The 2023 Allen Edmonds (AE) Appreciation Thread

[bluejazzmonkey]

Love seeing all the Daltons on here, it is my favorite AE boot. I've been on a green thing recently, more today with Randolphs.

View attachment 2039417

The Randolph is my all time favorite loafer and yours look perfect!!!

 

[MajorDash]

It's not my intention to sell FUD here, which is why I qualified the statement with "in my area". I expect this location just had poor TS turnout compared to the rest.

There's also the AE trend of now making the TS offerings have a convenient online ordering interface, completely bypassing the local SA, and I'm guessing that affects in-store sales significantly.

I talked to Alex at the Shoebank last week about sales, and he said sales were strong for the belts and relatively decent for the shoes too. However, I strongly agree with the sentiment that online sales cannibalize B&M sales. On the flip side though, the people who were being B&M are probably still buying B&M, and a lot of the internet sales are newer customers to the trunk shows.

 

[JFWR]

I'm not gonna lie: personally the reason I didn't buy a TS order this time around was the raised prices on cordovan make it pretty obscenely expensive.

I hate to say it, but I am sort of gun shy when it comes to buying retail from AE because it seems like there will always be a sale price on anything I want in like, two weeks time.

 

[ProfilaBinding]

I'm not gonna lie: personally the reason I didn't buy a TS order this time around was the raised prices on cordovan make it pretty obscenely expensive.

I hate to say it, but I am sort of gun shy when it comes to buying retail from AE because it seems like there will always be a sale price on anything I want in like, two weeks time.

The cost did come into consideration for me, but I don't blame AE for this. I know the profit margin is not all that high on the TS events. I blame our government employees who think printing currency doesn't matter.

 

[M2511]

The cost did come into consideration for me, but I don't blame AE for this. I know the profit margin is not all that high on the TS events. I blame our government employees who think printing currency doesn't matter.

How dare you, its free money. Everyone deserves a check to spend at the trunk show... Jokes aside, I agree the price was high, getting ever so close to Alden shell. While the price isn't a deal breaker alone, I need to love the pair and it just wasn't there for me this time. Perhaps next show. I do appreciate them bringing some cool colors out for this event. As far as the event getting a lot of online sales, how did they market it for new customers that would steer them online? I would have guessed most sales still occurred in store for the TS but maybe not. I was unable to check out the event down here in Coral Gables although my limited interaction with that store was not great a few years back, even if it was just a phone call.

 

[JFWR]

The cost did come into consideration for me, but I don't blame AE for this. I know the profit margin is not all that high on the TS events. I blame our government employees who think printing currency doesn't matter.

True, agreed.

I'd have liked to participate more, but such is the way of things.

 

[Shoenut]

Leeds for a casual day.

 

[madhat]

Leeds for a casual day. View attachment 2039613

I call shenanigans. Knowing you, they’re probably actually Drakes!

 

[matwa]

Errands in Courtside today

 

[TheLawBeard]

I'm not gonna lie: personally the reason I didn't buy a TS order this time around was the raised prices on cordovan make it pretty obscenely expensive.

I hate to say it, but I am sort of gun shy when it comes to buying retail from AE because it seems like there will always be a sale price on anything I want in like, two weeks time.

You're absolutely not wrong. Current AE cordovan MSRP/TS prices are way too close to better brands.

Alden is better. Carmina is noticeably better. Both are not all that far off from AE's cordovan prices.
Mind you, even if I were currently in a "buying phase" I probably would've passed on this one. I'm still working on beating the crap out of my natty Higgins from last go around.

 

[Vincent George]

How dare you, its free money. Everyone deserves a check to spend at the trunk show... Jokes aside, I agree the price was high, getting ever so close to Alden shell. While the price isn't a deal breaker alone, I need to love the pair and it just wasn't there for me this time. Perhaps next show. I do appreciate them bringing some cool colors out for this event. As far as the event getting a lot of online sales, how did they market it for new customers that would steer them online? I would have guessed most sales still occurred in store for the TS but maybe not. I was unable to check out the event down here in Coral Gables although my limited interaction with that store was not great a few years back, even if it was just a phone call.

Yeah: I need to love what I'm buying now, too (unless it is silly cheap and I'll gamble).

I also agree that the show style offerings were problematic. I wouldn't roll the dice on a Newman or a Drake (that is, new lasts for me) during a trunk show. Randolph or Leeds? Sure.

 

[Hisheirness23]

Did you order online? If you buy through a store, you don’t have to pay the $40 charge for changing soles.



These are great boots! The secret to an amazing Dalton is reverse welt…


Today I wore a suede TS Hamilton
View attachment 2039159

Had a moment of weakness when after Monday Night Football decided to buy those Denim HM. At that time, no AE stores were open to take my order, so just pulled the trigger on the website.

Also, beautiful suede Hamiltons!

 

[Harwid]

You're absolutely not wrong. Current AE cordovan MSRP/TS prices are way too close to better brands.

Alden is better. Carmina is noticeably better. Both are not all that far off from AE's cordovan prices.
Mind you, even if I were currently in a "buying phase" I probably would've passed on this one. I'm still working on beating the crap out of my natty Higgins from last go around.

I like more AE styles and colors compared to Alden and Carmina. A big factor though is fit. AE’s stores give me a chance to see and try on the shoes/boots. My SA is really helpful in getting me the right fit.

Jeff

 

[bluejazzmonkey]

You're absolutely not wrong. Current AE cordovan MSRP/TS prices are way too close to better brands.

Alden is better. Carmina is noticeably better. Both are not all that far off from AE's cordovan prices.
Mind you, even if I were currently in a "buying phase" I probably would've passed on this one. I'm still working on beating the crap out of my natty Higgins from last go around.

Your opinion is BS.

I own many of those brands and they all show up with QC concerns.
I own 6 pairs of Aldens (purchased new) and they are not BETTER than AE…
The Alden “last” may work better for your foot, but the Alden shoes/boots are NO better than Allen Edmonds.

RCA

 

[MajorDash]

I like more AE styles and colors compared to Alden and Carmina. A big factor though is fit. AE’s stores give me a chance to see and try on the shoes/boots. My SA is really helpful in getting me the right fit.

Jeff

Fit is king. Carmina just doesn't work for my feet, even in the EEE version of their larger lasts.