Brian the Underhanded Bootmaker

[DogFacePonySoldier]

The Underhanding Bootmaker

First of all. I wasn’t going to do this but I feel this is a PSA for any boot connoisseurs. When writing this I have that cheated sting residue in my soul. I was warned and still didn’t listen. Bel Biv Devo - That bootmaker is poison.

I was attracted to the photos of his sleek classic designs and heard people praise his fit when done correctly. His boots are nice, although I feel his toe track is a bit much.

People who liked his stuff really said it was top notch and comfortable, but with artists there are good and bad periods that catch their different essence of care and attention. I think Brian is in ego mode currently. His slogan of Pride may have transmorphed into Greed.

I also heard horror stories of sizing on forums even when done by himself. One fella had to get his remade by Unsung, and another reviewer also complained about his being too tight, he removed his review about Role Club, so I can’t double check to confirm this.

On top of sizing his prices are higher than usual. In the category of engineers Briselback Clinch Unsung Attractions too name a few Role Club is by far the most expensive.

Besides Kerosote of course since he has a 4 year waitlist on his hands I can understand why he puts a high price point on his product to ease the demand. There maybe others makers I am unfamiliar with.

-so What happened…

I was going to buy a standard pair from RC’s site but it was sold out.

In Email exchange

I was considering a custom pair since Brian said it will take 5-6 months to do it and it will be the same price mentioned on his website for a non custom size.

I declined since I didn’t trust my own measurements. Then I saw he went to Stitch-down’s Bootcamp by my neck of the woods and said cool I can get professional sizing and revisited the purchase.

Now for Bootcamp one of his selling point was that he will get the boots done in 5-6 months, which is the same timespan he originally quoted me.

After the bootcamp, post fitting and such. I asked how much I’ll owe him when the boots are complete..

Brian says to get the boots when finished it’s going to be an additional $1290.00 or $2,290.00 in total
not including shipping. So he ended up charging an extra $245 because the fitting was done in “Brooklyn and not in his workshop”!?

This additional charge was never mentioned in email exchange and was done to other patrons. Who were just as surprised and disappointed as I was of this shady ordeal.

A surprise surcharge on an already high priced boot is down right scummy and my boot buddies felt the same way.

I * was * going to justify this purchase by telling myself I am supporting a more ethical small business, someone who cares about their customers, and someone who is a positive contribution to what it means to be American made.

Brian’s surcharge spit in the face of all that. I know that there are some people in a position where an extra $245 is nothing much. I am not one of those people.

So I cancelled my order and ate a very expensive lunch to nothingville. However in light of the world’s woes a monetary loss is the least of it.

So PSA from personal witness just in case business ethics to customers is something you seek when making a purchase decision. And from word on the vine people complained about his custom boots not fitting correctly, yet I am not going to be one to confirm that.

I will never do business ever with Brian from Role Club because of this ordeal.

-darn shame

 

[Bfd70]

The $ numbers seem off. “An additional $1290 for a total of $2290”.
So you thought you were going to get mto rc for $1000?

 

[Jasonissm]

The $ numbers seem off. “An additional $1290 for a total of $2290”.
So you thought you were going to get mto rc for $1000?

He said it was a surcharge of $245, so I guess it would be $2045 normally.

 

[DogFacePonySoldier]

He said it was a surcharge of $245, so I guess it would be $2045 normally.

Exactly I came in the situation thinking it was going to be same price that he quoted me on email which was the same price on his website of $2045.00.

He did not mention the surcharge for being in BK before hand. I did not think it was $1000 for an MTO boot.

 

[Faux59]

Custom fittings are free at his workshop? I wouldn't expect that to be a free service from any maker.

 

[DogFacePonySoldier]

Custom fittings are free at his workshop? I wouldn't expect that to be a free service from any maker.

I can see that being the case with some custom cowboy boots, I saw Lee Miller sizing up Kirby Allison and it was very detailed extensive.

In Brian's email he said the fitting would've been free if it was done in his workshop. I did get a free fitting from, the bootmaker from Nanucella. Very nice fellow name evades me from Georgia, the country. Happiness Carpenter from had a pair on from him and made a youtube review, very innovate.

Nanucella was my first choice. He makes some very nice engineers a sleeker departure from his other designs. Although his Nanucella in black would pair amazing with Rick Owens shorts or bottoms, IMO ( which I do not own) . Yet he said he didn't think the last used in the engineers would fit my foot correctly which was the same thing that happened with a pair of Attracions Cowboy boots I tried on. I appreciate the honesty and keep Nanucella in mind for anything that would fit my evolving wardrobe.

 

[Biff42]

What did he say when you confronted him about this? Or, did you cancel the order without following up.

 

[DogFacePonySoldier]

What did he say when you confronted him about this? Or, did you cancel the order without following up.

He acted like it was mentioned before. I went through my email and it wasn't, which would've been the ideal time to mention it. For a second I thought that maybe he did mention it at Bootcamp. Yet I know one other fella that was as surprised of this extra charge as I was, and he flew from a different state to meet him/visit NYC attend Bootcamp.
Brian is not big on communication on email, so I didn't push it.
I was unfortunately yet lucky enough to get 1/2 the deposit and only loose $500.00, which stings. I figured worst of the worst case scenario I would of saved money if I hit the bad fit lottery and had
to sell it at a loss.
Like I said damn shame indeed.
It reminds of the line " Forget it, Jake. It's Chinatown."

 

[Biff42]

He acted like it was mentioned before. I went through my email and it wasn't, which would've been the ideal time to mention it. For a second I thought that maybe he did mention it at Bootcamp. Yet I know one other fella that was as surprised of this extra charge as I was, and he flew from a different state to meet him/visit NYC attend Bootcamp.
Brian is not big on communication on email, so I didn't push it.
I was unfortunately yet lucky enough to get 1/2 the deposit and only loose $500.00, which stings. I figured worst of the worst case scenario I would of saved money if I hit the bad fit lottery and had
to sell it at a loss.
Like I said damn shame indeed.
It reminds of the line " Forget it, Jake. It's Chinatown."

Dude, $500 is huge. Call him up and have a quick conversation. Tell him how you're feeling and that you were stoked to have a pair of his boots, but don't attack him. I'm sure you can work it out. If he is unwilling to work with you then I agree,

I work in customer service and email is the worst communication method. So many problems get resolved at my company with a quick meeting.

 

[DogFacePonySoldier]

I agree that text isn’t the best in way of communication however it does have its advantages to keep things on record.

In retrospect I should have done a lot better job of crossing the T’s and dotting the I’s. In the transaction.

I was preciously nervously stoked to have a well fitting pair, nervous cause some people got a bad fit.

At this point quite frankly I wouldn’t want to wear his Role Clubs after this sordid ordeal.

I am leaning towards Raland from Sweden with the $500 loss included on his Engineers I’ll still save me money, it will take 9 months for a custom boot. He is also very easy to communicate with on instagram.

He offered to ship leather samples for “the smell and feel”. Smell is something I never thought about but is a subtle charm radiating from my newly acquired leather jacket, and it makes me think of that.

Yet Unsung is the very close toss up custom choice. It’s more expensive however it’s American made from some good guys that I forgot to get a sizing from at Bootcamp. I don’t know their turn around time. ( this would be the same price as Brian’s inflated price maybe a slight bit more if I include the $500 ) I believe it’s $1800

I am thinking of a brown boot that is very versatile. That wouldn’t look to out of places with a black leather jacket, if there is such a brown.

I feel bogged down by the vast array of choices.

 

[Jasonissm]

I agree that text isn’t the best in way of communication however it does have its advantages to keep things on record.

In retrospect I should have done a lot better job of crossing the T’s and dotting the I’s. In the transaction.

I was preciously nervously stoked to have a well fitting pair, nervous cause some people got a bad fit.

At this point quite frankly I wouldn’t want to wear his Role Clubs after this sordid ordeal.

I am leaning towards Raland from Sweden with the $500 loss included on his Engineers I’ll still save me money, it will take 9 months for a custom boot. He is also very easy to communicate with on instagram.

He offered to ship leather samples for “the smell and feel”. Smell is something I never thought about but is a subtle charm radiating from my newly acquired leather jacket, and it makes me think of that.

Yet Unsung is the very close toss up custom choice. It’s more expensive however it’s American made from some good guys that I forgot to get a sizing from at Bootcamp. I don’t know their turn around time. ( this would be the same price as Brian’s inflated price maybe a slight bit more if I include the $500 ) I believe it’s $1800

I am thinking of a brown boot that is very versatile. That wouldn’t look to out of places with a black leather jacket, if there is such a brown.

I feel bogged down by the vast array of choices.

Unsung looks to be a really good option, Kblake posted his pair in the Engineer boots thread and also almostvintagestyle has a pair, they're probably some of the nicest boots I've ever seen.

 

[Bender]

I dunno man.

I never got the Role Club hype. His boots are very nice, but indicative of exactly what they are... A great amount of attention to detail and care put into each pair by a young dude who, realistically, is not working with the benefit of a ton of life experience. He's a promising bookmaker. He's not a master. His stuff is solid. But compared to my Clinch? Nah. Compared to my Julian-made MF RCs? Nah. Honestly, Brian most directly compares with Willie's (before Raul went AWOL).

But Brian's stuff is the longest wait and the rarest (well, until MF RCs went on semi-permanent hiatus), so every LA-based boot-head just loses their mind when he's mentioned. It's hype. Brian is good. He's not close to the best.

 

[DogFacePonySoldier]

I dunno man.

I never got the Role Club hype. His boots are very nice, but indicative of exactly what they are... A great amount of attention to detail and care put into each pair by a young dude who, realistically, is not working with the benefit of a ton of life experience. He's a promising bookmaker. He's not a master. His stuff is solid. But compared to my Clinch? Nah. Compared to my Julian-made MF RCs? Nah. Honestly, Brian most directly compares with Willie's (before Raul went AWOL).

But Brian's stuff is the longest wait and the rarest (well, until MF RCs went on semi-permanent hiatus), so every LA-based boot-head just loses their mind when he's mentioned. It's hype. Brian is good. He's not close to the best.

For the sake of bootmaking, I hope Brian can get better and hone his craft more. I fear the LA hype machine may just be stifling another artists potential. For business side just be more upfront and practice the golden rule.

Clinch are amazing. have about $1k in store credit in Stndard and Strange in NYC, and I’m just hoping for those dark brown overdye engineers, to appear.

I would’ve bit the bullet for the all black Clinch engineers. Yet I already have black Lofgren Shinki engineers and I can tell it’ll need a good amount of wearing to get the rolls and patina forming.

However I realize another thing. And want to ask.

I have a black leather jacket and a pair of Shinki engineers. I still need a pair of pants or denim, good white shirt, and a belt.

Do you guys try and build a good outfit first, or do you concentrate on let say getting boots or jacket and work way up or down?

 

[Bender]

For the sake of bootmaking, I hope Brian can get better and hone his craft more. I fear the LA hype machine may just be stifling another artists potential. For business side just be more upfront and practice the golden rule.

Clinch are amazing. have about $1k in store credit in Stndard and Strange in NYC, and I’m just hoping for those dark brown overdye engineers, to appear.

I would’ve bit the bullet for the all black Clinch engineers. Yet I already have black Lofgren Shinki engineers and I can tell it’ll need a good amount of wearing to get the rolls and patina forming.

However I realize another thing. And want to ask.

I have a black leather jacket and a pair of Shinki engineers. I still need a pair of pants or denim, good white shirt, and a belt.

Do you guys try and build a good outfit first, or do you concentrate on let say getting boots or jacket and work way up or down?

Well, for the belt at least, definitely go Etsy.

No reason to pay RMC, TFH, IH, or whoever $280 for a simple Chicago screw belt. You can get the same thing in whatever leather/hardware you want for way less from an independent maker.

Matter of fact, if you're handy and have the tools, you could probably source the leather and hardware and save even more making it yourself.

 

[DogFacePonySoldier]

Well, for the belt at least, definitely go Etsy.

No reason to pay RMC, TFH, IH, or whoever $280 for a simple Chicago screw belt. You can get the same thing in whatever leather/hardware you want for way less from an independent maker.

Matter of fact, if you're handy and have the tools, you could probably source the leather and hardware and save even more making it yourself.

It’s always good to know the cheaper alternatives out there and find a middle ground, or not.

For a cheap hat I recommend thinsulate which is also good for gloves. I got that lil tip from the hilarious William Dafoe candid fit video.

I’ll be remiss if I didn’t compliment your engineeer procurement.

Thanks for the heads up on the Etsy tip.

 

[Bender]

Thanks for the compliment!

I honestly don't even wear the Clinch... Wore them once, and back in the box. I'll probably sell them at some point. But I'm in love with the RCs, which have been on every continent at this point.

Here's a pic of them when they were new(ish)... I had them almost immediately resoled by Raul at Willie's, bc I wanted a double sole with rubber.

 

[DogFacePonySoldier]

Thanks for the compliment!

I honestly don't even wear the Clinch... Wore them once, and back in the box. I'll probably sell them at some point. But I'm in love with the RCs, which have been on every continent at this point.

Here's a pic of them when they were new(ish)... I had them almost immediately resoled by Raul at Willie's, bc I wanted a double sole with rubber.

View attachment 655070

Digging that olive accent. The vamp reminds me of Lofgren and the toebox like clinch, it’s a good middle ground.

I’m still trying to elevate my wardrobe to the level of my shinki boots. A good dark indigo denim with fade potential is next, maybe just say f it and get iron heart, yet many choices.