The Ultimate Vass (Footwear) Thread (Pictures, reviews, sizing, etc...)

[JPHardy]

Roger,

Of course credit card would be more convenient , cheaper (assuming they don't charge a foreign transaction fee), get you points, but transfers is not bad.

I thought it a pain as well, but like GDL said, its only a pain once (if you do online). Once you set it up, its just a couple of clicks.

Maybe stating the obvious, but I thought the same thing initially as well.

JP

 

[RogerP]

Hi JP.

Not disputing your experience, but mine has been different. It may be that the entire process can now be set up on-line, but the last time I sent a wire through my bank (easily 2-3 years ago now, maybe more, as almost ANY retailer with a web presence now accepts cc's and Paypal) I had to stand in line, fill out and review a lengthy form, sign it, then wait 3 days for confirmation (electrons must travel unusually s-l-o-w-l-y along that "wire"). And getting the form filled out was itself tedious, because not all banks in all countries use the same terms to describe the various numerical values to be entered (country code, bank code, transit code, account # etc.). And that was just wiring funds from Canada to the US, where there weren't any language issues potentially complicating matters even further.

In any event, it's worth investigating on my end whether the process would be at all improved now. And given the lead time for ordering, I'd at least have ample time to do so. I assume they ask for payment when the shoe is ready for delivery, as opposed to the time that it is ordered?

Roger

 

[bertie]



Hi JP.

Not disputing your experience, but mine has been different.  It may be that the entire process can now be set up on-line, but the last time I sent a wire through my bank (easily 2-3 years ago now, maybe more, as almost ANY retailer with a web presence now accepts cc's and Paypal) I had to stand in line, fill out and review a lengthy form, sign it, then wait 3 days for confirmation (electrons must travel unusually s-l-o-w-l-y along that "wire").  And getting the form filled out was itself tedious, because not all banks in all countries use the same terms to describe the various numerical values to be entered (country code, bank code, transit code, account # etc.).  And that was just wiring funds from Canada to the US, where there weren't any language issues potentially complicating matters even further.

In any event, it's worth investigating on my end whether the process would be at all improved now.  And given the lead time for ordering, I'd at least have ample time to do so.  I assume they ask for payment when the shoe is ready for delivery, as opposed to the time that it is ordered?

Roger

Just sent a wire transfer from CIBC to Italy a few weeks ago. Process was exactly the same as you describe sadly. Vass NEEDS to join the 21st century commerce wise (just keep the old fashioned approach to making great shoes)

 

[JPHardy]

My recommendation,

1. See if you can do wire transfer from your bank.
2. Email Vass , introduce yourself to Mr Kuti and ask for wire transfer info.
3. If your bank is like mine (Chase), use the USD account that Mr Kuti gives you.
4. Be careful with accent marks on the letters, as they may cause an error.

Once you have than entered correctly your worries for payments are over.

I suggest doing that first as it will lessen your procrastination for ordering (talking about my experience, not calling anyone a procrastinator).

That's it for the payment part.

For ordering there is some advice as well.

 

[RogerP]

Just sent a wire transfer from CIBC to Italy a few weeks ago. Process was exactly the same as you describe sadly. Vass NEEDS to join the 21st century commerce wise (just keep the old fashioned approach to making great shoes)

And that's my bank - thanks for saving me the bother of checking. Maybe I need to look into Western Union or some such place. Talk about it only being a PITA once - if Vass would go through the one-time PITA to set up cc or Paypal payment, then ALL his international clients going forward would benefit. I'm guessing we amount to more than a small fraction of his business.

JP - what ordering advice would you offer?

 

[JPHardy]

For ordering, I'm glad I went through most of the thread.

Try to cover everything that you want with the shoe.

I looked up a picture of the style (austerity brogue)
Last-F
Color- Navy
Sole- Single or double(you need double if you want steel toe, single you can get rubber toe, or not toe guard)
Shoe tree's - I went with standard, know that there is a 3 piece.
Sole edging -black

There may be other options I'm forgetting or were not important for me.

Size- Try to pinpoint what it is in EU (43, 43.5, 44, 44.5, 45) but try not to say I'm a 10UK. This is where reading through will help.

Try to put it all in one email and make no changes once the order goes through. Vass may still make an error, but it will reduce your chances of it happening. Multiple changes to an order while in progress can be a big cause for mistakes.

Then sit back and wait. Really a short time 4-5 weeks.

 

[Zarium]

And that's my bank - thanks for saving me the bother of checking. Maybe I need to look into Western Union or some such place. Talk about it only being a PITA once - if Vass would go through the one-time PITA to set up cc or Paypal payment, then ALL his international clients going forward would benefit. I'm guessing we amount to more than a small fraction of his business.

JP - what ordering advice would you offer?

I believe Vass refuses to accept credit cards/PayPal because of the potential risks such payment methods pose to them, as a seller. Chargebacks, et al.

There are a lot of unscrupulous people around.

 

[bertie]



I believe Vass refuses to accept credit cards/PayPal because of the potential risks such payment methods pose to them, as a seller. Chargebacks, et al.

There are a lot of unscrupulous people around.

Yes but they still deserve good shoes obtained in a convenient manner

 

[greverif]

Are most of the shoes on the photos posted in this thread MTO-shoes (wich Vass charge extra for) or are they shoes at the standard price? I love many of the shoes in this thread but on Vass website its hard to tell how they look in reality. They need better photos IMO.

 

[joiji]

Are most of the shoes on the photos posted in this thread MTO-shoes (wich Vass charge extra for) or are they shoes at the standard price? I love many of the shoes in this thread but on Vass website its hard to tell how they look in reality. They need better photos IMO.

Vass does no RTW to speak of, from my understanding. All orders made outside of their store (by phone or by email) are done as a MTO, but without charging for such. You select a style and leather, sole options and such, or just email Rezso a picture and say: 'Make me this on the ... last in size ...' and they are shipped around 4 weeks later. I'd imagine the MTO fee would be incurred if you wanted to create a new design they did not have an existing pattern for, or have them alter a last.

It is an excellent system.

 

[RogerP]



I believe Vass refuses to accept credit cards/PayPal because of the potential risks such payment methods pose to them, as a seller. Chargebacks, et al.

There are a lot of unscrupulous people around.

And yet countless businesses seem to manage just fine with such payment options.

Fair point though, that going this route wouldn't be a one-time PITA for Vass.

 

[Ilovelobbs]

Vass does no RTW to speak of, from my understanding. All orders made outside of their store (by phone or by email) are done as a MTO, but without charging for such. You select a style and leather, sole options and such, or just email Rezso a picture and say: 'Make me this on the ... last in size ...' and they are shipped around 4 weeks later. I'd imagine the MTO fee would be incurred if you wanted to create a new design they did not have an existing pattern for, or have them alter a last.

It is an excellent system.

Hello Joiji,

A slight correction to your statement above -

Vass has an array of RTW stock shoes - but most are in the tradtional 3636; R; P's; Budapester and U last.
Most are in Black and brown calf - most of the styles are in plain toe cap; semi/full wingtip (brogues).
Most are more catered for the local and European market.

You will get to pick up some of the more exotic MTO shoes if you walk into their shop. But the majority
of the MTO's shown on SF are MTO - and you will need to contact Vass or a proxy to get them made
for you.


Apart from that - every man should own 1 pair of Vass in their lifetime.

 

[greverif]

Which last is this? They are very nice.

 

[archangle13]

Which last is this? They are very nice.

Definitely F last

 

[archangle13]

Apart from that - every man should own 1 pair of Vass in their lifetime.

Well, it really depends on fit, doesn't it? Feet come in all shapes and sizes.