Allen Edmonds GMTO - Burgundy Shell Cordovan Strand

Shawnc · Jan 24, 2015

They cleaned up well and look ok. While they have definitely grown on me I am still not as excited as I thought I would be. Maybe when the weather breaks and I get a few miles on them my excitement will continue to grow.

I'm interested to hear some of your thoughts on the shoes. Anyone care to opine?

polojock615 · Jan 27, 2015

I got mine. They had weird striations across the toe:

I spoke with Allison, who asked for them back. They are currently being remade. This is what they looked like:

I loved them and then they were gone.

Shawnc · Mar 13, 2015

An update, I thought I could live with these but I was wrong. Sent them back to Allison a few days ago. We'll see how it turns out. The unfortunate truth is that I had 2 MTO's from AE that were supposed to be completed by Xmas. Here we are in march and both are in the hands of AE.

polojock615 · Mar 13, 2015

Shawnc said:
An update, I thought I could live with these but I was wrong. Sent them back to Allison a few days ago. We'll see how it turns out. The unfortunate truth is that I had 2 MTO's from AE that were supposed to be completed by Xmas. Here we are in march and both are in the hands of AE.

Still waiting for mine. They're on their third try.

Shawnc · Mar 13, 2015

polojock615 said:
Still waiting for mine. They're on their third try.

Oh my. Can you give some details?

polojock615 · Mar 13, 2015

Shawnc said:
Oh my. Can you give some details?

See above for the first issue. The second pair didn't even make it all the way through production before they were ruined. Third pair should be done soon.

Shoes4play · Mar 13, 2015

Shawnc said:
Oh my. Can you give some details?

Still waiting for my 3rd pair as well.

The first two had major bowing at the ankles. Also, they both had polish/finish issues. I had to wipe mine down because of the dull finish and when I did so, my cloth was full of polish. Then color fading was exposed on the eyestays of both shoes. I called Allison and she said to send them back. She said the finish was off and the bowing was too much.

Unfortunately for me, the 2nd pair was worse than the first. I called Allison again and she told me to send them back. I'd ask for a refund because this is really a hassle, but I love the shoes if done right.

I don't know how these shoes are making it past the quality control department.

Shawnc · Mar 14, 2015

Shoes4play said:
Still waiting for my 3rd pair as well.

The first two had major bowing at the ankles. Also, they both had polish/finish issues. I had to wipe mine down because of the dull finish and when I did so, my cloth was full of polish. Then color fading was exposed on the eyestays of both shoes. I called Allison and she said to send them back. She said the finish was off and the bowing was too much.

Unfortunately for me, the 2nd pair was worse than the first. I called Allison again and she told me to send them back. I'd ask for a refund because this is really a hassle, but I love the shoes if done right.

I don't know how these shoes are making it past the quality control department.

Whoa, this is getting interesting (and not in a good way). I just assumed that my issues were an anomaly but it sounds like issues were the norm on this order. Sending shoes 3 times to AE to get this right???? Oh man, I am really starting to second-guess this decision. If they don't fix mine on the first try, I am definitely asking for my money back. Probably will take the same position on my Trunk Sale shoes that they are fixing as well.

Thanks for the info. Very enlightening.

Shawnc · Mar 19, 2015

Shaèwnc said:
Whoa, this is getting interesting (and not in a good way). I just assumed that my issues were an anomaly but it sounds like issues were the norm on this order. Sending shoes 3 times to AE to get this right???? Oh man, I am really starting to second-guess this decision. If they don't fix mine on the first try, I am definitely asking for my money back. Probably will take the same position on my Trunk Sale shoes that they are fixing as well.

Thanks for the info. Very enlightening.

Just got these back from Allison. Not great but much better. Still deathly afraid to wipe down. I'll just wear them and see how it goes.

Lesson learned.

Shoes4play · Apr 24, 2015

Shoes4play said:
Still waiting for my 3rd pair as well.

The first two had major bowing at the ankles. Also, they both had polish/finish issues. I had to wipe mine down because of the dull finish and when I did so, my cloth was full of polish. Then color fading was exposed on the eyestays of both shoes. I called Allison and she said to send them back. She said the finish was off and the bowing was too much.

Unfortunately for me, the 2nd pair was worse than the first. I called Allison again and she told me to send them back. I'd ask for a refund because this is really a hassle, but I love the shoes if done right.

I don't know how these shoes are making it past the quality control department.

Allison told me that my Strands had an inconsistent finish and the toplines were too wide (causing the ankle bowing). To my surprise, she also confirmed that my Strands were missing the Independence Line Heel & Arch Pad. They're going to make another pair for me.

Was this GMTO makeup too complicated?

Shawnc · Apr 24, 2015

Shoes4play said:
Allison told me that my Strands had an inconsistent finish and the toplines were too wide (causing the ankle bowing). To my surprise, she also confirmed that my Strands were missing the Independence Line Heel & Arch Pad. They're going to make another pair for me.

Was this GMTO makeup too complicated?

You wouldn't think so. It wasn't much different from the strand they stock in brown. I have really come to like my strands. They are probably one of my top two or three dress shoes. It is a great shoe and really unfortunate that AE couldn't execute on this. I had similar issues with a trunk sale shoe as well.

I would love another strand but I'm not a big fan of brown and am deathly afraid to try another GMTO.

Shawnc · Aug 18, 2015

Shawnc said:
Just got these back from Allison. Not great but much better. Still deathly afraid to wipe down. I'll just wear them and see how it goes.

Lesson learned.

I have had a really good shoe month and the icing on the cake was finally getting these to clean up and shine like I prefer......

I love the style but kept reaching for something else mostly because of the finish. Now these will have a regular spot in the rotation. All it took was a little AE cordovan creme. Sometimes the answer is just too obvious.

Shoes4play · Aug 18, 2015

Shawnc said:
I have had a really good shoe month and the icing on the cake was finally getting these to clean up and shine like I prefer......

I love the style but kept reaching for something else mostly because of the finish. Now these will have a regular spot in the rotation. All it took was a little AE cordovan creme. Sometimes the answer is just too obvious.

Now they are beautiful.

Mine had that hazy finish as well. I did not apply any of the cordovan creme, but I think I need to right away.

Gorgeous.

Shawnc · Aug 18, 2015

Shoes4play said:
Now they are beautiful.

Mine had that hazy finish as well. I did not apply any of the cordovan creme, but I think I need to right away.

Gorgeous.

Highly recommended Shoes4play. I didn't even have to work that hard. I was halfway through brushing the first shoe and I knew I finally had a winner. Thanks.

Shawnc · Dec 27, 2015

Not much to add to my previous posts, these have continued to shine ad are in my top 3 rotation-wise. I know AE is no longer doing lighter colors, but I would love a pair of strands in either bourbon, cognac, or natural. If anyone has an idear on how to get that done, I would all-in. While most of my shell's are Alden, the Strands are my favorite bal. Understated design/elegance that fit my feet perfectly.

Allen Edmonds GMTO - Burgundy Shell Cordovan Strand

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