Problems with Klingbeil order

[Hanca]

I think that is part of the reason why Edea skates are catching on to well even at the lower levels.  They are more durable and cheaper than top end customs by a rather wide margin.

The problem with Edea is that they make them only on one width.    I really like how Edea look, but the boots just doesn't fit me in the toe area, it is too narrow for me.

[Hanca]

But still, that pricing model is not in place now.. that was my point.

And you can in fact order any option you want in a stock boot, whether it's from Harlick, or SP teri, or Jackson, or even Riedell - I know because I've done it (or inquired about it), and not just with Jackson.  Most boot makers are more than happy to accomodate most extra options for stock boots - but it used to be that after adding more than a couple it just made sense to go with customs because many of those options were included for free... all I was saying is that isn't necessarily the case any more because the pricing isn't the same.

I agree. I can't speak for Harlick's, but Klingbeil boots used to be cheaper and actually made according to what you have ordered. Now you pay much more for Klingbeil boots and they make your 'dance' boots so high that you have no chance of pointing toes! It seems to me that Klingbeil is now only about money. As soon as you part with the money, they stop caring about what to give you. Anything will do. For example, I paid  $35 for Roll top and cut down back, and also paid additional $50 for dance backstay. The result of their effort is that I have pretty high 'dance' boots - they are only about 1/2 inch lower at the back than my Klingbeil freeskating boots and they don't have the dance backstay. So I paid $85 for 1/2 inch of reduction the height of the boots at the back? 

[Nate]

Klingbeil charged me like $20 for Flex Notches in my boots and this was before they sold out, so they've been charging for some extras on stock boots for a while.  I think tongue lace bars were free, though every time I asked for them they never put them in and instead wanted me to send the skates in later to get them put on for free, which basically made them cost something like 60+ bucks because you have to pay shipping both ways.

My personal favorite is if you lose your insoles (the cheap piece of leather) they charge you something like $40 for a replacement pair.  I almost asphyxiated when they told me this (over the phone) and ran to the skate tech and bought some cheap Reidell insoles for $13.

[Robin]

I just got my brand new pair of custom Klingbeils--my second pair. I have only had the best of luck with them, even at the new location. Then again, I go right to their place in New York to get fitted. I will need to go back for a minor adjustment, but I don't consider that a complaint. I imagine that getting any kind of custom boot done from a distance has the potential to be problematic.

[Hanca]

I just got my brand new pair of custom Klingbeils--my second pair. I have only had the best of luck with them, even at the new location. Then again, I go right to their place in New York to get fitted. I will need to go back for a minor adjustment, but I don't consider that a complaint. I imagine that getting any kind of custom boot done from a distance has the potential to be problematic.

That's the difference, Robin, that if something is not right with the boots they made for you, you just leave the boots there and ask them to correct it. For me sending the boots back cost in total nearly £200 (postage and then import tax/custom duty because they marked it incorrectly and I paid the tax and duty for the boots second time). And they still did not correct it. I can't believe that I have such  expensive  but completely useless pair of skating boots. I haven't worn them on the ice yet - not good if they don't allow the toe point. I might as well stay in my freeskating boots.