"Hoges in WA" wrote in message
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"Vic Smith" wrote in message
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On Mon, 08 Sep 2008 00:04:47 GMT, "Hoges in WA"
wrote:
"Vic Smith" wrote in message
...
On Sun, 07 Sep 2008 14:42:19 GMT, "Hoges in WA"
wrote:
Thanks Dennis
I can't do the "match the price" thing. In Australia, the cheapest I
can
get them is $499 or about $US440 plus I have to pay postage from the
East
coast. I see them in Pineapple Sails for $US295. Like you, I am very
concerned about fit and return issues, the reason for my caution.
Hoges in WA
Personally, if I decided I wanted to spend such an excessive amount
for a pair of shoes, there would no problem kicking in a few hundred
dollars more to fly to a store and have them properly fitted.
You may well find them unsuitable.
In a backwards fashion, your concern about shipping costs make me
think of somebody who will scour eBay for weeks to get an item for
$2.00 instead of $3.00, then pop $35.00 for next-day shipping.
At the end, your feet are precious, and if it is only Dubarry
Shamrocks that will keep them happy, have those shoes properly fitted.
Vic
It's not the shipping costs that are the problem, it's the logistics.
I'm half a world away from where they are, in Western Australia.
And it's not an eBay issue thing either, it's simply that I have to
source
things on-line.
An air fare for me to SF is something like $1,400.
I'm also curious about Helly Hansen boots, but I can't get them in Oz
either.
As you suggest, having them properly fitted makes a lot of sense - I'm
just
having trouble with the price difference of $US440 to $US295.
Sorry Hoges, I understood it as a trip across Oz, not clear to S.F.
It's odd how Oz pricing works. I can understand a substantial price
difference for a boat or car due to shipping costs. But shoes?
Most likely limited distribution/retailing rights.
My suggestion is to buy an international calling card and
try calling the sellers with the best prices to sort out the size,
return, and shipping issues.
My son is in Oz and the cards are very cheap, as they are here in the
U.S. 8-12 hours for $US5.00 or close to it.
With a high-priced item like those shoes you should find decent
customer service when phoning, and even a contact name for
any issue that may arise.
--Vic
You got it in one with the limited distribution rights, Vic. That's
always what it boils down to.
It's not as if they do anything like raising market awareness or promoting
the product either - they let the manufacturer do that and do nothing
other than inflate the price because they know the alternatives are
limited.
I can understand it when they carry a range and promote it etc as you need
to get a return on your investment but they carry only a couple of demos
and then order in to fulfil.
The Musto range is an example - even the Australian Distributor can't be
bothered carrying it all, let alone the retailers - they'll order it from
the UK, though.
My m-i-l lives in Az (near Kingman) and I was going to get her to ship on
to me if I get them from Pineapple Sails but I want to get comfortable
with the size issue first.
E.g. I have a pair of Henri-Lloyd deck shoes that I bought in Oz that say
Eu 46 UK 11 US 12. I have a pair of Columbia hikers that say Eu 46 UK 12
US13. The Lloyds are a little tight so I guess that the US 12 is probably
more of an accurate description than relying on the Eu number?
So here we have two that say Eu46 that are obviously not the same??
I'll sit and think a little I guess.
Hoges in WA
Ireland, where the Dubarries are made, is in the EU, and uses EU sizing on
it's website. An EU 46 is the same as a UK 11 or a US12. Dubarry's have a
decent website and I am sure would respond to e-mails if you need more help
with sizing. It is always better with sailing boots to err on the big side
as you can wear all kinds of socks when sailing (depending on the weather
and your climate).
I don't know how the boots bought direct from Dubarry would compare
price-wise with those bought from Ozi chandlers, but I am sure you would get
some help if you made contact with them. Do stress that you need sailing
boots, as their range is extensive and a great hit with the horsey crowd
here in UK.
For the record, I paid £165 cash for my Dubarry's.
http://www.dubarryboots.com/catalogue/20
http://www.dubarryboots.com/about_marine.php
http://www.sailingclothingstore.co.u...434_bd412.aspx
Dennis.