Carmina Shoes - Definitive Thread (reviews, advice, sizing, etc...) - official thread.

[CMR16]

Hey guys, I have been lurking around the Carmina boards (and official store) for quite some time. I've spent years here on the Allen Edmonds appreciation board. I love my Allen Edmonds and they have treated me more than well but now that I am making decent money I want to expand the collection.

What I am mainly worried about is the possible fees that come from importing from Spain. I've seen horror stories on here. Do you guys know who Carmina uses to ship to the United States? What kind of brokerage fees and other costs can I expect? Any insight would be lovely before I blindly place an order and then have to bend over and take it without lubrication.

 

[Proleet]

Hey guys, I have been lurking around the Carmina boards (and official store) for quite some time. I've spent years here on the Allen Edmonds appreciation board. I love my Allen Edmonds and they have treated me more than well but now that I am making decent money I want to expand the collection.

What I am mainly worried about is the possible fees that come from importing from Spain. I've seen horror stories on here. Do you guys know who Carmina uses to ship to the United States? What kind of brokerage fees and other costs can I expect? Any insight would be lovely before I blindly place an order and then have to bend over and take it without lubrication.

orders below 800$ don’t have any of those duties/taxes

 

[CMR16]

orders below 800$ don’t have any of those duties/taxes

So you are only responsible for the carrier brokerage fee? Do you normally know what either DHL or UPS charges? I thought I read on UPS' site that they charge like $500. That is just shy of my entire order. Lol

 

[CMR16]

orders below 800$ don’t have any of those duties/taxes

I appreciate the response. Thank you.

 

[DL120]

orders below 800$ don’t have any of those duties/taxes

Hey guys, I have been lurking around the Carmina boards (and official store) for quite some time. I've spent years here on the Allen Edmonds appreciation board. I love my Allen Edmonds and they have treated me more than well but now that I am making decent money I want to expand the collection.

What I am mainly worried about is the possible fees that come from importing from Spain. I've seen horror stories on here. Do you guys know who Carmina uses to ship to the United States? What kind of brokerage fees and other costs can I expect? Any insight would be lovely before I blindly place an order and then have to bend over and take it without lubrication.

ive received many of pairs from carmina all over $800 and never was hit with fees. When you order from the us site, it’s purchasing from their us company, billed to and from their us company on the invoice and receipt.If they don’t have the shoes In stock in their nyc warehouse they will drop ship from Spain, but it shouldn’t have an import duty. I’ve been hit with significant fees from skoaktie and saint crispins but never carmina.

 

[CMR16]

ive received many of pairs from carmina all over $800 and never was hit with fees. When you order from the us site, it’s purchasing from their us company, billed to and from their us company on the invoice and receipt.If they don’t have the shoes In stock in their nyc warehouse they will drop ship from Spain, but it shouldn’t have an import duty. I’ve been hit with significant fees from skoaktie and saint crispins but never carmina.

When the fine people of Styleforum are more reliable than Google you know you are in the right place. Thank you for being quicker than Carmina customer service.

 

[flylikeneagle]

ive received many of pairs from carmina all over $800 and never was hit with fees. When you order from the us site, it’s purchasing from their us company, billed to and from their us company on the invoice and receipt.If they don’t have the shoes In stock in their nyc warehouse they will drop ship from Spain, but it shouldn’t have an import duty. I’ve been hit with significant fees from skoaktie and saint crispins but never carmina.

+1 Carmina covers import duties when you order from US site. DHL charged me 10% duty on a $900 order once, but Carmina reimbursed me within a couple of days of my contacting them.

 

[DL120]

Odd. I purchased a pair of bourbon cordovan boots almost two weeks ago and haven't heard a thing re shipping them.

It’ll all depend on if they’re in stock in NYC or Spain, Spain maybe actually be faster. Also if any add ons are requested, toe plate it may add a few days to a week because that artisan is only in the warehouse in Spain once a week based on my last chat with them.

good luck and wear in good health!

 

[Mothetgoo]

Hey guys, I have been lurking around the Carmina boards (and official store) for quite some time. I've spent years here on the Allen Edmonds appreciation board. I love my Allen Edmonds and they have treated me more than well but now that I am making decent money I want to expand the collection.

What I am mainly worried about is the possible fees that come from importing from Spain. I've seen horror stories on here. Do you guys know who Carmina uses to ship to the United States? What kind of brokerage fees and other costs can I expect? Any insight would be lovely before I blindly place an order and then have to bend over and take it without lubrication.

I have placed a bunch of orders (many over $800) with Carmina and never had any issues with any of this. The shipping has always been free, to my door, with no customs or brokerage fees. I think the only way you would run into it is if you order from the non-US website. I think the US website’s prices are higher than you get if you use a vpn to go to a European website and subtract GMT, but I think the reason for this is that any customs, etc., are included.

 

[Tamago]

Hello all, new to this thread and I am looking for some advice on forest last loafer. Do you guys recommend size down comparing to oxfords?
I had a pair of tricky Simpson last Oxford on 8.5UK. It’s a bit too long and too high instep, while forefoot is snug fit after break in. I’d sad to say Simpson poorly fits me.
i normally take UK8 on oxfords, and 7.5 on loafers (slight loose if not wearing socks, 7 will be snug fit in such case)

Any suggestion will be much appreciated. Thanks.

 

[adrs1157]

Just completed a little project - waxed my tobacco suede jumpers. Thought I'd share some images.

The full album and story is on Imgur, here.

Before - 1 year ago, indoor lighting:

4 months ago - in the sun:

Very rich, captivating colour. I found it difficult to pair with many of my pieces so I decided to try to mute some the richness with otter wax.

Immediately after waxing:

These sat for 12 hours or so, then I took a heatgun to it and raised the nap. Then they sat for another couple of ours to cool off.

Here is the end result:

On foot, in sunlight:

Super happy with the results!

 

[Sfroide3]

Some panels look too dark compared to other ones.

 

[adrs1157]

Some panels look too dark compared to other ones.

That was common in the original suede from Carmina too. Lots of mismatched panels. Doesn't bother me though, I like it.

 

[jischwar]

Just completed a little project - waxed my tobacco suede jumpers. Thought I'd share some images.

The full album and story is on Imgur, here.

Before - 1 year ago, indoor lighting:

4 months ago - in the sun:

Very rich, captivating colour. I found it difficult to pair with many of my pieces so I decided to try to mute some the richness with otter wax.

Immediately after waxing:

These sat for 12 hours or so, then I took a heatgun to it and raised the nap. Then they sat for another couple of ours to cool off.

Here is the end result:

On foot, in sunlight:

Super happy with the results!

They look good, but tobacco is such a versatile color. It practically goes with everything

 

[madhat]

Some panels look too dark compared to other ones.

That's ideal in my book. Uniformity can be boring.