[XLT]

I have been reading and follwoing these forums for some time now and I have learned a lot about fashioin and style.

My question is this. I made the leap and purchased a new pair of AE Delrays in brown burnished calf. They are beautiful shoes, however, upon inspection after opening the box I noticed a scratch on them. I think it is too deep to be buffed out. I would love to get everyones thoughts on my situation. Should I return them? Or is a scrach like this expected and normal for a new pair?

Thank you.
XLT

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[Leighton]

Quick answer. no.

 

[Avers]

I would not worry and keep the shoes.

You will get more scratches like this one during the course of you wearing the shoes.

 

[Hanzo]

I would definitely return them. They're brand new, theres no reason to accept a scratch. Would you buy a new car with a scratch in the door?

 

[cdavant]

Looks a lot better than mine do now, but if you bought them new it is your right to put your own scratches and scuffs on them so back they go.

 

[Dr. François]

Agreed: Return.

I have the same shoes. I love them.

 

[eagle2250]

I would keep them only if the pair was purchased as a pair of seconds. Otherwise, return them for a pristine pair of first quality shoes on which you may perpetrate the cause of the inaugural scaring!

 

[82-Greg]

I would keep them only if the pair was purchased as a pair of seconds. Otherwise, return them for a pristine pair of first quality shoes on which you may perpetrate the cause of the inaugural scaring!

+1

If you keep them, the scratch looks like it can be buffed out. Start with creme. Then cover with wax. Might take 5 - 6 iterations. Where the scratch is, few will notice.

 

[Cary Grant]

I see AE's QC still hasn't returned to where it once was.

 

[brettski]

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I would most likely return them but in all actuality I think that would more or less buff out and be no worse for wear. I have some Delrays in the same color great looking shoe.

 

[Nerev]

I would keep them only if the pair was purchased as a pair of seconds. Otherwise, return them for a pristine pair of first quality shoes on which you may perpetrate the cause of the inaugural scaring!

^^ As eagle already said.

If you do decide to keep them, you can certainly make it almost new. I had a shopping cart wheel hit my C&J monks and it left a very large and nasty hit on the leather. I probably spent 2 hours on these shoes, conditioning and cleaning, applying polish, buffing with horsehair brush, buffing with cotton t-shirt, buffing with horsehair brush, back to applying polish and all the buffing again. Yes, it was a lot of work, but you can hardly tell that anything happened.

 

[TheWGP]

Just got a pair of the same brown Delrays - and have already had to deal with something similar.

There's a lot of work that goes into keeping these shoes looking pretty!

 

[Musick]

Agreed: Return.

Another vote on return. No excuse for new firsts to be delivered like that.

If you keep them, the scratch looks like it can be buffed out. Start with creme. Then cover with wax. Might take 5 - 6 iterations. Where the scratch is, few will notice.

Just to elaborate/clarify, and put in my 2 cents, I would only use creme (perhaps a few shades as well) until the color coverup was to your liking. Only then would I consider moving to wax.

 

[PatentLawyerNYC]

I would bring them back, no question about it.

 

[XLT]

Thanks for the feedback. I will be getting a new pair.

Now the question is where do I get the matching belt!?

 

[Checkerboard 13]

Now the question is where do I get the matching belt!?

Allen Edmonds sells belts to match their shoes. If you are willing to be patient, you can sometimes find what you're looking for, at a discount, on AE's ebay store.

 

[Orsini]

That's terrible. I would recommend to send it back.

 

[binge]

Wear them a half-dozen times at least before making a decision.

 

[LanceW]

I would keep them. I'm constantly doing things to my shoes that require a repolish. I would at least try polishing them a few times and see how they look.

 

[Bartolo]

I see AE's QC still hasn't returned to where it once was.

I would not be that quick to blame the factory as opposed to the retailer. These look like scratches that may well have been obtained after the shoes left the factory, as they were being tried on by a customer. They may even be customer returns.