***The official Alden thread *** - Page 3074

 

You should have asked him why he sent you a pair that had clearly been tried on when his own policy states returns of those are not even allowed. So, how was that possible? 

 

Exactly. And they are not worth twice as much, hence Aldens seem like a bargain in comparison. 

how are they so sure that they're aldens? don't numerous other designers also make suede chukkas?

Alternatively you could see Lobbs as a ripoff.

 

You can tell by the stitching:

 

 

 

http://www.theshoemart.com/alden-mens-unlined-chukka-boot-flex-welt-suede-snuff-suede/pvc-ald-mxsbc-1493_ald_m_unlined_chukka_boot_flex_welt_suede.html

The emergence of Carmina in the US market leaves me no desire to buy any more Aldens.

*eta* also in a similar price range: Vass

They are worth what someone is willing to pay for them. No one is going to pay $1500 for Aldens, but they do pay $1500 for Lobbs.

Comparing the two shoes is like comparing a Ford to a Bentley. Source: I've owned multiple pairs of both.

Would have been quite hysterical and contentious seeing as how I returned a pair that showed the same very minor signs of someone trying them on.  Your point is a good one though.  I think the policy is there just to scare people into being as careful as possible.  In the end many get rubbed the wrong way by it. 

to be fair.... i only own Alden's and Lobb's. to put Alden in the same sentence as Lobb from a construction quality perspective, attention to detail, quality control is just absurd. All my Cordovan, Suede and CXL shoes are Alden, all my formal/calf shoes are Lobb. it's not even a comparison, nor should it be for double-triple the price, but to call Alden's a bargain is just dumb. Alden's are a fetish pure and simple. they are lovely, classic, etc. but the quality isn't that great. often buying alden's 100% feels like a fetish... like paying someone to spit in your face.

My issue with Carmina is that E widths don't seem to be widely available. I can get basically any rare Alden cordovan (plus all the suede and CXL models) in E widths in a standard preorder. Carmina doesn't appear to offer E widths in some of its lasts even as an MTO. However the Carmina shoes I have seen on the Epaulet thread look great, so I am sure many are enjoying them

hmm...astute

what do you mean when you say carmina/meermin/vass have emerged in the us market? last i checked, they were only available online. i'm still nervous about buying them because i have no idea how my feet fit in their lasts!

 

Not really. Aldens are a lot closer to John Lobbs than Fords are to Bentleys. 

Because they are easier to order than they once were? You can go try on Carminas at Epaulet in NYC if you are local (I'm not). All three of those brands (including Meermin) have better availability, QC and design in my experience.

I would rather chance an order for a pair of Vass through that guy on the MC side than roll the dice and a few years on a pair of Aldens I might never see/ could arrive with horrible defects.

Alfred Sargent MTO's are even looking better than Aldens.

I think you can try on Carmina at Epaulet in NYC, but that is about it

I haven't seen a US brick and mortar retailer stocking Vass (correct me if I am wrong)

Actually, I think my comparison is rather spot on.

Fords are purpose-built, with generally spotty quality control, a lack of attention to detail, while still commanding a decent premium over the truly cheap vehicles on the road.

Bentleys are rare, refined, hand made, with a meticulous finishing and every detail scrutinized and polished over several times. They are expensive, but people are willing to pay for them.