I have been meaning to get a couple of Alden Shell Cordovan shoes repaired. I have read about both the Alden Restoration program and the B. Nelson shoe repair in New York so I decided I was going to give them both a try and have a little side-by-side comparison, if you will.
So I went to the Aldenshop website and ordered a pre-paid priority package as well as going to the B. Nelson website and ordering one from them as well.
Here are the two bags side-by-side.
The front of the B. Nelson bag.
This is a Straight Tip Blucher Oxford in Mahogany Shell Cordovan. I decided that these shoes were going back to Alden.
The next pair is a Norwegian Split Toe in Black Shell Cordovan. This pair is going to B.Nelson. The only reason I decided to send these to B. Nelson is that these are the shoes they picture in their advertisement.
Here are the two bags set to go out. I placed them in their Alden Flannel bags for extra protection.
They were both mailed out today.
B.Nelson indicates approximately a 2 week turnaround.
Alden suggests a 6-10 week turnaround.
Both shoes will receive the full treatment. New heels, refill the cork lining, new padded insoles (if necessary). Let's see if either company thinks its necessary. I think both require new insoles. New laces, the NST need some re-stitching (let's see if B. Nelson notices it).
I ordered the Joh. Redenbach soles from B. Nelson which costs $35.00 more than their standard resoling price.
The price for the B. Nelson repair is $125.00
The price for the Alden repair is $159.00
Now all I have to do is wait... Let's see how it goes.
So I went to the Aldenshop website and ordered a pre-paid priority package as well as going to the B. Nelson website and ordering one from them as well.
Here are the two bags side-by-side.
The front of the B. Nelson bag.
This is a Straight Tip Blucher Oxford in Mahogany Shell Cordovan. I decided that these shoes were going back to Alden.
The next pair is a Norwegian Split Toe in Black Shell Cordovan. This pair is going to B.Nelson. The only reason I decided to send these to B. Nelson is that these are the shoes they picture in their advertisement.
Here are the two bags set to go out. I placed them in their Alden Flannel bags for extra protection.
They were both mailed out today.
B.Nelson indicates approximately a 2 week turnaround.
Alden suggests a 6-10 week turnaround.
Both shoes will receive the full treatment. New heels, refill the cork lining, new padded insoles (if necessary). Let's see if either company thinks its necessary. I think both require new insoles. New laces, the NST need some re-stitching (let's see if B. Nelson notices it).
I ordered the Joh. Redenbach soles from B. Nelson which costs $35.00 more than their standard resoling price.
The price for the B. Nelson repair is $125.00
The price for the Alden repair is $159.00
Now all I have to do is wait... Let's see how it goes.
Last edited by a moderator: