Defects in shoes, how to identify before the purchase

A small defect found on shoes after purchase can spoil the mood for a long time. Is it possible to detect a defect while still in the store, what defects arise during the production process, and what is the reason for the incorrect operation, explains Igor Okorokov, shoe production technologist.

Igor Okorokov - engineer-technologist of shoe production, graduate of Vitebsk State Technological University of Light Industry. Since 2002, he has been working as a specialist in various shoe companies in Russia.

Defects in shoes can occur both during production and during storage and operation.

External inspection of a pair

When choosing and buying shoes, carefully examine the appearance of the pair. In the manufacture of shoes, stamping is performed on the parts so that they have the same color and pattern as a pair. Branding is a series of numbers that are applied on a lining, sub-zapamochka (staferka) or tongue. It contains information about the launch date of the party, the greenhouse and the completeness of the shoes. Each manufacturer (brand) has a different digital designation. But, as a rule, this is: the date of manufacture of the shoe, lot number, size, completeness, correspondence number of the left and right half pairs (01,02,03 ...), the article is the same as the model number. When choosing a pair of shoes, compare the branding on both half pairs, it should be identical. Pay attention to the matching size of the semi-pairs.

After digital matching, inspect the shoes for visible defects. Shoes should not have:

• mechanical damage (tearing, scratches, punctures). There are no acceptable standards - any damage is considered defective.
• glue stains.
• the distance between the stitches and from the edge should be the same along the entire length, just as the stitch should not fall off the edge of the part and have tearing stitches, since this can lead to tearing of stitches during shoe use.
• Check the zipper so that its links do not diverge and the lining materials do not fall when unfastening and fastening.
• check the pair for peeling, the sole should fit snugly around the entire perimeter. It is allowed to peel on the side of the soles of no more than 1mm. The peeling of the sole occurs due to the violation of technological conditions preceding the gluing of the soles, as well as when using low-quality glue. Very often, the buyer, not following the manufacturer's recommendations, which the manufacturer puts in the box as a care instruction, wears shoes out of season, does not carefully or does not comply with the operating rules.
• color, tint, pattern (city hall), if the shoes are made of velor then the structure of the pile should be the same on the same details in pairs.
• perfume, this is a defect in leather goods. Visually, it can be defined as jamming of the leather goods with a slight pressure or bending on the parts folds are formed that are irreversible, the presence of this defect is not allowed on the parts in the forefoot. This defect when worn leads to the formation of folds and cracks and loss of appearance of the shoe. On the less responsible details, slight pronotation and some defects of leather goods are allowed, as this is genuine leather.
• Also, when choosing shoes, you need to check the height, the details are allowed different heights: in the heel to 2mm in the shafts of the boots to 4mm.

Internal inspection

After examining the appearance, it is necessary to check the pair for defects inside the shoe. Fasteners (nails, staples) should not protrude in the shoes, this can be checked by tightly pressing the hand along the perimeter of the insole inside the shoe. When inspecting shoes, make sure that there are no wrinkles on the lining that occur during poor-quality technological processes; the operation of shoes with this marriage will lead to discomfort and damage to the foot.

The back and toe cap are intermediate parts of the shoe, which are the frame that retains the shape of the shoe, as well as protecting the foot from bumps and mechanical damage. But, if there is a violation of technology, a defect may arise in the extinction of these parts both from the outside, which leads to a loss of the appearance of the shoe and inside, which will cause discomfort when worn and rub the foot. The back settling occurs both in case of violation of the production technology, and with the incorrect operation of the shoes, donning without unlacing and without the use of a shoe horn. Failure of the backdrop can be seen at the fitting stage (it all depends on the degree of marriage. Lean back a little and see if there are wrinkles in the heel or press on the edge of the backdrop - if wrinkles are felt under your fingers, most likely you’ve got a defective pair.

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When choosing shoes, there are defects that are difficult, but basically impossible to detect visually. These are defects that arise in case of violation of the technology for the production of shoes or the use of low-quality materials.

These include:

• poorly sealed cracks or mechanical damage, which subsequently lead to cracking and shedding of the dye at the site of the sealed defect and loss of appearance of the shoe.
• breakdown of a metal gelenk (erroneously called an arch support), renders shoes unusable. Often you can see that the heel “goes” back or to the side, the cause of this is just a gelenk breakdown.
• peeling or hollowing of the heel occurs due to violation of the fastening process. Also, when buying, pay attention that the heel does not have cracks on the entire surface and is symmetrically located relative to the heel part of the running surface.
• the formation of hollow shells in the injection method of attaching the sole will subsequently lead to rupture or cracking of the sole material.
• Before gluing the soles, the process of tousing the drawn edge is performed, this is the removal of the upper layer of leather for the adhesive to penetrate into its structure. Failure to properly perform this process can result in a reshuffling of the long edge and, as a result, a rupture of the leather between the sole and the upper of the shoe when worn. Likewise, this is a gross violation, which is the reason for the unsticking of the sole.
• staining of the lining and the insole occurs in shoes with a lining having a dark color due to the dye of the leather lining, with acceptable standards for the moisture content of the foot.
• cracking of the soles on the running surface, if the sole is not very worn, this is a manufacturer’s defect. If the composition from which the sole (molding composition) is made is improperly selected and the sole is very stiff, then it crackes especially in the bundle part.

When purchasing shoes, check the warranty period for the pair you are purchasing if repair is possible, as large manufacturers carry out repairs and if it is possible to correct production defects. The warranty does not cover wear on the heels and lace breaks.

Timely care using creams, impregnation and spray, as well as gentle operation, will not only extend the service life, but also keep the beautiful appearance of your shoes.

Responsible persons

But marriage is not only a headache for the buyer, but also the seller. Returning a product is a loss of customer loyalty, a loss of trust. Therefore, the functionality of the retailer includes a mandatory check of a lot of shoes at the acceptance of goods. As a rule, the product is accepted by the merchandiser, but in practice, all the store personnel participate in the acceptance, as well as in the initial inspection for the detection of visible defects (different fleet, mechanical damage, check of the digital article). Acceptance of products in terms of quality and completeness is made at the recipient’s warehouse no later than 20 days after the delivery of the goods by the transport company. Therefore, regardless of the party, shoes must be checked all. It is important to identify defective goods before they arrive at the trading floor.

1. If there is a discrepancy in the quality, quantity, completeness, labeling of the received goods or packaging with the standards and technical conditions specified in the accompanying documents, the retailer must unilaterally draw up an act in which to indicate the number of goods examined and the nature of the defects detected during acceptance. It is important to remember that this document is the seller’s only opportunity to return the defective product to the manufacturer without financial loss. The act must be drawn up in 2 copies, (as a part of the commission) one of which is sent to the supplier's address within 3 days after acceptance of the goods. In addition, the seller’s actions regarding defective goods and other force majeure must be specified in the contract.
2. If the marriage was discovered already in the trading process, then the retailer violated the rules for the acceptance of goods provided for in the instructions on the procedure for acceptance of goods (no later than 20 working days). So, the supplier may refuse to meet the requirements associated with the defects of the goods.
3. If the buyer discovered the marriage and returned the shoes to the store within the warranty period, the retailer returns the money and then informs the supplier, providing: a statement from the buyer with a cash receipt, an independent examination certificate, if any, and a waybill.

Experts warn retailers about losses that may occur if the rules for goods acceptance are not observed - on the map is your reputation and the reputation of the manufacturer. No one is immune from inaccuracies and errors, but the attentiveness of all parts of the chain will save everyone, including the buyer, from unnecessary costs - financial, time and emotional!