I've read a lot about AE quality slipping and have experienced it first hand with a pair of calf Leeds I ordered. They had a few relatively minor issues including loose grain on one of the blucher flaps, and some inconsist burnishing, some waviness in the welt, etc. Later I ordered a pair of strandmoks that were on sale (these I don't have any complaints with, quality-wise).
I used to sell men's shoes back in the 90's and moved a lot of volume (mostly AE and Alden's) and never really saw more than a handful of pairs with quality issues. It was during this time that I grew to love the qualities of shell cordovan, and bought myself a pair. Unfortunately, I outgrew them, and they were the largest size manufactured by Alden. I sort of gave up on the idea of ever owning a pair as my feet grew to an American size 16, but recently I noticed that AE offered shell in my size. So I ordered a pair of Leeds in black that required several weeks of lead time to manufacture and ship.
I received the shoes yesterday and noted immediately upon trying them on that they fit better than their calf counterparts, but have even more cosmetic defects. The pictures show most of these. I've reached out to AE and am awaiting a response. Is this the kind of quality everyone here has come to expect from them? Is there any hope that a replacement pair will be any better? Even at F2 pricing I think I would be disappointed. The thing that bothers me, though, is that the sole seems to fit so much better than the calf pair do (much more supportive) and I'm not sure another pair would fit the same way.
I used to sell men's shoes back in the 90's and moved a lot of volume (mostly AE and Alden's) and never really saw more than a handful of pairs with quality issues. It was during this time that I grew to love the qualities of shell cordovan, and bought myself a pair. Unfortunately, I outgrew them, and they were the largest size manufactured by Alden. I sort of gave up on the idea of ever owning a pair as my feet grew to an American size 16, but recently I noticed that AE offered shell in my size. So I ordered a pair of Leeds in black that required several weeks of lead time to manufacture and ship.
I received the shoes yesterday and noted immediately upon trying them on that they fit better than their calf counterparts, but have even more cosmetic defects. The pictures show most of these. I've reached out to AE and am awaiting a response. Is this the kind of quality everyone here has come to expect from them? Is there any hope that a replacement pair will be any better? Even at F2 pricing I think I would be disappointed. The thing that bothers me, though, is that the sole seems to fit so much better than the calf pair do (much more supportive) and I'm not sure another pair would fit the same way.