Durability of high-end shoes

[foto010101]

Hi, I was browsing on the net for santoni shoes and found a nice pair (see link below). Is it possible to really tell if these shoes were only gently worn and are in perfect condition? I have no experience with the kind of soles of these high-end dress shoes, but do they get scratches and holes so easily? How much would it be to let them be replaced by new ones? Furthermore the seller states that these kind of shoes can last halft a lifetime. Are these kind of shoes really that durable? http://cgi.ebay.com/Santoni-Bristol-...QQcmdZViewItem Mike

 

[josepidal]

These have not been heavily used. Among other things, the heel and soles are hardly worn.

 

[lee_44106]

Based on the pictures, my best guess would be worn about 4-6 times. Notice the slight wear to the edge of the heel.

The two-hole punch is, I believe, a sign that this is a store return to Nordstroms.

Me personally, I don't think $120 is a good price for this pair.

 

[foto010101]

Originally Posted by lee_44106

Me personally, I don't think $120 is a good price for this pair.
Why not?

 

[NoVaguy]

Originally Posted by foto010101

Why not?

i don't know about him, but i wouldn't pay more than 20% of retail for used footwear. (actually, i wouldn't buy them in the first place, but there you go).

 

[Full Canvas]

Originally Posted by foto010101

Hi,

I was browsing on the net for santoni shoes and found a nice pair (see link below). Is it possible to really tell if these shoes were only gently worn and are in perfect condition?

I have no experience with the kind of soles of these high-end dress shoes, but do they get scratches and holes so easily? How much would it be to let them be replaced by new ones?

Furthermore the seller states that these kind of shoes can last halft a lifetime. Are these kind of shoes really that durable?

http://cgi.ebay.com/Santoni-Bristol-...QQcmdZViewItem

Mike

Although the Santoni Bristols in your eBay link have a fair amount of wear, they are still nice shoes. There is plenty of life left in that pair. If you can win the auction at price you like, why not buy them? I own a pair of them and I'm happy. My pair has similar wear after probably twenty or thirty times on the ground.

Just understand that they are not the Goodyear welted Santonis. The Bristol is Bologna construction. http://www.styleforum.net/showthread...a+construction My Bristols are nowhere near needing a resole. My cobbler told me that he could resole the shoes. That remains to be seen.
________________________________

 

[A Harris]

I'd agree that they were proably worn 3 or 4 times. Which is almost entirely insignificant, they aren't even broken in yet. IMO an excellent deal.

 

[Shoe-nut]

Originally Posted by foto010101

Hi,

Furthermore the seller states that these kind of shoes can last halft a lifetime. Are these kind of shoes really that durable?

Mike

It's all about care and not wearing them everyday. Most any shoe and especially quality ones can even outlast you. I own and have owned many 50 to 80 year old shoes that are still very useable.

 

[Soph]

The Bristol in Rust is my favorite looking Santoni shoe. Too bad they can't make these shoes to limited edition standards.

 

[lee_44106]

Originally Posted by foto010101

Why not?

1) Since the shoe is not Goodyear welted, resoling is a problem. Despite claims to the otherwise, I've yet to see it succesfully done. You are then left with the option of putting Topy-type sole additions.

2) The top is in excellent condition, I agree. To me the sole is just too scuffed to me to fork over 25% retail for a used shoe.

That said, if you like it, buy it. It's a nice looking shoe.

 

[A Harris]

2) The top is in excellent condition, I agree. To me the sole is just too scuffed to me to fork over 25% retail for a used shoe.

I'm curious as to while you feel this way? How is a 75% discount on a shoe that still has 98% of its' wear left a bad deal?

 

[NoVaguy]

Originally Posted by A Harris

I'm curious as to while you feel this way? How is a 75% discount on a shoe that still has 98% of its' wear left a bad deal?

at least for me, i can usually get brand new shoes for 20-33% retail, and have enough items that I can wait for the deep discounts. Sometimes I'll go up to 60% if its a highly desirable item. In any case, since I can get brand new items rather cheaply, it becomes pointless to pay a price in the same range for used items.

 

[minimal]

That's about as much wear as I put on in the first 2 wearings. If they go for less than $100 I'd say go for it, assuming you know they fit you well. They *are* seconds, after all, and these go on sale every so often at a variety of places.

Good luck.

 

[Full Canvas]

Originally Posted by minimal

They *are* seconds, after all,
Good luck.
Being uncertain what the asterisk enclosure of the word, are, means, I thought I might add a tiny technical clarification.

Even though the auction text says "two punch marks in one sole for seconds", it is likely that the shoes are not seconds. Many retail stores make the two punch marks when shoes are returned for credit or refund. The marks are indelible identification just as a cut label or ink-marked label. This prevents yet another future return of the same shoes to any retail store and more than one full-price credit or refund. Santoni didn't make the punch marks.

The seller is new to eBay and probably just trying to provide full disclosure. There are some respectable sellers on eBay.

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[grimslade]

Originally Posted by lee_44106

1) Since the shoe is not Goodyear welted, resoling is a problem. Despite claims to the otherwise, I've yet to see it succesfully done. You are then left with the option of putting Topy-type sole additions.

2) The top is in excellent condition, I agree. To me the sole is just too scuffed to me to fork over 25% retail for a used shoe.

That said, if you like it, buy it. It's a nice looking shoe.


If one were going to topy them anyway, what does it matter if the sole is a little scuffed?