Are All RM Williams Craftsman Boots Sold from The Iconic Failed Defects?

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THE ICONIC

• 

  Cheaplikethebird on 02/05/2023 - 15:40

  +12

  If I worked in an RM Williams store that would be the sort of bullshit I'd spin to help boost my own sales numbers. I think that's more likely of a story than some random peon sales guy knowing the ins-and-outs of the company's relationships with third-party retailers.

  I'd say The Iconic's free returns policy and the sort of sizing issues that come from buying RM Williams boots online is the reason why you would see a lot of damaged stock when ordering through them.

  • 

    Ltsmash on 02/05/2023 - 15:47

    +3

    I'd agree.

    Unless called out specifically by Iconic that the shoes are defected, if RM Williams were passing on their seconds, grounds to have ACCC stepped in.

    Especially with the price people pay for a pair!

• 

  Unorthodox on 02/05/2023 - 15:45

  I mean given the Iconic has easy returns and RMs have weird sizing, I wouldn't be surprised if you do sometimes get a pair that has been tried on and returned (maybe a few times).

  Maybe just put it down to bad luck and the fact that most online stockists have the same issue.

• 

  zhenjie on 02/05/2023 - 15:46

  No truth. Your problems are relatively minor; that's not to say they aren't problems.

• 

  coffeeinmyveins on 02/05/2023 - 15:59

  +3

  Why would a company which is way more expensive than others and relies on their reputation of producing good products risk all that by selling 'failed' products to the public via other companies?

  That just doesn't make sense, right? Unless it was heavily discounted.

  told me they send defects to the Iconic and they wouldn't exchange it.

  That's true of pretty much anything. You bought it from TI.

• 

  Jimothy Wongingtons on 02/05/2023 - 16:02

  +2

  just return it again

• 

  [Deactivated] on 02/05/2023 - 16:03

  I called one of the RM Williams store about the first pair and they told me they send defects to the Iconic and they wouldn't exchange it.

  I call bs on this

  • 

    [Deactivated] on 02/05/2023 - 16:10

    Admittedly they didn't use the word "defects". I think it was more like "seconds" which is arguably synonymous in the context of $600 boots

    • 

      [Deactivated] on 02/05/2023 - 16:22

      If that was the case and if the boots weren't marked as seconds in the listing then you should relay that conversation to THE ICONIC as I'm sure they would be interested

    • 

      SydStrand on 02/05/2023 - 17:17

      Copy paste their exact words.

      • 

        [Deactivated] on 02/05/2023 - 17:18

        +1

        It's not possible to copy and paste a verbal conversion. I didn't record it and it was a few weeks ago.

• 

  Wiadro on 02/05/2023 - 16:30

  -2

  why do you want these anyway?

• 

  [Deactivated] on 02/05/2023 - 16:59

  +2

  looks like they cut the leather with a butter knife.

  • 

    [Deactivated] on 02/05/2023 - 17:17

    That was my concern too. The leather cuts look very frayed, especially compared to the one i had before.

    I wonder if it was made by a new apprentice…

  • 

    Surefire on 02/05/2023 - 17:26

    That's just the nature of their leather. Thin leathers don't show fibres as much, but thicker leathers do. Variations exist between cows as well.
    All leather uppers are cut by a press machine btw.

    • 

      [Deactivated] on 02/05/2023 - 19:51

      +3

      Then the press head and anvil need to be aligned better. That daggy edge in the first photo is bad enough for a $50 pair of bigw work boots. I’d be pissed if I’d spent $400 on a ‘premium’ product.

• 

  djsweet on 02/05/2023 - 17:13

  +2

  RM Williams seconds are punched through, just below the back tab. There will be two little holes right through.

  I guess it’s possible they are shadow seconds, like how Strawberry farms sell the best berries to expensive veg shops, mid range to supermarkets and the worst to Aldi.

  • 

    [Deactivated] on 02/05/2023 - 17:16

    I guess it’s possible they are shadow seconds

    Yeah that was my interpretation of what they meant too.

• 

  Benoffie on 02/05/2023 - 17:22

  +1

  Seonds from RM dont go anywhere except the factory at Salisbury (and maybe outlet stores).

  If you want proof RM hold onto a stack of their seconds, you should see the annual sale where there are hundreds upon hundreds of seconds (in various levels of concern).

  Ofc, they are priced accordingly.

• 

  Surefire on 02/05/2023 - 17:37

  +3

  1. Honestly OP was overthinking it. They are mass-produced, handmade products from natural materials with random variations and with the goal of being as durable and fixable as possible. They will last for decades if you look after them.

  2. The stitching isn't bad, it won't fray. They were going over and over the end stich to make sure it stays and not unravels itself. If I received them, I'd be happy wearing them, unless you are one of those people who say "I paid hundreds for a product and I demand it to be perfect!"

  Nothing wrong with expecting a product free from cosmetic issues but see point 1.