I bought low quality shoes. Is it possible and how to return worn shoes?

01.03.2018 Jurisprudence

What to do if your shoes are torn, which you've only worn a few times. Of course, we are not talking about spoilage or other cases of improper care. First, you should prepare a written complaint, in which you must clearly indicate the defect that appears on the product and clarify your requirements.

What to do to get money back for torn shoes

The complaint is drawn up in 2 copies, one of which you leave with the sales employee, and on the second copy the seller must indicate the date of receipt of the petition and put his signature. The second copy must be with the buyer. If the results of the examination confirm that the store is not guilty of damaging the shoes, do not worry. There is another opportunity to return the shoes - you have the right to re-conduct an independent examination in any organization at your discretion, but now at your own expense.

It is advisable that the re-examination be scheduled at judicial procedure and only if you are really sure that you are right (since all costs are paid from personal funds). If you win this case, the store is obliged to reimburse all your expenses.

What to do if your shoes break before the warranty period expires? If a product is found to be defective, the buyer has the right to demand from the store employee:
- replacement with a product of the same company or model;
- replacement with a similar product of another company or model, taking into account the recalculation of the cost of the product;
- reducing the purchase price;
- eliminating defects, performing free repairs (or reimbursement of costs);
- refund of money paid for the goods.

What to do if an examination of torn shoes is carried out

If you have a document confirming that the product, for example, has been submitted for examination, require the results of the examination to be provided in writing. It will be easier for the owner of such a document to terminate the contract and return the money, citing the fact that when purchasing the shoes, the seller did not warn you about the possibility of the soles peeling off.

If your request for a refund is refused, you must pick up your shoes and Required documents, and then write a second statement regarding the return of the amount paid, indicating the reason - defective goods. The submitted application must be reviewed within 10 days. At this time, you can contact the Russian consumer supervision authority. If the money is not returned and the product is not replaced, you will have to contact the judicial authorities.

You need to present all documents and receipts to the judicial authorities, so try to save them. In addition, you will need a photocopy of the examination report and photocopies of those papers that confirm the execution of the transaction with this salesperson. Your claim for reimbursement of costs for the examination must be noted in the application.

The Consumer Protection Act explains how to return worn shoes, if a manufacturing defect is detected in it. This opportunity to return the purchase price or exchange shoes for another pair without defects exists for 2 years from the date of purchase of the product.

Instructions for returning used shoes

1. If you find a defect on your shoes after you have put them on, you need to carefully wash the product, dry it, pack it in the original box and go to the store. When contacting the seller with a defective product, you need to take the sales receipt with you, otherwise, if you do not have one, the seller will claim that the defective pair was purchased at another store.

3. The main requirement is that a used product must be intact, without scratches, without signs of intense wear. Only those products in which a defect was detected at the initial stage of operation or a manufacturing defect appeared during careful use are subject to exchange.

4. The salesperson must carry out an examination (at personal expense) and present its results to the buyer. If the report states that the damage occurred due to poor care (use or storage), the buyer has the right, having independently paid for the examination, to check the quality of the product from independent experts and receive the results in writing. With this document you can apply to the judicial authorities with a claim.

5. You can recover the full cost of the product from the salesperson, as well as return legal costs and expenses associated with the examination.

When is it permissible to return used shoes?

How to return used shoes if the purchased product does not fit the size, color, style, type or configuration? Such an exchange can be completed within 2 weeks, excluding the day of purchase. An important condition is that the presentation of the shoes is not damaged, its consumer characteristics, labels, sales receipt or other document that confirms payment are preserved.

Claims that the purchased product is uncomfortable to wear and rubs your feet do not indicate the presence of defects in the shoes. Often, discomfort in wearing is due to the discrepancy between the selected shoes and the anatomical properties of the foot or the wrong size of the product.

Less commonly, discomfort can be caused by a manufacturing defect (wrong block or deviations in the technical processes of manufacturing the product).
For 2 weeks, the buyer has the opportunity to take a closer look at the new item at home and decide whether the shoes fit him in size.

Everyone has probably been in a situation where buying new shoes in the end it doesn't bring joy. Trying it on while the sellers praise you, you miss many important points - the comfort of the last, the quality of the product, or just some shoe turns out to be tight. Disappointment usually sets in at home when the money has been paid and it seems that nothing can be done. However, do not despair - the law is on the side of the buyers!

If for some reason after purchasing you decide to return the shoes to the store, you need to put aside the feeling of false shame and try to do it as quickly as possible. After all, according to the Law of the Russian Federation “On the Protection of Consumer Rights” you have a limited period - 14 days. You should get your money back or exchange it for another product. The most important thing when returning:
  • have purchased shoes of the proper type;
  • sales receipt for purchase;
  • guarantee receipt (in case of detection of a defect);
  • passport;
  • invest within 14 days.
Before returning, first make sure the shoes are clean, because... The seller may also, according to the Law, refuse you because the product is not marketable. In addition, the pair of shoes returned must be unworn. If shoes are returned due to defects, then the buyer has the right to return the goods of inadequate quality, according to the law, within a two-year period. That's why appearance shoes may become imperfect during wear, but the store is obliged to return your money for it if the manufacturer’s defect is proven. If the seller is ready to immediately make concessions and the defect is obvious, a refund is made within 10 days.


If the seller refuses to accept defective/defective shoes within the period specified by law, be sure to contact the management of the shoe center. Many of the stores, especially large and reputable ones, value their reputation, so they meet their customers halfway quite often. If, however, an unreasonable refusal was received when returning the shoes, write a written claim in two copies, and be sure to ask for a mark of its acceptance on one. Having a claim will make further proceedings easier. A claim is drawn up in any form addressed to the store director, indicating all the nuances and your requirements. Don't forget to refer to the relevant articles of the law.

Download from our website: .


The next step is to contact the Consumer Protection Service. To do this, first prepare a written request of the above sample and attach the necessary documents. It may be necessary to prove the inadequate quality of shoes through examination. If her guarantee period has not expired - the seller pays for the examination, otherwise an independent assessment is worth a personal investment. In the future, if you are found to be right, all costs will be reimbursed by the seller. The result of the examination can also be appealed in court. When you have the expert report in hand, go back to the seller and hand it over along with the claim. Important: do not forget to indicate in the application the amount of compensation for your expenses. The most the last stage The buyer may go to court. However, the situation reaches such radical measures extremely rarely. Advice: make it a rule to keep all purchase receipts and warranty cards; in the future, this will facilitate any proceedings regarding the purchased product.

View it on our website: .


Knowledge of the law will help in many life situations. Therefore, if you decide to return your shoes to a store, be persistent and confident in your rights, and when you still cannot resolve the issue of return yourself, contact a lawyer.