Grant Stone - Official Affiliate Thread

[FistofFurySC]

We are still contemplating this. Up until now, we have felt participating in any type of discounting can be hard to recover from. We are an online direct brand but once you start to discount, customers have hard time justifying the full price. Maybe black friday is the exception.

Very fair answer. I think having a special sales event once a year, like on Black Friday, could be nice for those who are on the fence about purchasing, or those who want to purchase a 2nd or 3rd pair. As long as the quality and standards continue to be high, I think people won't have any issues paying full price for good shoes (e.g. Alden).

 

[Thrift Couture]

We are still contemplating this. Up until now, we have felt participating in any type of discounting can be hard to recover from. We are an online direct brand but once you start to discount, customers have hard time justifying the full price. Maybe black friday is the exception.

Well said.

 

[M635Guy]

I'd hope there's enough evidence of quality in this thread that anyone with doubts would be comfortable. A couple of my writeups are on the first page of this thread. I love all three pairs I own, and would probably have at least three other pairs if they existed in 2015.

 

[Thrift Couture]

I'd hope there's enough evidence of quality in this thread that anyone with doubts would be comfortable. A couple of my writeups are on the first page of this thread. I love all three pairs I own, and would probably have at least three other pairs if they existed in 2015.

The quality is undeniable. Anyone with the hang up on where they are manufactured, shame on them. I own, and have seen shoes "made in the USA, of lower quality that cost more. Grant Stone builds a beautiful shoe!

 

[M635Guy]

The quality is undeniable. Anyone with the hang up on where they are manufactured, shame on them. I own, and have seen shoes "made in the USA, of lower quality that cost more. Grant Stone builds a beautiful shoe!

I don't mind if people choose to buy MiUSA - I get and totally respect that choice (though I often wonder how many focus on things like shoes and then by an imported car, etc.). I do have a problem when people ascribe quality to a country of origin (on either side of that equation). No country has a franchise on quality.

In the case of our friends at Grant Stone, my three pairs would tell me they are really on top of all aspects of design, leather selection, clicking, build execution, etc. Of my twenty-something pairs of shoes, which includes over 10 pairs each of AE and Alden, my three pairs of Grant Stone are easily as good as any of them, and better than most (i.e. if there were a Top 5 for quality and execution, Grant Stone would easily occupy three of those slots, and my Ottawas would almost certainly be #1).

/rant

 

[Thrift Couture]

I don't mind if people choose to buy MiUSA - I get and totally respect that choice (though I often wonder how many focus on things like shoes and then by an imported car, etc.). I do have a problem when people ascribe quality to a country of origin (on either side of that equation). No country has a franchise on quality.

In the case of our friends at Grant Stone, my three pairs would tell me they are really on top of all aspects of design, leather selection, clicking, build execution, etc. Of my twenty-something pairs of shoes, which includes over 10 pairs each of AE and Alden, my three pairs of Grant Stone are easily as good as any of them, and better than most (i.e. if there were a Top 5 for quality and execution, Grant Stone would easily occupy three of those slots, and my Ottawas would almost certainly be #1).

/rant

Well said, indeed.

 

[Milksteakboiledhard]

We haven't released the newsletter yet but you can browse the available 2nds here.
https://www.grantstoneshoes.com/products/2nds

Awesome, thanks. Unfortunately nothing in my size 9d calls to me. Now if there was an Ottawa or a Veg Tan Diesel...

I don't mind if people choose to buy MiUSA - I get and totally respect that choice (though I often wonder how many focus on things like shoes and then by an imported car, etc.). I do have a problem when people ascribe quality to a country of origin (on either side of that equation). No country has a franchise on quality.

In the case of our friends at Grant Stone, my three pairs would tell me they are really on top of all aspects of design, leather selection, clicking, build execution, etc. Of my twenty-something pairs of shoes, which includes over 10 pairs each of AE and Alden, my three pairs of Grant Stone are easily as good as any of them, and better than most (i.e. if there were a Top 5 for quality and execution, Grant Stone would easily occupy three of those slots, and my Ottawas would almost certainly be #1).

/rant

Very well said. Your review of your Ottawas was the first I've seen of Grant Stone and it really turned me on to the brand. Both my LWBs (Crimson CXL and British Tan Calf) have worn better than my shoes/boots from other MiUSA brands and the QC from Grant Stone has been top notch. Anyone on the fence about Grant Stone's made in China quality should take a look through the reviews here and the cross-sections in this article: https://www.heddels.com/2016/03/grant-stone-french-calf-derby-shoe-review/

 

[BackInTheJox]

I'll chime in as well.

I own a pair of the veg tan PTBs (on leather sole), and I absolutely love them. Agree that the build quality is amazing. They are, to me, head and shoulders above the AEs I've owned (and, of particular note, is the high quality edge and sole, which I would've killed for on my AEs). The fit of the Leo last is perfect for me. Personally, my only experience with the Barrie last is with a pair of boots, but to me they don't feel very similar. Barrie seems longer and skinnier. Leo is almost a perfect fit for me . . . I'm an 8.5E and the 8D in the Leo last feels almost like it was made for me.

I do sometimes wonder if they prune their feedback/comments to only include 5 star ratings . . . but honestly wouldn't be that shocked if all their shoes really were 5.0 stars.

Either way, I am eager to get my second pair . . . still trying to decide what.

 

[whizkidd]

First of all, Grant stones are already ******** on Aldens, Carmina and Allen Edmonds for the Quality of products they are putting out. So, asking for a Black friday sale is blasphemy. Although, if you go to Huckberry.com, they have few Grant stones on sale.

 

[Milksteakboiledhard]

First of all, Grant stones are already ******** on Aldens, Carmina and Allen Edmonds for the Quality of products they are putting out. So, asking for a Black friday sale is blasphemy. Although, if you go to Huckberry.com, they have few Grant stones on sale.

If you are looking for a calf LWB - get the British Tan ones at that price. You will not be disappointed.

 

[M635Guy]

If you are looking for a calf LWB - get the British Tan ones at that price. You will not be disappointed.

View attachment 869196

Those are one of the three "other" shoes I'd totally grab if I didn't already have an Alden equivalent. (I'd trade my Indy boots for some Saddle Tan diesel boots (and I love my Indy boots), and my black AE MacNeil wingtips for their GS equivalents.)

 

[GrantStone]

I'll chime in as well.

I own a pair of the veg tan PTBs (on leather sole), and I absolutely love them. Agree that the build quality is amazing. They are, to me, head and shoulders above the AEs I've owned (and, of particular note, is the high quality edge and sole, which I would've killed for on my AEs). The fit of the Leo last is perfect for me. Personally, my only experience with the Barrie last is with a pair of boots, but to me they don't feel very similar. Barrie seems longer and skinnier. Leo is almost a perfect fit for me . . . I'm an 8.5E and the 8D in the Leo last feels almost like it was made for me.

I do sometimes wonder if they prune their feedback/comments to only include 5 star ratings . . . but honestly wouldn't be that shocked if all their shoes really were 5.0 stars.

Either way, I am eager to get my second pair . . . still trying to decide what.

We really appreciate the kind comments. We openly discuss the china stigma at the factory and try to implement measures to make a better product. One area we still need some work might be the presentation of the product or more specifically on the uppers, putting a wax shine on our calf styles.
It’s aesthetically attractive how North American factories have their own look and how they finish their heavier GYW footwear. There is something to be said for that rougher look.
We are trying to accomplish a little of both but finess it a bit to make a cleaner product which still has character.
I just took a trip to Tokyo and it’s amazing how clean the average $600 GYW shoe is and the upper always has a high polish finish. Great attention to detail. However, when the shoe is this clean or well rounded as a whole, it can seem to lack a little character that would make the shoe stand out. A lot of English makers seem to have a good balance with this.
With regards to the star ratings, we let them go! Just last week we received a 3 star from a customer who happened to slip in a new pair. The leather soles and the weight of the shoe doesn’t resonate well with some.

 

[Thrift Couture]

The ivory suede PTB will see some action, this season.

 

[madhat]

I'd hope there's enough evidence of quality in this thread that anyone with doubts would be comfortable. A couple of my writeups are on the first page of this thread. I love all three pairs I own, and would probably have at least three other pairs if they existed in 2015.

Evidence is there, just waiting on width options!

 

[sicigpat]

Hi gents
I just ordered a pair of b grade saddle tan ptb's. Works out great because I could now justify buying a pair of cognac shells when they're available again lol.
i figured the saddle tan shoes are a good candidate for a b grade purchase because any superficial defects will just add to the character of the leather as it ages.