Wolverine 1000 Mile Boots
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OK, I've got a tooth to pick with Wolverine…
Firstly, I'm from Germany, very limited access to 1K's here, and if available, laughable pricing on these boots. So I bought a pair of brown CXL 1K's when on vacation in Florida. Bought them at Nordstrom Boca Raton. So far so good...
A few weeks after I noticed that on my left boot all 6 speedhooks were loose, could easily twist them around. Shortly after 1 of the eyelets on the left boot popped out, leaving a huge tear in the leather. I went to my trusted local cobbler. After inspecting the boot he told me that all eyelets plus speedhoks on the left boot weren't installed properly and were to come off soon.
He put in a new, much bigger eyelet to cover the teared one. Functionally it's ok, but it looks disgusting, even more horrible considering this is a 340 USD boot.
I was so pissed that I stored them away and never touched them for months.
After talking about this with a friend he suggested to contact Wolverine customer service. I sent a mail, they demanded pictures. Sent them lots of pics. Then they asked if I were from US. No, I answered... Immediate response: call German distributor. They sent me an email address.
Unfortunately this email seems to be either a dead link, or there's someone unwilling to answer (I included my conversation with Wolverine US). It's 2 weeks now, and no response.So, at the bottom line, although I like the look of these boots, I can not recommend buying these from overseas. I'm debating with myself if it's even to be recommended to buy these at all. I heard so many complaints all over the web from various sites about their QC. And their customer service here in Europe seems to be even worse.
In the future I'll stick to Viberg and Wesco, boots I never had problems with. And if I need boots more budget oriented, I'll buy Red Wings (no problems ever with these in the past).
Sorry, Wolverine!
P:S: If someone from Wolverine is reading here: you should make sure to have distributors whose willingness to answer customers emails is on par with that of your US customer service.
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I simply hate poor customer service. We don';t get it right all the time, but at least we try.
Giles, only judging by the way you're treating people here on this board I'm sure your customer service is top notch!! Unfortunately I'm so well equipped with clothing ATM I won't be able to try you out for some time…
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If you do, we'll be on our best behaviour…..
Don't make me think of the 25 oz 634 again… my resistance is weak enough. -
Hmm… really sorry to hear about this. I'm based on Germany too, so I really feel your pain in terms of the relative dollar value at stake here. But that aside... there's no excuse for crap customer service.
By the way... I though I should mention that your "cheaper option" being RW is not a cheaper option in Germany. Ridiculous prices...!
If I were you (apart from harassing and shaming Wolverine) I'd try to locate some better quality hooks yourself and get a boot maker to repair your 1K boots. Is the problem hooks and eyelets...?
I currently have my rough out 1K boots at the boot maker. I paid full euro price for them... but I just couldn't get along with the rubber half sole. I decided I had so much damn cash in the boots already that I might as well just plow some more in until I get something I'm happy with. I sourced 4 new sole options myself and took them all to the bootmaker. I'll post some pics mid next week went they come back...
-bornheim
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Damn! I purchased a pair before I joined the forum as love the leather. The first pair I bought had marks on the leather so took them straight back. Touch wood no problems this far but after reading everything here I will be looking at other brands in future! Best of luck old boy and hope you can get them sorted!
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Update on the 1Ks: took them with me when I went to Florida a few weeks ago. Went straight into Nordstrom and told them about my problem. The Nordstrom sales assistant didn't even look at the boots, when I told him about loose eyelets all he said was "I know. Do you prefer a refund or shall I return them for a new pair?". So I (of course!) opted for a refund, got my 350,- USD back on the credit card, and that's it.
The Nordstrom customer service was top notch, as always. I shop at Nordstrom since 1990 or longer, never an issue with them.
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Hmm… really sorry to hear about this. I'm based on Germany too, so I really feel your pain in terms of the relative dollar value at stake here. But that aside... there's no excuse for crap customer service.
By the way... I though I should mention that your "cheaper option" being RW is not a cheaper option in Germany. Ridiculous prices...!
If I were you (apart from harassing and shaming Wolverine) I'd try to locate some better quality hooks yourself and get a boot maker to repair your 1K boots. Is the problem hooks and eyelets...?
I currently have my rough out 1K boots at the boot maker. I paid full euro price for them... but I just couldn't get along with the rubber half sole. I decided I had so much damn cash in the boots already that I might as well just plow some more in until I get something I'm happy with. I sourced 4 new sole options myself and took them all to the bootmaker. I'll post some pics mid next week went they come back...
-bornheim
Hi Bornheim, see above, I got rid of the Wolverines, thank god.
I would never buy RedWings in Germany, I always go to a RW store in USA. -
The Nordstrom customer service was top notch, as always. I shop at Nordstrom since 1990 or longer, never an issue with them.
That's good news, and I'm pleased to hear that you got a good resolution. Of course, the way that Nordstrom responded to the problem is exactly that way that Wolverine should have! Shame on them for not dealing with it.
I have to say, I've had three pairs of 1K boots and they've all been good. Well made and I like the cut on them… but I have been lucky too, and at the price which Wolverine are pitching these boots there is no excuse for not standing behind them and dealing with the occasional problem.
However, as much as I like the 1K boot... they're not a ca. 300-400 euro boot... not in any language, currency or place. They're a US$250-280 boot, which means... EUR 180-200.
-bornheim.
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So these came back from the boot maker today, a bit earlier than expected. As per my previous post (above) I just wasn't getting along with the half rubber fore-sole on the rough out 1K boots.
I had an additional rubber protective sole applied over the existing rubber to beef it up a bit… but I still wasn't happy. Then I went looking for and managed to source a range of different sole options including a cats paw-like "Dr. Sole Original" composite rubber sole, but they were super heavy. In the end I decided I have so many heavy duty boots, and with summer coming, I'd go for a lighter option... so the Vibram.
I'm pretty happy with how these turned out... kind of the way that should be, I think.
Cheers,
-bornheim -
Look great dude
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Just had my 1000 Mile Resoled with Vibram Christy. Super comfy now!
