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

[tmw]



I really like what you've done with the edge trimming. It gives the boots a distinctively personalised character. Of course the blue laces are a splendid addition.

Thanks BeSpiff,

Fooling with the edging a bit gives a different look to casually worn black shell. And can open the options up for more of us on this site who lament the scarcity of the exotic colors and feel that black is too "business" looking.

cheers
Todd

 

[Bakes11771]

Alden Dilema,

During the recent BB corporate sale I snagged my Dad a pair of Unlined LHS in Color 8. There were some complications with billing, in that they could not get authorization on my regular credit card. After numerous phone calls to the bank and BB customer service, I just gave them a different card that I have with a much lower limit. In the meantime, my order had been cancelled and the original pair that I ordered in the right size was not longer available, so I got the next size up in hopes to exchange them at a local store.

Finally got the shoes (half size too big) and brought them to my local BB. The sales assoc. took them as a return and located a pair in the right size from another store. He had them bill my card with the discounted price that I received and send me their pair.

They actually ended up charging my card twice and sending me two pairs, however, I received the second pair the week after I had received the first pair. The first pair had a few imperfections, but my Dad already wore them by the time the second pair (pristine) arrived.

I already have a pair of the lined LHS in color 8, but would prefer the unlined.

Should I try to sell my lined pair, which are in pretty good shape, a few imperfections, but Alden would sell them as first quality if the soles were unworn, and keep the Unlined BB LHS?

Should I just return the pristine pair of BB LHS? I paid $500 for them, so I couldn't really sell them for enough of a profit to make it worth the trouble.

I would think I could get $450 for my used pair of lined LHS, so i could upgrade for a new pair of unlined for ~$50 and some inconvenience (best case scenario)

the other problem is that since they charged me for 2 pairs, it exceeded the limit on my credit card, so I either have to return them immediately, or pay it down to get it back under my limit (which isn't a problem)

What should I do, return the pristine pair of BB unlined LHS?

Or keep them and try to sell my Lined LHS?

 

[JermynStreet]



I like shell in black but at the prices I have no problem getting black calf. My black shell shoes have zero patina. I can get zero patina with calf.

True, but I love the heft of black shell lwbs. They just look more solid than calf.

 

[Ahab]



Alden Dilema,

During the recent BB corporate sale I snagged my Dad a pair of Unlined LHS in Color 8.  There were some complications with billing, in that they could not get authorization on my regular credit card.  After numerous phone calls to the bank and BB customer service, I just gave them a different card that I have with a much lower limit.  In the meantime, my order had been cancelled and the original pair that I ordered in the right size was not longer available, so I got the next size up in hopes to exchange them at a local store.

Finally got the shoes (half size too big) and brought them to my local BB.  The sales assoc. took them as a return and located a pair in the right size from another store.  He had them bill my card with the discounted price that I received and send me their pair.

They actually ended up charging my card twice and sending me two pairs, however, I received the second pair the week after I had received the first pair.  The first pair had a few imperfections, but my Dad already wore them by the time the second pair (pristine) arrived.

I already have a pair of the lined LHS in color 8, but would prefer the unlined.

Should I try to sell my lined pair, which are in pretty good shape, a few imperfections, but Alden would sell them as first quality if the soles were unworn, and keep the Unlined BB LHS?

Should I just return the pristine pair of BB LHS?  I paid $500 for them, so I couldn't really sell them for enough of a profit to make it worth the trouble.

I would think I could get $450 for my used pair of lined LHS, so i could upgrade for a new pair of unlined for ~$50 and some inconvenience (best case scenario)

the other problem is that since they charged me for 2 pairs, it exceeded the limit on my credit card, so I either have to return them immediately, or pay it down to get it back under my limit (which isn't a problem)

What should I do, return the pristine pair of BB unlined LHS?

Or keep them and try to sell my Lined LHS?

This sounds like a lot of trouble and you are over thinking something that you wear on your feet. You could sell the used ones at a loss but I really doubt that it would be worth it in the end.

 

[Hill]



day tripper

Those are one of the nicest pairs of Aldens I've seen.

Alden Dilema, During the recent BB corporate sale I snagged my Dad a pair of Unlined LHS in Color 8. There were some complications with billing, in that they could not get authorization on my regular credit card. After numerous phone calls to the bank and BB customer service, I just gave them a different card that I have with a much lower limit. In the meantime, my order had been cancelled and the original pair that I ordered in the right size was not longer available, so I got the next size up in hopes to exchange them at a local store. Finally got the shoes (half size too big) and brought them to my local BB. The sales assoc. took them as a return and located a pair in the right size from another store. He had them bill my card with the discounted price that I received and send me their pair. They actually ended up charging my card twice and sending me two pairs, however, I received the second pair the week after I had received the first pair. The first pair had a few imperfections, but my Dad already wore them by the time the second pair (pristine) arrived. I already have a pair of the lined LHS in color 8, but would prefer the unlined. Should I try to sell my lined pair, which are in pretty good shape, a few imperfections, but Alden would sell them as first quality if the soles were unworn, and keep the Unlined BB LHS? Should I just return the pristine pair of BB LHS? I paid $500 for them, so I couldn't really sell them for enough of a profit to make it worth the trouble. I would think I could get $450 for my used pair of lined LHS, so i could upgrade for a new pair of unlined for ~$50 and some inconvenience (best case scenario) the other problem is that since they charged me for 2 pairs, it exceeded the limit on my credit card, so I either have to return them immediately, or pay it down to get it back under my limit (which isn't a problem) What should I do, return the pristine pair of BB unlined LHS? Or keep them and try to sell my Lined LHS?

Personally I would deal with the hassle to keep the unlined for the warm months. Great dilemma to have.

 

[Bakes11771]

This sounds like a lot of trouble and you are over thinking something that you wear on your feet. You could sell the used ones at a loss but I really doubt that it would be worth it in the end.

Welcome to ***The Official Alden Thread***

Seriously though, thank you for your response, and you are probably right that its not worth the trouble. I was leaning towards just returning them, but wanted to see what others would do if they were in my shoes (pun intended).

I just hate to let go of a perfect pair, in my size, at a discount.




Quote: Thank you for your response. That certainly is an idea. I had thought of keeping both, but not sure I can justify the overlap. Probably wouldn't really wear them much in the summer anyway. ( already have a bunch of summer only shoes that I need to wear while they are in season)

 

[JermynStreet]



This sounds like a lot of trouble and you are over thinking something that you wear on your feet. You could sell the used ones at a loss but I really doubt that it would be worth it in the end.

+1. It's a small issue in the end. You'll wear them and enjoy them if you keep them, you really won't care too much if you choose not to. To add a little perspective, right now we are worried whether N Korea is going to launch a missile, possibly setting of a chain of reactions for World War III. Without the U.S., no more Alden shoes.

 

[zippyh]



Alden Dilema,

During the recent BB corporate sale I snagged my Dad a pair of Unlined LHS in Color 8.  There were some complications with billing, in that they could not get authorization on my regular credit card.  After numerous phone calls to the bank and BB customer service, I just gave them a different card that I have with a much lower limit.  In the meantime, my order had been cancelled and the original pair that I ordered in the right size was not longer available, so I got the next size up in hopes to exchange them at a local store.

Finally got the shoes (half size too big) and brought them to my local BB.  The sales assoc. took them as a return and located a pair in the right size from another store.  He had them bill my card with the discounted price that I received and send me their pair.

They actually ended up charging my card twice and sending me two pairs, however, I received the second pair the week after I had received the first pair.  The first pair had a few imperfections, but my Dad already wore them by the time the second pair (pristine) arrived.

I already have a pair of the lined LHS in color 8, but would prefer the unlined.

Should I try to sell my lined pair, which are in pretty good shape, a few imperfections, but Alden would sell them as first quality if the soles were unworn, and keep the Unlined BB LHS?

Should I just return the pristine pair of BB LHS?  I paid $500 for them, so I couldn't really sell them for enough of a profit to make it worth the trouble.

I would think I could get $450 for my used pair of lined LHS, so i could upgrade for a new pair of unlined for ~$50 and some inconvenience (best case scenario)

the other problem is that since they charged me for 2 pairs, it exceeded the limit on my credit card, so I either have to return them immediately, or pay it down to get it back under my limit (which isn't a problem)

What should I do, return the pristine pair of BB unlined LHS?

Or keep them and try to sell my Lined LHS?

Embrace the philosophy of MOAR and exchange for a pair in black.

 

[bespoken pa]



+1. It's a small issue in the end. You'll wear them and enjoy them if you keep them, you really won't care too much if you choose not to. To add a little perspective, right now we are worried whether N Korea
is going to launch a missile, possibly setting of a chain of reactions for World War III. Without the U.S., no more Alden shoes.

Anyone know if shell is nuc proof? Maybe a little leather defender just in case?

 

[Bakes11771]

+1. It's a small issue in the end. You'll wear them and enjoy them if you keep them, you really won't care too much if you choose not to. To add a little perspective, right now we are worried whether N Korea is going to launch a missile, possibly setting of a chain of reactions for World War III. Without the U.S., no more Alden shoes.

You have a good point, but I can't control N. Korea. I can, however, control what I do with this pair of LHS

Embrace the philosophy of MOAR and exchange for a pair in black.

Already have the Unlined LHS in black, otherwise that would be the best possible solution



I think I'll just return them. Thank you everyone for your perspectives.

 

[JermynStreet]



Anyone know if shell is nuc proof? Maybe a little leather defender just in case?

Saphir glaçage, actually. Got to ward off those UV + x rays with a Mac method/mirror spit shine.

 

[BeSpiffington]

This might be a first for this thread. I just received one of Nick Horweens #4 cordovan belts. Here's a pic with my Ravello LWB's for colour comparison.

Of course now I must have a pair of #4 shell shoes. Did someone say something about chasing unicorns?

 

[Ahab]



Welcome to ***The Official Alden Thread***

Seriously though, thank you for your response, and you are probably right that its not worth the trouble.  I was leaning towards just returning them, but wanted to see what others would do if they were in my shoes (pun intended).

I just hate to let go of a perfect pair, in my size, at a discount.

Despite what is stated here there are a lot of perfect pairs of Alden's out there. If the issues are some small coloration issues it will most likely work it self out over time with wear and brushing. If this were calf you have additional options in the small amount of dye in the wax and leather conditioner. A lot of the problems posted on this board are enlarged, closeup, pictures in optimal lighting. I even see people say things like, I really cannot take a good picture of it. So if you have to hold it in your hand a 10 inches from your face to see it and be in the right lighting conditions to capture it on film, what chance does someone have seeing it over 3 feet away and moving, even if they know what they are looking for?

 

[Ahab]



This might be a first for this thread. I just received one of Nick Horweens #4 cordovan belts. Here's a pic with my Ravello LWB's for colour comparison.

Of course now I must have a pair of #4 shell shoes. Did someone say something about chasing unicorns?

Unicorn shell is the grail of shell. It is the lightest colored of all the shells, never has marks and attracts virgins.

 

[BeSpiffington]

^ Oh God, I can't stop laughing!