Wednesday, December 12, 2007

it's a longshot, but. . .

I'm feeling desperate. This is a trivial desperation, which is the best sort to have, but even trivial notions can bore under one's skin and itch like crazy. So, there are these boots I want to buy. And I can't find them. Less than a month ago, zappos still had them in stock. I did not buy them then because I always hem and haw and second guess myself anytime I consider buying something new. I'd estimate that at least 85% of my wardrobe is thrifted, 10% trickles in from the clearance rack or the unmentionables section of Target, and the remaining 5 are new purchases for things like shoes. Things like my brown dansko clogs I've worn several times a week for over eight years. I like to get my money's worth out of clothes, which is why I can justify spending a hundred bucks on shoes I'll have for a decade, but it doesn't make sense to pay more than goodwill prices for a pair of jeans. So, all that to say, I am lustily attracted to a pair of ridiculously expensive boots. I've been visiting them online occasionally for a couple of months, my cursor always just hovering over the "add to cart" button, but I always guilt myself out of it. Even now, I feel guilty. Devoting this writing space to fancy boots is such a waste of time and words, but, like I said, it's under my skin and it's an irritating distraction. I have an event to attend next week, a holiday party for my husband's work at which I will meet -for the first time- his employer and colleagues. And I want new boots, dangit! But the ones I covet seem to be last season's model and are no longer available anywhere. Have you seen them? Camper Industrials in Brown Leather with Orange Stitching (size 39!). They look a little like this (though this is a child's boot and the grown-up version is slightly different):

camperboots

I emailed zappos and received a quick reply: they are sorry but they no longer carry the colorway I want. I'm quick to notice and mention poor customer service, so I'll be sure to state, for the record, that the zappos customer service rep mentioned that she'd also tried to find them elsewhere online. I appreciate the sincerity from such a big, anonymous online retailer but I'm still awfully bummed that they aren't for sale anywhere. I don't even have a number two choice.

8 comments:

Lisa said...

Darn. That's not good. I have trouble spending a lot on clothing and shoes too. I tried searching around for a good while and I didn't come up with anything either. I thought for sure somebody would have one left over from last season!! But not that I could find either.

Angelina said...

Well now you've made me want them too. Those are super cool!!! I am a boot girl, though no one here would know it because the boots I have right now are not comfortable and I need new ones and balk at spending the money because no matter how good the shoe is, I will destroy it within a year or two.

That being said, all the shoes I buy are expensive shoes. Not because I'm a princess that way. It's because I have foot issues (SUPER wide feet, shooting pains in toe joints, super high arches, and occasional bouts of athlete's foot) so I can't get away with buying cheap shoes. I was so impressed with the shoes Lisa got on E-bay and I've had a little bit of luck with E-bay myself but it's tough to buy shoes for my feet without trying them on.

Anyway, I think you shouldn't feel guilty buying a good pair of boots. Especially if you're a person who can make shoes last ten years. (All shoes, no matter how well made, fall apart on me within two years. Often sooner.)

However, I don't know how to find the ones you love. I'm so sorry.

Lisa said...

I need to have good, expensive shoes, too. That's why it was so fortunate to find the deal on Ebay, I really couldn't pay $125 at that particular time. I could have if I waited a bit, but I decided that I needed new shoes and couldn't wait. I used to wear boots, but my calves have gotten too fat to feel good in them.

Green V-Neck said...

I am so sad for you. You're making me want a pair of boots now. I hope you find yours, or at least a pair that makes you happy.

april. said...

well, it's a little comforting to have sympathy over my elusive boots. i guess i'll just shine up the old clogs. sigh.

sarah jean, said...

hey. this too, is a longshot, but i called two shops here in our little beach town who carry campers...one, O' my sole thinks they *used* to carry that boot. they have other stores down in southern cal...if you have the boot number they can look and see if any of the other stores still have them. o' my soles number is 831.466.3700.
you never know!!! good luck.

Susannah Seefeldt said...

they're back up on zappos!

ketchupgirl

april. said...

ay! i can't believe it! the boots i want are available again. if this were a movie it would mean that 2008 is going to be the best year ever!

thanks for the heads up, S.

Eat More Kale!