- Forum Clout
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I own a very low key shoe store on North Ave here in Milwaukee, specializing in bespoke shoes and boots along with various leather goods. I use English traditional boot craftsmanship passed down through 7 generations, all my items come with personalised lasts and premium European hides. I take fittings and give estimates over the phone and take appointments for later in the week.
My usual clients are all from word of mouth, I have made one of a kind footwear, belts, braces and jackets for some of the richest people in the world including several members of the Saudi royal family, two US Presidents and a prime minister. Due to the specialised expertise and the labour intensive process coupled with the extremely high quality of materials, a pair of boots or shoes will cost on average around $6800.
So around 7 hours ago I was completely shocked to have Pat come by my store. Not only was it odd because it was someone I make fun of all the time but my store has no outside advertising or branding and is only visible through a small glass panel in the door to allow some natural light into the place.
He introduced himself and I told him how shocked I was and how I see on Twitter all the time. He was really friendly and said thank you for the compliments. He told me he had seen the store through the glass panel before and has looked through on occasion and has seen my apprentice working on some items and had decided to stop in next time he was in the area.
I explained to him what we were and what my services were about. He talked about how he is sick of wearing cheap shoes and would be interested in getting some custom made street boots, similar in style to Dr Martens or Red Wing work boots. At first I explained to him the high quality and price of having bespoke boots created and he might be better off going for something else, but was rather persistent and asked to look through my customer portfolio which I brought over for him to look at.
He took a liking to a pair of commando soled seven eye leather boot I dubbed "The Grunts" which I made for Steve McQueen around 25 years ago. I told him the boots were made from sharkskin leather and were one of the most expensive items I had ever made with the materials alone costing well over $6000. He asked about having me use a similar last to the one I used to create the same profile, but with a different hide, dropping two eyes and shortening the cuffage along with using a more common material for the sole to drop the cost. Eventually I took his measurements and a $1500 deposit and sketched a quick draft of what I had in mind which he told me he loved. He then left me his number and personal email.
So this is where things get weird. This afternoon I got an email from him telling me he was going to come and pay me in full tonight and wanted the order fulfilled within 2 weeks. I told him he would have to wait at least 4 months as I had stated when we met, due to demand and backorders and the fact I was awaiting my new order of hides and the special composite I use to make my outsoles.
He came back down to my store with Nikki and said he wanted his money back with a tone and attitude that seemed combative and hostile. I told him there was no problem with him having his deposit back and that I really only accepted his request because it would be a good story. I gave him his cash back and apologised for any misunderstanding and quipped that I hoped he would give me a plug on the Twitter, meaning to be ironic because obviously getting a plug on his socials would be no use to a bespoke craftsman operating in such a niche market.
Without any trace of a smile he said "don't count on it, child" and turned with Nikki and walked straight out the door. I sent him a text about 20 minutes ago saying:
“Hey Patrick I just wanted to make sure I didn't do anything to offend you, it seemed kind of tense back there. I did explain to you at our initial meeting that there would be a considerable waiting period for any orders placed.”
He replied like half a second after with this:
You are going to prison, stlaker.
You are mentally ill, stlaker.
You have been instructed, many
thousands of times, to cease
contacting this phone number.
Continuing to do so constitutes
felony telephone harassment.
Do not contact this number
again.
Today has been really strange and I am kind of bummed he treated me like shit and am just amazed by the whole situation. Hope he talks about it on Twitter to see what on earth he thought was going on.
My usual clients are all from word of mouth, I have made one of a kind footwear, belts, braces and jackets for some of the richest people in the world including several members of the Saudi royal family, two US Presidents and a prime minister. Due to the specialised expertise and the labour intensive process coupled with the extremely high quality of materials, a pair of boots or shoes will cost on average around $6800.
So around 7 hours ago I was completely shocked to have Pat come by my store. Not only was it odd because it was someone I make fun of all the time but my store has no outside advertising or branding and is only visible through a small glass panel in the door to allow some natural light into the place.
He introduced himself and I told him how shocked I was and how I see on Twitter all the time. He was really friendly and said thank you for the compliments. He told me he had seen the store through the glass panel before and has looked through on occasion and has seen my apprentice working on some items and had decided to stop in next time he was in the area.
I explained to him what we were and what my services were about. He talked about how he is sick of wearing cheap shoes and would be interested in getting some custom made street boots, similar in style to Dr Martens or Red Wing work boots. At first I explained to him the high quality and price of having bespoke boots created and he might be better off going for something else, but was rather persistent and asked to look through my customer portfolio which I brought over for him to look at.
He took a liking to a pair of commando soled seven eye leather boot I dubbed "The Grunts" which I made for Steve McQueen around 25 years ago. I told him the boots were made from sharkskin leather and were one of the most expensive items I had ever made with the materials alone costing well over $6000. He asked about having me use a similar last to the one I used to create the same profile, but with a different hide, dropping two eyes and shortening the cuffage along with using a more common material for the sole to drop the cost. Eventually I took his measurements and a $1500 deposit and sketched a quick draft of what I had in mind which he told me he loved. He then left me his number and personal email.
So this is where things get weird. This afternoon I got an email from him telling me he was going to come and pay me in full tonight and wanted the order fulfilled within 2 weeks. I told him he would have to wait at least 4 months as I had stated when we met, due to demand and backorders and the fact I was awaiting my new order of hides and the special composite I use to make my outsoles.
He came back down to my store with Nikki and said he wanted his money back with a tone and attitude that seemed combative and hostile. I told him there was no problem with him having his deposit back and that I really only accepted his request because it would be a good story. I gave him his cash back and apologised for any misunderstanding and quipped that I hoped he would give me a plug on the Twitter, meaning to be ironic because obviously getting a plug on his socials would be no use to a bespoke craftsman operating in such a niche market.
Without any trace of a smile he said "don't count on it, child" and turned with Nikki and walked straight out the door. I sent him a text about 20 minutes ago saying:
“Hey Patrick I just wanted to make sure I didn't do anything to offend you, it seemed kind of tense back there. I did explain to you at our initial meeting that there would be a considerable waiting period for any orders placed.”
He replied like half a second after with this:
You are going to prison, stlaker.
You are mentally ill, stlaker.
You have been instructed, many
thousands of times, to cease
contacting this phone number.
Continuing to do so constitutes
felony telephone harassment.
Do not contact this number
again.
Today has been really strange and I am kind of bummed he treated me like shit and am just amazed by the whole situation. Hope he talks about it on Twitter to see what on earth he thought was going on.
