What can I do?? (about custom boots)

[Chanda]

Several years ago I ordered custom Vogels through Calabassas Saddlery. I remember having tons of problems getting them to fit right and we never did. I struggled with them for months to get them right but I finally gave up. I ended up just taking them ‘as is’ because I needed boots.

Now that I am getting ready for a show again I have been trying to wear them. These are the problems that I had then and now.

1.The foot is WAY too small. They are so small that my pinky toes go numb within the first 5 minutes. I have had them stretched MANY times but they are still too small. Always have been always will be.

2. The left ankle is WAY too tight to get my ankles through. I have had it stretched many times but still no good. Always was like this.

3. Both calves are SO tight. The right one is so bad that my leg cramps up in a spazm every time. I have had them stretched so many times that there are stretch marks on them. This has happened from the beginning.

All of these probelms are not something that has changed in me since I bought them. My feet are the same size as well as the size of my arch. My calves are exactly the same size as well.

What can I do?? I just want to cry when I put them on because they are so painful. Can I call the Vogel company or Calabassas? Will they just tell me to kiss off because it has been so long? Help?

[findeight]

Do your boots have gussets? These are elastic inserts in the top of the boot to ease the calf fit. I’m seeing alot of zippers very carefully concealed on the back seam this year at AA shows with major east coast barns exhibiting.I took a close look at one pair and they had elastic on each side of the zipper too. You may need to ask around to see who can do this for you and it obviously will cost but it would be better than dumping another 800 on new customs. BTW I have Vogels and never had a problem. Start with whoever measured you.

[Chanda]

Several years ago I ordered custom Vogels through Calabassas Saddlery. I remember having tons of problems getting them to fit right and we never did. I struggled with them for months to get them right but I finally gave up. I ended up just taking them ‘as is’ because I needed boots.

Now that I am getting ready for a show again I have been trying to wear them. These are the problems that I had then and now.

1.The foot is WAY too small. They are so small that my pinky toes go numb within the first 5 minutes. I have had them stretched MANY times but they are still too small. Always have been always will be.

2. The left ankle is WAY too tight to get my ankles through. I have had it stretched many times but still no good. Always was like this.

3. Both calves are SO tight. The right one is so bad that my leg cramps up in a spazm every time. I have had them stretched so many times that there are stretch marks on them. This has happened from the beginning.

All of these probelms are not something that has changed in me since I bought them. My feet are the same size as well as the size of my arch. My calves are exactly the same size as well.

What can I do?? I just want to cry when I put them on because they are so painful. Can I call the Vogel company or Calabassas? Will they just tell me to kiss off because it has been so long? Help?

[Chanda]

Mine do have gussets and I have ALWAYS wanted zippers!!! I just don’t think there is anyone in my area who can do this. I can’t even begin to imagine where I could go. If I could get the foot stretched and a zipper, I would be in heaven! At least this particular pair is tall enough.

[findeight]

there must be a custom western saddlemaker or custom western bootmaker in Santa Barbara who could do this for you or tell you who can. How about checking with a cop shop? Those chippies out there in tall boots on their motorcycles get theirs somewhere. Bet they have to do some customizing on them. Same thing in that looney bin an hour south of you(of which I am a native). Somebody fits those for actors and extras.

Oh,Ky. clique

[Natalie]

Obviously, you can’t wear your boots in this condition. Even though it’s been a while, I would try and contact Vogel and explain everything that you’ve tried and how poorly the boots fit. They might be able to help you. If not, you could always sell them on consignment and buy new ones.

“Throw your heart over the fence and your horse will follow.”

[Wicky]

Vogel might have your measurements still in their records - or the retailer might. If you go back there, and get remeasured, and you measure the same, then it is clear that the problem was when they were made, and Vogel might accept that argument and work with you. (Am I making myself clear??? If not, let me know and I’ll try again.)

I personally think that you might have gotten the wrong boots - so many problems would be unlikely to be due to measurement mistakes unless the person who measured you was blind!!

Good luck!

[Chanda]

I know I shouldn’t have settled for boots that didn’t fit but at least they were TALL enough! Hehe. I really don’t want to give them up because the height of them is so perfect (and they are finally broken in so nicely, and painfully).

Merry, would this boot guy be willing to add zippers for a poor fool like myself? I think if I can get the foot stretched enough (hopefully I can due to the stitched punched toe cap) and added some zippers I would be pretty happy. They really are beautiful boots and there is no way I could afford to get new ones even if I sold these to some freak with legs as long and skinny as mine. Hehe

[Lord_Helpus]

My guess is that you are SOL. The time to raise a fuss was right at the beginning – and to NOT have accepted them if they could not be made right. Who is to say that you are not a different size now? That will be Vogel’s argument.

Perhaps Calabassas Saddlery will remember you and feel obligated to work with you. But I don’t think that Vogel will feel any obligation after all this time.

But, good luck – let us know if you have any success. I always like to hear stories of companies that stand behind their product. However, if they would not fix things when the boots were new, I doubt it will be easier now.

[snaffles]

Custom boots that don’t fit the intended owner are known as “orphan’s” and are generally sent right back for adjustment or resold as such. The tack shop that measured for your boot’s may be happy to help you out. You must have been really bummed.

KBE

[Merry]

Okay, I sent you some info. Now if I could just get Beezer to order some danged new boots!

[In_The_Gate]

I go to Calabasas Saddlery a lot (they are 5min from where I ride my horse). Call them and ask to talk to Mia. She can help you with fitting the boots, and maybe trying to alter them. However, you said you lived in Santa Bararba, so I’m not sure you’d want to drive all the way out here. I must say though, to be fair to Calabasas Sadd. my Vogel boots (which I’m still in the process of breaking in) seem to fit great. Do you remember who measured you for the boots?

Just in case you don’t still have it, the phone number is :
818-591-0292
Valerie
~VWiles02@yahoo.com~
Valerie’s home page

[hillary]

Chandra,
I second some responses here and tell you to sell these boots. If they are like new, you can likely get a good price. For someone who can wear them, it would be a great deal - new Vogels, discounted, and no wait!

Effingham boots can be customized - you can get them as tall as you want. I paid $60 extra for this. If this is your biggest problem with stock boots, this might be the solution.

[Merry]

Chanda, I’m like you: I absolutely must have custom boots. If you decide to eventually get a new pair, try to arrange to come down to the Del Mar area. I happen to know a semi-custom boot maker that used to work for Vogel. The foot part is stock sizes(you get to try on several for proper size) but from the ankle up it’s all custom measured, including calf length. The leather is very soft (I suggest getting them fully lined). They’re ready in about 6 weeks. They look exactly like Vogels for about 1/2 the price… and they totally stand behind the product. They’ll stretch, remake, whatever until you’re happy.

[Mom]

You can try with the retailer, but, good luck after all this time. Lesson for all: speak up or forever hold your peace!
I’ll give Beval’s a plug - when a custom pair didn’t fit my daughter correctly, presumably because of a measurement problem, they took full responsibility and also paid for the double=rush replacements. Can’t ask for more.

[Cinnybren]

I second Hillary. I’m very tall, 6’, with long thin legs and I got semi-custom Effinghams. They fit perfectly and I’ve had several people ask what kind they are as they fit SO well. Several who have Vogels have kicked themselves when I reply “Effinghams” to their question. I’ve had them for about 4 years and wear them about 4 to 5 days and week and show in them, they are holding up VERY well!

[Spyder]

probably, as Lord Helpus said, SOL.

But the bright side is that you can probably get a pretty good price off eBay for the boots. Check out the boots that are for sale there, measure yours well and put a reserve price on them with a low opening price so that if you don’t meet your reserve you don’t have to pay a lot for having listed them. Also, on eBay, some times of the year are better than others to sell stuff. If they don’t sell right away you can always try at a later date when the market may be better.

You probably won’t recoup your entire investment, but you will certainly sell them faster than if you put them in a consignment situation where you have to give the store 20-30% of the final sale price. Good luck.

[Chanda]

I think it took about a year to get the ones I have now after all of the problems we had. We sent them back numerous times and stretched them numerous times. And like someone mentioned it was a long drive back and forth. I guess I just gave up.

I am REALLY tall and I will never be able to buy anything but fully custom boots, nor will anyone ever be able to buy my boots. They are ridiculously tall and thin. No one other than a feak like me will be able to get them on.

I might just try to get them stretched AGAIN. Unfortunately I live in the middle of nowhere and there are definitely no shoe shops around here that would be able to do something like that. All we have is cows and farms. Looks like more driving for these so called ‘custom’ boots. Isn’t custom supposed to me measured to fit YOU??

[Cactuskate]

Merry, would you mind emailing me that person’s info and location. I have a very old pair of Vogels that are just not going to work, unless of course I have been dead for about three weeks. Maybe he can help, or then again maybe I have to get new ones.

Anyway, zap me some info, and it will greatly appreciated

“The older I get, the better I used to be.”