Desciphering Shoe Description
January 27, 2012 11:29 AM Subscribe
I recently read an Ebay description for a pair of shoes in which the soles were described as "in new condition with the black refinished paint on the bottom soles." Does anyone know what this means and/or the consequences of having refinished paint on the soles?
Best answer: Some shoes are painted on the bottom, either to make the sole blend harmoniously with the upper or for special effects (ie, in high end shoes like Berlutis the sole might have a pattern or an unusual color)
I imagine that the soles looked much worse than the upper and the seller repainted them to conceal this. It might not be a big deal, although it seems weird to me - when I buy eBay shoes I always need a clear, high res photo of the soles. It also depends on what the seller used to paint the shoes - I have no idea what cobblers use, but did he use that or did he, like, spray paint them or something? Can you ask what was used?
If these were shoes I liked a lot and the upper looked really good and the seller had a good rep, I'd go ahead - chances are it was just the seller being a bit of an oddball, or else he thought that the shoes were SO new on the uppers that he might as well make the soles look completely new as well. If he has a good rep, that would be my most likely explanation.
posted by Frowner at 12:18 PM on January 27, 2012
I imagine that the soles looked much worse than the upper and the seller repainted them to conceal this. It might not be a big deal, although it seems weird to me - when I buy eBay shoes I always need a clear, high res photo of the soles. It also depends on what the seller used to paint the shoes - I have no idea what cobblers use, but did he use that or did he, like, spray paint them or something? Can you ask what was used?
If these were shoes I liked a lot and the upper looked really good and the seller had a good rep, I'd go ahead - chances are it was just the seller being a bit of an oddball, or else he thought that the shoes were SO new on the uppers that he might as well make the soles look completely new as well. If he has a good rep, that would be my most likely explanation.
posted by Frowner at 12:18 PM on January 27, 2012
Best answer: Stores mark certain sale items to prevent customers from bringing them back and claiming a full price refund ("retail return"). Painting the soles of shoes is quite common--and pretty much unnoticeable to the wearer or to any observer.
posted by yoink at 4:57 PM on January 27, 2012
posted by yoink at 4:57 PM on January 27, 2012
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posted by zhang.chuck at 11:29 AM on January 27, 2012