Quality of current AE's?

Hi all,

First, I will concentrate solely on AE's laced-ups, leather soles.

Recently I have come across quite a lot of threads talking about quality of current AE's shoes. And several forum members mention about their current quality as "sucks", "junk"...

My question for you veterans is what you think about their quality now (2009), and which price is more reasonable?

Thanks

While I don't own any of the 2009's; the pairs I've examined had visible flaws. A sales rep said he thinks they are noticeably cheaper.

E's have always have visible flaws, but the most recent ones have alot of them, even by comparison to last year.

Very disappointing.

I'd buck up the extra $75 and buy Alden, which hasnt disappointed me.

What kind of visible flaws are common? There is an AE sale at my Nordstrom Rack and I just want to make sure I will not walk out with some later discovered flaws.

Originally Posted by Cary Grant

Click to expand...

While I don't own any of the 2009's; the pairs I've examined had visible flaws. A sales rep said he thinks they are noticeably cheaper.

Originally Posted by SkinnyGoomba

Click to expand...

AE's have always have visible flaws, but the most recent ones have alot of them, even by comparison to last year.

Very disappointing.

Originally Posted by SkinnyGoomba

Click to expand...

I'd buck up the extra $75 and buy Alden, which hasnt disappointed me.

There are sales for AE's which I can score a pair for less than 200. But Alden is hard to find, unless you can give me some insights on where best to shop for Aldens?

Thanks gents

If you can get AE's for under $200 new? And you see ones you like, then jump on it. I certainly would, no matter what the 'super rich' here say. We can't all afford obscenely expensive things. Remember, 'Fashion' is on the rack (shelf) 'Style' is when it's on you. Grr.... Anyone who would knock a man down for wearing AE's, to me, is no one I would want to associate with in the first place, UNLESS they want to buy me a pair of whatever they think 'acceptable', on principle..lol. To me, I don't even care when I see a man wearing a $100 Polyester Suit, and $100 shoes and a $25 shirt. As long as he has those shoes polished / well maintained, and they are not wrinkled to hell for lack of using shoe trees, or at least newspaper to minimise wrinkling, then he gets a pass. At least he's trying! And with 98% of men not even trying, then anything is better than nothing at all. And one more word to the snobs here.... You WANT men to wear AE You WANT men to wear Florsheim, Nunn Bush, Bostonian & Johnston & Murphy, etc. So you can feel so good about yourselves Sheesh! All this anxiety over brands....'is it 'ok' with everyone. Think about it... In real life, outside this discussion forum, most of us will never even meet anyway. I, for one, support AE. I have bought them new (at full retail) and also used. I get compliments often enough. Snobs only please... You want to talk about AE Quality? What then, specifically, is the problem? Every tiny stich wasn't just perfect? Oh...there was that teeny little spot that had a blemish? Yet at the same time, these very same people that ***** and complain about these little AE 'imperfections', LOVE to see their own shoes 'patina' and get crusty with old polish, and look like decrepid things that crawled out of a swamp...lol Beauty truly is, in the eye of the beholder. If someone can afford better, then, my compliments. If you can only afford the $100 shoes, my compliments too. 2% of people on this planet control 98% of its wealth. I am a slave and I know it. But again, to the snobs only, do not resent the rest of us for trying, Your ultra expensive things are only a dream for the rest of us. Be nice. It is not neccessary to belittle AE wearers. Peace Live, and let live.

E prices have gone up.

AE overall quality has gone down.
-attention to detail is lacking: stitiching is uneven, paint is applied with poor control.
-there are many corners being cut

The shoes are leather, they are Goodyear welted, they are US made; that's about it.

Nexus... AE inhales with great force and furious anger.

Now, be a sport and fetch my Cohiba Siglo VI, a glass of Oban and tell Missy I shall retire to the sitting room anon.

Originally Posted by onix

Click to expand...

What kind of visible flaws are common?

Well, in my case, which I started a thread about a few weeks ago, the pair of shoes was not really a pair at all, despite being marked the same size. You put them side by side and the stitching and seams did not match up at all. I hadn't seen any mismatch like that before, even cheap shoes a fraction of the price. (I returned them, and the replacements were fine, I think its pure luck whether you get quality or not.)

Originally Posted by SkinnyGoomba

Click to expand...

AE's have always have visible flaws, but the most recent ones have alot of them, even by comparison to last year.

Very disappointing.

I'd buck up the extra $75 and buy Alden, which hasnt disappointed me.

Good Lord, man, do you go over the bloody shoes with jeweller's loupe or something? As many forumites know, I've bought more A-E seconds than most of you, and rarely have I been able to find a discernible flaw. When I can, it is usually some minor glitch in the stitching of the welt. A very competent cobbler once told me even he usually couldn't find the flaw that rendered an A-E second a second.

Another cobbler I know rates A-Es superior in workmanship and quality control to Alden. Not owning any Aldens, I couldn't comment. The many I have examined never left me with the impression they were noticeably superior in appearance, workmanship or quality to A-E.

Es are what they are. Get them on discount and beat them to death, dont think into it that much.

Who cares if they have flaws, they are shoes, beat them to death and pass them on.

Wow wow, guys, calm down. I do understand that AE is still a respectable brand with reasonable quality for what people called "higher end shoes". I just want to see the real picture of AE, whether they're still the best quality/cost ratio shoemaker. I prepare myself for some flaws since I am heading to a AE sales next week with a high hopes to snatch some pairs at good price without any regrets.

Originally Posted by lee_44106

Click to expand...

AE prices have gone up.

AE overall quality has gone down.
-attention to detail is lacking: stitiching is uneven, paint is applied with poor control.
-there are many corners being cut

The shoes are leather, they are Goodyear welted, they are US made; that's about it.

That's a pretty good summary. And as I have said before, I like AE, or did, before they took a seeming turn for the worse.

Originally Posted by onix

Click to expand...

Wow wow, guys, calm down. I do understand that AE is still a respectable brand with reasonable quality for what people called "higher end shoes". I just want to see the real picture of AE, whether they're still the best quality/cost ratio shoemaker. I prepare myself for some flaws since I am heading to a AE sales next week with a high hopes to snatch some pairs at good price without any regrets.

For under $300 you're probably still getting a decent deal... given your only US made choices are now AE and Alden. I'm just no longer certain that they'll hold up forever like they once did.

These are 10 years old...



The new shoes I've looked at lately felt less substantial, no longer have a leather insole, hade wandering stiching on the welt.

Originally Posted by Cary Grant

Click to expand...

For under $300 you're probably still getting a decent deal... given your only US made choices are now AE and Alden. I'm just no longer certain that they'll hold up forever like they once did.

These are 10 years old...

The new shoes I've looked at lately felt less substantial, no longer have a leather insole, hade wandering stiching on the welt.

I like those pants.
Nice blue! perfect with your shoe colour.
I am sincere.

What colour of shirt are you matching the pants with?
Just curious.



P.S.
Just for the record,
I do not 'hate' those who 'hate' AE's.

Maybe the best thing to do if one does not like AE quality control,
is to tell the Allen Edmond factory.

Also,
When buying factory 'seconds' ....we take our chances, no?

Originally Posted by lee_44106

Click to expand...

AE prices have gone up.

AE overall quality has gone down.
-attention to detail is lacking: stitiching is uneven, paint is applied with poor control.
-there are many corners being cut

The shoes are leather, they are Goodyear welted, they are US made; that's about it.

Lee, I saw your post,
and I remember that pair you photo'd for us to see.
ok ok I have to agree with you,
that has got to be the saddest pair of AE's I ever saw.

But those had to be factory seconds.

I am glad you got replacements.

Actually I am suprised that AE factory even let those out at all.

Maybe we need a dedicated thread for AE Nightmares, Alden Nightmares,
Florsheim Nightmares, etc,
and when the thread builds,
someone emails the factory and alerts them to the fact that we, the comsumer
ARE paying close attention to what they are doing.

Someone in charge of Quality Control in any company
should be accountable.

I really didnt think i was going off that much about AE.

Given the fact that basically i buy a pair of $350 shoes i expect that they're put together reasonably well and with a minimal amount of flaws.

Given the preference I'll buy something else, i wear my AE's, i'd pick up more at the right price, but at full retail I'm spending more an buying Alden, C&J, RL, Ect.