really cheap source for Vass shoes

[Guest]

I wrote Schumann in Vienna about Vass Budapesters and this was their reply:

"Thank you for your interest.

We keep Vass style “Budapest” Scotch Grain black, Budapest Last with double leather sole or with Vibram rubber sole on stock.

But at the moment we don’t stock all sizes.

If it has to be produced, it will take about 8 weeks, but without any additional costs

Generally our price for Vass leather sole shoes is € 380,- and for Vibram sole: € 350,-.

I don’t know the exact prices for the shipping to US but I think they will be around € 30 to € 40,- - I will find out and inform you about the correct costs of shipment as soon as possible."

That works out to 500 dollars delivered. Am I missing something here?

[RWS]

. . . . That works out to 500 dollars delivered. Am I missing something here?

Customs. I haven't the tariff tables handy, but the shoes will be dutiable. Additionally, does the price include shoe trees (Vass's are worth purchasing, as they are based on the lasts used in making the shoes)?

Without regard to these considerations, though, these prices do seem exceptional. Thanks for finding them out.

[Guest]

I do not believe trees are included. I thought of duty and even at 550 dollars, they will be a good value. I told the store to send them by regular air mail if possible, since that is never tariffed.

[Guest]

I have placed a photo of the proposed shoes in the photojournal, and I invite remarks.

[Guest]

I take that back, I failed to load it.

[tteplitzmd]

I plan to visit Vass in Budapest on August 15 (my personal London Lounge Tour-Part 3)
and will report back on pricing. I discussed duties with the Vass rep in NYC this spring, and I think there may be some latidude in the duty levied. This is highly variable based on several factors in my experience.

[Guest]

Okay, I got the shoes, after nearly 1 month, don't ask and I won't either. No duty, as I expected: if items are sent regular post (as opposed to one of the courier services), they are never dutied. Total cost, 504 dollars, no trees, for the Budapest in Scotch grain. I have never been into the magical properties of particular shoe trees, and a pair of Woodlores from Bennies costs 16 dollars plus delivery. I like the shoes a lot, separate from the quality, because of the Scotch grain, which has a very full texture.

By the way, I know the shoe meisters will freak out, but I still do not think wood shoe trees extend the life of shoes one bit. I am replacing all my plastic shoe trees with cedar ones from Woodlore, but not because of absorption or anything like that, because of the adjuster section which in plastic trees is very fragile and breaks frequently. I bet that the most critical factor in extending shoe life (besides ordinary care and having an adequate rotation) is ambient humidity, I bet Floridians have problems for example if their homes (or more importantly their closets) are not well ventilated.

[dopey]

I am glad your shoes finally arrived and that you like them. I have been very happy with the Vass shoes I have.

Best regards

[Guest]

I just want to add a note about my experience with Schumann. The owner is a very nice fellow and he has a huge selection of Vass shoes at rock bottom prices. He even special orders them. He explained to me that his prices are the same as Vass in Budapest because of their geographic proximity, apparently cognescenti would just drive to Budapest if his shoes were too expensive. The connection between Austrian post and USA is not as smooth as with UK post, but if you have shoes sent via regular mail (any method), they are very unlikely to be dutied. So is my experience.

[dan328]

How can one contact Schumann?

Regards,

dan

[Guest]

http://www.schuhmann.co.at/index.html

[Guest]

I just want to add a few words about the VAT. The prices that Schumann charges are with VAT. He is not allowed to deduct it in the Austrian system. I know that England and France have well-oiled systems of deducting VAT's for export, but I am not sure this is the case everywhere.

[dan328]

Bresch, thank you for the link.

dan

[tteplitzmd]

I am now caught up in a kind of Kafka-esque, or should I say Kertesz-esque email correspondence with Eva Vass, regarding 25% VAT for export goods. The current delivery would almost certainly result in both VAT and US duty be levied. I am not familiar with Hungarian commercial codes, but I know of no other country with VAT mandated for export goods. I would be curious to know if any LLoungers know anything about this. caveat emptor

[Guest]

Terry, can you post Eva Vass's email and her web site, if she has one? I already have the USA Vass web site.