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***The official Alden thread *** - Page 3072

post #46066 of 51591
3/18/13 at 3:00pm

Got these Alden 403s from The Shoe Mart about 3-4 weeks ago and the heel is half broken off when a door slammed into the back of the heel.  I believe I can send them back to the Shoe Mart for free repair or replacement, but I don't mind paying some cash if I can just take it to a local cobbler to fix and not have these out of the rotation for 2-4 weeks.  Are Alden heels specialized in any way where it would be best to send back to the Shoe Mart or any local cobbler can fix?  Any idea how much I might be charged at a local cobbler?  Thanks!

 

 

 

 

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post #46067 of 51591
3/18/13 at 3:12pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by asaa1000 View Post

too bad Aldens are not in my affordable range, how bout that..

Forgive me, but I fail to understand what you're trying to say.
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post #46068 of 51591
3/18/13 at 3:13pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by El Argentino View Post

Forgive me, but I fail to understand what you're trying to say.

He does not purchase shoes for less than $750.
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post #46069 of 51591
3/18/13 at 3:17pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gcbrown3 View Post

I ordered a pair of shoes through Alden of Carmel and they were slightly large. Although I am an 9D in the Barrie Last for boots, it appears that I am an 8.5D in Bluchers/oxfords.
 
I wrote Adam and asked if I could do an exchange and I was told that would be fine. I returned the shoes and instead of getting a refund, received an email stating that I had received a full refund to my credit card and that ! If I wanted to order the 8.5D, I would have to agree that this was a final order where there could be no returns and that I could only pay using a money order.
 
This is my first and only order through Alden of Carmel. Is this normal behavior?
 
What if the replacement pair had a huge scratch? Please give me your thoughts. 
 
Thanks

I have dealt with Adam from AoC before. He was one of the least accommodating retailers I have dealt with. I chose to spend my money elsewhere. YMMV.
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post #46070 of 51591
3/18/13 at 3:22pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by mediahound View Post

When you start looking at high-end shoes, you will realize that Aldens are a bargain compared to many. Example - some John Lobb (not even shell cordovan) shoes go for $1,500. 

Thats the most flawed logic ever.

"My $400 dinner last night was a bargain since it would have cost me $1200 at a michellin star restaurant"
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post #46071 of 51591
3/18/13 at 3:22pm
I was at an Alden retailer this weekend and was told: in the coming months, Alden will not allow any web sales of its shoes. Apparently Alden has told retailers that they must remove Alden shoes from online shops. I was told this is due to the lack of shell available for production at the moment. I did not ask any questions, just listened. I would have asked: all Alden or just cordovan, how can they do that, why does it matter how retailers are selling the shoes? I can see that public sentiment would be lowered if no shoes are ever available (always being 'sold out' online); therefore, removing them from online shopping would not make the public think the company has a lack of production capacity or ability. Anyway, I am not verifying his statement as accurate, simply reporting what he told me. Anyone hear anything similar lately?
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post #46072 of 51591
3/18/13 at 3:26pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr. Moo View Post


I have dealt with Adam from AoC before. He was one of the least accommodating retailers I have dealt with. I chose to spend my money elsewhere. YMMV.

 

I tend to agree.

 

I once inquired about a pair of Alden's and he made this very clear to me in his email (quoting):

 

 

"Please note that these shoes are sold on an "exchange only" basis.  The shoes may be exchanged as long as they are kept in perfectly new, "un-creased" condition, with no signs of try-on.  (no creases in the shoes from bending the shoes, no creases in the shoes from walking in the shoes) No refunds or store credits.


If you have any questions please e-mail.

Adam,  Alden of Carmel"

 

I decided to forego purchasing. 

 

 

That said, I've also had a less than positive experience with Yenni at J Gilbert in Seattle, but at least she was a bit polite. This is what she emailed to me after I inquired about time-frame for a special makeup wait period:

 

"We do pre-orders daily. Some pre-orders can take 1-2 years to arrive.  There

is no guarantee with delivery dates.  If you feel uneasy about doing a
pre-order please don't feel obligated.

Thank you,

 

Yenni"

 

In other words, sorta like 'don't order from us if you don't like it.'. She had a point though. I wasn't willing to wait 1-2 years for a MTO shoe. Some may be. 

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post #46073 of 51591
3/18/13 at 3:27pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by mikeharo View Post

I was at an Alden retailer this weekend and was told: in the coming months, Alden will not allow any web sales of its shoes. Apparently Alden has told retailers that they must remove Alden shoes from online shops. I was told this is due to the lack of shell available for production at the moment. I did not ask any questions, just listened. I would have asked: all Alden or just cordovan, how can they do that, why does it matter how retailers are selling the shoes? I can see that public sentiment would be lowered if no shoes are ever available (always being 'sold out' online); therefore, removing them from online shopping would not make the public think the company has a lack of production capacity or ability. Anyway, I am not verifying his statement as accurate, simply reporting what he told me. Anyone hear anything similar lately?

If this is true, I may move away from Alden altogether. Their policies for American consumers are ludicrously stringent as-is. First MTO died. Then their production times tripled (if not more at this point).

Oh well.
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post #46074 of 51591
3/18/13 at 3:29pm
I love the "no signs of try on." OK, no problem, Adam - I'll just eyeball the shoes to see if they fit properly or not. uhoh.gif
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post #46075 of 51591
3/18/13 at 3:29pm
(dbl)
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post #46076 of 51591
3/18/13 at 3:29pm
yeah fuck Alden. their shoes are mediocre at best.
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post #46077 of 51591
3/18/13 at 3:32pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Roguls View Post

If this is true, I may move away from Alden altogether. Their policies for American consumers are ludicrously stringent as-is. First MTO died. Then their production times tripled (if not more at this point).

Oh well.

I'll ask around with some retailers to double check this...

At the end of the day, it's supply and demand. I heard that one retailer had 5,000 Alden pairs on preorder. Preorders all sell out when offered. eBay prices continue to go up. Until another supplier makes comparable cordovan, suede and CXL models in comparable scale, Alden will do whatever it wants. If you want Alden shoes the best bet is to get in good with several retailers.
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post #46078 of 51591
3/18/13 at 3:36pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr. Moo View Post

I love the "no signs of try on." OK, no problem, Adam - I'll just eyeball the shoes to see if they fit properly or not. uhoh.gif

On the one hand, this policy puzzles me as I have observed many brick and mortar retailers offering shoes for try on without question. They don't seem to have an issue with it

On the other hand, from reading this thread it is clear that many buyers despise any sign of creasing, so I understand why AoC wants to cover themselves
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post #46079 of 51591
3/18/13 at 3:36pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Alcibiades View Post

I'll ask around with some retailers to double check this...

At the end of the day, it's supply and demand. I heard that one retailer had 5,000 Alden pairs on preorder. Preorders all sell out when offered. eBay prices continue to go up. Until another supplier makes comparable cordovan, suede and CXL models in comparable scale, Alden will do whatever it wants. If you want Alden shoes the best bet is to get in good with several retailers.

I always wondered about the Alden/J. Crew relationship. J. Crew needed Alden way more than Alden needed J. Crew. Alden was already selling virtually every shoe they made.
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post #46080 of 51591
3/18/13 at 3:39pm

The Shell Cordovan shortage is not the fault of Alden:

 

http://horween.com/101/the-state-of-the-market/

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