Tom Shoes? Knock off brand?

[si-am]

True, but to go so far as to have the EXACT same box and Logo is a bit much IMO. That's just shady on Sketcher's part. And their shoes are only $15-$20 cheaper. For that, I'd rather have the real thing.

Yeah, if they wanted to copy the style, fine. But making them "Bobs" is just ridiculous.

It's like the classic Keds sneaker. There are a zillion generic ones and they're fine, but what if a company put a little blue tag on the back that said "Teds". That's what makes it all silly!

 

[jenbelle]

if you have a nordstrom rack in your area, check there. my husband picked up a pair for $25 just a couple weeks ago. he said there were a lot of styles and sizes.

 

[wenrob]

Yes, there are knock offs- Bobs. However for a 13 year old, I would make sure that she will be happy with knock offs. My DD15 would want Toms or nothing- not a knockoff.

Have to agree. My 15 year old DD would not wear the Bobs. She likes the style but for her and her friends it's about the charity aspect as well. There is much disdain for Bobs in her crowd. I can't bring myself to pay $60 plus for what amounts to name brand slippers so she saves her allowance/bday money for them. If its something your DD really wants I'd suggest to her do saving for them.

 

[jewjubean]

Honestly, its saddens me that people are so into brands. I barely wear "name" brand items and if I do say so myself I am pretty cute when I leave the house.

Worrying about name brand items shouldnt be a first priority at 14. School and being a kid should in the top. If sketchers is giving the same promotion to needy people then why is it a problem?? At least someone is being charitable!

 

[revmommy]

In my experience, Toms do not hold up well and definitely were not worth the money. Two of my DDs purchased them, and they fell apart very quickly, especially the sparkly black ones in the girl's sizes.

On the other hand, my DD is still wearing her $100 Danskos over 18 months later (how they still fit, I'll never know). They were worth every penny!

 

[jvorhis]

Honestly, its saddens me that people are so into brands. I barely wear "name" brand items and if I do say so myself I am pretty cute when I leave the house.

Worrying about name brand items shouldnt be a first priority at 14. School and being a kid should in the top. If sketchers is giving the same promotion to needy people then why is it a problem?? At least someone is being charitable!

I agree...my daughter is 8 and has no idea what bobs or Toms are. The poster was just inquiring about a cheaper brand and I just happened to just pick them up at Kohls. I just wanted them for her because we are going to Disney in the fall and they would be a more comfortable alternative to princess shoes to wear with her costumes.

 

[girli565]

Honestly, its saddens me that people are so into brands. I barely wear "name" brand items and if I do say so myself I am pretty cute when I leave the house.

Worrying about name brand items shouldnt be a first priority at 14. School and being a kid should in the top. If sketchers is giving the same promotion to needy people then why is it a problem?? At least someone is being charitable!

I don't think it's about being "into" brands and wanting to show off the brand, I think it's more like Toms were the originals and a very recognized brand while Bobs is the less expensive version.
Kids know what these shoes cost.

As an adult I don't care whether they're Toms or Bobs but myself as a 13 year old would never wear Bobs when Toms are the original.

I teach in middle school and kids are so horribly cruel for the smallest of things. Getting Bobs instead of Toms is something I've witnessed first hand a child being picked on for. It's sad but true.

 

[wenrob]

Honestly, its saddens me that people are so into brands. I barely wear "name" brand items and if I do say so myself I am pretty cute when I leave the house.

Worrying about name brand items shouldnt be a first priority at 14. School and being a kid should in the top. If sketchers is giving the same promotion to needy people then why is it a problem?? At least someone is being charitable!

Toms are the only name brand item my DD cares to own. If that's what she wants to spend her own money on, I've got no problem with it. My intent on posting is to save the OP's 13 yr old ridicule. Nothing crueler then a middle schooler. A knock off to them is worse then not having a brand name at all. It may be sad but it's a fact.
I also agree Toms do not hold up well. Another reason my DD must buy her own if she wants them.

 

[KayMouse]

Yeah, if they wanted to copy the style, fine. But making them "Bobs" is just ridiculous.

It's like the classic Keds sneaker. There are a zillion generic ones and they're fine, but what if a company put a little blue tag on the back that said "Teds". That's what makes it all silly!

My point exactly! I could care less if they made a knock-off (heck I've seen them at Dollar General for $6!) But the part that makes Bob's bad is the fact that they are BLATANTLY ripping off Tom's. I would rather give my extra $15-$20 to the people who made the company first and put in all the hard work into making the company a well-known brand and doing so much for children in other countries. Yes, "Bob's" are also donating shoes, but it's the crappy way that they went about it that upsets me. I'll be rocking Tom's over Bob's ANY day!

 

[Andrea464]

Buy the off brand, Bobs.
The company DOES send shoes to those in need (not sure if it is 1:1 like Toms, but they are also matching that!).
I got mine at Shoe Carnival- buy one get one half off!

 

[snarlingcoyote]

I have 5 pairs of Toms and 3 pairs of Bobs (Went in to get a new pair of plain black Toms and the store had their winter rack of Toms - flannel lined - on sale for $15, so I stocked up). The plain jane Bobs are identical to the plain jane Toms. The Toms flats (which I covet) are totally different from the Bobs flats.

I love, love, love this brand/style of shoe and will likely continue wearing it long after the fad is over. The shoes shape to your feet. I wore two pairs of Toms to Disney last year and for the first time EVER didn't have any blisters. It was wonderful!

 

[Junebugwv]

Every time a pair of TOMS shoes is purchased, the company founder will donate another pair of shoes to children around the world that need them.

http://www.toms.com/our-movement

My husband and college age son went on a surgical mission to Kenya in January. My son said they actually saw TOM shoes on a few people in the villages and sent me a picture of a well-worn pair.

 

[mhsjax]

Honestly, its saddens me that people are so into brands. I barely wear "name" brand items and if I do say so myself I am pretty cute when I leave the house.

Worrying about name brand items shouldnt be a first priority at 14. School and being a kid should in the top. If sketchers is giving the same promotion to needy people then why is it a problem?? At least someone is being charitable!

Thank you. I am glad my DD doesn't care about name brand. She even told me so. If it is cute and she likes it, she will wear it. Sorry but at 12 or 13 and they are still growing, they aren't getting designer stuff. I think it is great that the company is giving to a charitable organization, but the reality is with 3 kids, I am my own charitable organization. lol. If my kid refused to wear any thing but designer labels, that child would be shopping at Walmart exclusively until they learned a lesson.

FWIW they do have clothes from the expensive stores, I just wait for their stuff to go on sale.

 

[SaraJayne]

My husband and college age son went on a surgical mission to Kenya in January. My son said they actually saw TOM shoes on a few people in the villages and sent me a picture of a well-worn pair.

 

[girli565]

My husband and college age son went on a surgical mission to Kenya in January. My son said they actually saw TOM shoes on a few people in the villages and sent me a picture of a well-worn pair.

That's awesome!! I was asking my husband if the donated shoes were actually Toms and he said that he thought they were. This confirms it!

 

[sk!mom]

Thank you. I am glad my DD doesn't care about name brand. If my kid refused to wear any thing but designer labels, that child would be shopping at Walmart exclusively until they learned a lesson.

I knew that someone would go here. I didn't suggest that the OP should buy TOMS or nothing. I suggested that she make sure that her DD would be happy with a knock off. Sometimes, you want what you want. Doesn't mean you're spoiled just that you have a specific wish. Hey we all like WDW when some satisfy themselves with Six Flags.

My DD15 doesn't wear only name brands or always get what she wants. She loves Forever 21- one of the least expensive stores around. However, when she requested TOMS - she wanted TOMS. Same story with Uggs and an Ipod. In those cases, especially for a gift, I either get what she wants or skip it altogether if it's too expensive.

She would have loved an Ipad last Christmas but it wasn't in the budget so she still doesn't have any type of tablet. I chose a completely different gift that she wanted.

 

[janey99]

Honestly, its saddens me that people are so into brands. I barely wear "name" brand items and if I do say so myself I am pretty cute when I leave the house.

Worrying about name brand items shouldnt be a first priority at 14. School and being a kid should in the top. If sketchers is giving the same promotion to needy people then why is it a problem?? At least someone is being charitable!

I think it's intentionally obtuse to conflate a preference to support a charitable endeavor with being preoccupied with branding.

Tom's is making charity cool for tweens and teens - kudos to them for coming up with a way to do it.

Jane

 

[girli565]

I think it's intentionally obtuse to conflate a preference to support a charitable endeavor with being preoccupied with branding.

Tom's is making charity cool for tweens and teens - kudos to them for coming up with a way to do it.

Jane

 

[momto2inKC]

Kudos to both Toms and Bobs for donating a pair when a pair is bought. I've looked at both brands and like them both. I don't own any personally. If my daughter wanted a pair, she more than likely would go for the Sketchers ones. She's not one to do what the masses do, she likes to be different. Luckily she's never been made fun of for her choices like several on here mentioned when she doesn't go for what 'everyone else' in middle school does.

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

Honestly, its saddens me that people are so into brands. I barely wear "name" brand items and if I do say so myself I am pretty cute when I leave the house.

Worrying about name brand items shouldnt be a first priority at 14. School and being a kid should in the top. If sketchers is giving the same promotion to needy people then why is it a problem?? At least someone is being charitable!

Fitting in is pretty important to middle school kids. Being comfortable and feeling confident allows these kids to concentrate on school and being a kid. Brands are not as important to DD as school, family and church, but it still matters to her to fit in with other kids. She also likes the style and patterns of Toms. This is not a new phenomenon among middle schoolers - the brands just change with each generation. That's not to suggest you can't be a great kid and a star student without the latest fashion. But it also means you can still be a great kid and a star student if you want Toms or Uggs or an iPhone because everyone else has one. It's not a character flaw at 13 to want to dress like your friends.

Thank you. I am glad my DD doesn't care about name brand. She even told me so. If it is cute and she likes it, she will wear it. Sorry but at 12 or 13 and they are still growing, they aren't getting designer stuff. I think it is great that the company is giving to a charitable organization, but the reality is with 3 kids, I am my own charitable organization. lol. If my kid refused to wear any thing but designer labels, that child would be shopping at Walmart exclusively until they learned a lesson.

I don't remember anyone saying their kids refused to wear anything else. The overwhelming advice has been to see if the brand matters to the OP's DD or if it is just the style she likes. No point in getting someone a gift if it is not what they want, and no one should have to apologize for having a preference about something. It's great that your DD doesn't care about brands since you don't want to buy them, but there is nothing wrong with kids who have a preference, especially those who work hard and save their money to buy something that matters to them.

I knew that someone would go here. I didn't suggest that the OP should buy TOMS or nothing. I suggested that she make sure that her DD would be happy with a knock off. Sometimes, you want what you want. Doesn't mean you're spoiled just that you have a specific wish. Hey we all like WDW when some satisfy themselves with Six Flags.

My DD15 doesn't wear only name brands or always get what she wants. She loves Forever 21- one of the least expensive stores around. However, when she requested TOMS - she wanted TOMS. Same story with Uggs and an Ipod. In those cases, especially for a gift, I either get what she wants or skip it altogether if it's too expensive.

My kids definitely don't get everything they want, and sometimes they have to use their own money if I don't think an item is worth the cost or I just don't want to buy it. DD is much more likely to be in t-shirts and soccer shorts than designer clothes. But if one of them asks for a green sweater, I'm not going to buy an orange one because it's cheaper. If DD wants Toms, I'm not going to buy Bobs because they are cheaper and have her be disappointed with a gift. If I don't want to spend the money for what she wants as a gift, I'll get something else entirely.

Love the Six Flags analogy, by the way. Sometimes I am happy with a cheaper alternative to something, and sometimes I'm not. Since it is my money, I get to choose how to spend it.