White Girl Problems
November 11, 2010 at 4:30 PM This certainly falls under the "White Girl Problems" header, as it's not terribly problematic in the grand scheme, though it's what's currently troubling me. And as I'm a white girl and it is currently a "problem," I'm going to let it out.
See these shoes? They're from a Fluevog collaboration with Lip Service that was released in December of 2005 and are not made anymore. Also, I own a pair of each, both acquired on eBay, both loved so much I licked them. (I'm finding my degree of love for shoes translates to licking. I don't know.)
I got the Mandalays first after a bit of a bidding war. They are used and show some minor scuffing here and there but for a pair of 5 year old shoes, they're in remarkable condition and are simply beautiful. They're in a size 7, my regular size. Unfortunately, Fluevogs often run a wee bit small and my Mandalays are true to this norm. A wee bit small on my wide feet. They squeeze my pies numb. I have shoe stretchers, but I don't know if they'll be able to stretch the shoes enough to make them wearable. I'd hate to bust them by over-stretching them, and I'm not sure if I can get the leather to not only allow blood flow, but to also not hurt.
My Gillys were acquired later, also through eBay. These are a size 8, a full size larger than I generally wear, and they are fanfuckingtastic to wear. No hurty pain and there's enough room for even thick socks if necessary. I somehow scored a never-worn pair that were still in the box, so these are pristine. I love them dearly and they're what I was wearing when I met Mr. Snog. He admired them. Damn skippy.
My issue is that while I like the look of the Mandalays just a wee bit more than the Gillys, the comfort of the shoes is reversed. I'm pretty sure the Mandalays would do well on eBay if I listed them, but I am scared to list them and NOT have them do well. $40 isn't worth giving them up; but I know auctions with reserves don't do very well. I'd love to have the money for New York, but is it work risking having to give them up? And is it really that much of a "give up" if they make my feet numb and I can't even wear them?
Advice? Opinions?
Reader Comments (5)
OK, it's naughty, but I recommend listing them and having a friend on standby in case the auction isn't going according to plan. That way should they get up to x amount but that's not enough to let them go for, then have a friend bid and win them and you just hold on to the shoes and re-list them at a later date. This is of course frowned upon. But I have found on ebay that higher priced goods with a higher cost are the norm here. If you have a minimum you'd be willing to let them go for, I'd say list them at that cost on a "no fee insertion" (heh) day, and see what happens?
I've started to sell off some of my beloved shoes - I have some that I love like a house on fire, but they hurt so much to wear that I can't do it. Ergo time to let them go to a home that will love them and wear them, instead of living their life in my closet...
If they hurt, you must dessert. Keep the ones that feel good (they'll look better and better to you as you wear them more and more and they feel better and better) and sell the ones that hurt. They will always hurt. And I like Shannon's "love them and wear them" philosophy.
I agree the hurty shoes have to go. Life is to short for hurty (yet beautiful) shoes. They should be set free to make another show loving woman happy. Think if all the fun things you can do in NYC with the cash too.
Ok, I second Shannon 's advice on the auction bit, and will be happy to serve if you need an auction boost.
But yeah, ditch the shoes. What's the point of keeping them if you're just going to stare at them lovingly, because they hurt? Find something comparable that are more comfortable. You're in your mid-thirties now. You need to start wearing Easy Spirits. Hah.
Wait! Take them to a cobbler first to see if you can spend a wee bit to have them professionally stretched! She or he should be able to tell you if they can go up enough for your comfort. THEN list them on eBay if they can't be stretched... My two cents...