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| Casual suede Church's brand shoes - The culprit |
Church's Footwear began as a family shoe making business in 1873 and built up a remarkable reputation as some of the finest men's shoes coming out of England. They received such wide acclaim that they became James Bond's (Pierce Bronsan era 1995-2002) go to shoe. Know for their extraordinarily high quality, and classic men's styling they became a well known gentleman's shoe.
Roughly 10 years ago they were bought out by the Prada group; makers of Prada, Miu Miu, Car Shoe, and formerly Jil Sanders. The Prada group introduced their own flavor into certain products of the Church's line, leaving most of the classics still handmade in England. Unfortunately it seems the majority of their casual shoes are not handmade in England anymore, but in Italy. A few weeks ago I dropped this pair off to have them repaired due to the sole separating after less than 5 months. Normally when a pair of shoes cost more than $200 you have a expectation that they will last a reasonable amount of time with proper care. Unfortunately this wasn't the case, and it seems they are no longer standing behind their products as they would not give me my shoes back without paying a $100+ bill for re-glueing the front part of the sole together. Had I known there would be a charge I would have done it myself with the exact same shoe glue they use sitting right in my fiance's apartment. Customer service refuses to return calls as well.
I really do like their style of shoes, and the workmanship involved in creating their classic line, but it seems they have strayed from their roots. They are no longer a family business who respects their customers; sadly that was traded for arrogant staff, and poor customer service
that's a long tradition..
ReplyDeleteSo if I need a shoe that will be recognized by fashion snobs, this is it, eh?
ReplyDeleteThey do look like a great pair of shoes that havent been torn from their traditional style
ReplyDeletei dont go to church im a heathen.
ReplyDeleteThat's cool, i've never even heard of that brand.
ReplyDeleteShoes are looking cool. And comfortable.
ReplyDeleteThey look like pure class, reminds me I need to get a new pair of shoes :D
ReplyDeletethose are sexy shoes
ReplyDeleteWhere do you live?
ReplyDeleteHere in California, and all of the U.S. as far as I know, a company can't charge you anything for a repair without your consent.
They look like decent shoes to me.
ReplyDeletei would pick up a pair of these
ReplyDeletegot a link to them?
Man, the Prada group has to have a corporate structure. Start at the marketing department and work you way up sending everyone you can find a snail mail or e-mail saying what you did here until you get resolution.
ReplyDeleteWhat do you consider "proper care"?
ReplyDeletenice stuff. very intresting.
ReplyDeleteThey look like pretty good shoes but not so great about the customer service and the selling themselves out.
ReplyDeleteGood looking shoes there, and nice little bit of history on Church's Footwear. Too bad about the fees, they should have stated up front that it wouldn't be free.
ReplyDeletethey looks so sturdy, but still respectable with an element of style.
ReplyDeleteOld school.
ReplyDeletelooks, actually, pretty damn good :3
ReplyDeleteHow disappointing. They look like great shoes.
ReplyDeleteEw, who wears shoes?
ReplyDelete