Christmas Present Disappointment

[Nanci]

So I thought I had found the coolest Christmas present ever for BF- a pair of Sidi Genius 5 Mega's- the kind for wide feet. BF complains non-stop about his Shimanos because they just aren't wide enough. I researched a bunch of shoes, and thought the Sidi's would be the best. Found them, using Froogle, for $60 less than MSRP, and $30 cheaper than the next cheapest price. I got them yesterday, and was quite distressed to find that they weren't in their original box, and the serial number had been blacked out, and they showed signs of wear on the heels! Ok, the heels I can live with, but for $200 (on sale) shoes, I think the warranty is pretty important. Plus, it just kind of makes me mad- they were advertised as closeouts- not demos, or whatever.

I don't think the shop has another pair. Is it worth $30 more to have the brand new shoes? I can't decide. I feel weird about giving them as a present, though...

Nanci

[DeniseGoldberg]

If the shoes show signs of wear on the heels - I would return them. That says to me that someone wore them (as opposed to tried them on). So you've just paid a lot of money for a pair of used shoes...

--- Denise

[Nanci]

They aren't really _worn_, just kind of grayish around the edges instead of bright red.

Not like I can do anything anyway, since I don't have enough more credit to buy another pair without that one being refunded...

Nanci

[SalsaMTB]

Since they were advertised as new, I would return them. You should def get a full refund because they are false advertisement. Try to call the place you ordered them from and tell them your concerns. A new pair of shoes should not have the serial number blacked out! I would def demand a full refund, plus a refund for the shipping. Threaten to report them to the BBB if they say they will not refund you your money.

Personally, I wouldn't give them as a gift if they are not in the condition you expected them to be in.

[yellow]

THis kind of gets to something I've been rattling around in my brain.

Sure, I can find it cheaper on the 'net, but is it worth it? Does establishing a face-to-face "realtionship" with a retailer make up for the extra $30 (or whatever) you pay? For the most part, I would rather pay the extra and develop a long-term retail relationship.

That being said, I've had really negative customer service experiences with retailers with whom I am attempting to do business with face-to-face. These are generally smaller retailers that haven't seemed to learn that good customer service=happy customer=good referrals=more business. (Aside: I expect bad service from large/big box retailers, which is why I generally--not always--try to avoid doing business with them at all.) Granted, my experince with these smaller retailers was in the small town within which I previously lived and those retailers knew my only other option was to get into a car and drive for 45 minutes...so I guess they've decided to take the chance and treat me like garbage because they know I'm trying to do business "locally".

But I digress. Return the shoes (but they are hard to find....ugh). Buy them somewhere else (if you can). Don't give the original outfit you bought them from any more business. The older I get, the less tolerance I have for shabby customer service!

[Nanci]

The problem with having a face to face relationship is that I would not be able to afford many, or _as_ many, things if I had to buy them at full retail from, say, the LBS. That being said, these shoes _did_ come from a LBS, just not one in my city.

BF is also getting a high-end saddle, about $80 less than retail, from an eBay seller. I looked at last night- original box, pristine condition. And a pair of high-end bike shorts, $60 less that retail, brand new, with tags, perfect condition. I have almost always, in close to 200 eBay transactions, found the sellers to be reliably honest about the condition of their product.

I _am_ going to return the shoes, (after BF tries them on for fit and ruins the surprise...) and I guess I won't trust that merchant any more.

Nanci

[Nanci]

I didn't get anything cycling-related. I _did_ get a pair of Sidi MTB shoes in the mail Saturday, though, that I scored on E-Bay for $35, which I wore for the first time yesterday, and loved. I see the point of road shoes- they're light, whatever, but I'm just more comfortable in MTB shoes.

BF HATED the Sidi Genius Megas that I spent so much time researching, then finding at a bargain price. Apparently he has interpreted "stiff" in a bike shoe to mean the whole shoe is stiff, not just the sole. So the bedroom-slipper-like Sidis (with carbon soles!!) of course don't match his expectations. And he is not going to believe me that it's the sole that matters. Whatever. So I'm sending them back, and getting myself the Sidi Winter Storms. Because I tried shoe covers Saturday, when it wasn't eve _that_ cold out- 40, and dry, and I still froze...

Nanci

[KSH]

Sorry he hates them lady!

Sounds like the whole experience was frustrating... and you were trying so hard to do something really nice.

I have SIDI's... and they are made for skinny feet... not wide ones... and I hate my shoes for about a good 6 months... before I broke them in. Next time around... I won't get SIDI's... just not a great shoe.

You tried your best though... and sorry to hear you didn't get any cycyling stuff either.

[Yasmin]

Sorry to hear about your epic disappointment Nanci. It sounds like it just wasn't meant to be. Shoes are particularly hard to buy on the Net. Maybe your BF could find a pair he's happy with & then you go & buy them on the Net from a different dealer. Wouldn't blame you if you NEVER dealt with that dealer again. He or she (owner) will regret their sloppy deal 'cause word (& print) travel fast.
Good luck.

[Dogmama]

I have SIDI's... and they are made for skinny feet... not wide ones... and I hate my shoes for about a good 6 months... before I broke them in. Next time around... I won't get SIDI's... just not a great shoe.

I bought some el-cheapo Sidis (velcro closures) for spinning & I can adjust them for my wide-duck feet. So, I think it depends on what you get. Whole heartedly agree on the expensive Sidi's - definitely made for ski-feet. Besides, I'm mechanically challenged and CANNOT figure out that *^&% closure!

I have wide feet/narrow heels & would never buy any shoes from the internet. It isn't worth my time to package them up & send them back.

I'd love to establish a face-to-face relationship with an LBS, but they keep getting bought out by Performance, etc.

[pkq]

I have found that local bike shops will support me, if I support them. But it takes time for them to determine who will support them. They can't afford to support every "customer" that walks through the door. Some never return and some are playing games. They will support their serious customers.

Ultimately, if you scratch their back, they will scratch yours. This is true in any relationship.

[bouncybouncy]

Bummer the shoes were a flop...and you did not get anything cycling related, hopefully you got "something" good

My experience with Sidis are with KSH...I have a sorta wide foot (definitely not skinny!) and Shimanos are the best! My fiancee wanted me to get sidis for my road bike but they just were not comfy...i got a pair of shimanos and so did he...let's just say he is a shoe convert to me comfort is way more important than a name. (although i did read on the sidi site that they were good for wide feet...i disagree, of course if they are willing to send me a shoe that is for the wider foot i would not send it away without a test run...hehe)

[Dogmama]

I have found that local bike shops will support me, if I support them. But it takes time for them to determine who will support them. They can't afford to support every "customer" that walks through the door.

Agreed. And I'm not looking for special deals, trade secrets or the keys to the kingdom. I'm more than willing to pay the posted price on merchandise and service. I just want to be treated seriously and with respect. Even some of the small LBS brush me aside (shoddy work on my bike, not listening to my needs in a new saddle, shoes, etc.) possibly because I'm a middle aged woman and not a 20 year old kid. Too bad, because I have more money than the 20 year old and I'm anxious to spend it on my hobby.

But, I'm hijacking this thread and I think we've discussed it ad infinitum before.