Kreosote Boots

[El Marro]

I wont speak for what Gabbard is actually thinking or trying to accomplish here.....but its totally the growth objective. MYG Handmade Kreosotes name before the name change was super small. With a few fans and hardcore boot guys mentioning him. Then he changed up the branding and around the same time Carl Murawski got a pair of Nail Shanks and did a video on them...boom explosive growth for a tiny 2 person shop. Its him and his wife does some clothes they sell now and then. Its not sustainable. How many jacket, boot, denim shops start, get hype disappeear, rebrand, close, move, or do a big change up. I live in Buffalo NY. I look at Parkhurst boots. I know the owner Andrew he worked with a small master cobbler here for a few years. Learning about shoe repair, started a brand made in Western New York. I bought two pairs from him at a pop-up. Eventually sold them they were just a bit too big not bad quality. As he grew the place that were assembling them could not keep up with production. His old marketing was all made in the USA made just outside of Buffalo his hometown. Now some are made in Mexico I believe, and most in Spain. Now Parkhurst is large scale, respecatble, makes high quality product. But its not just Andrew anymore, its not made in the USA, other than Andrew living here its got 0 connection to Buffalo besides the logo and boot model names. I think Kreostoe started off with good intentions but he has 0 management or know how obviously. Put a cap on orders! Say no more this year. Make an actual waitlist. Hire apprentinces. Change your production model. Hire a few business folks to help manage your marketing and prouction. Now we will see if Kreosote crumbles or is willing to adapt. Amazing boots. For those lucky few they all rave about them. They say hes probably the best North or South American bootmaker. But this.....this is a mess.

Well said @dannyk, and its great to see you back here!!

 

[Biff42]

He should say no if his slot is full

Absolutely. He should also auction off the annual slots, with the reserve price being his current sales price per boot. Let people pay more to get in line for that year's boots. This 4-5 year lead time is nuts.

This only makes sense if demand outweighs supply, which appears to be the case.

 

[Aloysius]

All I'm saying is Julian Imrie of Julian Boots has actual pedigree we can check and has been making good on his deliveries of boots for over a decade lol.

 

[milkbaby]

I am sure you can find a lawyer picking this up for a small fee. It’s not exactly rocket science.

This is about keeping the guys tied up in dealing with you instead of attending to their business. Litigation is more dangerous for them than for you, as it can eventually get them out of business while it’s more or less just a nuisance for you. In that scenario I’d say you stand a good chance they’d just refund you.

Have you ever paid a US lawyer to write a demand letter? It sounds like you never have unless you consider $500 a "small fee". Just saying.

 

[milkbaby]

I've seen what's happening with the wait time for Kreosote occur with other artisans and artists. The demand goes up due to popularity and hype, while often concurrently the artisan slows down output because they are increasing the quality of work and finish details. And then when one goes from perhaps part time to full time making for a living, there is pressure to keep the income rolling in because the bills involved in simply living under a roof and eating don't. And that's how you keep getting further and further behind.

The wise ones who realize this is understandable as a business model often limit their custom orders to a certain number per year and will intersperse their personal passion projects in between making them available for sale throughout the year. This is easier to do for art or non-clothing items which don't require sizing to the customer although it seems like Kreosote could probably still sell whatever he makes as long as it's not some extreme outlier in size, like size 4 or 14.

Unfortunately, there have been times where the artisan just gives up, often without any money left to refund those who will never receive their order.

 

[Faux59]

Now some are made in Mexico I believe, and most in Spain.

I don't think any Parkhurst are made in Mexico. GYW in Spain. Stitchdown in Portugal.

 

[dannyk]

I don't think any Parkhurst are made in Mexico. GYW in Spain. Stitchdown in Portugal.

I couldn’t remember where exactly. I just remembered for sure Spain. Spain, Portugal and Mexico all have long storied shoe and boot making histories none the less. But yeah main point being he pivoted to allow abundant growth, meet demand, and to build at capacity. A lot of people were disappointed he was leaving the US and a ton of local Buffalo folks were angry. And I get it totally do. But in order to make a profit, meet demand and keep Parkhurst viable he either had to cap orders and limit options, or do what he did. And he was smart enough to know that. It’s what good business minded folks do. Those artist, craftsman types if they are lucky enough to make a name for themselves all eventually realize they better hire someone with some business sense if they want to thrive and survive. I get not wanting to deal with it all yourself. Or not knowing how. Just wanting to focus on your craft. But then hire soemone(s) who can help.