Birkenstocks turning yellow!

gauge14iv, MSN, APRN, NP · Feb 5, 2005

Call birkenstock, tell them the issue and have them tell you what to do, then tell them how you were treated by their authorized dealer.

End of problem

hippienurse · Feb 5, 2005

I haven't had that happen to mine, but when I get other marks on them I use the Mr. Clean magic eraser--maybe that would help? I would also just take them back to the store...

ZAHMAN · Feb 5, 2005

Hi. I was wondering if anyone else has had the problem of their Birkenstock Super Birki clogs turning from white to yellow?
Some nurses at my clinical rotation last week said that they knew people this had happened to and they were able to exchange them b/c it was a defect in manufacturing. However, when I tried to exchange them at the store today, she wouldn't hear of it!
If anyone else had this problem, please let me know how you handled it.
Yes, I have had that problem. I told my patient to aim for the urinal, not my shoes. Just kidding, a little nursing humor!
ZAHMAN:rotfl:

saskrn · Feb 5, 2005

I'm not familiar with this particular shoe. My Birkenstocks are leather and I've never had a problem with any of them. Are they leather?

Years ago DH had a problem with one of his soles, and Birkenstock just gave him a new pair of shoes. He went into a store, they checked with TPTB, and he got a new pair.

nurse_wannabe · Feb 5, 2005

I'm not familiar with this particular shoe. My Birkenstocks are leather and I've never had a problem with any of them. Are they leather?
Years ago DH had a problem with one of his soles, and Birkenstock just gave him a new pair of shoes. He went into a store, they checked with TPTB, and he got a new pair.

No, they are polyurethane. This woman did not even try to remedy the situation, just said that I had had them for 3 months and that she had no way of telling how many times I had worn them. When I showed her the cork that was brand new, her reply was, "well, you can buy replacement cork," as though I was lying to her. :angryfire

I told her that when I bought them there was a little certificate inside of it that mentioned something about a lifetime guarantee from manufacturing defects. She matter-of-factly stated that she had been dealing with them long enough to know that there was no such guarantee.

Needless to say, I caused a small scene before leaving the store. LOL.

suzanne4, RN · Feb 5, 2005

I actually have two pairs of white Super Birkies and have never had any trouble with them changing to yellow. And I have used them in the OR....

I clean them with Clorox wipes every few weeks, or something similar and they have stayed just fine. Sorry that you are having problems with yours.

saskrn · Feb 5, 2005

No, they are polyurethane. This woman did not even try to remedy the situation, just said that I had had them for 3 months and that she had no way of telling how many times I had worn them. When I showed her the cork that was brand new, her reply was, "well, you can buy replacement cork," as though I was lying to her. :angryfire
I told her that when I bought them there was a little certificate inside of it that mentioned something about a lifetime guarantee from manufacturing defects. She matter-of-factly stated that she had been dealing with them long enough to know that there was no such guarantee.
Needless to say, I caused a small scene before leaving the store. LOL.

Well, I don't blame you! You need to call Birkenstock directly and ask them what they'd like you to do. Maybe you can return the shoes directly to them, and they can just send you out another pair, or something like that.

It sounds like this other woman just has a bad attitude. Apparently her business isn't that important to her, if this is how she treats her customers. Make sure you mention that to Birkenstock, too.

SusanJean · Feb 5, 2005

Hi. I was wondering if anyone else has had the problem of their Birkenstock Super Birki clogs turning from white to yellow? I have had mine for 3 months and worn them only about 3 times and when I got them out of the closet to wear a few days ago they were yellow all over and had big bands of brown on them, kind of like that self-tanning stuff that turns you orange!
I am a student, and am required to wear white shoes. It really upsets me that I paid so much for them and now I can't even wear them b/c they look really tacky!
Some nurses at my clinical rotation last week said that they knew people this had happened to and they were able to exchange them b/c it was a defect in manufacturing. However, when I tried to exchange them at the store today, she wouldn't hear of it!
If anyone else had this problem, please let me know how you handled it.
Thank you!

I have a pair on order -- and want to know how it all turns out. I love the brand, don't wear anything else, really, but don't want to spend the $$ if they don't stay white.

Google their corp. web site - there is one and report the problem.

nurse_wannabe · Feb 5, 2005

I have a pair on order -- and want to know how it all turns out. I love the brand, don't wear anything else, really, but don't want to spend the $$ if they don't stay white.
Google their corp. web site - there is one and report the problem.

I'll certainly let you know. I plan on calling the company within the next few days.

Oh, and I might add: When I entered the store and showed her what had happened, she bluntly said, "yeah, the white ones will do that." THEN when it became apparent that she wasn't budging on the issue, I asked her, "if you all know that the white ones turn yellow/brown, then why didn't your salesperson tell me that when I bought them? I specifically told her that I had to have white shoes for school!" Her response? "Well, we don't know that they do that." Um, excuse me! You just said that they do that! Aargh! :angryfire

cannoli · Feb 5, 2005

Did you talk to the manager or the owner of the store, or just one of the little workers on a power trip?

nurse_wannabe · Feb 5, 2005

She *said* she was the manager.