Premium Football Boots, Premium Price, No Accountability

Disappointed with Nike's response to a quality claim on a premium football boot.

I purchased a pair of Nike Mercurial Vapor 16 Elite FG football boots (Style HJ7325-600, UK 12) for R4,149.99. At this price point, consumers reasonably expect exceptional quality, durability and performance from a premium product.

The boots were used for their intended purpose and were cleaned after use as any player would do. After experiencing significant deterioration of the upper material, I submitted a claim because I did not believe the level of wear was reasonable for a premium Elite boot costing over R4,000.

Nike rejected the claim on the basis that the boots were "used, worn or washed." I find this response disappointing because football boots are designed to be worn. The issue is not whether the boots were used, but whether a premium product should deteriorate to this extent under normal football use.

I requested a review, but Nike confirmed that they stand by their original decision. No meaningful consideration appears to have been given to whether the product met reasonable expectations for durability, quality and value for money.

As a consumer, I would have expected Nike to properly assess whether the deterioration was consistent with normal use of a premium football boot and, if not, to offer an appropriate remedy, whether that be a replacement or another fair resolution.

For a company that promotes innovation, performance and quality, this experience has been extremely disappointing. When a customer spends R4,149.99 on a pair of Elite football boots, they should be able to expect durability that reflects the premium price paid.

Claim *** Highly disappointed