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Shoe replacement/warranty

post #1 of 9
10/13/04 at 6:18pm
Thread Starter 
I have to admit I was completely ignorant to this practice until last year, when a friend of mine told me that he was sending a pair of Nikes back to get them replaced with a brand new pair, apparently because Nikes come with a lifetime warranty (if only I had known this 10 years ago). In any case, a few months later, another friend's Ferragamo loafers got a bit ripped up. He somehow contacted Ferragamo and they told him to send the shoes in. A few weeks later, they had sent him back a brand new pair. I don't remember if he paid any sort of fee, but if he did, it was very small. Now that my first few pairs of "nicer" shoes are starting to show some age and some damage, I was wondering if anyone here was more familiar with policies like the ones mentioned above. Specifically, I have a pair of Gucci loafers and a pair of Prada Sport trainers that are both pretty much unwearable and it just popped into my head that it may be possible to have the company repair/replace them, even if it is for a small fee. Even besides these brands, I'm sure other members would be interested in learning more about repair and replacement policies. Thanks.
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post #2 of 9
10/13/04 at 7:00pm
I doubt regular wear and tear would qualify for any sort of replacement unless its Eddie Bauer duck boots or something (I speak from experience there). Most actual shoe manufactureres like Alden and Allen Edmonds offer recrafting for a fee. I would hope that companies would stand behind defective shoes, however.
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post #3 of 9
10/13/04 at 7:00pm
Quote:
I have a pair of Gucci loafers and a pair of Prada Sport trainers that are both pretty much unwearable
These shoes, is there some defect you are refering to? Have the soles fallen off unexpectedly? Maybe the moc stitch on the Gucci shoes completely unraveled? If something like this has happened, take them (or send them) back to the store of purchase to get an opinion. If they simply have been worn to the point of needing replacement, that is your responsibility. If your hidden point is "these shoes are getting old now and I really would like a new shoe that I don't have to pay, even though I know nothing is really wrong with the shoes" than this is wrong. Everytime you wear a shoe, you are one day closer to when they wear out.
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post #4 of 9
10/13/04 at 7:25pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
These shoes, is there some defect you are refering to?  Have the soles fallen off unexpectedly?  Maybe the moc stitch on the Gucci shoes completely unraveled?  If something like this has happened, take them (or send them) back to the store of purchase to get an opinion.  If they simply have been worn to the point of needing replacement, that is your responsibility.  If your hidden point is "these shoes are getting old now and I really would like a new shoe that I don't have to pay, even though I know nothing is really wrong with the shoes" than this is wrong.  Everytime you wear a shoe, you are one day closer to when they wear out.
Though they may not be defective per se, they durability of said shoes is not what they should be considering the price.  For instance, the inner lining of the PS trainers is coming apart.  This is something that shouldn't happen on a pair of shoes that is less than a year old.  On the loafers (they're actually driving mocs), the soles are starting to 'peel' in the back. I'm not trying to con the companies into sending me a new, free pair of shoes.  However, I did only ask about company policies, not about the ethical implications of using them, so please, for the sake of this discussion, refrain from making a moral judgment.
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post #5 of 9
10/14/04 at 11:31am
Quote:
I have to admit I was completely ignorant to this practice until last year, when a friend of mine told me that he was sending a pair of Nikes back to get them replaced with a brand new pair, apparently because Nikes come with a lifetime warranty (if only I had known this 10 years ago). In any case, a few months later, another friend's Ferragamo loafers got a bit ripped up.  He somehow contacted Ferragamo and they told him to send the shoes in.  A few weeks later, they had sent him back a brand new pair.  I don't remember if he paid any sort of fee, but if he did, it was very small. Now that my first few pairs of "nicer" shoes are starting to show some age and some damage, I was wondering if anyone here was more familiar with policies like the ones mentioned above.  Specifically, I have a pair of Gucci loafers and a pair of Prada Sport trainers that are both pretty much unwearable and it just popped into my head that it may be possible to have the company repair/replace them, even if it is for a small fee.  Even besides these brands, I'm sure other members would be interested in learning more about repair and replacement policies. Thanks.
I had a similar experience with Paraboot in London. I'd owned the shoes for several years and -- through no real fault of my own (i.e., I took good care of these shoes.) -- the leather developed small cracks in the shoes' creases. I took the shoes into their SR showroom; they sent them off to France; within a few weeks, Paraboot called to tell me to come in and pick up my new shoes. I was so appreciative of the gesture, I bought another pair of shoes (w/ shoe trees; Paraboot makes an awesome tree...), as well as a pair for my wife. JV
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post #6 of 9
10/14/04 at 1:23pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
I had a similar experience with Paraboot in London. I'd owned the shoes for several years and -- through no real fault of my own (i.e., I took good care of these shoes.) -- the leather developed small cracks in the shoes' creases. I took the shoes into their  SR showroom; they sent them off to France; within a few weeks, Paraboot called to tell me to come in and pick up my new shoes. I was so appreciative of the gesture, I bought another pair of shoes (w/ shoe trees; Paraboot makes an awesome tree...), as well as a pair for my wife. JV
Thanks for the input.  One purpose of this thread was just to try to establish which companies have policies like this, and since I was consdiering purchasing a pair of Paraboot shoes, I am glad to hear that they were so accomodating. I know everyone hear bashes the quality of Prada Sport stuff, but this one pair of America's Cup trainers started falling apart (again, no fault of my own -- I also like to think I take excellent care of my shoes) in just under a year.  I currently own 2 other pairs of PS trainers and 1 pair of loafers, none of which have had similar issues.  I received them as a gift, so I wouldn't know where to take them or even who to contact as there are no Prada stores locally.  I will be in NY in a few weeks, and I plan on taking the shoes with me and hopefully making it over to one of the Prada boutiques there.  The loafers can wait; there are few occasions for me to wear them anyway. Anyway, thanks again for the input.
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post #7 of 9
10/14/04 at 8:03pm
Quote:
I know everyone hear bashes the quality of Prada Sport stuff, but this one pair of America's Cup trainers started falling apart (again, no fault of my own -- I also like to think I take excellent care of my shoes) in just under a year.  I currently own 2 other pairs of PS trainers and 1 pair of loafers, none of which have had similar issues.  I received them as a gift, so I wouldn't know where to take them or even who to contact as there are no Prada stores locally.  I will be in NY in a few weeks, and I plan on taking the shoes with me and hopefully making it over to one of the Prada boutiques there.  The loafers can wait; there are few occasions for me to wear them anyway. Anyway, thanks again for the input.
in my experience, prada doesn't stand behind their stuff at all, leading me to not support their products.. the nyc store will send things to the 'lab' for examination and a determination as to the cost of the replacement.. nothing has ever been offered without charge for a clearly defective product.. on another note, as i'm sure you're aware, driving mocs aren't designed to be worn outdoors/for walking around- that's why they have those little nubbies and aren't resolable..
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post #8 of 9
10/15/04 at 10:28am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
in my experience, prada doesn't stand behind their stuff at all, leading me to not support their products..  the nyc store will send things to the 'lab' for examination and a determination as to the cost of the replacement.. nothing has ever been offered without charge for a clearly defective product.. on another note, as i'm sure you're aware, driving mocs aren't designed to be worn outdoors/for walking around- that's why they have those little nubbies and aren't resolable..
Disappointed to hear that about Prada, but I guess I'll bring them by there anyway. Which store did you deal with? Yeah, I never wore the driving mocs for walking, and I also don't know if they're technically "driving" mocs (even if Gucci calls them that) because they don't have the little rubber bumps on the bottom, but rather 4 or 5 rubber sections that cover the sole. But what I'm surprised about is that the rubber pieces that are on the back of the heel are sort of peeling off. I will try to stop by Gucci next time I'm in New York - this could probably be repaired fairly easily.
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post #9 of 9
10/15/04 at 12:18pm
Might I add that I have always had a very positive experience with Allen Edmonds. I tend to drag my toe and had a pair or two that had the sole separating at the tip. I called Edmonds to ask about what kind of cement to use to fix the separation. They had me send in the shoes and did a full recraft on each shoe. I've been very pleased.
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