Slightly OT - Help me reason this out

This may sound entirely stupid, but just indulge me.

I had brought up a pair of chunky brogues in an earlier thread. These are the shoes I was talking about. I found them on ebay at a reasonably priced low bid. The description seemed promising: "Classic spectator oxfords in rich leather from EURO CLUB, with pinked and perforated detailing. Brogue is very on trend. Classic wing tip formal shoe with brogue detailing throughout. Smooth, dual coloured, leather upper and a simple 5 tie lace up to complete this sharp look. Smart wingtip oxford with two-tone leather uppers . Heart-stitched and perforated detailing; pointed toe; low stacked heel. Traditional leather oxfords with perforated detail all over. I have had these for years, but only wore them a handful of times. Can't remember the last time. You will LOVE them!!! HATE TO LET THEM GO. CLEANING OUT MY CLOSET. MY LOSS IS YOUR GAIN. "

I was hoping to get them for about $30 shipped, which is way more than what I usually pay for used shoes. Also, I wanted an inexpensive, used pair just to see how I could make brogues fit into my wardrobe. I was outbid by about $3 and I realized I was pretty bummed, more than I thought I would be. I couldn't stop thinking about those shoes and they popped up again a few days later since they were apparently too small for the person who bought it. Now that person is selling them for a "buy it now" price of $30 even though I know she paid only $23 for them. For whatever silly reason, I really want these shoes now. But I am unable to reason myself into spending $30 + $8.99 on used shoes. It's not like they are docs or la canadiennes. The description does mention they are leather uppers.

The short version of my question is - is it worth the price? Or should I just save for a new pair perhaps stalking the ones on the market now to go on sale? Has anyone heard of Euro Club? Oh and they were sold by Urban Outfitters.

Thanks for listening to my half vent half question! I know it is only a few dollars more, but a few dollars saved here and there can get me a whole new pair of shoes

16 years ago

garmenta

Active Member

If I remember right, the "buy it now" option on ebay also includes a chance to make an offer. Could you contact the seller with a lower offer? Depending on the seller, that can sometimes clinch the deal. If you really want the shoes, you'll feel better having gotten them at a more reasonable price.

And if you can't get them at a more reasonable price, you can always keep looking. UO has a lot of cute brogues this year which are bound to go on sale later in the season.

Vani

Veteran

Thanks for reading through my clearly haphazard post garmenta!
I did send the seller an email offering $25 + shipping since I know how much it sold for previously. This was yesterday around the same time but I haven't heard back yet.
But you're right, UO does have some real cute brogues out this season.

Maya

Vani, she is probably including what she paid for shipping in the final price. I do the same thing when I resell.

The "make offer" option is voluntary. Buy it now doesn't automatically include it. The seller has to choose whether to accept offers or not.

I base how much I'm willing to spend on how much I love the item. I don't really care if it's used or not, which I know is weird but I'm fine with used clothes. Angie was not pleased with the scuffed soles on the shoes we saw at Beacon's Closet, but they didn't bother me one bit. I don't really care whether I put the wear on them or someone else does--one way or another they end up the same way!

Aah, Maya, Of course! I feel stupid now. And even more so because the seller replied taking me up on the $25 + shipping offer.

I'm like you. The way I rough handle most items, I'm willing to go for something that doesn't look brand new. I guess I was more on the fence about the quality. If it will last me another couple of years and work well in my wardrobe, I don't have many qualms with consignment store level pricing.

JennyK (NC)

I don't think this sounded stupid at all Vani - and I think there is no shame in negotiating. I'm glad you're getting shoes you want at a price you can live with. That's the ultimate goal, right?

I find I do the same thing sometimes too. My grandmother called it "penny wise and pound foolish" and I'm guilty! LOL

I'll stand in the supermarket, agonizing over a few pennies' difference on two brands of soup, but then on the same shopping trip I'll do crazy stuff like buy a $30 bottle of olive oil.

agrace

They are cute shoes and for what it is worth, from what I've seen of your style, they look like 'you' to me. I think if you can't stop thinking about them that means you really like them and in all actuality will really wear them. At least that is the case with me. Since you are only talking about a couple dollars, I would ask myself is it worth losing them again? If they don't work for you, sounds like this seller maybe takes returns? Or you could resell them on ebay?

let us know what you decide to do!

Kate

are you going to get them vani?

I'm a big believer in buying based on price per wear - if you'll wear them a lot then they're worth it!

taylor

If you LOVE them ...they are worth every penny.

hanna

(website)

what did you decide vani?

like maya, i have no qualms with used clothes or shoes, and if it's something you love and will get use out of, i don't see anything wrong with buying them!

hanna, I bought them!! Yay! When it comes down to it it was only $5 less, but still knowing I could have bought it for less kind of stings, so this works for me

It is very rare that I really lust after a pair of shoes or an item of clothing. Knowing that also helps justify the cost in my head

Jenny, I'm having flashbacks to my childhood now LOL! "Penny wise and pound foolish." - my mom used to say that ALL the time! Thanks for understanding. It is funny how I get caught up in something that seems entirely trivial looking back. I am so glad I have you all to talk it out with

agrace, I was honestly not expecting to be as bummed as I was when I lost the auction. And like you said, I could always re-sell on ebay if it they don't work out

Kate, I'm hoping I will be able to get enough wear out of these shoes. Either ways, I know I will have them for a long time because, frankly, I love even just looking at them

Thank you SO much ladies, you have no idea how much it means to me. Sometimes I obsessively mull over the smallest of things, and I never know why I do that. Talking it out with everyone here helps a lot!
I can't wait for the shoes to get here!

yay! post pics, vani! i'm getting so much use out of my brogues -- they really are surprisingly versatile.

I'm so glad we have this forum to mull things out. So many times in 'real life' there isn't anyone to help make these decisions and it really is endlessly helpful to get feedback here. I think you will be very happy with your choice!

Anonymous

I can't wait to see a picture of you in your new brogues Vani. They do look like they will look great on you. Are you going to play with a menswear inspired outfit? I'm excited to see it.

I have a few ideas san and they are mostly menswear inspired My favorites so far: this, this, this and this

All of the models are a lot skinnier than I am so I'm working on figuring out how to make them work for me!

marianne

Vani, I am glad you got it figured out! I hope they'll owrk for you and I can't wait for the pictures. I especially like the bf blazer look.

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