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

dieselman89 said:

So based on user feedback, I passed on the AE belts and I am going to head to the rack to see if they have any shoe trees (from AE or the manufacturer of AE's shoe trees)

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I went last night to the rack and picked up some tree's.

I've never seen AE shoe trees there, but I don't see the point in buying them. Kb think the only difference between those and the Woodlore ones are the AE label. I think the Woodlore model its the combination one.

I have share a really unpleasant experience with Novelty Shoe Rebuilders at 119 Yonge Street.

I went in and there was this really talkative black guy that seemed to own the store, and I asked if they had dark brown Kiwi shoe polish. He said he didn't, but he has something that can work wonders, and everyone's satisfied with it.

He gave me Collonil product that is basically some kind of conditioner, which I only realized when I got home. I already have the AE Shoe Polish which is a conditioner, and I wanted some polish to put a bit of a shine on my shoes, so this was not a product for me.

I checked the receipt, and it had nothing about a return policy, so I called. The first guy said that he doesn't make the decisions, and put me on to the same guy who I bought it from. He said that no, they don't accept any product returns of unopened products, and no one has ever complained, which is hard to believe.

I've got to say that's probably the only store I've come across in Toronto that doesn't accept returns, and I'm never going to purchase anything from there again.

This might be a stupid question, but, is there a difference between buying a pair of Strands at a AE outlet, rather then an AE store?



TauKappaEpsilon said:

This might be a stupid question, but, is there a difference between buying a pair of Strands at a AE outlet, rather then an AE store?

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AE outlet will more than likely be selling second quality shoes, AE store carries first quality shoes.

JubeiSpiegel said:

AE outlet will more than likely be selling second quality shoes, AE store carries first quality shoes.

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What are second quality shoes if its the same shoe made by AE?

TauKappaEpsilon said:

What are second quality shoes if its the same shoe made by AE?

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Slightly irregular for one reason or another, and sold at a discount because of it.

bucksfan said:

Slightly irregular for one reason or another, and sold at a discount because of it.

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Many times they arent even a "noticeable" irregularity-could be a crooked stitch, or other SF users have reported that the insole wasnt stamped with the AE logo. You can get really lucky, or you may not. Ive had pretty good luck.

I believe they also sell firsts in the outlets, but I may be wrong. If they do, then there is definitely no difference between those and a regular AE store. But I buy my firsts at Nordstroms annual sale ($200)

Thanks SF (a new me) said:

Nordie shoe trees are good value as Pat_B noted...Fortunately, I'm pretty much set with AE shoe trees when 5-6 years ago as they had a huge sale at the Port Washington,WI location were trees are sold for 6.99 each..I must have grab 20 of 'em for gifts and personal use

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Ive found a difference between the Nordie shoe trees and others (like AE). I have a bunch of Nordstroms ones, and the cedar smell just isnt as strong and aromatic

blsing said:

Many times they arent even a "noticeable" irregularity-could be a crooked stitch, or other SF users have reported that the insole wasnt stamped with the AE logo. You can get really lucky, or you may not. Ive had pretty good luck.

I believe they also sell firsts in the outlets, but I may be wrong. If they do, then there is definitely no difference between those and a regular AE store. But I buy my firsts at Nordstroms annual sale ($200)




Ive found a difference between the Nordie shoe trees and others (like AE). I have a bunch of Nordstroms ones, and the cedar smell just isnt as strong and aromatic

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If the smell isn't as strong you should get some fine grit sandpaper and sand the first "layer" off. The smell will come back very strongly.



blsing said:

Many times they arent even a "noticeable" irregularity-could be a crooked stitch, or other SF users have reported that the insole wasnt stamped with the AE logo. You can get really lucky, or you may not. Ive had pretty good luck. 

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And generally anything actually bad will disqualify them as seconds (since even with seconds they sell them from their own stores and allow returns/exchanges). My understanding is that most things that make a shoe a second are either issues that are barely noticable or issues that would be caused just by wearing them a few times--so they don't want to sell them as 100% AE quality but unless you never wear your shoes, it won't really matter.

otc said:

And generally anything actually bad will disqualify them as seconds (since even with seconds they sell them from their own stores and allow returns/exchanges). My understanding is that most things that make a shoe a second are either issues that are barely noticable or issues that would be caused just by wearing them a few times--so they don't want to sell them as 100% AE quality but unless you never wear your shoes, it won't really matter.

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I've seen this in the form of creases. If you will be creasing your shoe in the same spot, and you are okay relinquishing that coveted job to previous guy, then seconds are for you

This may be a weird question but how tight are shoe tree's suppose to fit?
I bought XL tree's for my 11.5 D Strands and I really need to use sole force to get them in....

Do seconds come with the shoe bags in the box?

TauKappaEpsilon said:

Do seconds come with the shoe bags in the box?

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Ive only seen them come with a cloth made out of the same material-no bags



Barroomheroes said:

This may be a weird question but how tight are shoe tree's suppose to fit?
I bought XL tree's for my 11.5 D Strands and I really need to use sole force to get them in.... 

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Arent XL for like 12-14M or something?