Blahg Post Ethiopian Shoes

[Doug H.]

Who else digs the Ethiopian shoes that Grant posted about? I may just order a pair!

Doug

[iamkeith]

Me! A lot. I like some of the models even better than the ones Grant got, and might looking at some. I have the same ultra-wide foot issue, so if these are indeed wider than most... bonus.

[Tim]

It seems like the only choice for those in this group would be the "range RIDIN" line, in the lace ups.

[masmojo]

Heads up, because if you follow the link in the Blugh the selection of shoes is limited, but if you go to the home page, then to Men's ( or women's) shoes the selection is greater.
I'll tell you, this is not the kind of thing I normally would entertain, but I REALLY liked some of the designs so I closed my eyes & pushed the button on some purple "Runners"
👍

[Marc Nolte]

And I ordered the Urban Runner in cherry red to commute to work on my ‘07 Wilbury.

Marc in Calgary Alberta

> On Jul 23, 2018, at 7:22 PM, masmojo <mas...@sbcglobal.net> wrote:
>
> Heads up, because if you follow the link in the Blugh the selection of shoes is limited, but if you go to the home page, then to Men's ( or women's) shoes the selection is greater.
> I'll tell you, this is not the kind of thing I normally would entertain, but I REALLY liked some of the designs so I closed my eyes & pushed the button on some purple "Runners"
> 👍
>

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[Luke]

I'm sticking with my '04 Riv recommended Vitruvians :) :) :) 

[Jon Dukeman,central Colorado]

Do they come in narrow widths?? Sounds like I'd be swiming in them.
I like to get a pair.
Jon

[Jon Dukeman,central Colorado]

I just ordered a pair to be made from my sketches made on their patterns.I emailed the sketches to Bethlehem and she added them to the order.
Very helpfully.
Jon

[masmojo]

Not sure if anybody noticed, but they have a store in the Valley Fair Mall in Santa Clara.

[Ash]

The last week I had an errand close by and went into Valley Fair to see Sole Rebels.  They are not there anymore.

Came back home and ordered a pair of runAROUND FREEDOM 4 Mustard Yellow :)

[masmojo]

Bummer

[Ash]

Has anyone received their shoes?

I placed the order on July 30th.  Still no shipment, no emails from this company...

[Jon Dukeman]

Nope!!! I ordered on July 27 mid August I contacted Bethlehem and she said they were finishing up and would email me when they we shipped. I haven't heard from her since.

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[masmojo]

No word on mine either! I find it hard to conceive that RBW readers could or would overwhelm their production capabilities?

[masmojo]

Their confirmation did state 8 weeks to produce, so getting close to that now for me. Then a week or so? To ship.

[Ash]

Here's what my confirmation said:

Every shoe we make is made to order from scratch. This includes all fabrics which we spin and weave ourselves, leathers and trims! That takes a bit of time so please allow us 10-12 days to make your shoes and up to another 3-5 days to deliver them. And please know that we always strive to beat these timelines and often do!

 I'm starting to get anxious because the expectation was that it will take 17 days or less.  It is past 50 days :(

[Jay LePree]

Hi all,
Mine did not arrive, but I am thinking maybe there was a typo, instead of 10 to 12 days, they meant weeks. 10 to 12 days seemed fast if they made the shoes from scratch.
Jay
Demarest, NJ

[Jon Dukeman]

It would be nice if they contacted us.

21 August was told they were finishing up my shoes and would email with ship date.

Nothing

[Justin, Oakland]

Have you emailed them and asked for an update?

-J

[Jon Dukeman,central Colorado]

We are either hoping we get an email of a shipment tomorrow or we are afraid to ask because it might be another month before it ships.

[Ash]

Finally heard back.  They said it will ship 'soon', but no ETA in the email.  I'm in no rush.  Glad that they replied back.

[Jon Dukeman]

Ash

Did you initiate the email?

Jon

--

[Justin, Oakland]

Not speaking for Ash but if you want info, ask for info.

-Justin

[Jon Dukeman]

Justin

Is that meant for me?

On Thu, Sep 20, 2018, 4:05 PM Justin, Oakland <justin...@gmail.com> wrote:

Not speaking for Ash but if you want info, ask for info.

-Justin

[Ash]

Yes.  I had emailed them.

[Justin, Oakland]

Yup. I just think it’s only fair to email and ask for information if you want it.

-J

[Jon Dukeman]

Thanks Ash

It's been 8 weeks since I ordered.

3 weeks after I ordered she said they were being completed and would be shipping soon and she would let me know when they ship.

Haven't heard from her since

Jon

[Jon Dukeman]

[Jon Dukeman]

Justin

I did. And obviously I wasn't told the truth and wasn't informed it would be 5 more weeks.

I have been more than patient.

Jon

On Thu, Sep 20, 2018, 4:37 PM Justin, Oakland <justin...@gmail.com> wrote:

Yup. I just think it’s only fair to email and ask for information if you want it.

-J

[masmojo]

I contacted them about my order and I recieved a very nice reply; the "orders" dept was copied in & asked to give me a status & tracking number, but I've yet to hear anything.
It's been two months and although I don't characterize myself as a suspicious or paranoid person, I am starting to think there's a problem. I suspect that there's likely a disconnect between the web site/ management & production in Ethiopia.
I certainly hope I am wrong, but they've got a week or so, before I follow up with my credit card company.

[Doug Hansford]

Does anyone know whether GP received his order?
Doug

Sent from my iPhone

[Gary]

I have a similar story. I ordered my shoes on July 27 and inquired last week as well. I received the exact same nice reply. Since then I've not heard back from the "order team" and no shoes have arrived.

[Jon Dukeman,central Colorado]

I will be calling my credit card company October 1st if I have not received my shoes. I think people feel sorry for the people of this country and let them slide when they don't meet advertised deadline.

If this had been an American company I would of retrieved my money long ago and turned them into the BBB..

I wonder how many customers say "Its okay they can keep my $85."

E-mail sent today to Bethlehem. CEO , Sol Rebels shoes

Bethlehem,

You advertise shoes will be completed  around 17 days.

My order was placed over 8 weeks ago,July 27th

In an e-mail August 21st you said my shoes were being completed and you would be giving me a delivery conformation soon.

Its Sept 24th and I have not heard from you.

Please give me a status update and a  date my shoes will ship.

Best regards,

Jon Dukeman

[Jon Dukeman,central Colorado]

Quick response from SoleRebels shoes.

URGENT--TIRUYE PLS RESOLVE 

Jon  this will be resolved and you will be advised of the ship details immediately. My sincerest apologies for the added delay.

very best regards ,

bethlehem tilahun alemu

founder & c.e.o  ,  soleRebels footwear

[Doug H.]

This is a request for Grant to follow up his Blahg post about the status of his order. We need to know if this is a legitimate company. The products seem wonderful and many folks like to support emerging markets but only if the business is above board. Thanks.
Doug

[Eamon Nordquist]

Doug, this group is about Rivendell bikes, but not run by them. Try emailing or calling them.

Eamon

[Doug H.]

My apologies Eamon. I misunderstood that you probably meant for me to call Riv. That’s good advice.

[Ash]

Later I sent another email pressing for an ETA.  I got a quick/reasonable reply.  It said they will ship this week.  

If it takes another 8 weeks I'll still hold off talking to the credit card bank, as long as I have communication from SR.  The reason I placed this order in the first place was to support something good like this taking place in the African continent. Having run a small business for a short time in past life, I can relate to the struggle they might be going through.  Having initial success is hard. Scaling the business is a lot harder.  Intention vs ability.. if it is the later, I have tremendous patience.  If I ever smell the other, as John Dryden said "Beware the fury of a patient man"!

All said and done, if the shoe turns out to be of decent quality, I'll certain to keep SoleRebels in my (very short) list of shoe brand for future needs.  What I want to order for my wife in already in the shopping cart at SR.  It is a rather nice one!

[Eamon Nordquist]

Yes, Doug, I only meant that this discussion group is not a direct line to RBW, and that any message to them should go directly to them. They obviously read SOME posts here, but they don’t host or moderate this group.

Eamon

[Jon Dukeman,central Colorado]

My shoes are shipping October 13th.

I'm very happy that I didn't have to call the credit card company.

[Ash]

My shoes have been shipped!

Whooohoo!!

[Doug H.]

Good deal! I think we in a highly advanced free enterprise capitalist country may have somewhat unrealistic expectations of businesses. Next day air, two day free shipping, orders shipped same day. For an up and coming economy and business the extra time is probably a minor inconvenience that is to be expected. I look forward to hearing what folks think about their new shoes.
Doug

[masmojo]

I just emailed them again, asking for status and so far nothing!

[masmojo]

They got back to me with a ship date of the 13th & a tracking number; which basically to me means they hadn't even started them yet, as that was on the 2nd or 3rd.
So, I'm still in wait & see mode. I'll see if I get anything on the 13th & then on about the 18th if not received I'll be in touch with the credit card company.

[Doug H.]

Per the latest Blahg post Grant received his shoes after a lengthy wait. Patience is a virtue, right? I hope you’ll receive your shoes and be happy with them. I look forward to some reviews.
Doug

[Jay LePree]

Hi all:

My shoes are due to ship October 10.  I truly believe that there was a typo in order receipt notification.  The 10 to 12 days was meant to say 10 to 12 weeks.  If they are making the shoes from the basics, including spinning the material to create them, 10 to 12 days seems unrealistic.  Looking at the time frames of delivery, 10 to 12 weeks seems more realistic.  I hope everyone enjoys their shoes.  

Jay "Shoe man" LePree

Demarest, NJ

[masmojo]

Got mine 11+ weeks.

[Ash]

 I truly believe that there was a typo in order receipt notification.  The 10 to 12 days was meant to say 10 to 12 weeks.  If they are making the shoes from the basics, including spinning the material to create them, 10 to 12 days seems unrealistic.

Good points Jay.  Thanks for that perspective.  

 

I got mine yesterday (pictures attached, also featuring MUSA pants and MIT Atlantis). 

Rather good shoes!  They look VERY handmade.  After opening the package the whole house had a smell of Addis Ababa for next 10 hours!  Or may be it was the only-five-six-days-old shoe goo ;)  

Two shoes are slightly asymmetrical. Does not affect the comfort/fit in any way. Others won't notice.  To me the this and a few minor imperfections make them kind of cool and unique!  

Typically I don't find shoes not wide enough.  Seems like SR folks paid attention to my notes and made them roomier. I quite appreciate it.    I wore it to work, went for a 6 mile ride afterwards and overall, these will likely become my primary footwear.  

[Ed Carolipio]

Thanks for sharing, Ash.

I just checked, and I'm on week 10. So you all are saying there's a chance...

--Ed C.

[Justin, Oakland]

Those look nice. Summer shoe perfect actually.

-J

[Ed Carolipio]

Adding another data point: I got mine today (10/24) after ordering on 7/31, which gives credence to the 10-12 weeks-rather-than-days theory.

I got an UrbanRunner in my typical size. I usually wear "W" or "E" and these fit fine so maybe not meant for those with narrower feet. Very cushy out of the box - doesn't feel like it needs a break in period - and definitely has lots of personality for a casual shoe. The rubber band laces are weird, though, so I'll probably swap those out for traditional laces.

--Ed C.

[Ash]

Congrats Ed!  

Pics?

Lace is the only nitpick I had with my shoes. Replaced them the second day.

[Jonathan Gutoff]

Another data point. Without having read the posts on this topic, I ordered a pair on May 9 of this year, 2019, at which time the website listed time to fulfillment as 20 working days plus extra time for shipping. The website now gives the time to fulfillment as six weeks  -- Ii may be that the original 12 days was not a typo, but, like the 20 working days and six weeks, an overly optomistic goal.

In response to a message from me, on June 19 I got the following:

"Jonathan many thanks for your followup and  please accept my apologies for the  delay - we have been extra busy these days. Your order is  being completed and you will soon get a shipment confirmation with tracking information from the order team.    

Thanks again for your business [ and your added  patience] . We are excited to get your soleRebels to you and onto your feet.

very best regards ,

bethlehem tilahun alemu

founder & c.e.o  ,  soleRebels footwear"

I heard nothing for several weeks. On July 10, in response to another message from me I got a email that said:

"Dear Jonathan,

Your order will ship Wednesday, July 24, 2019 Via FedEx Express AWB# 811320214218 and from shipping day it takes four working days to deliver.  

Our apologies for the delay.

--

very best

Tirunesh Girma"

As of today, the order is still listed as unfulfilled and FedEx tracking has no information on the wabill number I was provided. I sent a message last night.

[Jon Dukeman]

Keep after them. I finally got mine after hearing the same excuses.

They didn't fit so I took them to Goodwill.

Hope you have better luck.

I learned my lesson. 

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[Jonathan Gutoff]

They finally arrived after 13 weeks and, having worn them for about and hour, I think they're pretty comfortable and they seem well made. If  the company were more realistic about there delivery time  -- it was posted as 20 working days plus shipping when I ordered, and when last I looked it was up to six weeks-- or more forthright in its communciation I'd be happy.  If, given the work load they have, it takes three months to get an order fulfilled that's what it takes, but SoleRebels should tell whoever it is planning on ordering their shoes, or who has ordered them, what's going on.

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