First…I promise my blog is not turning into a shoe blog. I’ve just had a lot to say about shoes lately.
When Evan and I went in to the Skechers store to buy his crazy, flashy shoes, I was drawn to the wall of Bobs shoes. They look really similar to Toms, also gives shoes to kids in need and were about $10 cheaper than Toms. The shoe salesperson was standing next to me & I said “You know, these are really cute but I could never buy them because they are such a blatant rip off of Toms.” She said “Oh no…that’s not right. You see, Skechers bought Toms but since they’re so big, they started a similar line for their stores called Bobs.” I said “So they’re the same company?” She said “Yep!”
At that moment…I should have listened to the little voice in my head that said “Really? Are you sure?” but I didn’t. It never entered my head to think she was lying to me. So I bought them. They were cute & comfy and I was happy.
Until….
I read this tweet:
I started to answer back with the salesperson’s story & then I thought…I better google that too make sure before I act like I know. After googling, I knew I had been “had”. I was NOT happy. I didn’t like my cute little red canvas shoes any more. I know that many have a derogatory view of sales people but I don’t. I’ve worked in sales for years and you do NOT have to lie to make a sale. You just don’t.
So yesterday we went back to the Skechers store to switch Evan’s shoes for a larger size. I also took in my pair of Bobs. I told the manager my story and asked for my money back. He was NOT happy with me. He basically used the “We didn’t rip off Toms, if that were the case everything in fashion is a rip off. Oh and we’ve given more shoes to charity than Toms.” I calmly said “While that may be true, your employee lied to me to make a sale. That is not cool.” Whether she lied or was mis-informed …I don’t know. What I do know is people who work in retail should make sure they have their story straight or say “I don’t know”.
Since I didn’t have my receipt, I now have a store credit. It’s not the best case scenario but it works for me. Now I will go buy my pair of Toms which I should have purchased in the first place.
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If that is the Sketcher’s at Chinook…i will never go back there. I bought my son some shoes there, but when I brought them home, well, he did not like them. I brought them back, and told them salesperson that I wanted to return them because my son did not like the, He was so rude to me. He did not say thank you…he did not smile…it was aweful. I will not go back to that store again!
I was at a store looking at Tom’s when the store clerk told us that Tom’s were made by children in a factory in Asia.
What the heck goes through people’s minds when they’re talking to you trying to make a sale?!
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Hmm, that’s just not right. Awful customer service if you ask me.
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Wow, that is horrible. I dont usually purchase Sketcher shoes but this is very useful information. Thanks for sharing.
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That seems like a nightmare!
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I hate sketchers I always have the just copy everyone else ideas and call them a differ name I will never buy sketchers and only buy real stuff I am not a cheap fake person
I just saw a pair of BOBS and had to do a google search to find out more about this, the most blatant of ripoffs I’ve ever seen. Your post came up, and there was an interesting article about how much ridicule sketchers has received because of this, and the difference in motivation between the two companies giving policy. TOMS isn’t perfect, their development model is fairly poor (third world handouts, vs education and in-country jobs.. ie: give a man a fish/teach a man to fish), but, sketchers is bringing a new meaning to sketchy with this one!
While I appreciate that you stood up for yourself, Bobs does donate TWO pairs of shoes to children in need. So while you may think you stuck it to the store or to Skechers, or to the sakes clerk…it was really done unto the kids whose shoes it cost. Maybe you could learn a lesson of your own…don’t shop there again but don’t let your own stubborn ways cost the cause. Way to teach a lesson…SMH.
I don’t think I stuck it to anyone. I do, however, believe that people who work in stores shouldn’t lie. I do not buy shoes as charity. I buy shoes to put on my feet. I support many charitable organizations that are more of a hand up versus a hand out charity.
Well I understand you frustration towards the store worker who was either misinformed, or misinformed you, all I can do is shake my head. ” I didn’t like my cute little red canvas shoes any more. ” So, you liked the shoes when you left the store. But, because you later found out they weren’t Tom’s (or they weren’t made the same company), you just couldn’t wear them anymore? You left the store happy with your purchase, “they were cute & comfy and I was happy.” It’s actually sad that something like this is so unsettling to you. I’m sure if you never goggled the difference you would’ve shown your shoes happily to everyone, and said “they’re cute AND donate a pair to children in need!”
Don’t feel bad bobs does not give shoes to kids like toms they “make a charitable donation”. So them donating two pairs of shoes just means they donate two dollars instead of one. I would spend the extra money for toms. A friend of mine bought bobs and she got ridiculed to the point of ripping the logos off. On the other hand I used to sell shoes and I would tell people anything to make a sale. I’d walk in and say I’m going to convince someone those ugly boots are cute today but I’m evil so what can I say? Never believe a salesman. If you don’t believe go to GameStop and listen to the sheer lies they tell people.
This article is such a case of first world problem s. I own a pair of TOMS and my mom bought me a pair of Bobs. They are just as nice and comfy as TOMS. I could care less if people laugh at me fir wearing a knockoff.
whether bobs are a rip off of toms or not, a child in need is still getting a pair of shoes out of it. knock offs are a part of the fashion industry.
so why do you care of bob’s is a rip off off tom’s???? giving kids shoes either way!! who cares who thought of it first. i would prefer that we take care of kids in the US first but a child in need is a child in need.
Again, as I mentioned. The story was about being lied to as a customer. That is the issue. Also, I live in Canada so it makes your US first comment interesting and not that relevant.
Hey , Just wanted to say that I looked up some info and found out that these shoes have been around long before Toms. A guy who lived in a third world country said that you could get shoes like that for about $5 a pair and Toms just got the idea of a way to market them, make money etc. while being charitable as well but they are still making big bucks off a shoe that costs very little to make, I guess we Americans never knew they were already around b/c they were not over here but we are very materialistic and always trying to stay “trendy” so they know we Americans will spend the $$. I think Bob’s does the same as far as charity so in my opinion it really does not matter..I just buy what’s cute doesn’t matter if it costs a 1$ or 100$ and I don’t worry about name brands. If I like it i like it weather it’s Louis Vuitton or K-mart!…:0)
No kidding! Tom’s “ripped off” this style from some other company too. This style of shoe has been around for decades, I’ve seen them in stores like Rite Aid for $5 bucks all through the 90′s and on the feet of little old ladies in my Grandma’s nursing home since I was like 5. The Tom’s cordones are exact replicas of Keds from the 50′s and 60′s. People who won’t buy Bob’s because they are a “rip off” of Tom’s are incredibly ignorant. I own Bob’s, they’re made way better than Tom’s and don’t wear out in 3 months or less. A donation is a donation. To say that a donation isn’t worthy because you did it after you saw someone else do it is ignorant and childish. These people sound like my 3 year old …”I did it fiiirrrsssstttt”, “I saw it firrssst mom it’s mine”. Grow up people.
I’m amazed how no one gets my point. I don’t like being lied to by a store to make a sale. End stop.
***sorry, I do live in the US *** but I read that Bobs partnered with Toms but had to give them a different name so……..I don’t know but maybe that is what the lady meant in the shoe store.
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I’ve been looking into getting Toms, but the price tag has definitely put me off. And to be honest, my friends who buy them tell me that they hurt their feet and are often wearing band aids on their heels. But I like the looks of them and I’m glad that Bobs are available in the style I want, but without the ridiculous price tag. They are also giving back to the needy kids, just like Toms, so that’s good enough for me. Yes, they are a knock off, but it’s my dollar and I want to get as much bang for my buck as possible.
As for the salesperson lying to get the sale, you were happy with the shoe, weren’t you? You should’ve kept them instead of taking them back. I don’t understand why some people are so name-brand conscious these days. Wear what you like.