Cracking on boot — issue or no?

[Jonanah]

Very weird to see cracking like that. It's through the topcoat and into the actual grain. Wonder if they got heated, frozen, or exposed to chemicals or something as mentioned. Maybe if they were frozen solid and then flexed?? It would be hard to do that kind of damage even intentionally.

As the second owner you're kind of screwed. Wesco owes you nothing.

Nothing like that happened under my care before the cracks appeared — I guess I can’t speak for the previous owner @DweezilMac but he sent them to me in quite excellent condition.

The grain on the panel that cracked was very bumpy and mismatched from the rest of the boot from the start, which leads me to suspect that this was a combination of broken grain, plus the effects of the logo stamp and perhaps tension as @Canuck Panda mentioned. You can see the condition of the boots when I received them here—note the panel with strange graining:

Do you reckon we’d have better luck if he reached out to Wesco instead as the original owner?

 

[Jonanah]

It’s an $800 pair of boots — this kind of issue this early on just feels completely unacceptable. Shouldn’t need cement glue after 4 months of wear. Cracks appeared earlier than that but it took me a while to realize something was wrong. Wesco lists a 90 day warranty on their site but I would hope that they’d accommodate something like this

 

[Bennarion]

Hi folks, I am seeking advice about this pair of Standard and Strange x Wesco Axe Breakers. There’s some cracking in the leather on one side, from normal use. It’s on the side that was grainy and mismatched when I received the pair. The other side is smooth and has no cracking. There is also a small fissure at the base of the cap toe.

Should any of this be cause for concern? Is there anything I can do to mitigate the cracking issue? I am wondering if applying more conditioner would help, though I’m wary of over-conditioning. However, I work outside and often wear these boots, so it isn’t too much of a concern as I also need them to be as water resistant as possible.

Thanks!

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I believe this is not acceptable and there is no justification for this level of footwear

 

[cbez]

Almost certainly yeah. If the seller is willing to help out. As the second owner you'd basically be praying that they (Wesco) do you a favor and help out in some way. You're not their customer.

After seeing the pre-cracked pics I'd say very rare bad batch of leather. The logo is probably a combo of the logo pressing it in, then your ankle bone bending it the opposite way. The superficial vertical top coat cracks also seem odd.

 

[rogueclimber]

Do you reckon we’d have better luck if he reached out to Wesco instead as the original owner?

I'd say no:

Limited Warranty
This warranty is made to the original purchaser of each item of new boots from West Coast Shoe Company.
West Coast Shoe Company warrants that boots sold are merchantable and free of defects in workmanship and materials at the time of shipment from the company's factory.
West Coast Shoe Company will repair, or at its option, replace, any boots which under normal use fail to conform to this warranty.
West Coast Shoe Company will repair or replace boot or boots without charge for materials or service, provided that the defective boot or boots are returned to the company's factory, postage paid, within 90 days from the date of delivery of the boots to the original purchaser.
West Coast Shoe Company shall not be liable for any damages or loss beyond replacement, repair, or refund of the purchase price.
West Coast Shoe Company’s liability shall be limited exclusively to repairing or replacing the boots under the conditions as aforesaid, and in no event will the company be liable for consequential damages, including but not limited to economic losses or injuries sustained while wearing West Coast Shoe Company boots.

 

[Jonanah]

Wesco lists a 90 day warranty on their site but I would hope that they’d accommodate something like this

I'm aware of the warranty; see above.

Do you reckon we’d have better luck if he reached out to Wesco instead as the original owner?

I'd say no:

As you just shared, it clearly states, "This warranty is made to the original purchaser of each item of new boots from West Coast Shoe Company." So why do you say that wouldn't help? I'm confused

 

[rogueclimber]

So why do you say that wouldn't help? I'm confused

A) You are not the original purchaser

B) It is not within 90 days of purchase

I am not impressed with Wesco's warranty

 

[Jonanah]

A) You are not the original purchaser

B) It is not within 90 days of purchase

I am not impressed with Wesco's warranty

Definitely agree with you there, I’m disappointed that they don’t really stand behind their products.

I’m hoping someone in the chain of production, from either Wesco or Standard and Strange, will be willing/able to do something. I’m in touch with the original purchaser who has supplied me with proof of purchase. If we have to re-establish him as the owner I don’t see why that couldn’t be done.