[LeonS]

Hi All,

I just received my Allen Edmonds Soho in black. I am not really happy with them. I think that they are seconds. Even though I did not buy them from Allen Edmonds they were shipped to me directly from their warehouse. Interestingly enough that is not the first time I am not happy with the quality of the shoes I received directly from Allen Edmonds. A few weeks ago I had to return black Park Avenues due to some minor, but easily noticeable defects. I don't think I will buy any of the AE products in the future. What are you thoughts?

 

[ilikeyourstyle]

I might be missing something obvious, but I don't see anything out of the ordinary...except the lack of straight-lacing that I've grown accustomed to seeing now. In fact, I'd say they look quite good.

 

[LeonS]

I might be missing something obvious, but I don't see anything out of the ordinary...except the lack of straight-lacing that I've grown accustomed to seeing now. In fact, I'd say they look quite good.

 

[Tonyp]

Frankly, I have noticed problems with AE workmanship for years and for that reason never bought anymore after the one purchase almost 20 years ago. I would return them and get your money back. I hope you didn't pay retail or near it. They look like seconds to me.

 

[nmprisons]

I guess ... but no one other than you will ever notice the difference.

 

[aikon]

I guess ... but no one other than you will ever notice the difference.

I would think that him noticing is the only thing that matters.

 

[Tonyp]

+1^ You are buying the item for yourself not for someone else. I would never buy someone something that I noticed was incorrect. On Sale, If I new it was a new item and not a second or defect is ok.

 

[eagle2250]

As has been said, "the customer is always right" and if you are not happy with your purchase, you should send them back. However, as other posters have noted, I would not have noticed the variance you picked up on. Overall, for the prices I've paid for the many AE shoes I have purchased over the years, I'm convinced AE shoes represent good value. I have paid a lot more for several pair of other manufacturer's shoes, considered higher end brands, and (I think) gotten less for my buck!

 

[wgiceman]

I once purchased a pair of Mora's in the dark brown color from Nordstrom's Rack. The leather was extremely soft and I only paid about $80 for them. I wore them with pride a couple of times, but kept feeling that something was "off". I couldn't quite put my finger on it. But then my wife looked at them and said, 'aren't those buckles on the wrong side of the shoes?' Sure enough, they were!!!! They fastened to the inside of the foot rather than the outside.

Since I had gotten them from the Rack, AE would not take them back. I finally gave them to my brother, who couldn't care less about the defect. He says they are his AE designer originals, probably one-of-a-kind. I kinda wish I had kept them for novelty's sake (not to wear). But I did not allow that gross error to hinder me from purchasing a replacement pair, nor did it stop me from purchasing other AEs. My home had defects when new, my car and suv had defects when new, and it did not cause me to sleep outside or take the bus everywhere. I just roll with the oddities of life.

 

[Relayer]

But then my wife looked at them and said, 'aren't those buckles on the wrong side of the shoes?' Sure enough, they were!!!! They fastened to the inside of the foot rather than the outside.

Hilarious! I wish you could post a picture of that.

 

[wgiceman]

Hilarious! I wish you could post a picture of that.

I'll see if I can get them back from my brother to get a picture.

 

[Relayer]

Thanks, I look forward to seeing that!

 

[Teacher]

I once purchased a pair of Mora's in the dark brown color from Nordstrom's Rack. The leather was extremely soft and I only paid about $80 for them. I wore them with pride a couple of times, but kept feeling that something was "off". I couldn't quite put my finger on it. But then my wife looked at them and said, 'aren't those buckles on the wrong side of the shoes?' Sure enough, they were!!!! They fastened to the inside of the foot rather than the outside.

Since I had gotten them from the Rack, AE would not take them back. I finally gave them to my brother, who couldn't care less about the defect. He says they are his AE designer originals, probably one-of-a-kind. I kinda wish I had kept them for novelty's sake (not to wear). But I did not allow that gross error to hinder me from purchasing a replacement pair, nor did it stop me from purchasing other AEs. My home had defects when new, my car and suv had defects when new, and it did not cause me to sleep outside or take the bus everywhere. I just roll with the oddities of life.

That is bizzarre. I find it hard to believe that this was a mistake, as it would take far more than just cutting or sewing something wrong. I'm not sure why someone would make a pair like that -- experiment or in-house joke, maybe? -- but there you are.

 

[rider]

It could also have simply been a situation where the same shoe/size was mismated in the inventory. You can check inside as there is a series of numbers (I think A/E uses 5 digits) that should match in the right and left shoe. If these are different, then it's a mismate, even though it's the same shoe and size. Cutting differences can happen. And, of course, they would exchange, I am sure.

 

[Flanderian]

You have every right not to be pleased. I'm not a fan of AE. And yes, what you've highlighted is certainly not correct. But even though I'm critical, I consider it a minor flaw. But if you're unhappy, I hope you return them immediately. Unless the slightly askew throat is a clue to an improperly lasted shoe, I'd probably decide to wear it.

Could they have been marked as seconds? Sure! But if you purchased them at a discount, is there anyway of knowing that AE didn't represent them as such to the retailer?

 

[ack_001]

Just for the record, this is the third time I've read this thread and looked at the pictures and the first time I figured out where to find the defect. I'm not sure if that speaks poorly of my eye for detail, but I'm usually a real stickler, or if the defect just isn't all that noticeable.

 

[wgiceman]

Just for the record, this is the third time I've read this thread and looked at the pictures and the first time I figured out where to find the defect. I'm not sure if that speaks poorly of my eye for detail, but I'm usually a real stickler, or if the defect just isn't all that noticeable.

I just don't think the defect is that noticeable. It definitely would not be something I would stress over. I doubt anyone would ever even notice. As a matter of fact, even while pointing it out on this site, many still do not see the defect. Man, you must have really been looking pretty hard ..........

Of course, that is easy to say when it is not my money.

 

[StephenRG]

I once purchased a pair of Mora's in the dark brown color from Nordstrom's Rack. The leather was extremely soft and I only paid about $80 for them. I wore them with pride a couple of times, but kept feeling that something was "off". I couldn't quite put my finger on it. But then my wife looked at them and said, 'aren't those buckles on the wrong side of the shoes?' Sure enough, they were!!!! They fastened to the inside of the foot rather than the outside.

Since I had gotten them from the Rack, AE would not take them back. I finally gave them to my brother, who couldn't care less about the defect. He says they are his AE designer originals, probably one-of-a-kind. I kinda wish I had kept them for novelty's sake (not to wear). But I did not allow that gross error to hinder me from purchasing a replacement pair, nor did it stop me from purchasing other AEs. My home had defects when new, my car and suv had defects when new, and it did not cause me to sleep outside or take the bus everywhere. I just roll with the oddities of life.

I can conceive that they may indeed be a designer original - if one thinks that the strap should be buckled after you've put the shoes on, it's much easier to do if the buckle is on the inside, rather than the outside. (Of course, there is the possible problem of the buckles rubbing together when one walks...) I once saw a shoe (JL, IIRC) with the lacing on the outside which I wouldn't be able to tie, not being a contortionist.

But I suspect that indeed it was just an error.

 

[wgiceman]

I can conceive that they may indeed be a designer original - if one thinks that the strap should be buckled after you've put the shoes on, it's much easier to do if the buckle is on the inside, rather than the outside. (Of course, there is the possible problem of the buckles rubbing together when one walks...) I once saw a shoe (JL, IIRC) with the lacing on the outside which I wouldn't be able to tie, not being a contortionist.

But I suspect that indeed it was just an error.

The more I think about it, the more I wish I had kept them. (to show, of course)

 

[Hoof]

I just dont see the problem with this pair. Does this so called problem remain once the shoes are on your feet? How about when they are in shoe trees? The shoe pictured on the left seems to be opened a little more than the one on the right. Lace them up on your feet and then lets see what they look like.