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Considering Johston & Murphey Cap-Toe - Good Call?

Ahheck01

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While several hours of browsing would suggest I've lost my mind, I'd like to preface this with my intention. I'm looking for a sharp looking, decent quality dress shoe to last me 8-14 months before a serious upgrade to AE or other respectable shoe maker.

I know you all heavily dislike the "best shoe for under $100" threads, so I'm not asking for that here. I'm considering this shoe:

http://www.johnstonmurphy.com/produc...2805&VID=72823

..for it's classic appearance and leather sole. $140 is certainly on the upper limit of my budget at this point, but the shoes are much needed.

So the reason for my post is this: Would you purchase something else to get a black cap toe leather dress shoe for under $150, or would this be pretty much as good as it gets for this pricepoint?

Thanks, gents!

-Evan
 

greekgeek

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They would serve your purpose well but you'd be much better off saving another ~$50 and buying some AEs.
 

Ahheck01

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How would I save $50 by buying a shoe that costs $200 more?
 

Harold falcon

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Originally Posted by Ahheck01
How would I save $50 by buying a shoe that costs $200 more?

1. Buy it on sale.
2. Call Shoe mart and buy seconds.
 

Ahheck01

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Originally Posted by harvey_birdman
1. Buy it on sale.
2. Call Shoe mart and buy seconds.


I've never seen the popular AE shoes available in size 12 on sale for $150 or less. I've seen no mention of this being possible here on the forums either, except by an off-chance at a garage sale ore something.

That said, if I could find me some AE Park Avenue's in black for under $150, my credit card would get a little thinner right now.

-Evan
 

R-H

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I have a pair of J&M cap toes. They cost more than A&E (at discount, or on B&S) and have cheap looking corrected grain leather.

Skip the J&Ms.
 

R-H

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Originally Posted by Ahheck01
I've never seen the popular AE shoes available in size 12 on sale for $150 or less.

Call Allen Edmonds and ask them what factory 2nds or closeouts are available in your size.
 

Ahheck01

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Originally Posted by R-H
Call Allen Edmonds and ask them what factory 2nds or closeouts are available in your size.
Thanks for the suggestion - I will do that tomorrow.

I'm just learning tonight (researching these forums) what some of these terms are, like "corrected grain" etc., so what resources do I need to pull from to learn what I need to learn to tell someone on the phone what they need to know to end up with the shoe that I want?

What horrible sentence structure... I apologize.

-Evan
 

R-H

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Originally Posted by Ahheck01
I'm just learning tonight (researching these forums) what some of these terms are, like "corrected grain"

If you buy AEs you shouldn't have to worry too much. Most AEs are calf. You might want to avoid the models listed as 'polished cobbler' (corrected grain).
 

videocrew

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First of all, those are hardly "classic." They're pretty ugly. What you need to do when you call Allen Edmonds is tell them you want the Park Avenue in Black. End of story.
 

Ahheck01

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Originally Posted by videocrew
First of all, those are hardly "classic." They're pretty ugly. What you need to do when you call Allen Edmonds is tell them you want the Park Avenue in Black. End of story.
It's only "end of story" if they say "sure, we can do that, and we'll give it to you with a $175 discount.

Otherwise, I need to find something for the next few months until that becomes a fitting upgrade.

-Evan
 

Michael Ay329

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The shoe you choose is not a classic design

It looks like an Italian designed oxford due to the wave designs on the vamp (side) and the rear counter. I would consider this to be a casual shoe

Its not a classic shoe the J&M sells via their Aristocrat or Crown Aristocraft line (the only ones made in the USA)

Try calling a J&M Outlet store to see if they have the posted shoe at an even better price

I am no longer a client of theirs. I was disappointed by the poor quality of their thin soles (on their Italian shoes) and it wore away quickly (very cheap). Their restoration project at $80 back in 2001 placed a better quality & longer lasting sole. I have never owned a Crown Aristocrat and refused to pay the $350 retail price they demanded...but the outlet store always had boring designs for $125
 

Bradford

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If you know anyone in Phoenix, AZ have them go to Last Chance (the Nordstrom outlet at Camelback and 20th Street) and see if they have any AE Park Avenue's in your size.

It's where Nordstrom sells the items that are returned to their stores and they sell men's dress shoes for $49.99.

I wear a 12D as well and have three pairs of Park Avenue's from that store - black, brown and merlot along several other pairs of AE's, Clark's Desert Boots, Frye Boots etc. and have only ever paid $49.99 for each pair.
 

Xiaogou

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Originally Posted by Ahheck01
I've never seen the popular AE shoes available in size 12 on sale for $150 or less. I've seen no mention of this being possible here on the forums either, except by an off-chance at a garage sale ore something.

That said, if I could find me some AE Park Avenue's in black for under $150, my credit card would get a little thinner right now.

-Evan


When the sole wears down on your J&Ms and you are forced to throw them away then you can get a pair of AEs.
 

landshark

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I have a pair of J&M captoe oxfords in brown that i scored for a little under $10 and they came with shoe trees. I don't like much of what's on their website, but I find that by going in store they have a lot more collection to choose from.
 

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