Quote:
Originally Posted by masraum
Allen Edmonds has a few pretty big sales a year. They also frequently put stuff on clearance that you can find at allenedmonds.com or their other site, ShoeBank - Allen Edmonds Factory Outlet. They have "seconds," discontinued, etc... that they sell on shoebank. The seconds have cosmetic issues that are usually very minor so that they don't pass QC. Many years ago, I paid full price for a couple of pairs of AE shoes, but I haven't done that in a while. I've gotten some amazing deals on AE shoes that sometimes have no discernible defects or defects so minor that for me, at least, they were inconsequential. I'm happy to pay $150-$250 for $400-500 shoes. |
I agree that AE quality has lagged, and it's unfortunate that you have to dig to make sure of what you're buying.
Ten years or so ago I bought into the AE thing and have a half dozen pair. I think I'm done with them. I've got what I need, and when I buy again it'll be something nicer.
What really sealed the divorce was a recrafting that I sent them. A relatively well shaped (for them) shoe went out and a canoe paddle came back. I'd have thought the 'factory' would do better than my shoe guy, but now that I think of it my shoe guy is in Santa Fe NM and knows his way around a last.
For my style, the next will be Alden or something british. But considering that I've worn pants for about four days in the last year - I'm not expecting to put on a suit anytime soon...