Eastland Made in Maine

Ahhh, good point. Does Oak st offer widths?

Don't see the logic that late to the game should = lower prices. I do think Eastland is getting into a very crowded pool. It's no longer Sperry or Quoddy for special makeups--There's a ton of moccs out there at a number of price ranges, from Sperry to LL Bean signature to Quoddy and yuketen, and I have to think at some point the enthusiast market is going to be saturated, and I'm not sure the Sperry customer is going to pony up for $300. And that's even if the mocc trend sticks... Plus, the lack of transparency with where things are really made is a little frustrating. This isn't Eastland specific, but offering a shoe as unique and special and made in a small factory clashes with the fact that a dozen makers are offering similar shoes, made in a VERY small number of factories, and claiming they're special. But, I like the monhegan model Edit: I have sympathy for people who need special widths, but that's got to be a small % of customers. I don't hold it against them IF that's not something they're offering.

Originally Posted by JMK

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I was looking forward to seeing the full range of the Eastland Made in Maine collection, but I thought the pricing would be lower seeing as they are rather late to the game. Also, they don't offer anything custom, and that includes offering widths, which both Quoddy and Oak Street do.

+1

All great points, JMK. I thought the pricing was pretty high as well and that was without thinking about the lack of customization and sizing. This could be a big waste of money for Eastland if they invested a lot of capital into this line and didn't think to address these issues, especially as late-comers to the heritage game. Isn't that what focus groups are for?

Speaking of which, how come most of these brands don't get SF'ers for focus groups anyway? Seems like there would be a lot of valuable input to offer that may even save these companies some money.

Originally Posted by whiskeylaureate

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Unfortunately, I don't see that happening, haha. Cheap labor in Maine can't compare to cheap labor overseas, unfortunately...But, it's certainly a step in the right direction if the collection continues beyond this season (not privy their future plans, personally).



The manufacturing biz in the whole region could definitely use a boost. I visited Fall River, MA a few months back, and it was sad to see so many historic factories closing or working at 25% capacity.

Well I dunno anymore. I do remember reading somewhere that labor costs have fallen to such that it's now actually profitable to have customer service call centers back in the States due to the poor economy and over-saturation in Bangalore. Not saying that this will affect other sectors but it's a nice thought amidst such grim economic news. Doesn't matter though as I'm sure the unions would find a way to drive the costs right back up again.

And yeah, I was out in Maine just this past summer and pretty much saw the same thing. Very sad. I've got a special place in my heart for the state so I wish them well. It is ironic though, to the point of being farcical, that any companies making products in China or elsewhere could proudly claim they have a US-made heritage line. Just seems like the kind of false pride a marketing department would come up with. I respect the smaller companies who have been able to keep their operations strictly in the States since their inception and will continue to give them my business whenever I can.

Originally Posted by whiskeylaureate

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Ahhh, good point. Does Oak st offer widths?

Oak Street offers widths, just have to ask. Eastland does not.

Originally Posted by shoreman1782

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Don't see the logic that late to the game should = lower prices. I do think Eastland is getting into a very crowded pool. It's no longer Sperry or Quoddy for special makeups--There's a ton of moccs out there at a number of price ranges, from Sperry to LL Bean signature to Quoddy and yuketen, and I have to think at some point the enthusiast market is going to be saturated, and I'm not sure the Sperry customer is going to pony up for $300. And that's even if the mocc trend sticks...
The exact reason for lower prices is because the market is saturated. It's been done before, and by companies that have never left for overseas. Combine that with no options for customization (leather, soles, widths) and the enthusiasm wanes. Or, maybe I'm just bitter cause my foot's too wide.

Originally Posted by lawlercon

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"So, if you are going to talk about American Heritage, please make sure you know what you are talking about. I know it is difficult because you are in North Carolina, and the only heritage from that state is Slavery."

best thing i've read in awhile.

I'm guessing this was edited out like the other post. Shame. Editing's so not heritage...BTW - who's from North Carolina?

I really can't speak to the metrics of producing shoes, but you may be right. That said, there's a reason Oak St is selling mainly through their site instead of retailers. If the others weren't selling through retailers, they could probably cut the price in half (at least w/conventional retail pricing model).

My foot's wide as well, but I've yet to try on the Eastlands...

Originally Posted by whiskeylaureate

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I really can't speak to the metrics of producing shoes, but you may be right. That said, there's a reason Oak St is selling mainly through their site instead of retailers. If the others weren't selling through retailers, they could probably cut the price in half (at least w/conventional retail pricing model).

My foot's wide as well, but I've yet to try on the Eastlands...

oak street is very new, i think george wants to establish a level a retailers, but it will be small.

because the margins aren't there like they are online

^ Like so many of you, I too have talked to George from Oak Street and ordered a pair. I think it's awesome that they're taking the web route - which is allowing them to keep their prices lower for us. I know for a fact that retailers are calling Oak Street like crazy, but they really want to limit retailers instead of raising prices.

They are totally jumping onthe quoddy bandwagon.

The leather on this moc looks a bit more refined and sleek than the same Quoddy maliseet in brown chromexcel, at least online. But is it enough to warrant the $45 premium? And are they as comfortable as Quoddys?

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4092/...06d40256_b.jpg

I know most people were not enthusiastic about the Eastland MIU move from a business perspective but I had a chance to pick up the Eastland Falmouth USA Camp Moc from the bird sale. I was debating on Quoddy or Yuketen but I could not pass up saving US$100 or more on a pair of mocs. I will post hi res and macro pics when I receive them. Has anyone purchased these or seen them in person? What are your thoughts?

I've seen them (at Uncle Pete's here in Boston) - they are really nice, to my eyes as nice as the Quoddy and Yuketen shoes I own. I just ordered a pair from the Bird sale, too!