Fluid/dynamic/ongoing B. Nelson Experience

Originally Posted by NAMOR

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I dont know how I feel about this thread. Like some previous members have stated, I think we have gone a little too far with this. Nick is an active member and has offered some really great professional advice free of charge. You are effectively talking **** about another member. Yes he represents the company but you should have gone through the proper channel (calling/contacting the company directly) before posting here.
It depends on your definition of "talking ****". Having read through the whole thread, i fail to see which point the OP made constitutes it so IMO.

Does it take 2 days to figure out whether the hole and the nail sticking out was or was not caused in the process of toe plates being put on? Someone with Nick's high reputation has to take swift action to rectify problems. The picture of the shoe with a hole and a nail sticking out does tell a story. And I am sorry to say this but just because someone is a valuable contributor to this forum does not mean anything. Reputation as an artisan / professional has to be earned every day.

Originally Posted by sellahi22

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I have used Nick's services in the past and found him to be a true pleasure to deal with, in terms of both customer service and end results, and I wouldn't hesitate to work with him in the future.

That said, I think it's important for a craftsman - especially a high end artisan who wishes to maintain a reputation for excellence - to firmly communicate the limitations of his work to laymen customers. If for whatever reason the OP wanted external metal taps, if Nick wasn't confident in his ability to deliver satisfactory results, he should have either refused the job or disclaimed responsibility for subpar results from the start. Also, if his expertise is in traditional mens footwear, he shouldn't take on jobs for high end women's shoes which present a different set of challenges.

I have enjoyed the comments posted. Thanks to all. I'm also considering a policy whereby, when I see how a customer is and, what they wear and, advise against their request. Then, suggest the appropriate service. If the customer does not adhere to my advice, I'll refuse the job. This will be done on a case by case basis. I trust my intuition and the OP is well aware of what I advised him.

For the record, regarding high-end Women's shoes. I was mentioned in O magazine Feb. 2011 edition. Forgot what page but here is the cover:
http://downmagaz.com/women_magazine/...uary-2011.html
"go to people"
Been on Martha Stewart's radio program (invited) 7 times. Live on the air.
many others. The latest is this months edition of:
http://shopsmartmag.org/
This, as all our publicity is always unsolicited. Rather, we are always sought out.

Are we perfect? No. Fair and reasonable? Always.

Originally Posted by Nick V.

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I have enjoyed the comments posted. Thanks to all. I'm also considering a policy whereby, when I see how a customer is and, what they wear and, advise against their request. Then, suggest the appropriate service. If the customer does not adhere to my advice, I'll refuse the job. This will be done on a case by case basis. I trust my intuition and the OP is well aware of what I advised him. For the record, regarding high-end Women's shoes. I was mentioned in O magazine Feb. 2011 edition. Forgot what page but here is the cover: http://downmagaz.com/women_magazine/...uary-2011.html "go to people" Been on Martha Stewart's radio program (invited) 7 times. Live on the air. many others. The latest is this months edition of: http://shopsmartmag.org/ This, as all our publicity is always unsolicited. Rather, we are always sought out. Are we perfect? No. Fair and reasonable? Always.
Herein lies my frustration, it's my fault that I have a hole in my shoe? Thus far we both have been fair and reasonable. I haven't asked you to replace either pair. Asking me why I want metal taps instead of flush plates, means? Telling me flush plates are better means that I should expect damage? Come on Nick. We've both chalked this up to a mistake, but please don't sit here like, "I suggested flush plates, so it's your fault you have a nail hole in your shoe." I have been very clear that my experience is not a total condemnation of your business. Have been a customer before, recommended customers today.

You know what they say:

Refuse flush plates, your wife's shoes might get ruined.

Oh, wait...

What?

Originally Posted by noobizor

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You know what they say:

Refuse flush plates, your wife's shoes might get ruined.

Oh, wait...

What?

The sad thing is when the CL glue-jobs wear through the sole, enjoy throwing them in the trash--no resoling those!

OP needs to be a bit more decent here.

A mistake may have been made.

The problem, as many have stated, is that he began a smear campaign on B.Nelson rather than trying to work it out with Nick.

I find it completely ridiculous that the OP has now essentially resorted to saying to Nick: "okay, I think you're a fine craftsman and I understand that mistakes happen. Now show us that you are decent by comping me for the shoes."

Doing that publicly (I'm not quoting verbatim but can go back to page 2 or 3 or wherever it was that this was said) shows truly shallow character. "Hey, I memorialized bad press on your business on a forum of shoe enthusiasts but I'll forget about it and let bygones be bygones if you go out of your way to compensate me for the damage. By the way, everyone's watching, so if you don't compensate me, everyone will know and it will be shameful for you." This is how I'm reading things.

I've been a loyal B.Nelson customer and have been accused of bias in previous similar debates so I'll not say too much more. I have had 4 or 5 pairs of shoes completely resoled by Nick and they have all been done at factory quality. Two pairs have had sunken toe plates and they are works of art.

Sorry you have to deal with this guy, Nick.

Originally Posted by Poshak Man

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Does it take 2 days to figure out whether the hole and the nail sticking out was or was not caused in the process of toe plates being put on? Someone with Nick's high reputation has to take swift action to rectify problems. The picture of the shoe with a hole and a nail sticking out does tell a story. And I am sorry to say this but just because someone is a valuable contributor to this forum does not mean anything. Reputation as an artisan / professional has to be earned every day.

I'm still trying to figure this out. Where is this nail coming out of the shoe everyone is seeing. Is there a pic i'm not seeing?

Originally Posted by gyasih

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Nick, I explained my experience thus far. I had no hole, B. Nelson put metal taps on and now I have a hole with a nail sticking through the leather. That is not a manufacturing defect and I asked you to pull it out then and there, which would have resolved everything. Taps or flush mounted plates, one should expect quality work. Explaining issues with other peoples shoes doesn't explain what happened to my shoes. In essence you said, "we worked on X, so I don't see how we could have damaged Y." I can provide the other pair of shoes that had polish on the back heels, although your worker was only putting on a front soles. I am definitely not condemning all of your work and repeatedly stated that mistakes happen and I would use your services again. I am not attempting to ruin your reputation. This is not the forum for that, nor do I have the time or inclination to make up stories about damaged shoes. As this gets resolved, which I hope it will. You will only get more people respecting your customer service.
This is what I'm referring to.

I am with the OP on this one. He has only described his experience and unless he has made false allegations, I dont see how he can be in the wrong.

Its a simple case with two parts:
1. were the said damages caused by B. Nelson
2. If yes, what did they do to resolve it.

For those saying that the OP's methodology was wrong and accusing him of a smear campaign, I doubt your position would be same if the OP was recounting a 'wonderful' experience. Would same defence have been offered if Nick wasnt a member of the forum?

Originally Posted by toslat

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I am with the OP on this one. He has only described his experience and unless he has made false allegations, I dont see how he can be in the wrong.

Its a simple case with two parts:
1. were the said damages caused by B. Nelson
2. If yes, what did they do to resolve it.

For those saying that the OP's methodology was wrong and accusing him of a smear campaign, I doubt your position would be same if the OP was recounting a 'wonderful' experience. Would same defence have been offered if Nick wasnt a member of the forum?

+1 All of the above....don't shoot the messenger as they say...

Even if the OP waited until this issue were resolved,
B. Nelson's reputation would depend on how they
chose to rectify the situation. I agree with the OP,
as all he is doing is stating the facts and is in no way
attacking Nick as a person, as he is just updating his situation
with B. Nelson. There are other threads on the forum that
have running updates with bad experiances from other companies.
Why should B. Nelson be exempt from this sort of scrutiny.
Could the OP have waited? Well yes. Is he wrong for not doing
so? No, as long as he keeps things fair and impersonal.

Originally Posted by CYstyle

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I'm still trying to figure this out. Where is this nail coming out of the shoe everyone is seeing. Is there a pic i'm not seeing?

1st post. 1st three pictures.

Originally Posted by Yika

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1st post. 1st three pictures.

Still don't see the nail you guys are talking about. If the OP got metal taps, the nails would put with the flat side visible if you look at the shoe from the sole. if it pierced the toe box and would go straight through to pierce the toe box, you would see the shaft and point go up through and into the hole in the shoe.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5303/...8d93bf1b_b.jpg for reference.

Originally Posted by CYstyle

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Still don't see the nail you guys are talking about. If the OP got metal taps, the nails would put with the flat side visible if you look at the shoe from the sole. if it pierced the toe box and would go straight through to pierce the toe box, you would see the shaft and point go up through and into the hole in the shoe.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5303/...8d93bf1b_b.jpg for reference.

Are you trying to say the OP did not have metal taps installed?