***The official Alden thread *** Share enthusiasm, reviews, sizing, advice, and photos.

Originally Posted by LeatherSOUL

Click to expand...

Length of relationship, amount purchased, if you're a nice person

, if you actually visited us or are a local customer, etc. All of those things are considered. We have about 5000 customers in our database so it's really hard for us to make everyone happy. Sorry to be so blunt about it.

No need to apologize, I like a concise answer. Hopefully putting my money in for a few of the boot preorders will start me down that long and lonely path.

Originally Posted by wj4

Click to expand...

So chances of me finding cordovans in my size if I randomly go to the BH branch are slim to none, huh? I understand, gotta keep the loyal customers happy.

Almost zero chance at LSW but very good chance of random pairs at LSBH. In fact, I believe there's a few pairs available now.

Originally Posted by Renton

Click to expand...

No need to apologize, I like a concise answer. Hopefully putting my money in for a few of the boot preorders will start me down that long and lonely path.

Really don't want to make people think they need to buy to get a chance. The main thing is relationships and (sorry to say since we're in Hawaii) being an in-store or local customer.

There's plenty of whiskey, ravello, and cigar at the Shoe Mart!

Not as impressive as Zippy's (I cheat) but here's my current list: #8 Shell Barrie NST Barrie Unlined PTB Barrie 2 Tone Saddle Van LHS Trubalance Indy Leydon Chukka Aberdeen Long Vamp Loafer Black Shell Barrie Chukka Barrie V-Tip Cigar Shell Trubalance Indy Ravello Shell Barrie Chukka Barrie Shortwing Whiskey Shell Barrie NST #4 Shell Barrie 4 Eyelet PTB Barrie 2 Tone Saddle Blucher Suede Barrie Tan Unlined Chukka Barrie Navy Unlined PTB Barrie Snuff NST Barrie Snuff PTB Barrie Snuff Shortwing Leydon Dark Brown Unlined Chukka Calf Barrie Chestnut/Navy Suede Saddle Plaza Black Patent PTBal Plaza Burgundy Attorney Shoe Plaza Chestnut Wingtip Bal Hampton Burgundy Flex V-Tip Modified Black V-Tip Modified Brown Perf Tip Blucher Tom Loden Flex Ranger Trubalance Brown Chromexcel Chukka Cape Cod Black Boat Shoe

Tom, you're a swell guy. I'm sure that if you could, you would bless us all on SF with a pair of Ravello shell NST monk straps. Personally I don't mind that all the special make ups are not so easily attainable. If it were so, then everyone here with enough money would probably have all the same shoes. As it stands, there will always be that special pair of Aldens that each individual here is coveting and keeping a constant eye out for. Because of this, when someone finally obtains that pair, it makes it all that much sweeter.

Not sure about the white stiching on these, but very tempting...http://shop.winnperry.com/products/a...workman-oxford

Originally Posted by LeatherSOUL

Click to expand...

Sorry guys. I'll be perfectly honest with you. We directly contact people when we get stuff like whiskey, #4, ravello, etc. (Unless it's for a special event such as our grand opening or anniversary, etc.) I wish we could accommodate the general public but we can't.

To think that there is so much demand for $500-700 shoes is quite amazing.

We probably tend not to think about it that way, but to the outsider, imagine the thought of it.

Originally Posted by sazon

Click to expand...

To think that there is so much demand for $500-700 shoes is quite amazing.

We probably tend not to think about it that way, but to the outsider, imagine the thought of it.

i'll also be honest in saying I don't exactly strike up conversations with the SA every time I go into a new store...

Originally Posted by LeatherSOUL

Click to expand...

Not as impressive as Zippy's (I cheat) but here's my current list:

lol totally unfair ...

Originally Posted by sazon

Click to expand...

To think that there is so much demand for $500-700 shoes is quite amazing.

We probably tend not to think about it that way, but to the outsider, imagine the thought of it.

From the perspective of someone who runs a medium sized business... when you couple a 9 month wait (and often 3 months for "stock" shoes) can you imagine them NOT having a price increase?

And, remember... their customer base has probably dropped in age by 20 years or more, which is very healthy for business.

No longwings at all?

Originally Posted by LeatherSOUL

Click to expand...

Not as impressive as Zippy's (I cheat) but here's my current list:

#8 Shell
Barrie NST
Barrie Unlined PTB
Barrie 2 Tone Saddle
Van LHS
Trubalance Indy
Leydon Chukka
Aberdeen Long Vamp Loafer

Black Shell
Barrie Chukka
Barrie V-Tip

Cigar Shell
Trubalance Indy

Ravello Shell
Barrie Chukka
Barrie Shortwing

Whiskey Shell
Barrie NST

#4 Shell
Barrie 4 Eyelet PTB
Barrie 2 Tone Saddle Blucher

Suede
Barrie Tan Unlined Chukka
Barrie Navy Unlined PTB
Barrie Snuff NST
Barrie Snuff PTB
Barrie Snuff Shortwing
Leydon Dark Brown Unlined Chukka

Calf
Barrie Chestnut/Navy Suede Saddle
Plaza Black Patent PTBal
Plaza Burgundy Attorney Shoe
Plaza Chestnut Wingtip Bal
Hampton Burgundy Flex V-Tip
Modified Black V-Tip
Modified Brown Perf Tip Blucher
Tom Loden Flex Ranger
Trubalance Brown Chromexcel Chukka
Cape Cod Black Boat Shoe

i wonder what tom's ENTIRE shoe collection looks like since he def has to have at least a few from all the other nice brands he carries

Originally Posted by ChrisGold

Click to expand...

From the perspective of someone who runs a medium sized business... when you couple a 9 month wait (and often 3 months for "stock" shoes) can you imagine them NOT having a price increase?

And, remember... their customer base has probably dropped in age by 20 years or more, which is very healthy for business.

Great points! With so many people in their 20's and 30's investing in multiple pairs of quality shoes, Alden is solidifying its reputation for years to come. Alden's willingness to craft "special run" shoes designed by retailers who possess an updated fashion sense (Leather Soul, Epaulet, Blackbird, etc) has greatly contributed to their revitalization. The styles are still classic, but their presentation is updated and semi-exclusive.

Allen Edmonds (whose shoes I quite like for my day-to-day professional needs) could take a few pointers from Alden in this regard. The AE design team is too stodgy, too midwestern (fur-lined pink leather slippers? really?!), too mired in mid-level management. If they opened up their design process to special-run retailers, maybe their sales would increase (and fewer SFers would wretch when they hear the name!)

In the meantime, I can't wait to get my special-run pre-ordered Hawaiian Tankers in brown Chromexcel from LS!!!

Originally Posted by LeatherSOUL

Click to expand...

There's plenty of whiskey, ravello, and cigar at the Shoe Mart!

Not if you need an e width.

You made the most meaningful argument point and the best comment in this whole gigantic thread! Cheers!

Originally Posted by number9dream

Click to expand...

Great points! With so many people in their 20's and 30's investing in multiple pairs of quality shoes, Alden is solidifying its reputation for years to come. Alden's willingness to craft "special run" shoes designed by retailers who possess an updated fashion sense (Leather Soul, Epaulet, Blackbird, etc) has greatly contributed to their revitalization. The styles are still classic, but their presentation is updated and semi-exclusive.

Allen Edmonds (whose shoes I quite like for my day-to-day professional needs) could take a few pointers from Alden in this regard. The AE design team is too stodgy, too midwestern (fur-lined pink leather slippers? really?!), too mired in mid-level management. If they opened up their design process to special-run retailers, maybe their sales would increase (and fewer SFers would wretch when they hear the name!)

In the meantime, I can't wait to get my special-run pre-ordered Hawaiian Tankers in brown Chromexcel from LS!!!

Originally Posted by MiniW

Click to expand...

Tom, you're a swell guy. I'm sure that if you could, you would bless us all on SF with a pair of Ravello shell NST monk straps. Personally I don't mind that all the special make ups are not so easily attainable. If it were so, then everyone here with enough money would probably have all the same shoes. As it stands, there will always be that special pair of Aldens that each individual here is coveting and keeping a constant eye out for. Because of this, when someone finally obtains that pair, it makes it all that much sweeter.

What size are you in the Hampton last? I have a pair of these sitting on my shelf looking sad they've never been worn.