Carmina Shoes - Definitive Thread (reviews, advice, sizing, etc...) - official thread.

[itraxx]

Given the recent increase in competition for Carmina shoes, I have an idea to propose...

The creation of a new thread in which only group MTO ideas are proposed and discussed - once the minimum of 6 people have committed, each supplier could 'bid' (privately or publicly) for the 'contract'.

The group has the choice of supplier based on price, the inclusion of shoe trees and other accessories, etc.

SF benefits from the best deal, and new suppliers have a chance to establish themselves.

I'd be interested to hear your feedback!

 

[joiji]

Given the recent increase in competition for Carmina shoes, I have an idea to propose...

The creation of a new thread in which only group MTO ideas are proposed and discussed - once the minimum of 6 people have committed, each supplier could 'bid' (privately or publicly) for the 'contract'.

The group has the choice of supplier based on price, the inclusion of shoe trees and other accessories, etc.

SF benefits from the best deal, and new suppliers have a chance to establish themselves.

I'd be interested to hear your feedback!

My opinion may differ from many, but I dislike this idea. While an increase in competition is fine, these retailers are countries apart, from what I have gathered. It seems unfair to pit them against each other so we may benefit, when they already spend time contributing money and time to the community, fielding questions and enabling wild proposals which ultimately gain them no sale. I'm sure they all have sales from time to time, which they will publicise here, but making them bid for a MTO group seems unkind, when they already provide a service above what the company which makes the shoes already does (Communication, styling changes, and reasonably stable delivery windows).

 

[Joshua Lee]

Given the recent increase in competition for Carmina shoes, I have an idea to propose...

The creation of a new thread in which only group MTO ideas are proposed and discussed - once the minimum of 6 people have committed, each supplier could 'bid' (privately or publicly) for the 'contract'.

The group has the choice of supplier based on price, the inclusion of shoe trees and other accessories, etc.

SF benefits from the best deal, and new suppliers have a chance to establish themselves.

I'd be interested to hear your feedback!

A thread where members can pitch/discuss MTO ideas without needing to get the retailers involved, gather enough people for the MTO, and then pitch the idea to their chosen retailer could make the thread less cluttered.

 

[Cuttingboard]



My opinion may differ from many, but I dislike this idea. While an increase in competition is fine, these retailers are countries apart, from what I have gathered. It seems unfair to pit them against each other so we may benefit, when they already spend time contributing money and time to the community, fielding questions and enabling wild proposals which ultimately gain them no sale. I'm sure they all have sales from time to time, which they will publicise here, but making them bid for a MTO group seems unkind, when they already provide a service above what the company which makes the shoes already does (Communication, styling changes, and reasonably stable delivery windows). 

Agree!

 

[gaseousclay]



Thank you!  There are not many things more beautiful than a pair of freshly shined shoes.

what's the name of the shiney black Carmina's in that picture? those are indeed sublime

 

[niklasnordin]

Given the recent increase in competition for Carmina shoes, I have an idea to propose...

The creation of a new thread in which only group MTO ideas are proposed and discussed - once the minimum of 6 people have committed, each supplier could 'bid' (privately or publicly) for the 'contract'.

The group has the choice of supplier based on price, the inclusion of shoe trees and other accessories, etc.

SF benefits from the best deal, and new suppliers have a chance to establish themselves.

I'd be interested to hear your feedback!

I dont like it at all. First of all they dont compete on equal terms, but thats not my main objection.
Its mainly for the same reasons I dont buy a pair online if I go to a store and try them out, even if they are cheaper online.
If we want stores to survive we have to accept the overhead, otherwise all that will remain in the end are virtual stores, with no place to
go and try out the real deal.

Its like having 2 stores that sell the same shoe.
One 'bad' shop with slightly cheaper shoes, but awful service. And one 'good' shop, with excellent service and more expensive shoes.
If you think its alright to go to the 'good' shop and try out sizes and last, only to finally buy them at the 'bad' shop, then fine.
Personally, I think this is plain bad, cause if all did this, eventually you'd only be left with the 'bad' shop.
I do not mind paying extra money for better service...

but maybe thats just me.

 

[SoGent]

Given the recent increase in competition for Carmina shoes, I have an idea to propose...

The creation of a new thread in which only group MTO ideas are proposed and discussed - once the minimum of 6 people have committed, each supplier could 'bid' (privately or publicly) for the 'contract'.

The group has the choice of supplier based on price, the inclusion of shoe trees and other accessories, etc.

SF benefits from the best deal, and new suppliers have a chance to establish themselves.

I'd be interested to hear your feedback!

i like the concept. there's no reason not to at least try it.
i also like the idea of a separate thread to assemble parties interested in an MTO which could then be taken off line or discussed through pm
as for the good store / bad store comment . . . . that reality will always be the case. customer service is ALWAYS driven by the shop SA being dealt with
some sales reps 'want it' and others not so much. it's a people thing

 

[unipair guy]

If you don't mind me asking, how did you achieve such a shine? Just wax? I waxed my first pair of shoes just last week, and am getting a better shine, but it's still not as good as yours.

There is no special method, just a lot of determination!

 

[unipair guy]

what's the name of the shiney black Carmina's in that picture? those are indeed sublime

That is the Carmina 80214 on the Simpson last. Let me know if you have any other questions and we will do our best to get them on your feet!

 

[niklasnordin]

i like the concept. there's no reason not to at least try it.
i also like the idea of a separate thread to assemble parties interested in an MTO which could then be taken off line or discussed through pm
as for the good store / bad store comment . . . . that reality will always be the case. customer service is ALWAYS driven by the shop SA being dealt with
some sales reps 'want it' and others not so much. it's a people thing

Some people are just interested in the best possible deal and dont care about anything else.
I get that and its good to have that option as well as it keeps the top prices down and prevents the difference from becoming too large.
Im just saying its not for me
Had I been a poor student interested in good quality shoes I think I would be though.

 

[Joshua Lee]

Quote: Any deals happening now won't last, like anything else, it'll all normalize out eventually. Plus I think the style of shoes will be the most motivation factor, than any deals. If one group wants to use a specific retailer, anyone opposed to that retailer it will just have to bite the bullet or wait.

Edit: Didn't see the bidding part in the original suggestion. Retailers shouldn't bid for an MTO, any groups that form should agree on a retailer and pitch the MTO. The thread shouldn't be about bidding wars, but as a way to give us members more time to hammer out ideas.

 

[Cuttingboard]



Any deals happening now won't last, like anything else, it'll all normalize out eventually. Plus I think the style of shoes will be the most motivation factor, than any deals. If one group wants to use a specific retailer, anyone opposed to that retailer it will just have to bite the bullet or wait. Edit: Didn't see the bidding part in the original suggestion. Retailers shouldn't bid for an MTO, any groups that form should agree on a retailer and pitch the MTO. The thread shouldn't be about bidding wars, but as a way to give us members more time to hammer out ideas.

Agree...bidding is a terrible idea. We have a great relationship with our current selection of vendors and I prefer to keep it that way. They are very gracious and take a lot of time out of their day to answer our questions. While price is always a factor...I will order a shoe from anywhere in the world as long as I like the style and the shipping is not unreasonable. I also prefer to build a relationship.

 

[SoGent]

Edit: Didn't see the bidding part in the original suggestion. Retailers shouldn't bid for an MTO, any groups that form should agree on a retailer and pitch the MTO. The thread shouldn't be about bidding wars, but as a way to give us members more time to hammer out ideas.

i don't see true bidding wars happening. if retail price ranges are set by the manufacturer, wide price fluctuations probably wouldn't be the case.
to me . . . . the service is key. case in point, i'm pitching the same concept to 2 different retailers of the same brand & makeup as an mto.
i've heard from each, one was approximating everyhing, the other was definitive - only 1 has bothered to follow-up
since i can't go directly to the manufacturer, it's service service service. as stated previously, some sa's are in sales and others are order takers.

 

[bwp]

Took delivery of these Uetam last tassels today...not sure about the fit so they may end up going back

Vamp comparison with Alden loafers

 

[badsha]

Very nice ^. If I was sure of my size on the Uetam last, I would grab a couple of pairs.