Returning skates to my LHS.

[brent 1]

I bought a pair of One80's last week at my LHS, and after skating on them twice I've come to the conclusion that they are just too big. I'm coming out of a pair of One90's (8.5D) and when I went in to look at new skates the salesman fitted me into a pair of 9.5D skates. I mentioned that my last pair was a full size smaller, and he went on about the different sizing. Felt alright when I was walking in them, I told him they felt a little loose and he said just get them baked and they will be fine.

Well, I went to an open skate and put in about 35 minutes before I couldn't take it anymore. Took off the skate, and my socks were bloody. Went to a drop in and about 20 minutes in the pain was too much to go on. I was talking to the "coach" who runs drills at the start of that skate and he asked me if I could feel the end of my skate with my toe if I stretched it out. I told him no, and he confirmed for me that they are too big.

ANYWAYS...

What are the chances that my LHS will exchange these for me? I did use them twice and they are baked, sharpened, and profiled. I know its probably my fault that I didn't try on a smaller size at the store, but I'm not that educated when it comes to buying skates and the salesmen told me I'd be fine when I brought up my minor concerns. I just REALLY don't want to go through having to sell these things myself and going out to pick up a new set. Just joined a summer league and I don't have the extra cash to buy a new pair then sell these things. Gonna go there tomorrow, but I was just looking for some insight. Thanks!

[Drewhunz 3]

Nope. Once they are sharpened they are yours. At least in my shop.

[Krev 86]

Pretty much what Drew said applies everywhere. If you have a Play It Again Sports in your area that supports hockey, that'll be your best bet.

[brent 1]

Figured as much.

[Scotty 8]

Sounds like a tough lesson, but go with what feels right to you. If a skate feels too loose before breaking in, it certainly will once you've stretched it a bit and sweated down some of the pads.

Sucks to be in the situation, but maybe sell them on Ebay.

[JR Boucicaut 3804]

Eh, I guess it would be up to the shop.

If you went by the salesman's advice and was misfitted, I'd say you'd have much of a case, if you are able to prove it doesn't work for you. Having him there would probably help as you'd probably have to catch him in a situation in which he agrees that there wasn't any insistance on your part to get the bigger skate.

When I ran a store, I'd run into the ones who insisted on getting bigger skates. That's when I would write a disclaimer on the receipt that they ignored our advice and there isn't a return policy.

But most shops it is, if sharpened (or DEFINITELY skated on), they're yours.

[brent 1]

Pretty much what Drew said applies everywhere. If you have a Play It Again Sports in your area that supports hockey, that'll be your best bet.

What could I expect to get from Play it again? $50 for a pair of $400 skates? Serious question! Either way, durrr@me for this whole situation.

And thanks for the input!

[epstud74 24]

I do think shops should hold themselves more accountable for skates that were fitted poorly at their shop. Perhaps this would lead to better trained and competent employees.

[brent 1]

Kid looked like he was still in HS, but I know that doesn't mean anything. I thought it was a little odd though, I went in wanting to look at a pair of Easton Se16's and he gave me an earful of reasons why to not even consider that skate.

Its a pretty well known hockey shop in Michigan, but I'm not sure if its in good taste to mention it. And I'm not saying its their fault anyways.

[Krev 86]

What could I expect to get from Play it again? $50 for a pair of $400 skates? Serious question! Either way, durrr@me for this whole situation.

And thanks for the input!

Might be closer to $200 since they are basically brand new and are this years model. And since you don't know what will fit your foot there if they have a wide selection, you might just end up doing a straight trade. Just brush up on your bartering skills. B)

[JR Boucicaut 3804]

PMd.

[DarkStar50 679]

If you ever have a doubt about how the skates fit, too big or too small, show the saleskid a trick: pull out the footbed and stand on it. That will give you plenty on information if a skate is too big or small by seeing where your toes are on the front of the footbed. This is not an end all conclusion, but it sure helps you know if skates are too big if you see a lot of room from your toes to the end of the footbed. Take them out of your ONE80s and see for yourself.

[joeyisfunny 0]

Might be closer to $200 since they are basically brand new and are this years model. And since you don't know what will fit your foot there if they have a wide selection, you might just end up doing a straight trade. Just brush up on your bartering skills. B)

Nope, it'd be about $70. I had looked into it before I sold my first pair of One80s on ebay for $300! ;)

I personally think you should talk to the store manager and raise hell about how even after you told the salesman they felt big he still told you to get them and just bake them. Tell them that if their associates dont realize that skates are baked to expand slightly which would make big skates even bigger than they should be responsible enough to accept the return of skates even after they were worn because it was their fault.

[Shayno 1]

Once thier sharpened.....you can't return, but in my opinion, I would walk back in there(LHS), and tell them(owner,manager), what happened.....you have a good case!! The LHS has to take some responsibility don't they?

Go in and give them an earfull, and if you can't return, then off to e-bay!

Good luck!

[kredmore 2]

Eh, I guess it would be up to the shop.

If you went by the salesman's advice and was misfitted, I'd say you'd have much of a case, if you are able to prove it doesn't work for you. Having him there would probably help as you'd probably have to catch him in a situation in which he agrees that there wasn't any insistance on your part to get the bigger skate.

When I ran a store, I'd run into the ones who insisted on getting bigger skates. That's when I would write a disclaimer on the receipt that they ignored our advice and there isn't a return policy.

But most shops it is, if sharpened (or DEFINITELY skated on), they're yours.

I agree, as it depends on the shop and your relationship with them. It can't hurt to be honest with them, as they might work with you. I was in a similar situation a few years ago when I got back into hockey. My LHS and I just worked through it to a fair compromise for both of us. Basically, the LHS helped me out, and I have been back there for all my needs (and my kids' too).

[Kyle2123 0]

I bought a new pair of skates for my son at Perani's last weekend and I asked the manager this exact question. The manager told me that if you worked with the salesman and followed their sizing recommendations and it ends up that the skates don't fit (in other words, they screwed up and sized you wrong) they would give a full refund. There's a huge difference in skate shops though. When I go to a place like Peranis I always feel like I am working with someone that knows what they are talking about. There are other shops nearby that sound like what you are describing -- there's some kid who looks like he's still in HS that measures your foot, tells you a size, and then walks away... I never buy skates from those places.

[NuggyBuggy 0]

Figured as much.

Considering the apparently gross mis-sizing resulting in injury, and the fact that this was done despite some objection on your part, plus the (seemingly to me) non-sensical argument that baking the skates will fix the looseness you complained about, and I'd say you have a reasonable case that the store should make good.

When I bought my skates I was told that if they didn't work for me, I could bring them back within reason. I didn't need to, and have since bought several more pairs of skates from them (Just Hockey, Don Mills store), in part because I believe that they will take care of me. N.B. this was years ago so their policy may have changed.

IMO there should be some accountability on the part of the shop, or you should find a different one. Isn't this part of the value proposition in shopping at an LHS with supposedly knowlegable service people ? Not every customer knows all or even any of the ins and outs of skate fitting. If we can't trust the people working at an LHS, why should we shop there ?

I would go back and explain everything to the manager. The sooner you do it the better you will make your case.

[raganblink 82]

As Drew said since they've been sharpened they are yours, pretty much applies everywhere. HOWEVER, considering your saying their employee sized you and put you in this size, apparently the wrong size, I would definitely talk to the manager there about this, and ask for either an exchange on the right size, and if they don't go for that then a majority refund (like 90% or so). Our policy is if we size you in the wrong skate you'll either get all or most of your money back. Only happened once in a situation much like yours, guy ended up trading for a better pair and some cash. Good luck, and if not, JR or ebay sounds like a good bet.

[jimmy 194]

I do think shops should hold themselves more accountable for skates that were fitted poorly at their shop. Perhaps this would lead to better trained and competent employees.

I'm all for better trained employees but against accountability. Despite best fitting efforts, there is always going to be a chance that the skate will not work for a customer. Feet are so different and a store employee has no idea how the skate feels on the customers feet, they have to rely a lot on customer feedback. Keep in mind that customers are sometimes "locked" on a particular "popular" model, and despite what the salesperson does, they are going to get them no matter what, and will say they feel perfect, even though they don't fit perfect. Salespeople should avoid recommending a specific size, instead have the customer try on several sizes/models/brands and let them pick the one that they think feels best. This will avoid the "you told me I'm a size 8" situation. Nevertheless, for the OP, I would go back to the LHS, explain what happened, and while they probably won't take back a bloody skate, they may sell you another one at cost or a big discount, or help you sell your skates. Worth a shot.

[Chadd 916]

I'm all for better trained employees but against accountability. Despite best fitting efforts, there is always going to be a chance that the skate will not work for a customer. Feet are so different and a store employee has no idea how the skate feels on the customers feet, they have to rely a lot on customer feedback. Keep in mind that customers are sometimes "locked" on a particular "popular" model, and despite what the salesperson does, they are going to get them no matter what, and will say they feel perfect, even though they don't fit perfect. Salespeople should avoid recommending a specific size, instead have the customer try on several sizes/models/brands and let them pick the one that they think feels best. This will avoid the "you told me I'm a size 8" situation. Nevertheless, for the OP, I would go back to the LHS, explain what happened, and while they probably won't take back a bloody skate, they may sell you another one at cost or a big discount, or help you sell your skates. Worth a shot.

I agree completely about fitting/selling skates and I wish more shops would do that. The number on the box doesn't matter and the only thing that does is the fit of the boot on your foot.

[JR Boucicaut 3804]

You are right, which is why I stress full honesty when it comes to his situation.

Plenty of times I've run into resistance with skate fitting, and I merely write a comment on the receipt that the customer went against our advice and we are not responsible for any issues because the skate was too big. In his situation however, he went with their advice.

He told me the chain where he bought the skates, and while it does not surprise me at all that he was misfitted (which is funny considering the other poster's comments), I told him who he needed to speak to if it is not resolved at the store level.

[Krev 86]

Nope, it'd be about $70. I had looked into it before I sold my first pair of One80s on ebay for $300! ;)

I got up to about $180 for a pair of One75's last year that were skated on once, but I had to wrangle with the manager for a bit. Needless to say, I'm rarely at a PIAS anyways, but I wanted some sticks they had and the skates were just sitting collecting dust.

[yrhmblnr8r 69]

I got up to about $180 for a pair of One75's last year that were skated on once, but I had to wrangle with the manager for a bit. Needless to say, I'm rarely at a PIAS anyways, but I wanted some sticks they had and the skates were just sitting collecting dust.

A while back, I considered dumping some sticks I wasn't using at the local PIAS. Used OPS, mind you, not nearly new skates. If retail was $150, they set their sticker price at $75. Then they offered me $30 in trade (40% of sticker) or $22.50 cash (30% of sticker).

At those percentages, I say dump them on eBay. You should come out brighter even after fees.

[brent 1]

Update

Well I went back in there today prepared to give the manager an earful but they were actually really cool about the situation. I didn't even have to talk to a manager, I just explained what happened to the salesman who greeted me when I walked in and we went from there. When I told him that the previous salesman told me that baking would help tighten up the skate he laughed. This guy seemed to really know what he was talking about, and actually spent more than 15 minutes with me. Apparently I'm a mutant and one foot is bigger than the other so we took that into consideration while sizing me up for a new pair. Tried on about five pairs this time before settling on a full size smaller than my previous skate.

I was such a happy camper that they agreed to exchange my skates, that I decided to upgrade to the One100 (Wow, what a skate!) They also baked, sharpened, AND profiled the new ones for me.

Anyways, thanks for everyone who gave me input and JR for giving me some contact information, just in case.

[Krev 86]

Excellent! Glad things worked out for you.