The customer service people, pre-purchase, were quick to inform me of the potential delay in shipping, even as it is stated very clearly on the listing page, but was kind of them to want to not only make sure I was aware, but in offering me the opportunity to change or cancel my order because of it.
Several follow up emails were provide as the order, which actually ended up being shipped out quite quickly, progressed through the fulfillment and shipping process, along with the out for delivery, and delivered ones. So overall highly communicative throughout, much more so than bigger online companies like Amazon and Wally’s.
Sadly, the only negatives I’ve experienced from this purchase is with the actual product. Not having purchased new Tony Lama’s for an extended period of time, I was unaware that they had made the switch from the original Lama patterns over to all Justin patterns, making them a narrower and shallower fitment, as having worn boots for over 60 years I know Justin’s only fit me in the rare unicorn half sizes, so instead of a Tony Lama 13D, in Justin only 12 1/2 E will fit, but they are awfully hard to find.
I also did not expect to find it without a shank support, that nailed in section under the arch of the foot, between the heel and sole, that relieves the strain, provides needed support, and aids in stabilizing the foot given that the it is not flat foot wear - is the difference between comfortable forget I have on boots for hours, and without it becomes more of an awkwardly designed shoe, as even good pair of work boots have a shank to support the arch, and helps justify the higher cost. - but these are flat from toe to heel, with welded stitching, no nails, no raised support….just a cheap shoe sole that truly was not in anyway expected as they only offer one side view of the boot, not showing off the top or bottom as some of the others do.
Given that I cannot claim they are not what was ordered, as they are labeled Tony Lama, given that they are in fact black boots -in name only-, and are stamped size 13D, which was what I had asked for - stupidly did not thinking to ask if the manufacturer had done away with everything that was Tony Lama except for the name, and given that The Western Company isn’t responsible for the changed manufacturing of the Tony Lama product line, or the loss of them not using a shank to support the foot and extend the life of the boot, and that they quickly got them shipped out - I cannot expect them to allow their return, even though they are completely unwearable by me.
Star Rating:
0 Stars for the not really boots, not Tony Lama quality or sizing
5+ Stars for The Western Company, on their order notification customer service, and for sending out exactly what was ordered, as even though it is a factory misleading product, they had no control over that.
- You can confidently make purchases from The Western Company, they are an exemplary business.
- Unless you want to pay more for a lessor product, you may want to avoid purchasing Tony Lama boots from any source.
