Feeling pi**ed at shoe dealers! Am I being unreasonable?

[Jerry52]

Many of you know of my search for European dress shoes and have given me friendly valued advice.

My shoe size in American shoes like Alden is 12-C and the "C" width makes fitting into most English, Italian or Spanish shoes a bit difficult.

Because I'm in a rural area, I NEED to find a dealer with good selection and honest prices who is willing to do a mail order.

Obviously one option (and I might have to settle for it) would be to deal with an online cyberstore such as Zappo's. Generally the prices are better but I have always felt that the "brick-and-mortar" stores can be counted on for more personal service and maybe more authority about the brands. I've phoned one or two mail order outlets (not Zappo's) and the phone operators admit they've never actually seen the shoes. Well, DUH! How can they tell me more than I know if they're looking at the same online stuff I am???

I'm not naming names because I think that's unproductive, but there are at least three retailers that I've phoned and/or emailed, who have promised follow-through, but have dropped the ball.

I think I'm definite about my taste and have expressed myself articulately.

I guess I have to allow that it is the Christmas season and in any event any dealer has to give first service to those actually in the store, but I've become offended when I make the effort to contact them and they promise to get back with me, then never do! I wonder if that reflects that they're just not reliable. I like to be taken somewhat seriously! Busy or not, if they find they have no matches for me, would it be too much for them to place a one minute phone call or write a one line email to say "no dice?"

Am I wrong???

My budget would be most comfy under $400 but maybe I could stretch to $500.

If I could afford and my feet could fit into lace-up bluchers by Vass, that stands as my current number one choice.

Otherwise, I'm most serious about Moreschi, Santoni and Gravati with Mezlan and Pliner being "dark horses."

So, friends, is there some conventional shoe store out there who'll do what they say and give adequate follow-through, or should I just cave and look for an online seller?

Frustratedly,
Jerry

 

[Quirk]

I'm not clear what kind of assistance you're looking for over the phone, exactly, beyond a confirmation that the store has a particular style in stock in your size? If you're just looking to place an order, why NOT simply order from an online retailer? I'm missing something...

 

[Jerry52]

Because I can't personally inspect the workmanship of any of these mentioned brands in person, and because I'm wondering about which brands might be sized more correctly to correspond with a size 12-C American foot, I'm relying on the dealer who might actually stock some of them to give his or her opinion of the relative merits of each.

 

[Quirk]

Originally Posted by Jerry52

Because I can't personally inspect the workmanship of any of these mentioned brands in person, and because I'm wondering about which brands might be sized more correctly to correspond with a size 12-C American foot, I'm relying on the dealer who might actually stock some of them to give his or her opinion of the relative merits of each.

Oh, gotcha. I'd say you're better off taking advantage of the considerable expertise on these boards, rather than taking a chance with whatever random busy, possibly ill-informed, possibly inexperienced sales associate happens to pick up the phone at a busy department store during the chaotic holiday-into-inventory retail season.

Though of course, no matter how expert the opinion, there's no substitute for 1) your own personal taste and 2) trying them out on your own foot. So whatever advice ultimately ends up guiding your decision, be sure to buy from a retailer with a liberal return policy.

 

[Jerry52]

Good advice, Quirk!

Yes, everybody on the board's been generous and forthcoming with their advice. But it also doesn't mean there's consensus.

True, like you said, there's no substitute for me planting my own feet into the shoes in question, but it's impossible for me to do so.

Maybe in the end I'm wrong, I can accept that...but I don't feel wrong!

All dealers are not created equal. Maybe I've found a good dealer on a bad day, who knows?

 

[Don Goldstein]

Jerry - I'm curious about something. Why don't you just stick with Alden?

 

[maxnharry]

I don't know a dealer right now who I trust. I think if you told folks here what you were looking for in style and how much you wanted to pay, you could get better advice than just about any story.

As far as consenus, not sure what you mean. On style? On price? On brand? There is none, just like there's no consensus on cars or places to live or jobs.

 

[MrRogers]

Jerry, why can't you just order through the internet and if you don't like them return them. Perhaps this will be more of a hassle to send a pair back and forth a few times if necessary, but once you find a good fit, you're set. Seems like a marginal disturbance assuming that a pair of shoes can last you close to a decade.

MrR

Either that or move outta the sticks

JK

 

[Christofuh]

Jerry, since you're in C width I have 2 ( ok, technically 3 ) words for ya : Alden, Allen-Edmonds. That should spare you any possible future torment
BTW welcome to the world of lowered expectations

P.S. In terms of fit as far as specific styles go, you know where to ask.

 

[Jerry52]

Thanks for your responses.

Some of you wonder why I just don't buy Alden again or the other American brand, Allen Edmonds.

They're both solid and good value in fact better value since the dollar is weak against the Euro, etc.

Maybe it's like the "seven year itch" and I just have a hankerin' to try something exotic and imported- the lure of the greener grass on the other side of the fence - or sea! It's probably extravagant and a bit silly but heck, if we weren't extravagant or silly once in a while, we wouldn't be on this board!

Seriously, I'm 52 and how many pairs of nice shoes will I have left in my life? Probably less than a handful. Variety is the spice of life!

Moving is not an option, and just for the pleasure of better culture and shopping, I'm not sure I want traffic jams, high taxes, crime and dirty air! I know what of I speak, being originally from Chicago!

Yep, I probably will have to use a mail order place...I'm not begging anybody that's for sure!

And...some avatars are sure more interesting!

Thanks to all,
Jerry

 

[jmonroestyle]

Jerry,

I am in a similar boat as you, and I fully understand your frustration and your desire to score a good fitting imported shoe.

With the exception of those who live In Manhattan, or London, I would imagine most people would have to do some travelling or internet ordering to hunt down some of the higher end shoes that are sold through more limited distribution channels. Most smaller citie's stores just don't have the client base that would allow them to stock large inventories of high end shoes. The store would just have to tie up too much money to keep a stock room full of high end shoes in a full run of sizes and widths in many different styles and brands.

I live close to Seattle, home of the flagship Nordstrom store. However, I must still buy my footwear through the internet, as there are very few stores in town that carry high end shoes. There is only one store that sells Alden shoes, and only a few models at that.

Since joining this forum, I have been able to locate a few pairs of shoes that I really like. So far I have found 3 pairs of Aldens, and 1 pair of Crockett and Jones.
It seems that Alden and AE are better options for shoes where width is an issue. English and Italian shoes just don't have as many options for different widths the way American shoes do.

You may want to consider lace-up ankle boots for your imported choices. They are easier to fit than shoes You may be able to wear a D width in an ankle boot, even though it may be too wide for you in a shoe. You can always pull in the boot tighter with the laces, and avoid the gapping around the heel that you would have with a shoe. Also a heavier sock and/or an innersole is always an option.

When dealing with shoe stores, try and ask very specific questions. I have gotten some very good responses to my shoe questions from Pediwear, Robert Old, ShoeMart, the San Francisco Alden store, the Manhattan Alden store and some other English retailers. I am currently considering some footwear from Tim Little in England.

Good luck in your quest.

Jess

 

[Jerry52]

Jess,

It was an interesting reply! I guess I don't have to feel so bad living here in "podunk" if even a major "big league" city like Seattle isn't much better! I'm really shocked that the huge Nordstrom in Seattle doesn't have more. I have visited the beautiful Pacific Northwest twice!

You've certainly given great well-expressed suggestions, and definitely mentioned some shoe sources I didn't know, especially over in England.

The three internet dealers I've considered dealing with here in USA would be zappos.com, shoebuy.com or shoeparlor.com but honestly I don't know the overall reputation of these. Of the dealers you listed (aside from the Alden places) the only one I recognized was ShoeMart, and it's good to hear you were impressed by their treatment.

It would seem that the logistics of dealing with a domestic source would be easier than dealing with somebody overseas, in case the shoes don't fit. Even if the overseas seller would agree to an exchange, there might be duties, etc.

While I've had great luck with my Alden orthopedic model 757, I just have the "itch" for the flair of something imported this time, even though the dollar is weak overseas.

Thanks again for your gracious response!

Happy holidays,
Jerry

 

[Jerry52]

Jess, let me add that my own preference based on the ways in which I would use it, would be toward a traditional formal dress shoe. I appreciate the options for flexibility that an ankle boot might present, but I don't think it's for me. I should say that even though I have "flat feet" and thus wear an orthopedic Alden, they're not so bad that I need major inserts. However, for the strength of the shoe I'd prefer a steel shank as in the Alden, but I'm pretty sure that the majority of the imported brands don't offer steel shanks, wood shanks being most prevalent in the British models. I'm not really sure if the non-steel shanks really are as supportive?

Jerry

 

[StevenRocks]

Without getting too specific about where you actually are, Jerry, how far in the sticks do you live? If you're near a major city, it might be worth your while to find a quality shoe dealer there to evaluate fit and finish of the shoes you like.

 

[jmonroestyle]

Jerry,

Like you I am extremely flat footed. Since I have a rigid flat foot (rather than a flexible one, I find orthotics or other arch support systems rather uncomfortable. This is why I just abandoned wearing shoes altogether and stick with boots.

All ankle boots do not look the same. For example if you were to wear a blucher cap toe lace up ankle boot it would look exactly like a blucher cap toed shoe when you are standing, as your trousers cover the upper part of the boot. It is only when you are seated that one can even tell you are wearing ankle boots rather than shoes.

Anyway I hope you have success in your quest.

Jess