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

[Ahab]

Originally Posted by saracen

I'm not gonna get into your childish crap. It's really people like you why more folks don't post their disappointment here. Yes, I do have an order for a pair of Aldens, but do you know the whole story. No! So back off! If this pair has problems, you bet it will be the last, and you'll be the first to know. But really, don't let me poop all over your party!
Proof?

 

[sockpuppets]

Cat Fight!

 

[nurktwin]

For folks that have the 986, does it fit true to size or do you size down a 1/2 size? Thanks!

 

[sockpuppets]

986 is van last - 1/4 to 1/2 size larger than regular U.S. size.

 

[Warren G.]

Got my 403 Indy today..it's so nice

 

[PeterParker]

The ****-flinging in this thread is just further evidence that posting personal bad experiences don't affect other end customer's decision making. Considering that I have been in the same situation as some of these posters (with another company), reading about their terrible experiences and Alden's poor customer service does little to deter me from buying a pair of Aldens. That's a sad thought because I remembered feeling powerless when the manufacturer and the retailer were ignoring me. I thought that by posting about my horrific experience on a forum would be empowering, with the potential to turn customers off of that company, but now I realize even that would have had little effect.

That being said, I have trouble respecting companies that don't value their customers, be it consumer or retailer. When a retailer takes issue with a manufacturer with a legitimate defect and they refuse to do anything about it, that really pisses me off. How much could it possibly cost Alden to replace a defective pair of 405 Indy's which are standard production? See this thread.

While I am not convinced enough by another person's bad experience to swear off a company, I would never give a company a second chance if I was treated so poorly a customer.

Ironically, the my bad customer service experience was also with a pair of boots, which have now been replaced with a pair of Aldens.

 

[sockpuppets]

It was interesting to watch the Epaulet visit to Alden. It gives you a glimpse into how old school this company operates. I honestly think they have no idea how the world has changed and how their reputation can easily become tarnished online. It's also easy for a small amount of problems to look like a trend, particularly when they add fuel to the fire by not resolving the issue in a friendly manner. Watching that video makes me think they're stuck in 1980 or so. I wonder if they how to scale their operation and maintain their quality. Pair #5 of Aldens are en route for me. I'll pause here, inspect and enjoy the ones I have and keep an eye on what happens.

 

[Ahab]

Originally Posted by PeterParker

The ****-flinging in this thread is just further evidence that posting personal bad experiences don't affect other end customer's decision making. Considering that I have been in the same situation as some of these posters (with another company), reading about their terrible experiences and Alden's poor customer service does little to deter me from buying a pair of Aldens. That's a sad thought because I remembered feeling powerless when the manufacturer and the retailer were ignoring me. I thought that by posting about my horrific experience on a forum would be empowering, with the potential to turn customers off of that company, but now I realize even that would have had little effect.

That being said, I have trouble respecting companies that don't value their customers, be it consumer or retailer. When a retailer takes issue with a manufacturer with a legitimate defect and they refuse to do anything about it, that really pisses me off. How much could it possibly cost Alden to replace a defective pair of 405 Indy's which are standard production? See this thread.

While I am not convinced enough by another person's bad experience to swear off a company, I would never give a company a second chance if I was treated so poorly a customer.

Ironically, the my bad customer service experience was also with a pair of boots, which have now been replaced with a pair of Aldens.
That is because from some of the idiots who delight in posting how crappy Alden's are say that there is poor quality control and that you would be lucky to get a pair of Alden's that did not have problems. Well since I have 10 plus pair of Alden's with zero problems I know they are Chicken Little or flat out lying.

It reminds me of reading New Egg reviews. According to the user reviews over there EVERY piece of equipment I buy should not work. But my PC is fine. Just because pussified whiners are loud does not mean they are right.

 

[Dewey]

more pictures of shoes plz

 

[GreatHighway]

^ive got 2 pairs of boots on order. pics when they arrive

 

[slide13]

Originally Posted by Ahab

That is because from some of the idiots who delight in posting how crappy Alden's are say that there is poor quality control and that you would be lucky to get a pair of Alden's that did not have problems. Well since I have 10 plus pair of Alden's with zero problems I know they are Chicken Little or flat out lying.

It reminds me of reading New Egg reviews. According to the user reviews over there EVERY piece of equipment I buy should not work. But my PC is fine. Just because pussified whiners are loud does not mean they are right.

Really, 10 pair and not a single issue? You are either very lucky or incredibly tolerant of small issues, so much so that they go unnoticed. I love Alden boots and have three pair currently, but their QC does suck. I have probably had in my possession 8 pair of boots at one time or another and out of those I have the three good ones...the rest had a quality issue that required their return. Some of these were terribly blatant, others were somewhat minor but still unacceptable on a $400+ pair of boots. Every time I get a bad one I tell myself I won't buy them anymore...but the good ones are very good and I love their style so much I keep coming back. I think my new rule is to buy them in person only where I can inspect them. All three of my keeper pairs were bought in person locally, all the returned boots were from online sellers.

 

[interlockingny]

Speaking from experience, I can say that it seems that boots are more of the issue than shoes. I have had a couple of issues with a few pairs of boots that I have purchased. No issues with any of the shoes I own.

 

[wj4]

Originally Posted by PeterParker

The ****-flinging in this thread is just further evidence that posting personal bad experiences don't affect other end customer's decision making. Considering that I have been in the same situation as some of these posters (with another company), reading about their terrible experiences and Alden's poor customer service does little to deter me from buying a pair of Aldens. That's a sad thought because I remembered feeling powerless when the manufacturer and the retailer were ignoring me. I thought that by posting about my horrific experience on a forum would be empowering, with the potential to turn customers off of that company, but now I realize even that would have had little effect.

That being said, I have trouble respecting companies that don't value their customers, be it consumer or retailer. When a retailer takes issue with a manufacturer with a legitimate defect and they refuse to do anything about it, that really pisses me off. How much could it possibly cost Alden to replace a defective pair of 405 Indy's which are standard production? See this thread.

While I am not convinced enough by another person's bad experience to swear off a company, I would never give a company a second chance if I was treated so poorly a customer.

Ironically, the my bad customer service experience was also with a pair of boots, which have now been replaced with a pair of Aldens.

If my Indy's rip apart like that pair in the picture, I would also stop buying Alden.

 

[dport86]

Originally Posted by MiniW

hey, if you like the fit of the shoes, and are only concerned about the color. I think the color can be deepened/enriched with some Obenauf's LP. It definitely worked wonders for my original waxed leather indy's. The great thing is that the leather becomes only slightly darker with each application. Use a hairdryer to melt it in the leather and use a cloth to wipe off the excess. With 2 or 3 coats I am pretty confident that the brown will be a rich dark shade. Just be confident that you can apply an even coating each time. I hope this helps.

thanks for the tip. two coats of obenaufs later and the boots are definitely more brown, though after wearing the pastel pink/red keeps coming up in the creases. I do like these boots and for all the Alden haters recently, know that this pair had the usual ugly storm welt joint and a flaw (scar) in the leather that I wouldn't have been surprised to see in Shoemart seconds. But the stitching is great and they feel extremely solid.

By point of comparison, my BB Peals (Sargents?) which are at the same price point feel plasticky and factory-made and the Timberland Abingdon's, which were touted by Nick Horween on his blog, were startlingly cheaply made: cheap foam insoles and cardboard, that's right, cardboard mid-sole. pretty shocking on a $179 boot. Haven't seen that except on cheapie plimsoles from the pre-cheap-China-labor 1960's.

 

[sockpuppets]

Originally Posted by dport86

thanks for the tip. two coats of obenaufs later and the boots are definitely more brown, though after wearing the pastel pink/red keeps coming up in the creases. I do like these boots and for all the Alden haters recently, know that this pair had the usual ugly storm welt joint and a flaw (scar) in the leather that I wouldn't have been surprised to see in Shoemart seconds. But the stitching is great and they feel extremely solid.

By point of comparison, my BB Peals (Sargents?) which are at the same price point feel plasticky and factory-made and the Timberland Abingdon's, which were touted by Nick Horween on his blog, were startlingly cheaply made: cheap foam insoles and cardboard, that's right, cardboard mid-sole. pretty shocking on a $179 boot. Haven't seen that except on cheapie plimsoles from the pre-cheap-China-labor 1960's.

Could you post some photos of your progress on these? I'm hesitant to do this to my pair.