Posted on 08/11/2006 11:39:55 AM PDT by savedbygrace
I just had a great experience wuth New Balance, the sport shoe manufacturer, and I have to tell you all about it. I'll be brief.
Earlier this afternoon, I was filling my Hot Rod Lincoln with overpriced fuel. The pump failed to automatically shut off when the tank was full, and gasoline spilled out all over the ground and all over my New Balance walking shoes.
The station manager told me that if I needed to pay to have anything cleaned, he'd pay for it. I told him I'd check things out after I got home.
At home, I called the New Balance Customer Relations department and asked if they had any advice as to what I could do to rescue these shoes, and if the gasoline has already damaged them beyond help.
After putting me on hold for a few short moments to get some technical info, she returned to the line and told me it would be pointless to ask me to return the shoes, so she'll just send me a new pair.
I was shocked and dumfounded, but I quickly found my voice to give her my address and phone number.
So, New Balance is giving me a brand new pair of MW811WT walking shoes at no charge to me, for an event that is not their fault. As far as I know, these shoes are still manufactured in the USA. At least the four pair of MW810WT walking shoes I have at the moment are 100% USA products.
Anyway, bottom line: New Balance rocks. Buy lots of shoes from them. ;-)
I've been wearing them FOREVER.
Thanks.
Buy? I don't need to. I can just call and say mine are gasoline soaked! :-)
I sort of dug how New Balance lampooned overblown pro athletes in their ads.
Cool. Thanks for posting this. It might be a good idea for other posters who have good experiences with American companies to post their stories. We tend to focus on the negative a lot, but there's a plus side too.
They manufacture SOME shoes in the U.S. which is more than anybody else. I loved my Clyded Frazier Pumas, but when they wore out, I went with New Balance because they are a well made shoe with enough width available. Also, they make some shoes that don't look like they belong under the big top.
Hmm. Forever? Then, may I suggest..
That's great to know!
When I used to run (in my youth) I always ran in NB's - like running on air.
Exactly. That's why I phrased it the way I did.
Fascinating story. On a similar note, last week I ordered coleslaw from McDonald's and accidently received a container of french fries instead.
I have been wearing them since 1991, great and comfortable running shoes.
Forgot about that. Well, it's not their fault (I hope.)
Shhhhhhhhh.
NB's are nice and it is a good company. They are more like "assembled" in the US, but that's not so bad.
It's a burgandy '87 Town Car with 200k miles.
Perfect timing, I was just thinking that I need to buy new running shoes today. Thanks for posting!
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