Woolworths 6 months shoe guarantee policy

I bought school shoes (Walkmates) begging on this year not sure of the date as I no longer have the receipt, the shoes got damaged. When I returned the shoes to the Promenade Store, Mitchell's Plain Woolworths I was advised that shoes cannot be returned if they are damaged after 6 months as after 6 months its wear & tear. So this means Woolworths school shoes (Walkmates) have a life expectancy of 6 months anything beyond that is a bonus, and we should be buying inferior quality school shoes every 6 months from Woolworths.