Der Dau Alterations?

[avocado48]

Hi all, long time reader, first time poster.

I have a pair of lovely custom Der Dau’s I bought about 7 years ago. I’ve since lost about 25-30 pounds, and the boots are now a little too big everywhere (and a lot too big in the ankle). They don’t look totally ridiculous, but I’d really like to get them altered so that they fit like a glove again. Since I don’t show during the winter (no budget for Florida), I think now is the time to do it.

I see on Der Dau’s website that they will take in the top/calf and ankle/throat as part of alterations. Does anyone have experience sending boots away for alterations? Were you satisfied with the results? Did you take new measurements or just send them the pictures of you in the boots?

It will cost me a couple hundred dollars to get them altered, so I want to get some more information on how that experience will be before I commit to it. Otherwise that money could go towards a new pair of boots.

Thanks in advance for any input!

[ecileh]

I would actually talk (via email or phone) with someone at Der Dau before making the decision. I had a conversation with them last spring about my custom dress boots, which needed to be altered due to a broken leg and hardware on my part and they were pretty unwilling to work with me on it. Not as “simple” an alteration as taking things in like yours would be, but I was very disappointed in their response and, ultimately, will never use them again.

Point being–if you talk to them, you can get details and ask questions that are not options if you don’t.

[DarkBayUnicorn]

I had my custom Der Dau field boots refurbished a couple of years back (mainly repairs), but was able to show up to meet a rep while wearing them at indoors. I got them back about three weeks later looking as good as new, but they need the same repairs again now. Not sure if I’ll bother to send them to NYC again or take them to a local boot maker.

[BAC]

Have you considered Beval’s? They still list their workshop repairs on their website, $96 for taking in a pair of boots. At one time they were well known for their excellent repairs and alterations, I am not sure if that is still the case since the closing of some of their stores. Also, you asked if a picture would be sufficient for the repairs to be done, but I doubt that would be possible, most likely if you want a true custom fit you would need to be re-measured.

[Madison]

Der Dau’s customer service can be pretty hit or miss these days - when they made my custom boots wrong, and then damaged them in the process of trying to cut them down to fit me, I had to fight with them for 6 months to get them to remake them to my correct measurements (they weren’t even close the first time). So, I would definitely talk to them in detail about what needs to be done before I’d feel comfortable even considering letting them do it. And I would consider confirming by email what your conversation was and what they are supposed to do.

[avocado48]

Thank you all for your advice. Sounds like I’ll start with a call to Der Dau and feel out their process. @BAC , Beval is a fantastic idea. It looks like the workshop price is about the same as Der Dau, and I like that I could go in in person to talk to them about it (if only the New Canaan store still existed, that would be even easier). Der Dau asks that you send them pictures of you wearing the boots in with the alteration form but doesn’t say anything about measurements, which I found strange. I’ll ask them about it when I call.