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

[cincikid]

On that note, can I exchange a pair of shoes for a different size through the shoebank when I bought them through the Jville outlet? Anyone done such a thing?

Yes, I think I might have done that.

 

[tifosi]



I hope Allison gets a nice bonus/raise/etc. this year for putting up with us

How about a StyleForum thank you card or letter??

 

[kentyman]

How about a StyleForum thank you card or letter??

I'd gladly sign that. Even though I don't have a MTO, I do have this:

So after a lot of phone tag, I finally heard back from Allison regarding my 3 questionable McAllisters.

She said she was going to bring my 3rd pair in and have a powwow with the heads of quality and even Paul himself. Besides agreeing that all the other defects weren't right, they determined that the ridges were indeed not ideal and something they wanted to look into remedying. The ridge is indeed from the lower piece of leather showing through, so she is working with the designers to come up with a new pattern where this doesn't happen. She said they'll make two uppers with this new pattern to try to yield a pair without the ridge, and she will personally inspect it before sending me the 4th attempt. I asked if this was a custom makeup or if they were looking into incorporating this permanently to the McAllister, and she said for now it would just be for me but if it works out they would consider doing it for all McAllisters.

I'm very happy how seriously she took this. I basically wanted a pair with less of a ridge, so would've been fine with her just finding one that looked better. Instead, she took it upon herself to not only make me happy but also possibly tweak the model for the future. Additionally, I was given a gift card to make up for waiting a few months to get this resolved.

Anyway, add this story to the numerous other examples of great customer service from Allen Edmonds.

I have been gone for months, but I wanted to follow up on round 4 of these McAllisters. Here they are made with the new experimental pattern to remove the toe ridge. Proof that it can be done:



The only possible blemish I saw was a particularly wrinkled piece of leather in the lacing, either from weaker leather or just sitting in the box wrong, but after some Reno and lacing them properly, I think it's not a big deal:



Looking forward to wearing these for the first time not-this-but-next weekend at a good friend's wedding!

 

[chinngiskhaan]

Yup. That's why you didn't get any bites the first time you posted about it.

haha... I say it sort of tongue in cheek. Before coming to this thread I had no idea that men had so many pairs of shoes. IF not for AE's excellent customer service all the shoe buying and free publicity/advertising AE gets from this thread would be hard to believe. However, I do know for myself that AE has the best CS around so it's no wonder that they have such devoted and enthusiastic customers.

 

[MKJ1]

I don't have the slightest idea how to start this, but would anyone be interested in pooling funds together and getting MTO Allison a small(or large, depending on SF participation) token of appreciation? Just a thought since there seems to have been a surge in MTO orders during the sale. It would make for a nice gesture.

 

[MKJ1]

Looks like tifosi beat me to the idea

 

[tifosi]



I don't have the slightest idea how to start this, but would anyone be interested in pooling funds together and getting MTO Allison a small(or large, depending on SF participation) token of appreciation? Just a thought since there seems to have been a surge in MTO orders during the sale. It would make for a nice gesture.

I thought about that too, but I was just thinking of something we could email around and have everyone electronically sign and say a few words. I think a gesture like that would go a long way. I'd gladly head it up if there is genuine interest.

 

[bkotsko]

I don't have the slightest idea how to start this, but would anyone be interested in pooling funds together and getting MTO Allison a small(or large, depending on SF participation) token of appreciation? Just a thought since there seems to have been a surge in MTO orders during the sale. It would make for a nice gesture.

There would probably be better luck with PMing or emailing the President if at all possible and relaying our gratitude for her effort.
He will take care of her.
Most companies frown upon employees receiving gifts from clients.
My 2 cents...

 

[tifosi]



There would probably be better luck with PMing or emailing the President if at all possible and relaying our gratitude for her effort.
He will take care of her.
Most companies frown upon employees receiving gifts from clients. 
My 2 cents...

I agree. See my post above. My idea would ultimately end up being a word doc or something similar and emailing it to her.

 

[MKJ1]



There would probably be better luck with PMing or emailing the President if at all possible and relaying our gratitude for her effort.
He will take care of her.
Most companies frown upon employees receiving gifts from clients. 
My 2 cents...

Didn't think about that. Wouldn't be fair to all the people who had a hand in making the MTOs happen either. Just a thought, I'll gladly participate in any gesture of appreciation though

 

[New Shoes1]

Thanks for the comments. Sounds like the size is worth sticking with. I'll have to decide about the pitting, which actually closer to pockmarks in some places.

New Shoes1, I'm surprised to hear that getting the polish off make it less noticeable. I would've expected the polish to almost act as women's concealer/foundation makeup to fill in holes, and would expect the higher shine to enhance the differences. Can you and/or bucksfan share what the blemishes on your brown shell Patriots look like?

Thanks again.

Here is a picture straight out of the box. You can see the rough patch on the toe.




Here's a more recent one.



It's still there, but not as noticeable. I assume the frequent brushing smoothed it down some.

 

[cincikid]

What's the best place to get a deer bone for cordovan? Saw it once at the Alden store in DC, but that's about it.

 

[bespoken pa]

Leffot or Hanger Project.

 

[rydenfan]



Leffot or Hanger Project.

I would suggest hanger project as well. $75 qualifies you for free shipping so with the deer bone you are half way there. Just grab some suede spray, saphir product, brush etc. and you are good

 

[SBear]

What's the best place to get a deer bone for cordovan? Saw it once at the Alden store in DC, but that's about it.

or just use any smooth, not cold, hard object. A smooth plastic pot scraper, back of a warm spoon... There is nothing special about bone, despite the hype. It is hard, smooth, and close to room temperature - qualities that can be found in many objects.