Quote:
Originally Posted by Cold Iron 
I had been trying to get a pair of Bradley’s in #8 shell since December of last year. However I really have wanted chukka’s in shell since I can recall. To me a PTB chukka shows off shell better than anything. And can go from a suit to jeans with ease. So when they released the Dundee as a webgem I called AE and canceled the Bradley and replaced it with the Dundee in burgundy. The next day I ordered the black shell Dundee. I posted on here that I regretted not getting the cappuccino Dundee when it was offered. Bucksfan sent me a PM and suggested it may worth my time to email Paul the CEO of AE and explain the situation concerning the Bradley’s and ask if it would be possible to have a pair made in cappuccino. I am extremely grateful that bucksfan took the time to contact me, was he ever correct.
Warning: Spoiler! (Click to show)
The one I wanted the most but couldn't seem to get. The Leeds on the left are very brownish in comparison. The Cambridge on the right is a mix of colors but still a little opaque, but less brown. The new Dundees are very glossy and solid colored, yet still have a little depth due to the way they finished them. And you can see it has more of the older wider welt than the Cambridge, which is fine by me. Should be able to click on the pictures to get a better view. I really think that AE nailed it solid with the new shell finish.
I had been trying to get a pair of Bradley’s in #8 shell since December of last year. However I really have wanted chukka’s in shell since I can recall. To me a PTB chukka shows off shell better than anything. And can go from a suit to jeans with ease. So when they released the Dundee as a webgem I called AE and canceled the Bradley and replaced it with the Dundee in burgundy. The next day I ordered the black shell Dundee. I posted on here that I regretted not getting the cappuccino Dundee when it was offered. Bucksfan sent me a PM and suggested it may worth my time to email Paul the CEO of AE and explain the situation concerning the Bradley’s and ask if it would be possible to have a pair made in cappuccino. I am extremely grateful that bucksfan took the time to contact me, was he ever correct.
Warning: Spoiler! (Click to show)
Talk about customer service! I emailed Paul on Thursday. Friday I received a call from a lady that has worked at AE for 30 years and she talked to me for 28 min. and 16 seconds, what an educational experience. She apologized for Paul not being able to call me as he was on the road and said Paul had authorized her to make it happen. She had my complete order history and asked a lot of questions. When I told her that the reason I did not get the Dundee was that the Malvern did not fit me and was too tight she immediately replied that was because they used memory foam in the Malvern. Also that there is a shortage of shell and has been for a year now which is why they only do made to order in shell. Horween can not keep up with the demand. She was concerned that I had not seen the cappuccino shell in person and said it was apparent from my order history that I would not be going barefoot any time soon (LOL) so sent samples of the other 3 shell colors to me. And said I had the option of ordering any color, all 3 or none. They showed up the next day, on Saturday. Cappuccino also goes by the name of truffle and it changes based on the lighting dramatically.
On Monday I called her back and told her I would like to order all 3, as painful as the cost was it is still a bargain and a once in a lifetime chance to get what I really wanted. They waived all custom charges and she told me I could have them made any way I wanted to. It didn’t take long to decide on Redenbach soles for all 5 pairs, black for #8 and black shell, brown for truffle and dark brown, and natural for the walnut. It will take 2-3 months to get them all I was shocked to get the #8 so fast. Not sure if maybe they were the ones made up for the pictures on the site?
Over the next couple of days will try to get some decent pictures and post them. Rainy and dark out so dodging rain drops out of dozen of pictures this is the best I could do. So the newest addition to the fleet is a squadron of DD class (Dundee) USS (United States Shoe).
USS Burgundy, DD-1 arriving...
With flash the red shows up much more pronounced. The black highlights do not show up without it so much. The toes are done with more black than red, which I find is a nice touch.
On Monday I called her back and told her I would like to order all 3, as painful as the cost was it is still a bargain and a once in a lifetime chance to get what I really wanted. They waived all custom charges and she told me I could have them made any way I wanted to. It didn’t take long to decide on Redenbach soles for all 5 pairs, black for #8 and black shell, brown for truffle and dark brown, and natural for the walnut. It will take 2-3 months to get them all I was shocked to get the #8 so fast. Not sure if maybe they were the ones made up for the pictures on the site?
Over the next couple of days will try to get some decent pictures and post them. Rainy and dark out so dodging rain drops out of dozen of pictures this is the best I could do. So the newest addition to the fleet is a squadron of DD class (Dundee) USS (United States Shoe).
USS Burgundy, DD-1 arriving...
With flash the red shows up much more pronounced. The black highlights do not show up without it so much. The toes are done with more black than red, which I find is a nice touch.
The one I wanted the most but couldn't seem to get. The Leeds on the left are very brownish in comparison. The Cambridge on the right is a mix of colors but still a little opaque, but less brown. The new Dundees are very glossy and solid colored, yet still have a little depth due to the way they finished them. And you can see it has more of the older wider welt than the Cambridge, which is fine by me. Should be able to click on the pictures to get a better view. I really think that AE nailed it solid with the new shell finish.
You have - and are going to have - and amazing collection. I hope you can take some pictures of all your shell Dundees together, as well as all of your shell shoes. Congratulations!
I'm sure they were just as happy to take your order as you were to hear back from them. You must be listed as VIP in their database!
