G & G Finishing Imperfections: Acceptable?

[apropos]

Well, TBH that's what you get when you buy pre-antiqued shoes instead of patinating your shoes with time/wear.

 

[meister]

Originally Posted by aj_del

If these imperfections would have been on an AE, reactions would have been far different

So true. The imperfections are what you would consider unacceptable for G&G. Not to much AE.

 

[vfcghghkv]

yea well AE's dont cost as much.

 

[lasbar]

Originally Posted by cdmoore1855

Stick some polish on that area and see if it can be improved, otherswise I would ignore it, no one will ever see it

Better not to do anything at all and contact them first if you're not satisfied with the shos..

 

[888style]

+1 on contacting them.

And the customer is always right, so if you're not happy with the product received express those concerns. More people like you and they hopefully get their act together.

 

[DWFII]

Originally Posted by Mr. Pink

I could be wrong, but that looks like it might be damage to the grain...

 

[archetypal_yuppie]

Aside from the pic quoted above, everything else will be completely invisible in all normal situations. I've never stuck my shoe directly in someone's face.

And the last one is, for the most part, unnoticeable as well. I mean just look at how close the shot is, and the angle you're shooting it from.

So annoying, yes, but I wouldn't bother making a fuss after 5 mos if I were in your position.

 

[Trompe le Monde]

Originally Posted by mainy

I find it weird that people will pay a premium for things made by hand, and then complain when the handmade items have the types of inconsistencies and imperfections that are.... generally found on things made by hand

handmade implies multiple opportunities for inspection and QC

this, for the price, is not acceptable

 

[mzmart]

At the price any imperfections need to be tiny. I personally don't really find it acceptable to pass them off on the basis that they will be irrelevant after a couple of wears and polishing. Part of the price of GG/EG/Lobb comes from the promise of how the product will appear when pristine. I know EG sent me a pair with a scratch on the sole thar disappeared with wear but it was still mighty annoying.

 

[DWFII]

^+1

I have often said or implied that among all manufactured shoes there is very little difference between brands (from high to low) with regard to fundamental techniques and/or even materials.

So what are you paying the "big bucks" for...aside from brand cachet, I mean?

In such cases, I think it is the elegance of the design, the refinement and the meticulousness of the workmanship, the overall cleanliness and excellence of the finish.

"Presentation is everything." And it is a big part of that price.

I am of the opinion that such "slippages" and such oversights are all part of a natural and inevitable progression in the manufacturing sector from quality to quantity.

To the extent that people throw up their hands and "accept" ...do not at least bring it to the attention of the maker...they only hasten that progression and devalue the price they paid.

Just a thought...

 

[Reevolving]

Originally Posted by mainy

I find it weird that people will pay a premium for things made by hand, and then complain when the handmade items have the types of inconsistencies and imperfections that are.... generally found on things made by hand

+1.

Just enjoy the shoes.
After 2 wears, those marks will become moot.

 

[888style]

A 5 months wait and then being disappointed like this....... Not a really good recipe for creating a repeat customer.

 

[Will]

All to be expected in my experience. I had about a dozen pair of MTO and have given more than half away. The soles split and need regular trimming, something I have never had on any other shoes. The edges have blade marks. The sides of my boots were cut sloppily so there are ripples. They use shoe laces on boots. And on and on with small issues I never had with EG for the same money

 

[Mr. Pink]

Originally Posted by DWFII

^+1 I have often said or implied that among all manufactured shoes there is very little difference between brands (from high to low) with regard to fundamental techniques and/or even materials. So what are you paying the "big bucks" for...aside from brand cachet, I mean? In such cases, I think it is the elegance of the design, the refinement and the meticulousness of the workmanship, the overall cleanliness and excellence of the finish. "Presentation is everything." And it is a big part of that price. I am of the opinion that such "slippages" and such oversights are all part of a natural and inevitable progression in the manufacturing sector from quality to quantity. To the extent that people throw up their hands and "accept" ...do not at least bring it to the attention of the maker...they only hasten that progression and devalue the price they paid. Just a thought...

Originally Posted by 888style

A 5 months wait and then being disappointed like this....... Not a really good recipe for creating a repeat customer.

Originally Posted by Will

All to be expected in my experience. I had about a dozen pair of MTO and have given more than half away. The soles split and need regular trimming, something I have never had on any other shoes. The edges have blade marks. The sides of my boots were cut sloppily so there are ripples. They use shoe laces on boots. And on and on with small issues I never had with EG for the same money
June gloom lifted today in San Diego, and I took a good look at the shoes in natural light. The dark spots in the pictures are not damage to the grain but small depressions that catch the light so as to look very dark in the pictures. I don't know what caused them, some sort of tool misused I imagine. The other defects are sloppiness in the application of antiquing. In all, the defects aren't bad enough to make me return the shoes, and I am sure I will forget all about this after a few wears and polishes, but I agree with the comments above and others that, at these prices, this level of imperfection isn't acceptable. If these were Aldens or C&Js, I wouldn't even have thought about it, let alone started a thread. But G&Gs are roughly twice the price, and one of the things I'm paying for is refinement and attention to detail. I will email both Nick A. at Bespoke England and G & G about the defects. I will then forget about the whole thing, wear the shoes, and enjoy them. But my plans to make this the first of several G&G orders may change. And that's a shame because their lasts seem to fit me better than any of the other English makers.

 

[aj_del]

Originally Posted by Reevolving

+1.

Just enjoy the shoes.
After 2 wears, those marks will become moot.

WTF ? This from you ?