HELP! My New Aldens are Chunking off on the Heel.

Indiana Texas-girl · Post by **Indiana Texas-girl** » Mon Jan 05, 2004 12:01 am

Okay guys, this lady has a problem. I bought some Aldens from Fritz's shop this past June. Last week, I noticed a big chunk on the back of both heels are missing. I've hardly worn these boots so it's not like the sole is worn down. And no I don't have a dog that would have gotten hungry. I seem to remember reading on the forum that the Aldens shop in San Francisco will repair our boots even if we didn't buy them at the SF shop. But I can't find that thread where I read this and am not quite sure what my next step should be: Pursue getting 'em fixed or not pursue it. I'm leaning toward getting the problem resolved. As you know I can't contact Fritz because he's no longer with us. Also, if the SF shop will handle this, does this mean I could take this into an Aldens shop here in Dallas (if I can find one) in which they might be able to handle this situation just as the SF shop would (so I can perhaps bypass shipping/handling costs?)

Here's a pic of the damage. It's not a very clear pic but it was the best of about 15 shots I took on my camera. I've taken the liberty to point out the general vicinity of the missing chunks:

IndyBlues · Post by **IndyBlues** » Mon Jan 05, 2004 12:10 am

That's really strange. I wonder what would cause the heel to chip like that? For the cost of the 405's, thats suprising.

Indiana Texas-girl · Post by **Indiana Texas-girl** » Mon Jan 05, 2004 12:20 am

IndyBlues wrote:That's really strange. I wonder what would cause the heel to chip like that? For the cost of the 405's, thats suprising.

Maybe I walk FuNnY?

Pyroxene · Post by **Pyroxene** » Mon Jan 05, 2004 12:21 am

Heels, for me, wear out quickly. I am on my 3rd pair right now. Getting them replaced shouldn't be anymore than $15-20.

Indiana Texas-girl · Post by **Indiana Texas-girl** » Mon Jan 05, 2004 12:25 am

But it's chunks...not a gradual wearing down...I wonder what would cause that. For an expensive shoe that I've had maybe 7 months that hasn't seen much wearing time, that seems to be an awfully quick time to have to replace the soles. Pyro, do you replace them with Aldens or with a regular shoe repair shop?

Swindiana · Post by **Swindiana** » Mon Jan 05, 2004 1:00 am

They look worn the exact same way a pair of my winter boots does. I guess it is just a stress point from the way you put down your heels, that part being a bit pointy and all.

I take it you haven't done any "water skiing" on dry land from behind a truck or anything?

Nah...
I think the heels on my boots perhaps took a beating from the salt they put on the roads during the winter, making the rubber a bit brittle.

BTW; Interesting pics! I haven't seen the soles on a pair of Aldens up close before. Thanks!

Regards,
Swindy

auntsugar · Post by **auntsugar** » Mon Jan 05, 2004 1:47 am

I had some of my Air Force shoes do that once. I think it was because of some kind of fluid that got on the heel. They started to chunk off like that, then bigger chunks came off. Kind of like the heel disinigrating.

Pyroxene · Post by **Pyroxene** » Mon Jan 05, 2004 2:41 am

Indiana Texas-girl wrote:But it's chunks...not a gradual wearing down...I wonder what would cause that. For an expensive shoe that I've had maybe 7 months that hasn't seen much wearing time, that seems to be an awfully quick time to have to replace the soles. Pyro, do you replace them with Aldens or with a regular shoe repair shop?

I don't know why they would chunk off. It must have something to do with what you walk on.

You don't have to replace the sole. Just the heel. I think I had to replace mine after 7 or 8 months. The first time I noticed it was at the Texas Summit when MK pointed it out to me. And then I just had them replaced again in November.

They just replace the orthopedic heel on the shoe. That's the thing about quality shoes is that the parts can be replaced. And, you don't have to buy a whole brand new shoe.

I found a shoe clinic in San Marcos that does excellent work. They recognized that they were Aldens right away. http://www.american-stores.us/profile/s ... arcos/9004 You should be able to find a place near you.

Pyr

Kenal0 · Post by **Kenal0** » Mon Jan 05, 2004 7:46 am

A decent local shoe repair shop should be able to put take care of that for less than $20.00. I have numerous pair of Aldens and the only thing I have ever had done is the heels. A few days in the shop and they are good as new. Make sure you tell them if you do not want them polished up otherwise they might come back all shiney and new looking.
Kenal0

cliffhanger · Post by **cliffhanger** » Mon Jan 05, 2004 9:28 am

ITG,

The same thing is happening to my Aldens, and I don't wear them that often either. I think it is just a matter of stress points, like Swindy said. And replacing heels is something one will have to do far more often than replacing the soles.

Just my 2 cents,
Cliffhanger

Post by **Michaelson** » Mon Jan 05, 2004 10:15 am

Contact Allen White at the Alden Shop in SF. (his email address is at the main IG site)Tell him what happened and send him photos. See what he can do for you....Regards. Michaelson

Mattdeckard · Post by **Mattdeckard** » Mon Jan 05, 2004 10:19 am

Culwell & Son
6319 Hillcrest Avenue
Dallas, Texas 75205-1898

That is your closest dealer.

You may want to give them a call and see what they say.
Maybe they will replace the heels.

Post by **Michaelson** » Mon Jan 05, 2004 10:23 am

They may be closer, but the Alden shop in SF is a IndyGear affiliate, and Allen takes personal care of our members. Regards. Michaelson

Mattdeckard · Post by **Mattdeckard** » Mon Jan 05, 2004 11:09 am

They may be closer, but the Alden shop in SF is a IndyGear affiliate, and Allen takes personal care of our members. Regards. Michaelson

It's never too late to ad more affiliates.

Post by **Michaelson** » Mon Jan 05, 2004 11:14 am

Why, in this case?

They'll more than likely charge her for the replacements as they don't know her (or us) from Adam. The heels are not a stock item, but are shipped directly from the factory. Since we ALREADY have track record and 'agent' for Alden co. with our interest at heart, what would another 'affiliate' afford us, as all they'd do is exactly what the SF shop does....forward her problem to the factory, and the factory decide to either send a replacement, or opt to repair. We've had Allen White as our agent since the inception of Indygear.com, and that's why his shop is posted in the main page area. He already knows what we do and require, and trys to have those items in hand for us. Those items he DOESN'T have, he puts in a call to the factory and gets the answer. So, in this case, 'another affiliate' wouldn't add anything to the 'mix'. Regards. Michaelson

Indiana Texas-girl · Post by **Indiana Texas-girl** » Tue Jan 06, 2004 1:35 am

Thanks Matt and Michaelson!