Hate to sell: C&J Reading Wingtip Monks size UK10E

[teddieriley]

Just received this off E-bay. Brand new, absolutely beautiful C&J Reading Wingtip Monks on the elegant 348 last. It's a size UK 10E, and unfortunately for me (but fortunately for the lucky buyer), they are too big as they quite easily slip off my feet. I'm pissed.

These shoes are stunning, and I hate to sell them, but I have to since they don't fit. I thought they would based on prior C&J fittings.

In any event, not looking to make money off of them, just recoup what I paid. Asking $360, which will include shipping to anywhere in the continental U.S. A great deal considering you can't find these at Turnbull & Asser, Plal, Pediwear, etc., and I know benchgrade 348 lasts sell in NY for $495 + tax (+ shipping if necessary).

PM if interested.

 

[Baron]

Sizing reference - I'm normally a 9.5 to 10 US, but in the 348 last I wear a 8.5EUK, so these do run very large. These should fit an 11 or 11.5 US.

 

[thinman]

teddieriley, what a shame! My Readings arrived and they are a generous fit, but not bad, especially with thicker socks. I bought a UK size 11E and I generally wear a US size 12D. So I concur that yours will probably best fit someone who wears a US 11 or who is between a US 11 and 11.5.

 

[teddieriley]

Thinman, my friend, it is quite a shame. I'm glad your shoes fit and you are enjoying them. Thicker socks won't help me in this case, and I do not want to resort to using insoles or tongue pads to try to get the right fit. So from here on out I have vowed never to buy shoes online unless I was fitted in the exact same model in person since this isn't the first time I've had fit issues. There must be something wrong with my feet...or in the more likely scenario, there's something wrong with me.

I do hope someone takes a liking to these shoes, because they are pretty damn nice and a great price...

 

[thinman]

Originally Posted by teddieriley

Thinman, my friend, it is quite a shame. I'm glad your shoes fit and you are enjoying them. Thicker socks won't help me in this case, and I do not want to resort to using insoles or tongue pads to try to get the right fit. So from here on out I have vowed never to buy shoes online unless I was fitted in the exact same model in person....

This is my usual policy also, except in this case, I knew my size on the C&J 337 last, which is similar to the 348 (though I think the 337 is narrower, it turns out). So good advice from forum members combined with experience on a similar last seems to work for me, too.

 

[teddieriley]

Price drop to $340 including the shipping (domestic U.S.).

 

[grimslade]

Originally Posted by teddieriley

Price drop to $340 including the shipping (domestic U.S.).

Do you have the external measurements for these shoes? Length of sole, width at ball of foot, like that? I so want them to fit, but I suspect they'd be too small on me.

 

[jester]

Damn. I'm a 10 1/2 E in C&J, or I'd take 'em in a second.

 

[teddieriley]

jester,

it appears the 348 and 337 are a little different in sizing, and it appears that this monkstrap in the 348 is running quite big and feels a lot roomier than the 348 drummonds i tried on. A UK 10E in the 348 should have fit me fine since 9.5Es 348 drummond oxfords, which I actually tried, were too snug. I thought going have a size up to a 10E would fit fine. They are not - it's a lot bigger than I expected to the point where my foot can easily slip in and out when the strap is at its tightest as if it wasn't tied at all.

In any event, I can possibly post external/internal measurements if anyone is interested...

 

[visionology]

wow I really love these shoes, been looking for something similar for a while. Do you remember the seller's name? I would have loved to buy yours but the size is too large.

Thanks

 

[teddieriley]

sausages234.

At times he is the predominant seller of C&Js on ebay. It was pretty damn fast shipping from the UK, but sure was pricey.

 

[teddieriley]

still up for any takers...

 

[teddieriley]

I'm really surprised there are few interested. I HATE e-bay. What do I have to do to get you in a pair of great C&J 348 Monks?...

Up for reasonable negotation, but not much less than my last asking price as I'm already losing money as it is...

 

[kronik]

Hey teddie - hate to be the bearer of bad news, but you can probably work your way into handgrades (subs most likely) for that price on eBay. I managed to get a pair a few months ago for 200 bucks.

Very nice shoes, however.

 

[teddieriley]

You're not bearing bad news. It's good news for you. What it boils down to when buying on e-bay (or anywhere for that matter) is what kind of shoes you are looking for, what kind of aesthetic you have, your size, the frequency at which shoes you like actually show up on e-bay, and your patience (and of course, price).

Sure if you are looking for what I consider the uglier handgrades (personal taste obviously) on e-bay and you don't have a popular size, you can get lucky for $200. And as of late, there hasn't been a real abundance of C&J on ebay. Trust me, I was looking for some nice C&Js on e-bay for the past several months, that's why I bid.

If you like elongated, chiseled toe monkstraps in a brown color, in a larger size, I doubt someone will be able to find something much lower than what I paid. Hell, I am even offering a little less than I paid. These are better looking than most of the handrades I see, and if you're looking for monks, I don't recall if there are any handrade models in the first place. This model, is not one readily available in any U.S. store or online for that matter, that's why I paid the $300+. Too freakin' bad they're too big.

In any event, still a good buy.