Apr 27 2006
My Danners, they’re ba-ack.
Yesterday I received an “attempted delivery” notice in the mail, advising me I had a package, with $30 (CAD) in duties owing, waiting at the post office. I suspected my Danners were back, as I was expecting no other packages with duty owing on them (despite the fact that I had called Danner Tuesday and been told that they were still working on my boots, and to call back Wednesday).
So we attended the post office, and amid the chaos and din I managed to help the nice postal employee by pointing at the box with the big “Danner” logo on the side, and asking “Is it that one?” after she had been scurrying around for 3 or 4 minutes looking for my package.
It was.
Once we got back to the apartment I could control my excitement no more, and slashed open the box to reveal my old boots, but returned to serviceable condition once more.
Now, on to the practical assessment of this service…
I mailed the boots off on March 21st, they were received at Danner on March 27th. The packing slip shows they were shipped back to me on April 14th, and I finally received them on April 26th. Making for three week turnaround time total, which seems entirely acceptable, and a few weeks in the mail altogether.
I received a call from a Danners recrafting employee on the 28th advising that the service package I had selected (the $90 midsole package) was insufficient for the condition of the boots, and that the supreme package ($150 USD) would be required. This was a bit of a jump in the price, but I love those boots and I said “Sure, have at them”. Honestly I blame myself for this, as the boots were in pretty dire condition by the time I sent them in.
A casual inspection of the boots brings mixed feelings. Visually they are my old boots. Polished but with a few scuffs and grooves in the leather. A closer inspection shows a professional repair of the torn eyelet, brand new soles, a replaced interior lining and restitched leather all the way around each boot.
Also included in the box were new laces, and new orthopedic inserts (my old ones having been retained by me as per their directions for shipping).
Total cost? $150 USD for the work and materials (approximately $170 Canadian) plus $30 in shipping to Danner, and $30 in duties on the return for a cost of approximately $230 CDN. A little steep perhaps? Yes, maybe, as my second pair of Danners cost me $300 out the door, but truth be told I’m just fine with this.
Sentimentalist that I am, I have my dear old boots back. Like new, polished and already broken in. It was certainly worth the money as far as I am concerned.
Ahhh … life’s little pleasures, eh? There’s nothing like a pair of boots that fit
Damn skippy. Isn’t that the old infantrymans motto, take care of your feet?
I’ve done a lot of walking, slipping, twisting and stumbling in my years in security. My boots have saved me from all sorts of minor injuries.
I’m certain money spent in this regard is a wise investment.
-GRIN-
Sigh, I miss my old jungle boots. All of them. They had fab ankle support, were light enough to run in and I never once lost traction in them.
Maybe if the uniform job I applied for comes through, I’ll invest in a new pair, but until then…I don’t need them.
Uniformed job? Uh-oh…dare I ask?
Uniformed job? Uh-oh…dare I ask?
Nothing firm, just at the application stage, in fact, it’s a pretty long shot. I’m looking to get a career switch that will let me continue on with the schooling. That means something with a night shift component and as with most things, that means a uniform. I also miss the ease of wearing a uniform to work.
I’m still hopeful on law school, but to be honest, I can’t see how we’re going to raise four kids on one salary while Greggie goes to school full time for three years. I’ll finish my college degree and probably do the BA too and if I’ve still got my groove, even a masters in history down the road. But it’ll all have to be PT schooling like I’m doing now.
You’re welcome!
Absolutely, where are my manners. Thanks FBB! These boots would be scrap if not for your suggestion!
No thanks are really necessary.
I’m just happy that you got your “old” boots refurbished so they could have another life.
I have a good friend that had a pair of cowboy boots resoled at least 6 times that I know of. That boy sure does love to dance…
Well it’s good to have them back, and nice to have a choice of boots as I head out to work (it takes me a little longer to polish boots properly these days, nice to have the option of taking my time with it and still have a spare pair to wear in).
Ah…I love my boots.