Are these used Alden oxfords a good buy?

[Cayne-Abel]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...3#ht_500wt_922 My question to the seller (and his answer) was:

Have you been using shoe trees on them? Have they been restored or recrafted? How often / how long have you worn them? A:Â \tI have always used shoe trees on these shoes. They have been restored by "Alden Restoration." I have had them for over five years, however, have not worn them because they simply do not fit me anymore (I gained a little weight).

I tried this same model in the same size (8.5 D) at a store in downtown Manhattan yesterday, and they seemed to fit well (and the arch support...wow). My concerns are: (a) how good can an Alden shoe look and feel after over five years of use, even with a recent restoration?; and (b) how big an effect does the prior owner's foot shape have on the soles, and to what extent would it "spoil" the shoe for my feet? Or would the shoes re-adjust to me over time?

 

[alliswell]

The first you'll know is when someone here buys them and tells you how they are.

 

[pebblegrain]

They are used. Do you know what that means? It means they are not new and will show signs of wear from the previous owner.

Other than that, there is some weird **** going on near the lace eyelets. Looks like some fucked up wrinkling

 

[Harold falcon]

A good recrafting virtually recreates the shoe, I have not used Alden's service, but AE's is exemplary.

The sole will have adjusted to the prior owner, and there will be some period while it adjusts to your feet, but it won't conform to your feet as well as if they had been purchased brand new by you. I have found the difference pretty minimal though in the few pairs of used shoes I have purchased.

For what it is worth, if that's your size and the style you want you won't find a better price for that quality of shoe. Go for it.

 

[emptym]

I would much rather have a pair of used Aldens for $50-100 than anything new that goes for that price or double that. But you take a risk, the worst being that there may be a fungus in the shoe -- as DWFII has warned. Another is that recrafting can alter the fit of a shoe -- also as DW has explained before. So if they fit well in the store, this recrafted pair may not necessarily fit well. I have a pair of used Aldens that I bought years ago. They look great and feel great, but this doesn't mean that those will for you. There's always the risk. Good luck w/ your decision.

 

[Cayne-Abel]

Originally Posted by emptym

I would much rather have a pair of used Aldens for $50-100 than anything new that goes for that price or double that. But you take a risk, the worst being that there may be a fungus in the shoe -- as DWFII has warned. Another is that recrafting can alter the fit of a shoe -- also as DW has explained before. So if they fit well in the store, this recrafted pair may not necessarily fit well. I have a pair of used Aldens that I bought years ago. They look great and feel great, but this doesn't mean that those will for you. There's always the risk. Good luck w/ your decision.

Fungus, huh? I didn't think of that. How difficult is it to get rid of?

 

[patrickBOOTH]

I personally have never had good luck buying used shoes. There is always some issue with them. On the other hand, a good friend of mine has a couple, but he has bought about 50 pairs off of ebay to get to get those decent two. I guess it is kind of like a mail order bride.

 

[Alex C]

Originally Posted by patrickBOOTH

I personally have never had good luck buying used shoes. There is always some issue with them. On the other hand, a good friend of mine has a couple, but he has bought about 50 pairs off of ebay to get to get those decent two. I guess it is kind of like a mail order bride.

What do you usually do with the 48 extra brides? Sports team?

 

[Cayne-Abel]

Just bumping this thread hoping that someone can answer my last question (whether fungus can be effectively removed from shoes, and if so, how?)

 

[patrickBOOTH]

Originally Posted by Alex C

What do you usually do with the 48 extra brides? Sports team?

Take them to the Q, N, R, W platform at Union Square. Wait for a Q and an N, R, or W to come at the same time. Push her onto the tracks on the N, R, W and jump on the express Q to safety.

 

[cimabue]

Originally Posted by emptym

I would much rather have a pair of used Aldens for $50-100 than anything new that goes for that price or double that. But you take a risk, the worst being that there may be a fungus in the shoe -- as DWFII has warned. Another is that recrafting can alter the fit of a shoe -- also as DW has explained before. So if they fit well in the store, this recrafted pair may not necessarily fit well. I have a pair of used Aldens that I bought years ago. They look great and feel great, but this doesn't mean that those will for you. There's always the risk. Good luck w/ your decision.

I love a good mystery, too.

 

[pebblegrain]

Which of you idiots bid up to $66 but didn't BIN? Now they will end at $135...