classicusa
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Dec 30, 2010
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In between buying an occaisional Cole Haan loafer once in a while, I have worn Alden shoes for 25 years. One of those 25 year old pairs of tassel loafers is still in service. Tremendous value.
Every once in a while (7-10 yrs) I buy 3 or so new pairs of Aldens and add them to the mix. My last batch was in about 2001-02 when I bought a Shell LHS, Shell low vamp loafer and Calf low vamp loafer. All 3 in the heart of their service. As always, great quality.
Over the holidays I decided it was time to add. So I bought 2 Alden calf tassel loafers, and my first AEs; 3 pairs of Westchesters in calf.
Here's the problem. Both Aldens had cosmetic defects, and I returned them. Just received the replacements today (From BB), and again, both have what are to me, unacceptable cosmetic defects. Some of this may not be Alden, some of it MAY be BB, but receiving a pair with what had to be a nick or cut, then poorly restained (where there is an obvious color difference) amazes me. Poor stitching on the vamp. Stitching not trimmed on the welt. Are they just lax in their QC, or do they think a customer will accept this? I will be sending both pairs back---again.
On the AEs, the stitching is visibly uneven, and where the heels are stained black, the stain is actually peeling off of one of the heels (which leads me to see it is not really stain at all), revealing bare leather heels. The bottom of one heel is stained around the perimeter, one is not. Not a big deal, since it is the bottom of the shoe, and eventually, it will be a non-issue. But what about now?
We pine about the demise of the American shoemaker, and many of us here strive to support these 2 cos. My first experience with AE quality is a disappointing one. I was hoping/expecting more/better. I am now questioning the quality of Alden as well. What clearly should be relegated to the Alden "seconds" bin is being pawned off on the buyer as first quality. Completely unacceptable. Do they even look these shoes over before they pack them for shipping?
The AEs were just constructed before they were shipped to me, the Aldens---who knows how long they've been in BB's stock. Am I going ot have to pay MORE than even these manufacturers' prices to get a decent pair of shoes???
Am I alone in my experience or are you guys seeing the same things?
Every once in a while (7-10 yrs) I buy 3 or so new pairs of Aldens and add them to the mix. My last batch was in about 2001-02 when I bought a Shell LHS, Shell low vamp loafer and Calf low vamp loafer. All 3 in the heart of their service. As always, great quality.
Over the holidays I decided it was time to add. So I bought 2 Alden calf tassel loafers, and my first AEs; 3 pairs of Westchesters in calf.
Here's the problem. Both Aldens had cosmetic defects, and I returned them. Just received the replacements today (From BB), and again, both have what are to me, unacceptable cosmetic defects. Some of this may not be Alden, some of it MAY be BB, but receiving a pair with what had to be a nick or cut, then poorly restained (where there is an obvious color difference) amazes me. Poor stitching on the vamp. Stitching not trimmed on the welt. Are they just lax in their QC, or do they think a customer will accept this? I will be sending both pairs back---again.
On the AEs, the stitching is visibly uneven, and where the heels are stained black, the stain is actually peeling off of one of the heels (which leads me to see it is not really stain at all), revealing bare leather heels. The bottom of one heel is stained around the perimeter, one is not. Not a big deal, since it is the bottom of the shoe, and eventually, it will be a non-issue. But what about now?
We pine about the demise of the American shoemaker, and many of us here strive to support these 2 cos. My first experience with AE quality is a disappointing one. I was hoping/expecting more/better. I am now questioning the quality of Alden as well. What clearly should be relegated to the Alden "seconds" bin is being pawned off on the buyer as first quality. Completely unacceptable. Do they even look these shoes over before they pack them for shipping?
The AEs were just constructed before they were shipped to me, the Aldens---who knows how long they've been in BB's stock. Am I going ot have to pay MORE than even these manufacturers' prices to get a decent pair of shoes???
Am I alone in my experience or are you guys seeing the same things?