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

[PhiPsi32]

I dunno; I've started to think that I should ask the retailer to hand pick the shoes before shipping. I haven't had any problems with AE, but I have received a couple of "first quality" shoes from that other American shoe maker with obvious defects in the leather. It's an inconvenience, but as long as they make it right I'm not apt to complain too much.

 

[JubeiSpiegel]



My jaw hit the floor. I oversee a large plant with full scale assembly for a living, including QC, engineering, etc., so I know first hand that sometimes things "get out", and am probably more lenient than most here when it comes to a few imperfections (character I tell myself). But this, no way. I just could not believe it.

I have been a very satisfied AE customer, I own 5 pairs. This may be a deal breaker for me.

Send disappointed email to AE customer service, and return. They should take care of the rest. I have had the problems with a particular model, three consecutive times, but their customer service always makes it right. I'm hoping the quality control improves soon, as they recently expanded their production and there seems to be a steep learning curve at the moment...

 

[acousticfoodie]



I know some say AE's quality has gotten worse, but boy, was I in for a shocker today.

The Cappuccino shell McAllisters I ordered from the AE came in, and holy cow, I would not have considered these seconds, never mind full price.

I mean, it was bad. Leather on the bottom was all cracked and peeling (along with a square dent), nail head in heel was not in all the way, front top was splotchy and scratched (if only this, I would have kept and buffed out), what looks like a glue stain inside.

Have many other AE's, and Alden shells, and know some imperfections are to be expected, and can tolerate a lot, but this was a shocker. Needless to say, they are going back. 

Wow those are first quality? That's pretty terrible. There is suppose to be people who inspect every shoe that goes out. Missing something like that (especially on a limited model) is unacceptable. Hopefully they still have enough capuchin cordovan left to make you another one.

 

[ElDave]

On the topic of AE QC, I just received a pair of walnut Strands and Im pleased to say that the finish seems to be the best of any AEs I've purchased that are from the "normal" price point ($335; the cordovan shoes in my experience are generally finished better).

 

[Quadcammer]

wow, that cap cordo strand is awful. I would definitely raise hell on that one.

 

[g.michael]

I'm supposed to receive my Cappucino cordovan McGraws this week--i hope they look better!

 

[asalerno]

IMO, If you are only going to have one brown dress shoe I would hold out for an oxford rather than a derbie.

it would just be my only nice brown shoe... for now (have brown cole haan captoe that are ok)

Thanks for the input, I'll consider also looking into oxfords.

I'm very borderline E ("fit expert" put me in 11D strands, seem fine, need an E in bayfield) but I ordered camrbidge in burgundy in both 11D and 11E - hopefully one will fit! (if not I will either send back or see if anyone couldn't get a pair here)

 

[hiffic]

Quick question about the interiors of AE shoes. Recently bought some totally sweet Elgins, wore them for a day, then left some shoe trees in them for a few days. Took the trees out today and put them on not only feeling like they were a slightly bigger, but like a foreign object is stuck in the edge of the toe box. Turns out to be some black rubber cement-like material:


Is this normal for most AE shoes, or shoes in general? What the heck is that stuff?

 

[sartorialnoob]

Wow, those shoes are a disappointment. However, I had no idea they had a shell balmoral wingtip in that color. I looked at the AE website and the closest I saw was the Cambridge, but the only brown shade was burgundy.

Are other colors typically available than what they show on the website?

 

[hiffic]

awesome double post

 

[JubeiSpiegel]



I'm supposed to receive my Cappucino cordovan McGraws this week--i hope they look better!

From what others have posted, it is a 50% - 50% shot...

 

[kmdsimpson]

At least with regular edition firsts, you can get replacements. With these special edition cordovans, they might not be available. You just have to look at the positive side of not spending money if they can't be replaced.

Of course, with seconds, all bets are off. You have to assume there won't be any replacements available.

 

[Shiny]

A while back someone posted the email of edward in the freeport store. Well, i emailed him last week and he has not responded. In my book, he sucks.

 

[kmdsimpson]



A while back someone posted the email of edward in the freeport store. Well, i emailed him last week and he has not responded. In my book, he sucks.

Huh. I got a response right away from Freeport. I'd try the shoebank email: [email protected] If you give them your size, they'll send you a list of every shoe available.

But I did less than stellar customer service when I called them. I think it's just inconsistent sometimes.

 

[asalerno]

Edward got right back to me and was super helpful and quick... you can call him at 207-865-6222, he's there now.