If I recall correctly, Aldens are handmade. It could be that they just need to make more. I also thought that the "production house" was also fairly small, so that may have something to do with it, as well. When I ordered my Aldens, I do remember hearing from some folks that you could have up to a 12 week wait for a pair, but I got mine in about two weeks.
I recently ordered mine and I was told that they are out of certain sizes such as D width. I don't expect to see them until late summer. I also heard that the shop that makes them doesn't even use computers, everything is done by paper and filing systems and that there are only two or three guys who actually make the boots. The shoes are not mass produced so you are really gettling a piece of craftmanship when you order a pair. I've seen some of the other shoes made by Alden and they are very nice. I waited for my Wested , I waited for my whip and both of them were worth it so I'll have to resign myself to waiting for the boots too because I know they'll be worth it as well...but I hate waiting.
binkmeisterRick wrote:If I recall correctly, Aldens are handmade. It could be that they just need to make more. I also thought that the "production house" was also fairly small, so that may have something to do with it, as well. When I ordered my Aldens, I do remember hearing from some folks that you could have up to a 12 week wait for a pair, but I got mine in about two weeks.
bink
It is correct that they are "hand Made" - the real problem is that the there are less people willing to hand make shoes. I spoke to this issue back in October '04 when I ordered my 405's - The last I had heard was that there are (2) individuals at Aldens that make this model shoe. You have to remember that the demand for this shoe is high, not only from the gear heads but people who need this boot for everyday work. The secret here is place your order and be patient - all things to those who wait.
When I talked to the Alden's folks last year (and waited almost 16 weeks), they explained that they made batches of shoes in the same sizes at the same time.
So, they won't cut a 10 1/2 E until they have several pairs ordered for that size.
It's also due to sourcing leather that stacks up to their high standards. That's why you see the color change from batch to batch. They're as picky as Peter Botwright when it comes to buying the leather that is used in their products. Regards. Michaelson
New poster here, long time forum watcher. I'm currently having dealings with the Alden factory because I got a pair of , what I consider "seconds" for the full price of regular boots. They have tears in the corners of the tongue, and I'm trying to get them repaired or replaced. I sent them back per their request and they came back to me with a poor attempt at repair- THEY TRIED TO GLUE THEM! They put a spot of glue right on the lacing part of the boot to stick them to the upper! Needless to say, it didn't even hold thru the mail. I sent them a strongly worded email and they said to send them back. Now I'm waiting again. It seems to me they are trying to avoid the fix! Very poor customer service thus far- especially for the price of the shoe!
Of course, this delay is only a problem if there were no shops on Earth which actually held stock, and everything was ordered in a 'just in time' principle - but that's not how things happen. Unless your particular size is out of stock, or whatever, this just isn't an issue. Not worth even thinking about, let alone worrying about.
