Done with New Balance shoes

[JRD77VET]

I purchased a brand new pair of safety toe MID627 New Balance shoes for at work. Got them the last day of October and by mid December, the soles cracked at the balls of my feet. I keep them at work and work in dry conditions, I'm not standing in pools in of coolant or oil. I actually have rubber anti fatigue mats at all the machines I run.

I emailed the ebay seller but NB wouldn't do anything. I then contacted New Balance myself and after a week of back and forth emails, won't replace the shoes due to a blatant manufacturing defect.

They said the ebay seller is not an "authorized seller" , even though they sell directly to the ebay seller, so no warranty or replacement.

I counted the days I worked on the calendar and I wore those shoes 34 times before the soles broke.

If they how they take care of long time customers, I'll be spending my money elsewhere. I guess being a loyal customer for well over 20 years means nothing.

$100 down the drain

edit-- I'm done with them. No more New Balance shoes

[Datawiz]

New Balance is marketing bullshit. Their shoes are horrible.
Try Brooks.

[JRD77VET]

Originally Posted by datawiz

New Balance is marketing bullshit. Their shoes are horrible.
Try Brooks.

I wear a size 12 4E

They have extra wide?

[StaticCling]

Brooks are great shoes.

However...

SAS shoes are phenomenal. Made in the USA, by hand. They ain't cheap at around $180.00, but my last pair lasted me almost 2 years.



(and yes, they make athletic shoes)

[JRD77VET]

Originally Posted by datawiz

New Balance is marketing bullshit. Their shoes are horrible.
Try Brooks.

Originally Posted by chinaski

Brooks are great shoes.

However...

SAS shoes are phenomenal. Made in the USA, by hand. They ain't cheap at around $180.00, but my last pair lasted me almost 2 years.



(and yes, they make athletic shoes)

Neither has work boots

[markids77]

I kill two pair of work shoes every year. New Balance is my salvation. I have tried all the other "major" brands and none fit my wide, short feet nearly as well. I have found they get frazzled a bit sooner than was the case but I cannot seem to wear anything else.
I suggest you shop your next pair at a local store... I do, and it helps to talk live to a manager if there are issues.

[StaticCling]

I just bought some Vasque boots at REI about a month ago. I haven't worn them much, but they weren't cheap. They seem comfy, and have a goretex lining etc. I learned that the Navy Seals were using Vasque footwear on the Bin Laden mission, so if they are good enough for those guys, they are good enough for my dumb ass.

[StaticCling]

Another thing, as I have gotten older, my feet can't handle cheap ass shoes anymore...well, for the most part.

I also require a wide shoe (11wide), and recently I tried on a pair of New Balance at the local sporting goods shop and they were absolutely HORRIBLE. I have worn NB in the past with great success, but something has gone wrong with them. Nike's have always been way too narrow for me. They scrunch my feet, and they end up hurting at the end of the day. I ended up with some 30 dollar Dr. Scholls (sp?) sneakers and they are comfy as heck. Plus they come in wides. Good deal.

[snide]

I haven't had an issue with New Balance shoes. Usually able to find 13W either in the store, or through Amazon.

Recently bought a pair of shoes by Merrill. They have Vibram's Arctic Grip sole, which makes walking the dogs easier when it's icy outside. They don't have a wide, so I bought size 14, which works well.

[JRD77VET]

Originally Posted by TxAg

Have Twitter or Facebook? Post this up on their accounts and enjoy the show.

Neither

[04 commemorative]

Never had their work boots but have had many many pairs of running shoes (sneakers) and never had a problem ever. I buy mine online .

[Nox]

Keen, Danner, and Salomon boots for my wide feet.

[WalkerInTN]

Sounds like you bought shoes secondhand & aren't happy with them. Sorry to hear it.

Keep in mind New Balance (or any other shoe company) will sell you 500 pair of shoes if you'll pay for them. Might even give you a deal on them. That won't make you an authorized seller though. You'll see a lot of that on ebay. Could have been old stock. For all you know, those shoes may have been sitting around for the past 3 years drying out.

Either way, I'd write New Balance a letter noting how many days they were worn & the work conditions. I'd let them know that those are the shoes that cost them a lifetime customer. Then box up the shoes & ship them to New Balance with that letter. I would not expect a response, just personal satisfaction.

[stingraymyway]

Try Red Wing. They come in wide sizes.

[Bill]

Originally Posted by JRD77VET

I wear a size 12 4E

They have extra wide?

That's my size. Years ago, I wore Nikes, but the last couple of Nikes literally fell apart within a year, so I started wearing NB. I've been pretty happy with them so far, as far as fit and comfort. I'm due for a new pair of gym shoes, and had flirted with the idea of buying a pair online, but after hearing about your experience, I think I'll just get them at Academy again.

I had a pair of work boots (other brand) literally start falling apart after a few months, and they took them back. They did tell me the policy was 30 days, but could obviously tell it was a manufacturer defect, not abuse.

[Truck Guy]

Never had a problem with New Balance shoes, ever.
I buy Brooks as well.
Having a 16 4E is not the easiest to find good shoes or boots!

[04 commemorative]

Originally Posted by Truck Guy

Never had a problem with New Balance shoes, ever.
I buy Brooks as well.
Having a 16 4E is not the easiest to find good shoes or boots!

Are you Andre the giant ?

[71corv]

Have had and presently wear NB. Sadly to say first couple pairs were fine. The 2 pairs I have now have been nothing but problems. Have a bottle of Gorilla glue that I keep handy to glue the soles back on the shoes. Will move on to another brand.

Gene

[Millenium Vette]

Originally Posted by snide

13W

Damn

Originally Posted by Truck Guy

16 4E

Fukin' A

[JRD77VET]

Originally Posted by Millenium Vette

Damn



Fukin' A

I wear 12 4E and I'm just under 6' tall. Both of them are at least 6" taller