***The official Alden thread *** Share enthusiasm, reviews, sizing, advice, and photos.

[circleslife]



Just to calibrate expectations for @Hot Dog Day #49
, I would be very surprised if Alden offered up a new pair to replace the poorly recrafted ones. Customer service is an area where I think AE is vastly superior to Alden.

Hands down AE does a far superior job at customer service than you can expect from Alden.

 

[chrisefi]

Instagram names? Who posts Aldens?

 

[BeSpiffington]



Spoiler

king lwb
argyles otc

King LWB's as promised. Thank you Uncle .

 

[chrisefi]



The sadist in me loves watching people order from these clowns during their sales, but I'd strongly recommend never doing business with them. They're bad enough in person, and there are a number of horror stories from those who placed online orders. Whenever I take a stroll down Charles Street, I shake my head at the idiocy that lurks behind the quaint storefront. However, I will say the last time I dropped in NRO, they had a pleasant young woman working who actually made an effort, but she must've been new and not yet schooled in the art of douchebaggery.

The funniest experience I had with them was during one of their sales. I thought it a great time to grab a pair of #8 chukkas, so I abandoned my self respect and ventured to the store. I mentioned the sale email at the register, and the dragon lady I was dealing with gave me the stink eye and said they don't honor online sales. I explained that I would simply go home, place the order online, and they'd be out the cost of shipping. She stuck with her position, so I left, placed the order, and the exact same pair arrived at my door a mile up the Charles a day later.

That's ridiculous. Some businesses just don't understand customers and feel like they're playing a game against them as opposed to playing against the market they're in.

I would just continue to mess with them at that point. If you'll go out of your way to make a customer's purchase more difficult, forget just taking my business elsewhere, I'm going to make you work harder to get your business. I'll go consult for free for your competitors and build their SEO, social and SEM presence to crush you.

 

[chewbocka]



That's ridiculous. Some businesses just don't understand customers and feel like they're playing a game against them as opposed to playing against the market they're in.

I would just continue to mess with them at that point. If you'll go out of your way to make a customer's purchase more difficult, forget just taking my business elsewhere, I'm going to make you work harder to get your business. I'll go consult for free for your competitors and build their SEO, social and SEM presence to crush you.

Why so angry?

 

[halfnhalfnhalf]

FWIW . . .

(1) The one time I ordered online from North River Outfitter (about six months ago) it was a painless experience and the shoes arrived on time and as advertised.

(2) I was in Boston a month or so ago and stopped in the store. A (very) young man who was pretty clueless about Aldens nevertheless helped me try on a few pairs and was generally pleasant and customer-service-oriented. And, an older woman (owner? manager?) made a point of telling me that they've made a few new hires recently and are in the process of training them up. She too was friendly and generally helpful.

 

[chrisefi]



Why so angry?

Haha, not angry by any means.

 

[ReppTiePrepster]

^^^ My last purchase from NRO (more than a year ago) was a very pleasant experience. It was during one of their big sales on Alden (35% off). The months prior I had read about some horror stories on here. Apparently they made every effort to clean up their act after someone had reported them to the Better Business Bureau. I haven't done any business with them since, because I have not been aware of any sales. If I find out about any, I will go back.

 

[gaseousclay]

any of you own the Alden+Context Roy boot? got any pics?

 

[bkotsko]

Instagram names? Who posts Aldens?

I know there are a few folks who do.

 

[Bobbo316]

JCrew put up a new style or two today. The snuff suede tassels look nice, not my style but I know a few of you have rocked similar designs with alot of class.

 

[FENWAY]

 

[docalden2013]

JCrew put up a new style or two today. The snuff suede tassels look nice, not my style but I know a few of you have rocked similar designs with alot of class.

Would the Alden last experts confirm my hunch that these are Aberdeen? I'm starting there because most tassels are on that last, but I know JCrew favors Barrie.

In a related note, where might one find dark brown suede tassels?

 

[REguy]

My money would be on the Copley last for the J Crew tassels. The toe looks too round to be the Aberdeen.

 

[MrDV]

Cigar