Allen Edmonds Appreciation Thread - reviews, pictures, sizing, etc...

[RogerP]

I would be uncomfortable going to a store and trying on all their shoes with no intentions to buy. I'd be wasting a sales person's time that they could potentially be using to actually sell shoes and make money. I'm fortunate to have an actual AE store about 30 minutes from me and i've been in there and developed a relationship with the manager. I've bought shoes from him and the other day when I was thinking about order the patriots as seconds I first went to him and while no one was in the store (they had just opened) I told him about the seconds sale and asked if he would allow me to try on a pair to ensure proper fit. Of course he had no problem doing this because i'm a loyal customer and even that day I walked out with shoe trees and suede waterproofer. I think that is different than going into a store with a notebook with the sole intentions of "finding my size" so I can buy online and not buying anything from the physical store. I think this is especially true at a store like Nordstroms. Just my $0.02

Agree completely.

 

[JermynStreet]



Agree completely.

All constructive comments here. Perhaps Allen Edmonds could do a "fitting service" where they mail you a bunch of shoes for you to try on. The shoes could be seconds and the customer could pay for the shipping, but it would allow rural customers to get a better fit and feel for AE. This may seem like a radical idea, but I'm sure a company as resourceful and well run as AE could figure out a system like this. No problem for a CEO like Grangaard.

 

[David Copeland]

I would be uncomfortable going to a store and trying on all their shoes with no intentions to buy. I'd be wasting a sales person's time that they could potentially be using to actually sell shoes and make money. I'm fortunate to have an actual AE store about 30 minutes from me and i've been in there and developed a relationship with the manager. I've bought shoes from him and the other day when I was thinking about order the patriots as seconds I first went to him and while no one was in the store (they had just opened) I told him about the seconds sale and asked if he would allow me to try on a pair to ensure proper fit. Of course he had no problem doing this because i'm a loyal customer and even that day I walked out with shoe trees and suede waterproofer. I think that is different than going into a store with a notebook with the sole intentions of "finding my size" so I can buy online and not buying anything from the physical store. I think this is especially true at a store like Nordstroms. Just my $0.02

Well, that was not my sole intention to not buy anything at the store. After all, the prices are the same at Nordstroms as they are at AE (except maybe for the sale price which Nordstroms will match).

But I did edit my earlier comment for clarity:

"And because different styles may predict a completely different size - I think I will take along a notebook to Nordstroms and try on every style that strikes my fancy - buy what I can within my current budget - and then know what other styles and exact sizes I want in the future - so that when I return to Montana and am ready to purchase again, I can either call the Nordstroms sales rep and order over the phone - or use the Nordstroms or AE online buying with the correct fit.

Added Note: Nordstroms will PRICE MATCH all of their Allen Edmonds shoes with whatever AE Sale is going on at the AE website!"

 

[wdahab]



I would be uncomfortable going to a store and trying on all their shoes with no intentions to buy. I'd be wasting a sales person's time that they could potentially be using to actually sell shoes and make money. I'm fortunate to have an actual AE store about 30 minutes from me and i've been in there and developed a relationship with the manager. I've bought shoes from him and the other day when I was thinking about order the patriots as seconds I first went to him and while no one was in the store (they had just opened) I told him about the seconds sale and asked if he would allow me to try on a pair to ensure proper fit. Of course he had no problem doing this because i'm a loyal customer and even that day I walked out with shoe trees and suede waterproofer. I think that is different than going into a store with a notebook with the sole intentions of "finding my size" so I can buy online and not buying anything from the physical store. I think this is especially true at a store like Nordstroms. Just my $0.02

I agree with the sentiment behind this, but not the actual practice. I try to be upfront with my intentions before hand. For example, this weekend I went to a couple of Alden shops to find my Barrie, TruBalance and Modified sizings. No way to do this without actually getting to try on some shoes. I was upfront at both stores that my intentions were to just to find my specific size in case I decide to make a purchase at some point. At both places, the salesmen were more energetic about me trying on shoes than I would have asked of them, but not resentful when I didn't buy anything. A good salesman knows that rapport building and friendly service will bring you back more times than pushing a shoe you don't really want 100%. It probably helps that I was wearing good shoes, at the time, of course.

At my local AE outlet, of course, they just know me and that I buy lots of shoes. They don't have any problem helping me out without hope of an immediate sale, because they know that good service has kept me loyal, and a sale will happen at some point in the future.

 

[Veridis]

Why? Allen Edmunds sells new shoes to Amazon for resale. It's obvious that Amazon took these back from a customer yet they sold them to you used. It is Amazon's responsibility to replace them, not AE's. You paid Amazon for new shoes, how can you expect Allen Edmonds to take used shoes and send you new shoes? That will end up with AE putting out two pairs, but only getting paid once, by Amazon. Since Amazon is the "legitimate source", it is their duty to make it right.

What I would suggest is call Amazon back and ask for a supervisor, then demand that they perform as per the contract. You ordered and paid for new shoes and new shoes is what Amazon is required to send you. There isn't any fine print on Amazon that says its ok to substitute used items when you buy new. Amazon even sells used items for many item categories, but they are listed as such. They can't legally just switch used for new when they feel like it. That's false advertising.

Also, out of nine pairs of AE shoes, I haven't received any with "plastic sticks", they have all come in felt bags, stufft with black paper.

I have contacted Amazon again and accepted a partial refund. The sale is over and I cannot rationalize paying about $200 more for the same shoe on the AE website. Amazon said that they would normally do an exchange, but they have no stock on hand right now.

I guess all I can do now is to enjoy the shoes! At least I don't see any structural problems with it. Going to stuff a pair of shoe trees in them and hope it gets into better shape.

 

[David Copeland]

Excellent Allen Edmond Videos:


And many more here:
http://www.allenedmonds.com/aeonline/VideoLibrary?catalogId=40000000001&langId=-1&storeId=1

 

[bellyhungry]

In my opinion, AE needs to offer the following:

- Bourbon or medium brown Macneil. of the current offering, I like the walnut color but I am not a fan of pebble grain
- Medium grey suede wingtip. Grey suede wingtip is very versatile for Spring and Summer

 

[frogwash]



I would be uncomfortable going to a store and trying on all their shoes with no intentions to buy. I'd be wasting a sales person's time that they could potentially be using to actually sell shoes and make money. I'm fortunate to have an actual AE store about 30 minutes from me and i've been in there and developed a relationship with the manager. I've bought shoes from him and the other day when I was thinking about order the patriots as seconds I first went to him and while no one was in the store (they had just opened) I told him about the seconds sale and asked if he would allow me to try on a pair to ensure proper fit. Of course he had no problem doing this because i'm a loyal customer and even that day I walked out with shoe trees and suede waterproofer. I think that is different than going into a store with a notebook with the sole intentions of "finding my size" so I can buy online and not buying anything from the physical store. I think this is especially true at a store like Nordstroms. Just my $0.02

+1

 

[itsmejson]

So I wore my brown Cliftons yesterday and they were too small. The outlet does not have any more 2nds in the size I need. Would the Burgundy Clifton be as good of a color in terms of versatility as the brown cliftons? I plan to wear with chinos to jeans

 

[Pastor]



So I wore my brown Cliftons yesterday and they were too small. The outlet does not have any more 2nds in the size I need. Would the Burgundy Clifton be as good of a color in terms of versatility as the brown cliftons? I plan to wear with chinos to jeans

I think the burgundy would look equally as well with chinos and jeans. I wear burgundy all the time with informal outfits.

 

[frogwash]

I would be uncomfortable going to a store and trying on all their shoes with no intentions to buy. I'd be wasting a sales person's time that they could potentially be using to actually sell shoes and make money. I'm fortunate to have an actual AE store about 30 minutes from me and i've been in there and developed a relationship with the manager. I've bought shoes from him and the other day when I was thinking about order the patriots as seconds I first went to him and while no one was in the store (they had just opened) I told him about the seconds sale and asked if he would allow me to try on a pair to ensure proper fit. Of course he had no problem doing this because i'm a loyal customer and even that day I walked out with shoe trees and suede waterproofer. I think that is different than going into a store with a notebook with the sole intentions of "finding my size" so I can buy online and not buying anything from the physical store. I think this is especially true at a store like Nordstroms. Just my $0.02

Well, that was not my sole intention to not buy anything at the store. After all, the prices are the same at Nordstroms as they are at AE (except maybe for the sale price which Nordstroms will match). But I did edit my earlier comment for clarity: "And because different styles may predict a completely different size - I think I will take along a notebook to Nordstroms and try on every style that strikes my fancy - buy what I can within my current budget - and then know what other styles and exact sizes I want in the future - so that when I return to Montana and am ready to purchase again, I can either call the Nordstroms sales rep and order over the phone - or use the Nordstroms or AE online buying with the correct fit. Added Note: Nordstroms will PRICE MATCH all of their Allen Edmonds shoes with whatever AE Sale is going on at the AE website! "

It's just about not buying "anything at the store. While the store may or may not come out ahead, depending on how much time is spent there and what is purchased, that's not really the whole point. It's about the salesperson--who is there trying to earn a living. That person earns a commission by providing a service and assisting you with your purchase of right pair of shoes. It's not right to spend several hours of the shoe specialist's time so that all your future online orders from somewhere else or even someone else at the same company are perfect. It is the sales professional's duty to assist you to ensure that your purchase best suits your needs and wants. But going in with the notebook and then buying a shirt in another department has not only taken the shoeperson's time from him or her, but all the time going over every last has also taken away the opportunity to earn money to provide for his or her family because he is unable to help another customer who is there to buy shoes.

I would be uncomfortable going to a store and trying on all their shoes with no intentions to buy. I'd be wasting a sales person's time that they could potentially be using to actually sell shoes and make money. I'm fortunate to have an actual AE store about 30 minutes from me and i've been in there and developed a relationship with the manager. I've bought shoes from him and the other day when I was thinking about order the patriots as seconds I first went to him and while no one was in the store (they had just opened) I told him about the seconds sale and asked if he would allow me to try on a pair to ensure proper fit. Of course he had no problem doing this because i'm a loyal customer and even that day I walked out with shoe trees and suede waterproofer. I think that is different than going into a store with a notebook with the sole intentions of "finding my size" so I can buy online and not buying anything from the physical store. I think this is especially true at a store like Nordstroms. Just my $0.02

I agree with the sentiment behind this, but not the actual practice. I try to be upfront with my intentions before hand. For example, this weekend I went to a couple of Alden shops to find my Barrie, TruBalance and Modified sizings. No way to do this without actually getting to try on some shoes. I was upfront at both stores that my intentions were to just to find my specific size in case I decide to make a purchase at some point. At both places, the salesmen were more energetic about me trying on shoes than I would have asked of them, but not resentful when I didn't buy anything. A good salesman knows that rapport building and friendly service will bring you back more times than pushing a shoe you don't really want 100%. It probably helps that I was wearing good shoes, at the time, of course. At my local AE outlet, of course, they just know me and that I buy lots of shoes. They don't have any problem helping me out without hope of an immediate sale, because they know that good service has kept me loyal, and a sale will happen at some point in the future.

Sure. So, if you build a good rapport, you're really going to go back to that specific person when you are ready to purchase? Then you are one of the exceptions to the norm. While it sounds good, for the majority of people, they will say that this is what they are going to do, but when the time comes they will rationalize it away and then just order online. The people at the Alden stores were true professionals by showing enthusiasm with assisting you. Their boss probably also requires that they help all customers, even those that state they are not going to buy there. They were probably also hoping that their service to you would end up in a sale, but don't be surprised if there was some resentment and their professionalism prevented them from showing it.

 

[Septimus]

... assuming the salespeople work on commission.

 

[Winston S.]



... assuming the salespeople work on commission.

Even if they don't, their performance rating might be dependent on how many sales or dollars they bring in.

 

[tampatravel]

Having just been to a Nordstoms in Tampa...I imagine the women's department has more time wasters than the men's! Last time I was there - there was a group of teen girls trying on $650 Jimmy Choo shoes, watches on...etc.

I still wouldn't waste a guys time trying on shoes and "showrooming". It's one thing to do it at an AE store, its another to do it at a store that carries AE. Just my $.02

 

[bespoken pa]



It's just about not buying "anything at the store. While the store may or may not come out ahead, depending on how much time is spent there and what is purchased, that's not really the whole point.
It's about the salesperson--who is there trying to earn a living. That person earns a commission by providing a service and assisting you with your purchase of right pair of shoes. It's not right to spend several hours of the shoe specialist's time so that all your future online orders from somewhere else or even someone else at the same
company are perfect. It is the sales professional's duty to assist you to ensure that your purchase best suits your needs and wants. But going in with the notebook and then buying a shirt in another department has not only taken the shoeperson's time from him or her, but all the time
going over every last has also taken away the opportunity to earn money to provide for his or her family because he is unable to help another customer who is there to buy shoes.
Sure. So, if you build a good rapport, you're really going to go back to that specific person when you are ready to purchase? Then you are
one of the exceptions to the norm. While it sounds good, for the majority of people, they will say that this is what they are going to do, but when the time comes they will rationalize it away and then just order online. The people at the Alden stores were true professionals by showing enthusiasm with assisting you. Their boss probably also

requires that they help all customers, even those that state they are not going to buy there. They were probably also hoping that their service to you would end up in a sale, but don't be surprised if there was some resentment and their professionalism prevented them from showing it.

There was a particular SA at the Madison ave Alden store. I inquired about his schedule so that I could continue to purchase items from him as he was very helpful. He told me not to worry about as they don't work on commission. I was pretty impressed as he really goes above and beyond to help.