***The official Alden thread *** Share enthusiasm, reviews, sizing, advice, and photos.

[shaunw]

The way I keep my devious Alden habit under wraps is with the paypal mastercard. You can use the mastercard just like any other regular credit card but the funds come from your paypal account and there is no bill. I deal with a decent amount of cash at work with travel, reimbursements, etc. so whenever I get cash I go get a greendot card and use it to transfer funds to my paypal account. From there I just have the shoes shipped to my office and it's done.

Of course my wife is aware of the overabundance of shoes/boots in my clauset. She just doesn't know exactly when a new pair shows up.

 

[bespoken pa]



I had their business card on my desk for a while at my job when I was living there.  Pretty sure it was listed on there, but could be wrong.  Let me know what you find out.

Edit:  If he says he doesn't, ask if he ever did.

Edit Edit:  Also, not sure if he does the mail-order thing, but maybe.

...Maybe he should start, not a lot of demand for expensive shoes in PGH.

I spoke to the nettelton shop today , the gentleman on the phone advised me that he hasn't carried vass for 15 years. You were correct though he did carry them at one time and he definitely still carries Alden.

 

[rydenfan]

"...I'll s--k your d--k!"

Uttered by none other than Chris Rock's Oscar worthy performance as Pookie, IIRC.

believe Pookie (Chris Rock) was New Jack City...

 

[Bakes11771]

I do have a corp card but I thought that is only 15% discount?

They are/were having a corporate discount sale where it was increased to 30%. Not sure if it is still going on.

I spoke to the nettelton shop today , the gentleman on the phone advised me that he hasn't carried vass for 15 years. You were correct though he did carry them at one time and he definitely still carries Alden.

Thanks for reporting back. Although I was kind of right I was also kind of wrong, as I thought he carried them way more recently than that.

 

[patrick_b]



believe Pookie (Chris Rock) was New Jack City...

Right you are. I often get my crackheads mixed up.

 

[bespoken pa]



believe Pookie (Chris Rock) was New Jack City...

+1 pookie was from New Jack City, can't believe chris rock didn't get a best supporting actor nod for that one. Perhaps if he was wearing Indy boots, although conversely if he were wearing Indy boots he likely would have sold them. What a deal that would ve been.

 

[mr chorizo]

GAH

These are my size too...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ultra-Rare-...1877765?pt=US_Men_s_Shoes&hash=item3380a8cb05

 

[zippyh]

I do have a corp card but I thought that is only 15% discount?

They are/were having a corporate discount sale where it was increased to 30%.  Not sure if it is still going on.

It was just that one day last week.
I think they usually do it more than once a year though.

 

[zippyh]

What'd they charge for shipping? 25 euros right?  I think under the current exchange rate they'd be ~$750 shipped (no customs)

I don't know, I'm just saying what mine cost about 3 months ago. AND I was charged an additional $121 for duties and customs. Don't get me wrong I'm not complaining Frans has great customer service and was very helpful, I just want people to be aware of the potential total cost which for me all total was about $940.

So you did file the protest form, right?
https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/de...-imported-goods-if-exporting-or-returning-the

 

[balmoralsoccer]

Yeah just buy them now man, FransBoone service is top notch, really should buy the brass jumper but he said shell is lighter #8 which I don't like
Barneys sales always has a few pairs, Malford did as well, Leather soul comes out to a bit more but they have some still on sale now, Lobb store in South Coast Plaza has 40% off sales, etc.

when does lobb have 40% off sales at south coast?

 

[balmoralsoccer]

It was just that one day last week.
I think they usually do it more than once a year though.

i am pretty sure it is twice a year, but i haven't had my corporate card that long--i seem to remember reading from years back that it is usually one day in march and one day in october
speaking of which, i called them the day after the corporate sale and they honored the sale price

 

[balmoralsoccer]

ah really? do they go fast or just not enough supply in those colors?

seems like #8 is easily available from what I can see. Does that become more eggplant looking with time?

hmm, fresh #8 already looks pretty eggplanty to me--dark, dark purple--sorta like the italian eggplants you get at the supermarket, and maybe slightly darker than the average japanese eggplant. what color are you expecting it to mature into?

 

[easy_golfing]

I

ah really? do they go fast or just not enough supply in those colors?


seems like #8 is easily available from what I can see. Does that become more eggplant looking with time?

hmm, fresh #8 already looks pretty eggplanty to me--dark, dark purple--sorta like the italian eggplants you get at the supermarket, and maybe slightly darker than the average japanese eggplant. what color are you expecting it to mature into?

I like the eggplant look and hope it stays that way. It does look blackish to me at times in pictures though

 

[Bakes11771]

Anyone ever had any "loose stitching" repaired by Alden Restoration or B. Nelson? What exactly do they do and how does it look? like can you tell it has been repaired or does it look exactly like it did before it became loose. Have some loose stitching on several pairs, would it be bad to cut the loose ends?

 

[shaunw]

So you did file the protest form, right?
https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/de...-imported-goods-if-exporting-or-returning-the

I did what I could which didn't get me anywhere. The charge came from the shipper (UPS) and was for a "brokerage fee". I argued the brokerage fee with UPS and sat on the phone with them forever, ultimately they said that $121 was their brokerage fee for this package and that was all there is to it. They make it pretty difficult IMO. Note the * and ** comment at the very bottom.


U.S. Customs Brokerage Service Fees

Entry Preparation Charges for Importing into the United States

All rates and values are shown in U.S. funds. Rates do not include applicable taxes. View the Terms page for a complete service explanation.

VALUE FOR DUTY

UPS WORLDWIDE EXPRESS PLUS, WORLDWIDE EXPRESS NA1, WORLDWIDE EXPRESS, UPS WORLDWIDE EXPRESS FREIGHTSM, WORLDWIDE SAVER, WORLDWIDE EXPEDITED, 3 DAY SELECT FROM CANADA, AND STANDARD SERVICE FROM MEXICO

UPS STANDARD SERVICE FROM CANADA**

$0.00 to $200.00

No Charge*

No Charge*

$200.01 to $1,250.00

No Charge*

$25.25

$1,250.01 to $2,000.00

No Charge*

$36.50

Each Additional $1,000.00 or part thereof

No Charge*

$1.80

*For UPS Worldwide Express Plus, UPS Worldwide Express NA1, UPS Worldwide Express, UPS Worldwide Express Freight, UPS Worldwide Saver, UPS Worldwide Expedited, UPS 3 Day Select From Canada, and UPS Standard Service from Mexico, routine customs clearance (for entries up to three entry lines) is included at no additional cost. Additional charges will apply if customs clearance is performed by brokerage offices other than those designated by UPS for clearing the products listed above.

**When UPS Supply Chain Solutions is designated as the customs broker on the commercial invoice for the product listed above, the UPS Service Guarantee applies to your shipment. The UPS Service Guarantee does not apply when customs clearance is performed by brokerage offices other than those designated by UPS for clearing the product listed above, or if a service delay is a result of certain events beyond our control, such as a government agency hold. Call 1-800-782-7892 for details.

Brokerage Services

SPECIAL ENTRIES

Duty Drawbacks

$90.00 minimum*

Temporary Import Entry

$90.00

Warehouse Entry

$132.50

Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) Entry

Upon Request

Entry-Line Charge after First Three Lines

$3.00 per line

Complex Entries

$21.25

Other Government Agency (OGA) Entry

$21.25**

Fish & Wildlife Clearance

$25.00**

FDA Prior Notice

$10.00

Customized Brokerage Services

Upon Request

Additional Consignee or Invoice

$2.10 per consignee or invoice

BONDS (CONTRACT BASIS ONLY)

Continuous Entry Bond

$525.00

In-Transit Bond (IT Bond)

$80.00

Transportation Handling

$30.00

Single Entry Bond (minimum charge)

$40.00

Charge per additional $1,000 or part thereof exceeding $10,000 Bond

$4.00

OTHER SERVICES

UPS Broker of ChoiceSM OnSite

$50.00

UPS Broker of ChoiceSM OffSite

$130.00

UPS FTZ FacilitatorSM

$80.00

Warehouse Storage Fee - Air/Ground, per day after two days

$20.00 + $.04 per pound per day

Marking Notice Processing

$80.00

North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) Processing

$21.25

Post Entry Services

$90.00*

Disbursement Fee

2% of Duty/Tax (min. $7.00)

Overtime/Special Handling Service (Hourly Rate)

$51.50**

Customs Entry Packets

$1.00 per packet or shipment

Pre-Release Notification for Import Shipments

$10.00 per shipment

*Additional charges may apply.

**All fees charged by any government agency or other third party, if any, will be billed in addition to the listed fees.