C&J or Alden?

[clee1982]

Not even sure if it's a fair question to ask (i.e. am I compare orange to apple), but thinking about buying myself a new pair of boots

I can either

1. buy this one (Alden for J Crew Shell Cordovan)
http://cgi.ebay.com/JCREW-Alden-Cord...ht_2927wt_1139

Shipping from US to UK would be about 40 USD, so come out about 540 USD total. This is assuming I don't get hit by custom, which might not be true. I got hit by a EG purchase from the States pretty badly last time... (though still turn out to be cheaper than when EG go on sale themselves)

Or

2. Pay retail for C&J Northcote (not shell cordovan, on 348 last, see link). Coincidently it is also 345 GBP in the store, though the one I saw had a color closer to burgundy which I prefer over the dark brown one on Pediwear. Plal has it cheaper before shipping, VAT, blah blah, but not sure how it will actually come out after everything is included
http://www.pediwear.co.uk/crockett/products/3536.php

Also there is a shell cordovan boots at the C&J store as well, it's a cap toe on leather sole instead of Dainite sole, kind similar to the Alden one above, I think it's on 341 last, though it's going for 510 GBP.

Or

3. Suck it up wait for the next BB sale and assume I am in the US at the time to buy this C&J Shell Cordovan for BB (though no idea how low it will go 30% to 40% off?)
http://www.brooksbrothers.com/IWCatP...uct_Id=1481969
if it ever gets to 35% to 40% off, then it will get to the same price range as the 2 above, does C&J shell for BB ever get that low?

4. Gamble a bit on sizing for this Alden cap toe, though never really a fan of used shoes, and don't really know Grant last and no real way to try it here in London

http://cgi.ebay.com/Alden-Shell-Cord...#ht_500wt_1156

5. Step up the money game to the EG or G&G big time boots...

Side note,
how often does Alden for BB shell cordovan go on sale both in UK and US?
I was looking at this guy in the Regent street store
http://www.brooksbrothers.com/IWCatP...lt_color=Black

and they're selling for 493 GBP!!! The US price is not cheap, but much bearable, though I would still probably wait until it go on sale (there are two 9.5D for this guy on ebay at the moment, both are dirt cheap, though 1 is in black, used and 1 is probably a 2nd).

 

[Don Carlos]

BB cordovan shoes rarely go on sale, and when they do, expect maybe 15% off at the most.

Of all the examples you've shown, I am most partial to those BB Peals in shell. Second choice would be the C&Js. Those Alden x J Crew boots are a little ugly, IMO.

 

[clee1982]

Originally Posted by Don Carlos

BB cordovan shoes rarely go on sale, and when they do, expect maybe 15% off at the most.

Of all the examples you've shown, I am most partial to those BB Peals in shell. Second choice would be the C&Js. Those Alden x J Crew boots are a little ugly, IMO.

Alden for BB Cordovan or C&J for BB Cordovan... or BOTH? damn I was hoping some huge sale from BB.

 

[sinnedk]

you are kinda talking apples and oranges , the c&js are a good price compared to barneys (my vote for calf) its about $463 + shipping ($30 probably) http://www.barneys.com/Northcote/500...efault,pd.html alden shells are really nice (my vote for shell), my friend has them and i was surprised at how nice they are, though very burgandy they look exactly like this but with speed hooks http://www.styleforum.net/showthread...85589&page=713 if you are going to fork over about 1k for nice boots wait for leffot to get these (in fall) for $750 http://blog.leffot.com/category/foot...hurchs-brands/ these churches are very sleek finally if you want really nice shell boots go with Ron Rider Boots which are amazing! hope that helps a bit in the decision...

 

[clee1982]

Originally Posted by sinnedk

you are kinda talking apples and oranges ,
the c&js are a good price compared to barneys (my vote for calf) its about $463 + shipping ($30 probably)
http://www.barneys.com/Northcote/500...efault,pd.html
alden shells are really nice (my vote for shell), my friend has them and i was surprised at how nice they are, though very burgandy they look exactly like this but with speed hooks http://www.styleforum.net/showthread...85589&page=713

if you are going to fork over about 1k for nice boots wait for leffot to get these (in fall) for $750
http://blog.leffot.com/category/foot...hurchs-brands/ these churches are very sleek
finally if you want really nice shell boots go with Ron Rider Boots which are amazing!
hope that helps a bit in the decision...

Wait, Church's MTO in US is $750 only for boots!? I got to ask the Church guys here then, can't be that bad even with VAT.

I agree 345 gbp is better than 595 usd, but that's not that much difference...

I really like the C&J for BB Peal ones, but 1K for a boots, sounds a bit too much, and I got to wait until I am in the US next time (or I can buy the C&J's own version of shell for less, about 510 gbp I think). In the end I think I will most likely paying retail for Northcote, and hoping for random ebay/B&S deal on Alden pop up...

 

[clee1982]

Originally Posted by sinnedk

you are kinda talking apples and oranges ,
the c&js are a good price compared to barneys (my vote for calf) its about $463 + shipping ($30 probably)
http://www.barneys.com/Northcote/500...efault,pd.html
alden shells are really nice (my vote for shell), my friend has them and i was surprised at how nice they are, though very burgandy they look exactly like this but with speed hooks http://www.styleforum.net/showthread...85589&page=713

if you are going to fork over about 1k for nice boots wait for leffot to get these (in fall) for $750
http://blog.leffot.com/category/foot...hurchs-brands/ these churches are very sleek
finally if you want really nice shell boots go with Ron Rider Boots which are amazing!
hope that helps a bit in the decision...

by the way is Ron Rider Boots still selling through leffot or they have their own distribution channel?

 

[Metlin]

Originally Posted by clee1982

Alden for BB Cordovan or C&J for BB Cordovan... or BOTH? damn I was hoping some huge sale from BB.

You and most of us on SF.

 

[makewayhomer]

I had a similar choice and went with the c&j for bb shell boots. They are awesome, better than any shell boots from Alden I have seen. They went on sale on black Friday for $600 ish but who knows if they will be made again

 

[clee1982]

Originally Posted by makewayhomer

I had a similar choice and went with the c&j for bb shell boots. They are awesome, better than any shell boots from Alden I have seen. They went on sale on black Friday for $600 ish but who knows if they will be made again

ah damn, you just complicated my choice, by a lot... 600 is a good deal.

 

[sinnedk]

Originally Posted by clee1982

Wait, Church's MTO in US is $750 only for boots!? I got to ask the Church guys here then, can't be that bad even with VAT.

I agree 345 gbp is better than 595 usd, but that's not that much difference...

I really like the C&J for BB Peal ones, but 1K for a boots, sounds a bit too much, and I got to wait until I am in the US next time (or I can buy the C&J's own version of shell for less, about 510 gbp I think). In the end I think I will most likely paying retail for Northcote, and hoping for random ebay/B&S deal on Alden pop up...

Leffot said "These boots were priced at $750 mto is additional $100," sorry for confusion, but he is ordering them for the fall, so $750 in fall or $850 mto,
ron rider has a few distributions try franco's fine clothier, leffot and j gilber footwear

 

[clee1982]

Originally Posted by sinnedk

Leffot said "These boots were priced at $750 mto is additional $100," sorry for confusion, but he is ordering them for the fall, so $750 in fall or $850 mto,
ron rider has a few distributions try franco's fine clothier, leffot and j gilber footwear

that's all state side though, I probably just shoot up an email for the company website and see if they got any program in UK/Europe.

 

[jimmyfingers]

I don't think I have ever seen any Shell offerings from BB more than 15% off. The profit margin for shoes is already low w/o offering sales.

IMO, when spending this amount for shoes, get something you love even if it is 150 dollars more or whatever.

I really hate taking gambles at this price level too as far as sizing goes. Keep this in mind since you will have the headache of re listing if they don't fit

 

[makewayhomer]

Originally Posted by jimmyfingers

I don't think I have ever seen any Shell offerings from BB more than 15% off. The profit margin for shoes is already low w/o offering sales.

t

They have gotten around this by starting some at $1k!

 

[clee1982]

And to just complicated the matter, that's add the Vass here... http://www.budapester-schuhe.de/hand...,316,0,99.html though got to get a quote first, if it's out the price range, then I won't really bother I guess... and these ones from Ron Riders are amazing too http://www.francos.com/items/item.asp?sku5=23868

 

[clee1982]

So is this one

http://www.francos.com/items/item.asp?sku5=62957