Discount Dance Shoes

[pygmalion]

I believe we've talked about this before, but there were too many matches when I tried to search for the older thread. So, what the heck! Is it possible to get a good deal on a pair of good quality dance shoes? How? (No live links, please. 8) )

[tasche]

I'm going to have to say yes and I'm biased (but I've disabled my sig) Finding a good pair of dance shoes cheap really depends on what your looking for. If your trying to find a budget replica of a supadane supafit with the ultraflexible soles your not going to find it. But if your looking for a comfy pair of social shoes or pratice and to a certain extent competition then your going to have some sucess. Once you get to the higher levels you probably going to notice the difference.

[Laura]

I have experimented with many different brands at many different price points and I find that you pretty much get what you pay for. I have owned several pairs of Capeizo ballroom shoes which I bought on sale for $45/pair. They fit fine and felt good for the first few wearings, but they wear out so much faster than my Supadance or International shoes.

You can get good deals on good brands if you look around and keep your eyes open for sales. Sometimes I'll buy a pair of shoes because they're on sale, not because I need them at that moment. I just put them away and when I need them I have them.

[tasche]

Ballet dancers often put an extra "r" in the word capezio. They pretty much make bad shoes across the board

[Chris Stratton]

I think it's only a matter of time before some of the discount, import brands become acceptable. But they are going to have to consult with real dancers on design issues and pursue some of the usual distribution channels, including showing at major competitions. The thing is that when this happens, they will no longer be half the price of english shoes, but only around 20-30% less. At that point, the temptation to just get another of what you know you will like after it's broken in - rather than experimenting on something new - is pretty strong. The only way to keep the prices extremely low would be to betray the people who do the legwork of getting the shoes exposure, by selling online behind their backs - and even that only works if consumers are convinced the steeply discounted shoe on the website is reliably the same as the one they tried on at a store or competition display.

[pygmalion]

Up to now, I've taken an approach similar to yours, Laura. I go for shoes from well-known manufacturers, then look for discounts on the web until I find the lowest price.

Lately, though, I've noticed that there are several shoe makers that have come to market with quite reasonably priced dance shoes that appear to be of good quality. Not sure what to do (other than buy shoe from tasche, who quite clearly knows her stuff :wink: :D )

Any tips or pointers for how to find out the quality of a shoe you've never heard of before? What do you look for or what questions do you ask?

[Laura]

Ballet dancers often put an extra "r" in the word capezio. They pretty much make bad shoes across the board

I don't like their ballet slippers either -- I switched to Bloch a few years ago.

Someone I know who sells ballroom shoes told me that a number of Chinese brands are coming on to the market here in the US, but that she doesn't know anything about them other than that they'd retail at about $70-$80 pair rather than $100-$130.

I also recently got an email from a company called "Very Fine" shoes. Their price point is lower than the European brands, but I don't know anything about them other than that Sherry Novak (who I recognize from the ballroom world as a judge and examiner) endorses them. Has anyone tried them?

[tasche]

Thats the brand I stock Laura. They have some good points and some bad points. I'm always very honest about them. They ahve stiffer soles with more padding which for the serious dancer is a hinderance but alot of customers are asking specifically for extra cushioning so for some thats a plus.

The range of styles is amazing though and a nice touch is the lighter and darker shades of flesh available. The sizing imho for us ladies is better than most dance shoes as they have wider ball of foot and all styles can be had in wide which is nice.

They do make some really fugly models though (I live close to the warehouse so I've seen them all in the "flesh")

Overall they are a good shoe for the retail price but they aren't as refined as a supadance shoe in deisgn but they wont fall apart on you.

Unfortunate choice of brand name though

[tasche]

The only way to keep the prices extremely low would be to betray the people who do the legwork of getting the shoes exposure, by selling online behind their backs - and even that only works if consumers are convinced the steeply discounted shoe on the website is reliably the same as the one they tried on at a store or competition display.

I hear you on that one even in the online biz there is always someone who will undercut you and yet not offer the same level of customer service and returns etc.

The company I purchase from sets no recommended retail price so there are sellers that sell the shoes for only $5 over the wholesale price. Me I like to make a little money :wink:

For some of these companies I'm not sure if would do them alot of good to be at the shows as sometimes there ppl skills can be subpar. Very time I see the elegance booth I never see anyone at it.

[SDsalsaguy]

(but I've disabled my sig)
No need or reason to do that tasche, although the thought is appreciated. You've been a contributing member to the DF for quite some time now, so there's no reason why your participation in this thread should exclude your regular signature line. Definately a different story from those one-time-only "buy from me" posters!

[pygmalion]

That's right, tasche, you certainly have contributed plenty to dance forums. Being able to advertise your business' link in your signature is one of the bonuses for being active here. Please do.

About the shoes, the conclusion I've come to overall is to buy a well known brand name with a good reputation. OR buy shoes from someone whose experience and recommendation you trust. But to buy dance shoes just because they're less expensive (without more data) is a big gamble, if you ask me.

In my experience, there are two general rules: (1) You get what you pay for but (2) you often are asked to overpay for name recognition

So, when I do buy shoes with a well known brand name, I shop around for the lowest price. :wink:

[Laura]

Thanks for the info on Very Fine, Tasche. It sounds like they're a good "entry" shoe for someone who wants something decent at a lower price.

The name does remind me of a brand of apple juice, though :-)

[tasche]

Yes knowing what you need is a big factor and what will work for you. I think these shoe are perfect for the average "social" (not a bad word) but serious competitors would find them too cushy due to the thicker sole. I wear mine for social and standard but I have to wear an ultra flexible english shoe for latin

Another reason for the relative lower price of chinese vs english is the cost of labor in each country. The fact that you can buy a english made pair of shoes for $150 is actually a good price considering the cost of production

[Laura]

I know what you mean about the soles -- I once bought a pair of Coast shoes and had to return them because they were too stiff for me to dance in.