Meermin Mallorca Shoes

Win545 said:

Are the unequal vamp considered defects?
Also my lower buckle is pretty hard to get in and out.

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That would be an inexcusable mistake for me. Even the most basic, low-cost shoemaker gets that right. Other people probably won't notice the defect, but it's probably one of those little faults that wouldn't stop bothering me, no matter what. I'd return them, and ask for shipping costs to be refunded.

Win545 said:

Are the unequal vamp considered defects?
Also my lower buckle is pretty hard to get in and out.

Click to expand...

The photo does not show anything. The shoes aren't even aligned properly.

Pediwear is having a summer sale so unless I am seriously mistaken, it should puts the Loake Aldwych within $15 with Meermin Classic Line's captoes (including shipping). So is there a reason that I should pick one or the other in this case or would the safer shipping option with Pediwear, not having to worry about custom fees, makes it an obvious winner for the Aldwych? Thanks!
PS: I have a pair of Loake pimlico in the same Capital last and is very happy with the quality although the last is just a tiny bit roomy in the toe box, which is fine because I think it would just be more comfortable that way.

tomrakewell said:

The photo does not show anything. The shoes aren't even aligned properly.

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+1

tomrakewell said:

The photo does not show anything. The shoes aren't even aligned properly.

Click to expand...

j ingevaldsson said:

+1

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It doesn't matter how the shoes aligned,duh!
but anyway i think i'm not going to return it. its a waste of time.

Win545 said:

It doesn't matter how the shoes aligned,duh!
but anyway i think i'm not going to return it. its a waste of time.

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To me things like that is part of the charm of bench- and handmade footwear. Things isn't clinic. If one were to send shoes back for everytime shoes minor flaws, which don't cause any functional set back, you'd have to do that all the time. And not just from budget maker as Meermin but from higher grade manufacturers as well.

Regarding that you write that the lower buckle is hard to unbuckle, why do you unbuckle that at all? I've never heard of anyone needing to unbuckle both DM-straps to get the shoes on and off, works fine just unbuckling the upper. In fact, discussion lately was if people unbuckles Double monks at all, which to me seem almost as odd to do. But that's just my two cents.

j ingevaldsson said:

To me things like that is part of the charm of bench- and handmade footwear. Things isn't clinic. If one were to send shoes back for everytime shoes minor flaws, which don't cause any functional set back, you'd have to do that all the time. And not just from budget maker as Meermin but from higher grade manufacturers as well.

Regarding that you write that the lower buckle is hard to unbuckle, why do you unbuckle that at all? I've never heard of anyone needing to unbuckle both DM-straps to get the shoes on and off, works fine just unbuckling the upper. In fact, discussion lately was if people unbuckles Double monks at all, which to me seem almost as odd to do. But that's just my two cents.

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I didn't expect it to be perfect at the first place, so i guess i can deal with it.

About the lower buckle.When i first try them, i need to unbuckle both because the leather are hard and stiff as hell that i can not put my feet in. After I finish my first try, yes, i leave the lower buckled as normal people do.

Monkeyface said:

That would be an inexcusable mistake for me. Even the most basic, low-cost shoemaker gets that right. Other people probably won't notice the defect, but it's probably one of those little faults that wouldn't stop bothering me, no matter what. I'd return them, and ask for shipping costs to be refunded.

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Have to agree with this. They are Chinese shoes for under $200, and there's bound be the occasional imperfection. But what gets me is when there's something really obvious, they just send the things out anyway - often after weeks of waiting - and hope nobody notices. For a small business, that seems very disrespectful to the customer. The straps on these shoes are just completely different shapes and sizes. Clumsy clicker? Wrong pattern? Whatever, it is clear as day at first glance, especially to whoever is supposed to be checking quality both in the factory and at Meermin.

There is an old adage that you get what you pay for. In Meermin's case, if you happen to get a good one, and don't have to wait too long, it can be a great value cheap shoe that looks more expensive than it is. If you happen to have a very thin foot, then the Linea Maestro can be a really good shoe for the money too, at a higher standard overall (although once you get to MTO charges for different lasts or width fittings, IMO it's not worth it over the likes of Vass or Carmina). The problem is that you don't get a consistent standard. And I don't find that quaint or charming. The basic Meermins, made in China, are more expensive than many Indian-made Loake, Barker or even Grenson shoes (the latter on clearance at least), but the quality control and service in comparison is simply bad.

I like what Meermin do in terms of design and concept, a lot, and I'm always willing to give a break to the little guy. But they're not that little any more, and their quality control and stock management needs to grow the **** up before they lose (more) customers.

There used to be a controversy that there is nothing to show that the shoes were made in spain but i happen to see the "made in spain" stamp inside the footbed. Is this legit?

"Made" is very much a relative term. Many English makers have their uppers clicked and closed elsewhere even when their shoes are "Made in England". But as Meermin's are actually welted in China (so I'm told), I can't think there's anything left to do in Mallorca except machine the soles on and wipe off the dust. Not that this kind of machining isn't skilled work - of course it is, but to me it doesn't really constitute "making". To most countries' trade description laws, however, it does.

Hi,

I ordered the dark brown double monks, the the suede chukkas (both UK 9) and a matching suede belt six weeks ago and received them this week.
Construction and leather quality seem fine.The belt is great value. Unfortunately, both shoes run pretty small (especially the Hiro last).

I wore the double monks once to work and really enjoyed the look. However, I need to get them one size larger. As I asked for steel toe caps, the shoes can't be returned.
That's why I'd like to sell them. The price including steel toe caps was 180€. I'd be willing to sell them (UK9) for 140€ (shipping from Switzerland not included). Anyone interested?

PMMMMMMMM'd.



Win545 said:

It doesn't matter how the shoes aligned,duh! but anyway i think i'm not going to return it. its a waste of time.

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Is this your first pair of decent shoes? Why demand perfection that cannot be found? Even the most expensive RTW shoes have imperfections. What you have is nowhere as bad as you made it sound.

Did anyone notice that the "light brown calf" color disappeared from the regular collection in the last week? How often do they change the offered colors??

Hey,

some weeks back i wrote about my little problem about my single side Monk MTO that the angle of the strap and the buckle is on the wrong place. I was asked for a picture.


That buckle hurts a bit on my foot. I think over all the shoe is very good looking and its built pretty good despite of this issue.


This is my Oundle where you could see that the angle of the strap or the place of the buckle is much better. Ok, this shoes are much more expensive but i guess its not because of the better angle.