New Balance plate shoe tear

[gsdesbiens]

Gentlemen!

 

First time caller, long time listener!

 

I ordered the new New Balance plate shoes last July from ump-attire.com. I had the chance to work around 8 games last summer with the new shoes, and loved them!

 

Yesterday, I took the field for my first exhibition plate job, and noticed the tear on top of my shoe after getting off the field.

 

Now I spoke with a rep from New Balance, and they said I should try to contact the original store. I tried to get a hold of ump-attire today, but the phone lines seemed to be jammed. Sent an email and waiting on a reply.

 

As you guys probably guessed, I am pretty saddened to have this happen two weeks before opening day here, and I'm just hoping that I'll be able to have some shoes that aren't torn for the start of the season!

[mstaylor]

What kind of tear?

Sent from my C771 using Tapatalk 2

[mstaylor]

Never mind I see the picture. I have never seen that even after heavy use.

Sent from my C771 using Tapatalk 2

[CentralOhioUmp30]

Had this problem as well.  Used them for maybe 10 games behind the plate and noticed the large tear in the off-season.  Contacted New Balance and they told me they'd send me out a new pair as soon as I returned my old ones.  Process took three weeks.  I'd see if they will ship you out a pair now since you are in season.

[gsdesbiens]

Had this problem as well.  Used them for maybe 10 games behind the plate and noticed the large tear in the off-season.  Contacted New Balance and they told me they'd send me out a new pair as soon as I returned my old ones.  Process took three weeks.  I'd see if they will ship you out a pair now since you are in season.

 

Thanks, but that might take longer for me, as I live in Canada ...

[cyclonehokiece]

Had one tear, after 3 years

[Mike Prince]

(Black) Duct tape time!

 

On a more serious note, if NB doesn't take care of you, U-A will without doubt.  I had a jacket a few years ago that tore on the inside after one game, I forgot about it and emailed them about it months later, they replaced it no questions asked and even paid the shipping both ways.

[WES2006AG]

Had that exact same tear on the right shoe of my NB 460s. Bought them from Amazon last July. I called them at Amazon and they took them back for a full refund.

[CentralOhioUmp30]

Had that exact same tear on the right shoe of my NB 460s. Bought them from Amazon last July. I called them at Amazon and they took them back for a full refund.

My 30 day return window was complete, so Amazon only gave me 20% back. I figured I was screwed, but New Balance provided fantastic customer service. All my footwear for umpiring and even some of my casual and running shoes will be purchased from NB because of my experience.

[WES2006AG]

Had that exact same tear on the right shoe of my NB 460s. Bought them from Amazon last July. I called them at Amazon and they took them back for a full refund.

My 30 day return window was complete, so Amazon only gave me 20% back. I figured I was screwed, but New Balance provided fantastic customer service. All my footwear for umpiring and even some of my casual and running shoes will be purchased from NB because of my experience.

Agreed. NB does have great customer service.

[MidAmUmp]

I had it happen to 3 different pairs of NB plate shoes last year. I kept sending them back, finally gave up and went with the zigs.

[Mike Prince]

Guess I should check my NB for signs of a tear, sounds like this is somewhat common.  Didn't notice anything when I cleaned and polished them a couple days ago, now this has me thinking about it.

[gsdesbiens]

All is right, Ump-Attire stepped up and will most probably replace the shoes once they inspect them. So I am packing them up for shipment as we speak.

 

Seing that I am not the only one with this problem, did anybody either repair or reinforce the leather behind the steel toe?

[cyclonehokiece]

Mine were three years old, time to replace anyway.  However, I am watching my new pair closely.

[CentralOhioUmp30]

Just checked my shoes today.  A tear, this time on my right shoe.  I've done no more than 20 plate games with them.  On hold with New Balance as I type this.  Pissed right now.

[Hawkman]

All is right, Ump-Attire stepped up and will most probably replace the shoes once they inspect them. So I am packing them up for shipment as we speak.

 

Seing that I am not the only one with this problem, did anybody either repair or reinforce the leather behind the steel toe?

 

I've had my NB plate shoes for 4 years and they've held up very well, no issues. Funny thing, I did order some new Reebok Zigs last week because the NB were getting a little worn and I wanted to go to a low cut plate shoe. The right shoe was defective out of the box; the top of the shoe was sewn crooked onto the sole which I noticed as soon as I put it on. Sent it back to ump-attire for exchange but it's going to be a few weeks until I get a replacement because there has evidently been several of them with manufacturers defects so they are on back order, at least in my size (12).

[CentralOhioUmp30]

Just checked my shoes today.  A tear, this time on my right shoe.  I've done no more than 20 plate games with them.  On hold with New Balance as I type this.  Pissed right now.

 

Contacted New Balance and they are sending me out a brand new pair of shoes and they emailed me a pre-paid shipping label to return the defective shoes.  The defect is not a problem safety-wise at the moment (and probably wouldn't be for some time) because it's below the metatarsal plate

 

So I've had a tear on the left shoe and now the right.  That probably means I'm due for a non-defective pair!

 

Again, I am very impressed with the customer service provided by New Balance.  I really like the 460s, so as long as they stand by their product, I'll keep coming back.