A Question About An E-Bay Purchase

[ThomWV]

I have been looking for a pair of good boots, real good boots. I was considering buying either a stock pair from Dehner or having a pair made. While looking at used boots on E-Bay I ran across a guy who will make a pair for you for a hundred bucks. I presume the quality is going to be as good as any - though this could be a screwing and I fully understand that - and so the question I am asking is more ethical than related to the risk of getting screwed by a shabby product. You see the bootmaker is in Guatemala.

The deal is you do a "Buy it now", pay your hundred bucks plus shipping, send in the measurements, and they make the boots and send them to you. For all I know slave labor will be used to produce these things - but I could very well be wrong and what I would be supporting is reasonable payment for hard working craftsmen to produce a hand made product. I just don't know which it is. One I would be happy to support, the other would run counter to my feeling of what is right or wrong.

What is your thinking on this delicate matter

[GOPisEvil]

1. What is the guy's rating?

Does he have a lot of positive feedback?

[ThomWV]

4. Pretty Good

The guy is at 99% out of 500+ listings. I read his negatives - its odd. Most positives are raving about the quality being so good but now and then there is a negative that says the things were pure junk. All comments tend to make me think the things are slow in comming (not terribly important to me) and some, though not many, suggest poor packaging.

[warrens]

2. $100 is a good price in Guatamala

Leather is dirt cheap in Latin America. Odd, because we kill a lot of cows here, but China buys nearly all our hides.

[Atlas Mugged]

3. Can you give us the link?

That would help a lot.

I'm a pretty seasoned purchaser.

[ThomWV]

5. I Didn't Know They Allowed That - But Here It Is

I hope this isn't against DU's rules, if it is I appologize beforehand.

http://cgi.ebay.com/CUSTOM-ROYAL-CANADIAN-MOUNTED-POLICE-RIDING-FIELD-BOOTS_W0QQitemZ7189892388QQcategoryZ16241QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[Atlas Mugged]

8. Actually, we do it all the time

Especially if it's an auction for a piece of toast with the Virgin Mary on it, kinda' thing.

I recall a thread that got quite massive, with nothing but links of guitars for sale on eBay.

On edit: Those look pretty swanky, and if I didn't already have a pair of Doc Martens that look quite similar, I would be tempted.

His rating is damned good, considering the type of product. I'd go for it.

[pitohui]

6. honestly?

my thought is no good can come of yr feet are in one country & the boots are being made in another country

how do ppl buy boots thru the mail, you know going in that it ain't gonna fit right

[ThomWV]

7. Custom Boots By Mail Is Not At All Uncommon

Proper measurements taken at the right places by a second person pretty much takes care of the fit as long as the bootmaker knows his or her trade.

[Chovexani]

9. Buying pre-made boots is bad for me, I have tiny feet

But I had some mocassins made for me from an online place and they're the most comfy pair of boots I have. As long as the person is reputable and you give them all the correct measurements, it's cool.

[Clintmax]

10. WAIT! Before you buy from this guy...

His feedback is bad. Under 99% positive. Here's some of the negative comments from others:

Boots do not fit...very stiff...seams pucker...waited 8 weeks..very disappointed

Terrible quality!Pucked seams,measurements not correct.Not at all like picture!

Horrible quality, more like RUBBER! No contour or fit as dressage boots should.

Poor Quality leather (Wrinkle) totally different from picture, 6 weeks to ship

11 weeks and no boots, discrip says 3-4 weeks delivery, baloney slinger BEWARE

I NEVER purchase from someone with under 99% positive feedback. I would move on.