I am increasingly finding that stock is not replenished regularly and that there is a very limited number of everyday shoes on offer. Most of the items out on display look out of place with things like stilletoes and knee-high boots taking priority over mules and court shoes.

I think Brantano need to pick a market and stick to it really. I think they are mixing too drastic a price and quality variation under one roof to make it a pleasant shopping experience any more. A couple of years ago I would have given this store four stars but now I feel that two is being generous.

Summary: I just don't recommend this shoe shop anymore.