Is eBay really the only place to hunt for quality shoe bargains?

[Monsieur de Givenchy]

Hi, I've been pretty frustrated with eBay. For finding quality shoes like Crockett & Jones or Carmina or even Bally and Bruno Magli or other top handmade shoe brands. Especially new. Especially in large sizes (I wear a size 14).

From time to time, I'm lucky and find something extraordinary. Mostly NIB – at 1/4 the prince of what they usually retail for.

What do the top brands do with their surplus production? Is there such a thing as an online (or offline) outlet for top quality men's shoes? Either here in the US or in Europe or anywhere?

Would be grateful for any pointers.

 

[Phileas Fogg]

Just pony up and buy it at retail. You can also wait for their seasonal sales.

Otherwise, buy what you can afford.

 

[Monsieur de Givenchy]

Just pony up and buy it at retail. You can also wait for their seasonal sales.

Otherwise, buy what you can afford.

Meaning, there is no other platform out there that you know of? It's just the manufacturer's seasonal sales or else full retail?

 

[Goofy]

Manufacturers do have sales, but don’t expect anything extraordinary. C&J will usually offer a 10% online discount and Carmina will offer a free belt with your shoe order. They also have an online outlet on their website where a few bargains can be found. However if it’s bargains you seek, your best bet would be to visit brick and mortar retailers whenever sales apply. But luck also plays a big part. A new thread has been recently added to this forum dedicated to C&J sales. Or else there’s always eBay.

 

[SirThopas]

Hi, I've been pretty frustrated with eBay. For finding quality shoes like Crockett & Jones or Carmina or even Bally and Bruno Magli or other top handmade shoe brands. Especially new. Especially in large sizes (I wear a size 14).

From time to time, I'm lucky and find something extraordinary. Mostly NIB – at 1/4 the prince of what they usually retail for.

What do the top brands do with their surplus production? Is there such a thing as an online (or offline) outlet for top quality men's shoes? Either here in the US or in Europe or anywhere?

Would be grateful for any pointers.

There are some other platforms, such as Grailed and Cudoni, and of course people sell stuff here. But 14 is a fairly uncommon size, I would suggest. I actually wasn't aware that Crockett & Jones go above 13 - but I'm in the UK, and I may in any case be wrong. I can't say I see many new pairs of quality shoes at enticing discounts.

 

[Monsieur de Givenchy]

It just always feels better getting a bargain. The markup in retail is simply insane. For example, I once found a US vendor on ebay who got John Lobb Paris shoes

There are some other platforms, such as Grailed and Cudoni, and of course people sell stuff here. But 14 is a fairly uncommon size, I would suggest. I actually wasn't aware that Crockett & Jones go above 13 - but I'm in the UK, and I may in any case be wrong. I can't say I see many new pairs of quality shoes at enticing discounts.

You're right. I meant a US 14, which is a UK 13. It's usually the biggest size in RTW, if they even go that far. Will check out Grailed and Cudoni. Thanks.

 

[Phileas Fogg]

Meaning, there is no other platform out there that you know of? It's just the manufacturer's seasonal sales or else full retail?

it’s not like C&J makes a ton of shoes that they then have to off load using an off price platform.

Buying from someone selling them on eBay is not the same thing as buying them from the maker or it’s authorized agent. If you want to buy on eBay, sure, go ahead.

The difference is you want high end and quality yet you want it cheap. Nothing wrong with a bargain but then you go on to talk about how inflated the prices are. Inflated relative to what? The quality you’re seeking?

So just pay retail or buy what you can afford. Or, save your money and splurge.

 

[double00]

quality yet cheap ? buy used .

 

[JFWR]

Poshmark has lots of shoes.

 

[Phileas Fogg]

quality yet cheap ? buy used .

Needed help on Mold identification inside of shoe

Hi I received this pair of preown shoe and discovered these inside the shoes. Could anyone please help me identify if it’s mold?

www.styleforum.net

 

[mebiuspower]

it’s not like C&J makes a ton of shoes that they then have to off load using an off price platform.

Buying from someone selling them on eBay is not the same thing as buying them from the maker or it’s authorized agent. If you want to buy on eBay, sure, go ahead.

The difference is you want high end and quality yet you want it cheap. Nothing wrong with a bargain but then you go on to talk about how inflated the prices are. Inflated relative to what? The quality you’re seeking?

So just pay retail or buy what you can afford. Or, save your money and splurge.

It wasn't that long ago that makers offer discounts, but Asian market (wealth) picked up and they're buying all the expensive shoes, so shoemakers run out of capacity and have to raise prices.

I mean, even the ones for sale on ebay were originally scooped up by scalpers that go to their outlet store annual sales. They're usually seconds with some kind of defect or imperfections.

But yeah, slim chance of finding anything in size 14 since it's a VERY uncommon size. The average size shoes people wear here are what, size 8 or 9?

 

[bullethead]

What are you looking for? I am a 14 and am considering editing my shoe inventory. The ones I would part with have been worn less than 10 times

 

[DWFII]

You could try Salvation Army.

 

[bobbers]

Here are some ideas, but with a hard to find size it may be a long time (if ever) before anything comes your way:

• Allen Edmonds Shoe Bank: seconds here; but in case you need to return, restocking fee is $25.
• Nordstrom Rack: discounted Allen Edmonds and Santoni can once in a while be found here.
• Saks Off Fifth: a handful of discounted high end brands here.
• Marshalls: I've seen Bally and Tod's late last year, and I've bought Alden, Allen Edmonds, and Brooks Brothers (made by C&J) years ago. Most stores have an underwhelming shoe selection, but once in a while certain stores get the nicer stuff.
• Neiman Marcus Last Call: Many years ago, I bought John Lobb here. All the Last Call stores near me closed, so not sure on how often Lobbs show up in store nowadays.
• the C&J Factory Store in Northampton, UK: Been a number of years since I've been here so not sure how good the selection is. Also John Lobb, Trickers, Church's, and others are nearby.

 

[MarvElica]

Manufacturers do have sales, but don’t expect anything extraordinary. C&J will usually offer a 10% online discount and Carmina will offer a free belt with your shoe order. They also have an online outlet on their website where a few bargains can be found. However if it’s bargains you seek, your best bet would be to visit brick and mortar retailers whenever sales apply. But luck also plays a big part. A new thread has been recently added to this forum dedicated to C&J sales. Or else there’s always eBay.

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