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Boot woes - now boot happiness!

Posted: Sat May 26, 2018 3:32 pm
by KathyK
On Feb. 8th I ordered custom DeNiro boots for my narrow (AA) feet. They arrived April 7th, and were very wrong, as in waaaaay wide in the foot, so much so that my heel slipped what felt like well over an inch with each step I took. Back to Italy they went, along with emailed photos of my feet.

On May 9th I contacted the owner of the store where I purchased them, asking if she would check their status, and received this reply: "Just did today. They are working on them because they asked if I was sure on the foot size (yes, we tried 39 and it was short and the issue is in width not length). They thanked me for the pictures of your feet." So it appears that during that month, nothing was done.

As the first week of June approaches, I'm wondering just how long I'm supposed to wait for these boots to come back. Am I unreasonable in feeling that there's a time limit, after which I want my money (a substantial amount) back? If I'm not being unreasonable, what's the best way to approach her? I can be, as many of you who have known me here over the years are aware, a bit lacking in the tact department :oops: . I don't want to piss anyone off, but I want my boots or I want my money back.

Halp, please.

Re: Boot woes

Posted: Sat May 26, 2018 3:53 pm
by Josette
I purchased the semi-custom DeNiro boots off the SmartPak site. You may contact them and check for comparison what their wait time is for customers. My boots size was in stock so I had no wait - otherwise, I would have had to place an order for boots to be made. So check out their wait time IMO, then you will know if this store is being honest with you.

Re: Boot woes

Posted: Sat May 26, 2018 6:01 pm
by KathyK
The original wait time was six to eight weeks. They arrived in nine weeks, which I didn't have a problem with. I'm not sure how they could tell me what their wait time would be for the specific fix to my customs.

Re: Boot woes

Posted: Sat May 26, 2018 6:27 pm
by Josette
They may be really busy with show season now. Maybe contact DeNiro direct about your custom order to get a status update. For what it's worth, I love my boots.

Re: Boot woes

Posted: Sat May 26, 2018 8:39 pm
by KathyK
That's an idea. The boots, except for the feet, are gorgeous and fit perfectly.

Re: Boot woes

Posted: Sat May 26, 2018 9:33 pm
by Chisamba
Shipping takes a while

Re: Boot woes

Posted: Sat May 26, 2018 9:42 pm
by Amado
I had custom Konigs made for me - and it felt like the heel slipped a little, but I solved that by putting in some of those gel heel inserts - that solved the issue.

Re: Boot woes

Posted: Sun May 27, 2018 1:09 am
by KathyK
I'm not asking for advice on how to make ill-fitting boots fit. The shop owner agreed that the last was inappropriate for my foot, and sent them back to DeNiro to be redone. I'm asking for advice on how to approach the shop owner to say "Boots soon, or my money back."

Re: Boot woes

Posted: Sun May 27, 2018 7:44 pm
by Moutaineer
The shop owner is caught in the middle, but should be able to harass the manufacturer into at least giving you an idea on timing, and preferably into jumping to it and getting it done.

Be a pleasant, but annoyingly squeaky, wheel, and yeah, maybe if you are doing this via email, read back what you write a couple of times before you send it.

If you used your credit card, a little reminder that you will be forced to take it up with the credit card company by X date (whatever the dispute period is) if you don't receive some kind of satisfaction by then might be in order.

Re: Boot woes

Posted: Mon May 28, 2018 12:41 am
by redsoxluvr
Most credit card companies have a time limit as to when you can file a claim.
I would check with your credit card company, then let the seller know that you
will initiate a dispute by x date if you don't get resolution. There is definitely
the complicating factor of being a custom order, but if the foot size was
part of the measurement process, the onus is on the seller to make it right.

Re: Boot woes

Posted: Mon May 28, 2018 2:27 am
by scruffy the cat
I work at a tack shop. There is nothing wrong with saying, "I am sorry you are caught in the middle of this- I know it's not your fault- but if you don't think De Niro can get me my boots by [whatever date you determine is fair] I need to ask for my money back." It might soften the discussion if you explain that you have a competition coming up or some such, but really, you don't owe an explanation as long as you are polite. Use "please" and "thank you" and it will be fine.

Re: Boot woes

Posted: Mon May 28, 2018 1:43 pm
by Chisamba
did the tack shop measure you? if so they are not so much of a middle man as part of the problem. I would definitely ask them to speed up the process

Re: Boot woes

Posted: Mon May 28, 2018 5:14 pm
by KathyK
Yes, the tack shop owner measured me. She double-checked the measurements after they arrived so wrong, and she had measured correctly. DeNiro didn't pay good attention to the measurements.

I sent her an email asking her to check on the status, and she replied that the boots will be shipped next week. So, progress. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Re: Boot woes

Posted: Sun Jun 10, 2018 2:15 am
by KathyK
I picked up my boots this morning -- they are very, very nice and fit well! I have boots, so now I need a horse. But that's for another thread.

Re: Boot woes

Posted: Sun Jun 10, 2018 4:40 am
by StraightForward
Glad you got your boots! There is a virtual horse shopper thread, so maybe put your requirements there and we'll get to work. ;)

Re: Boot woes - now boot happiness!

Posted: Fri Jun 15, 2018 6:15 pm
by Koolkat
These boots are made for riding!