Supadance Shoes

[desidirata]

Sorry to start another shoe thread but i'm in Australia and ordered a pair of Supadance latin shoes from the website and they were dispatched a month ago, but they are still not here :( So i was just wondering if anyone else has had the same problems or is it just Australia Post?

[DanceMentor]

Is there any sort of tracking number?
It's probably best if you report this to Supadance and see what they say.

[desidirata]

Yeah i emailed them about a week ago and they checked who it was sent to and the address etc, and told me they should be here "soon".

[Laura]

I don't know what things are like in Australia, but once I had a pair go missing when sent from the UK to the US, and another time I had a pair hung up in customs for about a month (but I finally got them). In the case of the pair that went completely missing, I got sent another pair as a replacement and received them with no problems and no extra charges.

[standardgirl]

I ordered almost all my shoes from UK, and have them sent to US.
On average, it takes about 2 to 3 weeks. I have also ordered with international datapost (express shipping), and I recieved my shoes in about 3 to 5 days.

[randomMysh]

Yeah, they took about that long once. There was a credit error of some sort, and instead of emailing me about it, they sent me a letter (!) from England saying they couldn't charge the card I provided. I called the credit card company and fixed the error, but the shoes still took forever to get here.

[desidirata]

Thanks guys i think i'll just wait it out i hope they come soon.

[alemana]

i want to order my next pair of Supadance from abroad, since they appear to be much cheaper that way. I have few questions though...

1. how much do ppl usually end up paying in shipping?
2. any good pointers to especially inexpensive sources?
3. i want my shoes for a sept 5 comp - is it too late to safely order from abroad? note that i can get these shoes here in NYC, so if something were to go awry with the order, i would definitely have a backup source. also note that i don't need a lot of "break-in time" - i've been wearing the same make and model for a while and have successfully performed in them right off the shelf, so.

[DancingJools]

It's a major plus if you know exactly what size will fit you, because returning shoes that you buy overseas is a major hassle and will kill whatever savings you hoped to achieve.
Shipping costs vary, but they are high. Try dance-shop.com. If they carry your brand and style, they are the best and certainly the cheapest I have found. They are helpful and will probably get you a brand they don't have listed on their website. Another place with an extensive offering is dancesport.uk.com. I have bought from both and recommend them highly.
Average shipping cost per one pair of shoes from the UK to the US is running about 17-20 dollars, so take that into consideration when you order.

[fascination]

have ordered supadance twice this year from a large vendor and am told they are on back order until late september....had an equally lengthy nightmare in the spring and never got the shoes I was after...had to settle for an instock alternate

[alemana]

hm, interesting. i do happen to know exactly what shoes, size, heel height and so on I want - now i just need to figure out if it'll wind up being cheaper than buying them in new york.

[standardgirl]

Ditto to DancingJools
I have ordered from dance-shop.com before, too.
really good customer service, and fast shipping.
cheapest source I found online (other than ebay....)
I had to exchange once for a pair of shoes, and everything went smoothly.

[Yliander]

Sorry to start another shoe thread but i'm in Australia and ordered a pair of Supadance latin shoes from the website and they were dispatched a month ago, but they are still not here :( So i was just wondering if anyone else has had the same problems or is it just Australia Post?I've always bought or ordered my Supadance shoes in store in Australia.

does it work out much cheaper to order them direct? Where in Australia are you?

[alemana]

standardgirl - how much was the shipping?

[DanceMentor]

I just want to remind people that if you don't support your local vendors, then you may soon find there are few places to try on or see the shoes. It may cost a few extra dollars, but you get to see exactly what you are buying, as well as compare different styles in person. I know somtimes you know what you want, and don't need to try the shoes on, but just keep in mind that if you support the idea of having local venders (or even regional ones that come thru your city sometimes), you should support them by buying shoes from them.

[alemana]

interesting point .i have bought all my shoes locally so far, but since i know what make and model i want - no ambiguity about model or fit - i don't see much reason to pay 20-30 more for them versus ordering them from overseas.

*if* it were an issue of 5-10 bucks, i'd stick with my local reseller. however, shoes are a major and recurring expense, and it would make me an irrational consumer to willingly overpay for them.

[standardgirl]

standardgirl - how much was the shipping?

about $8.50 USD for the first pair of shoes, it does get cheaper per pair if you order more than one pair at the same time (which is what I do).

If you go to dance-shop.com, and just add everything you want to the shopping cart, and then click on checkout and select your destination, it will tell you how much the total shipping cost is before you have to enter the credit card information, or confirm the purchase.

[Laura]

*if* it were an issue of 5-10 bucks, i'd stick with my local reseller. however, shoes are a major and recurring expense, and it would make me an irrational consumer to willingly overpay for them.

At one point, a number of years ago when the dollar was strong against the pound, I could get my preferred shoes online shipped directly from England, including shipping, for about $50 less than what I could pay in the US. For that kind of difference I just couldn't justify buying locally. But now that I've changed brands and that the dollar has tanked, I do usually buy locally because the difference isn't that much and then I have them right away.

[randomMysh]

Besides, it really matters how much money you have in the first place. If you're a professional with a nice job and a stable budget, altruistic purchases are great. However, if you're a college student with a $10/hr part time job that has to pay for all of your living expenses, and are still buying shoes and dance lessons with that money, every $20 is important.

[DancingJools]

I agree totally with DanceMentor (support your local vendor) and Laura (the exchange rate once justified buying from overseas, now it doesn't). So even though I suggested online sources, doesn't mean I think it's a great idea to go there.

There was a time when I focused so much on the price, I overlooked many other issues involved in buying shoes. We have a local vendor (Backbay dancewear) who is extremely knowledgeable about dance shoes. She can look at the shoe you are trying to fit and will tell you if it suits your foot, or your type of dancing, and will offer recommendations on what might work for you. She will also tell you if the shoe fits, and how to measure for that (in Standard and in Latin shoes), something which I never understood until she explained it to me. And you actually get to try on the shoe. I know small-scale vendors are getting badly hit from online sales, and my heart goes out to her. Seriously, when that store can no longer afford to stay in business, where would we go for these services?

My advice, from the significant number of shoes in my closet which don't fit quite right but which were a great buy online, is to focus on getting the RIGHT shoe for you, even if it's expensive. The amount of wear and comfort you will get from it will justify the cost.


Sometimes, you do have to buy via mailorder to get the right shoe. I recently special ordered a pair of Latin shoes from Supadance, because I wanted them in a wide fitting. I ordered them the first of June (in Blackpool, actually). I received them last week. So it took about 7 weeks.

[alemana]

again, i say:

if you are a SERIAL consumer of the exact same pair of shoes and do not require personalized service, there is no reason to pay for it.

i have spent probably a thousand dollars at the best-known NYC purveyor of dance shoes. next time i switch models, i'll definitely go there for the knowledge they provide.

[pygmalion]

Besides, it really matters how much money you have in the first place. If you're a professional with a nice job and a stable budget, altruistic purchases are great. However, if you're a college student with a $10/hr part time job that has to pay for all of your living expenses, and are still buying shoes and dance lessons with that money, every $20 is important.

I think that supporting a local vendor is not entirely altruistic. I see it as enlightened self-interest. You support the vendor, and they can afford to stay in business long enough to support you. In an emergency, when your shoe heel breaks off late on a Friday night before a comp, it's pretty unlikely your online or overseas vendor will be able to help much. :?

Back when I was lucky enough to have a GREAT local vendor, I did a combination of in-person and online purchases. 8) :D

[pygmalion]

Edit: I should have mentioned who she is. The Dance Dresser rocks! :D :notworth:


I knew she was good people when I went to her looking for specific shoe she didn't stock. She didn't even try to sell me shoes she had in stock. Instead, she advised me to look online and try to get the lowest/best price on the shoes I wanted. 8) :D

Very, very nice, knowledgable, and reliable. Online may be inexpensive, but, when you need a personal touch, online can't come close, IMO. 8)

[Leah]

do they even sell supadance shoes locally??? i saw one place in the US that distributed them, but not all marks.

anyway, i just received a pair of the leather-soled jazz shoes from them. i am thrilled as it seems like such a simpile concept, but i couldn't find these anywhere! those rubber-soled ones are just so sticky....

anyway haven't tried them out yet, but i'll let you know.

L

[pygmalion]

Who's they? The lady I used to buy shoes from when I lived in Orlando is a Showtime distributor -- she sells everything that Showtime sells and then some. So yes, she sells Supadance in her area.

I guess it depends on the shoe store. The ballet stores where I've bought ballroom shoes tend to stock Capezio. :?

[alemana]

yeah, you can buy Supadance in nyc.

[tanz15]

At one point, a number of years ago when the dollar was strong against the pound, I could get my preferred shoes online shipped directly from England, including shipping, for about $50 less than what I could pay in the US. For that kind of difference I just couldn't justify buying locally. But now that I've changed brands and that the dollar has tanked, I do usually buy locally because the difference isn't that much and then I have them right away.

I had a similar experience with the pound vs. dollar. I'm happy to support my local vendors even if it means paying extra, but the choice was between $120 plus sales tax locally, compared to $80 including shipping from England. The shoe I needed was (and is) never in stock locally, so I wasn't even getting instant gratification for buying locally.

Fortunately, the depressed buying power of the dollar is largely resolving this crisis on conscience for me. Should I buy lots of shoes now as a hedge against the day when the US economy goes down in flames and we're all on the street, or should I buy gold and put it under my mattress?

[DancingMommy]

Buy gold dance shoes and you are set. ;)

[Medira]

Buy gold dance shoes and you are set. ;)Hehehe, I like your thinking!

[Laura]

yeah, you can buy Supadance in nyc.

You can buy them in Sunnyvale, Campbell, and San Francisco California.

[pygmalion]

Fortunately, the depressed buying power of the dollar is largely resolving this crisis on conscience for me. Should I buy lots of shoes now as a hedge against the day when the US economy goes down in flames and we're all on the street, or should I buy gold and put it under my mattress?

:lol: :lol: :lol:

[redhead]

In an emergency, when your shoe heel breaks off late on a Friday night before a comp, it's pretty unlikely your online or overseas vendor will be able to help much. :?



... and that is why you always, always should have an extra pair with you.

The only local vendor around here sells only VeryFine (getting them for under $40 and selling for $115 or so), plus everything is "special order"= no stock and takes 2-3 weeks. I'd rather call Showdance

[pygmalion]

In an emergency, when your shoe heel breaks off late on a Friday night before a comp, it's pretty unlikely your online or overseas vendor will be able to help much. :?



... and that is why you always, always should have an extra pair with you.

The only local vendor around here sells only VeryFine (getting them for under $40 and selling for $115 or so)

Eeek! You're kidding! :evil: :evil: Who's he/she selling the shoes to, at that price? :?

[DancingMommy]

Yeesh! I was told that the MSRP on them ranged from $85-99 max. And my cost is actually less than $40. ;)

[pygmalion]

Yeesh! I was told that the MSRP on them ranged from $85-99 max. And my cost is actually less than $40. ;)

I've never seen them retail for anywhere near $99. Everybody makes a big deal of the discount they're offering, but everybody offers a discount from MSRP. Sounds like this person is gouging folks who don't know better. I say it again :evil: :evil:

[DancingMommy]

Bad retailer bad retailer. When I get my self together and start advertising, I will be running a buy two get one free deal. The more the merrier. And I won't be retailing at anything over $99 either.

[redhead]

Yeah, like I said - under $40 :lol:

[pygmalion]

Bad retailer bad retailer. When I get my self together and start advertising, I will be running a buy two get one free deal. The more the merrier. And I won't be retailing at anything over $99 either.

Haven't been to your site, lately. Anything new? Or have you been too sick? :? :(

[DancingMommy]

You pegged it right. I have to make a minimum order of TEN pairs so I've been rather reluctant (and cash poor) to do so at this moment. But I'm prepped and ready.

VF makes two different lines - Classic (for primarily social dancing) and Signature (pro or high level am). Classic will not stand up to as much punishment as Signature. But they have way more colors/styles/varieties. Appeals to the shoe maven in us all I'm sure.

[pygmalion]

You pegged it right. I have to make a minimum order of TEN pairs so I've been rather reluctant (and cash poor) to do so at this moment. But I'm prepped and ready.

VF makes two different lines - Classic (for primarily social dancing) and Signature (pro or high level am). Classic will not stand up to as much punishment as Signature. But they have way more colors/styles/varieties. Appeals to the shoe maven in us all I'm sure.

Hmm. I didn't know about the signature line. I guess the classics are more popular. Probably a bit less expensive as well than signature. Is that right? :?

[DancingMommy]

Wholesale has a little bit of a difference but MSRP is basically the same for each. I think MSRP for Sig line is actually 100+ but I can't justify charging that much. I am not in this to make a living (that's why hubby works). I'm just in it to bring shoes & rhinestones to the masses at a reasonable cost. And to justify why I need 50 more pairs of shoes....

[pygmalion]

I'm just in it to bring shoes & rhinestones to the masses at a reasonable cost. And to justify why I need 50 more pairs of shoes....

:lol: :lol: You remind me of my niece who works at Old Navy. On payday, she owes them money... over and above her whole paycheck. :shock: :lol: But she has a nicely filled closet. 8) :)

[pygmalion]

On a more serious note, though, DM, I like your idea of offering shoes at a discount. The MSRP can be whatever it wants, but Very Fine, IMO, has a long way to go before it has the appeal and name recognition of some other shoe brands.

But hey! If I can buy a pair of social dance shoes for $60 or $70 or even $80, they look great to me. I wouldn't pay the $125 for Very Fine that I pay for some British imports, but I sure as heck would buy two pairs of Very Fine at half the price of the imports. And they'd match my outfit. :roll: :lol: :lol:

[DancingMommy]

And you'd get a third pair for free (or half price depending). :)

[Laura]

DM (re: your avatar) "big name"? Or "big bright"? Or something less literal that I don't understand because I have the vocabulary of a three-year-old? (I can get you dancing mommy if you don't already know it if you like....)

[pygmalion]

DM (re: your avatar) "big name"? Or "big bright"? Or something less literal that I don't understand because I have the vocabulary of a three-year-old? (I can get you dancing mommy if you don't already know it if you like....)

Does it have something to do with being pregnant and having a "glow"? 8)

[DancingMommy]

It's actually a joke. I :google:'d for "Feudal Lord" and that's what popped up. ;)

[alemana]

well, i wound up having to *call* the british retailer, because of some online credit card issues, but thanks to my trusty employer the call didn't cost *me* anything. so i'm looking forward to getting my Supadances for about $40 less than i would've paid for them in New York.

before i started with the insane private lesson schedule (and related Avoiding All My Bills Because I'm Broke schedule) I wouldn't have bothered to order from England. but now I see every dollar amount in terms of how many, or what fraction of, a private lesson it represents. that makes it more difficult to justify avoidable expenses.

[pygmalion]

well, i wound up having to *call* the british retailer, because of some online credit card issues, but thanks to my trusty employer the call didn't cost *me* anything. so i'm looking forward to getting my Supadances for about $40 less than i would've paid for them in New York.

before i started with the insane private lesson schedule (and related Avoiding All My Bills Because I'm Broke schedule) I wouldn't have bothered to order from England. but now I see every dollar amount in terms of how many, or what fraction of, a private lesson it represents. that makes it more difficult to justify avoidable expenses.

Understood. Glad you got a good deal, alemana. 8)

[alemana]

shoes came! what a pleasure to order from overseas! yay.

[pygmalion]

Only four weeks. :roll: :wink:

[alemana]

(actually they came last week. but the timeframe was what i expected. )

[pygmalion]

Three weeks really isn't bad. I've heard stories about shoes ordered within the States taking much longer than that. And you got a nice bargain with the deal. Cool. :D

[musicchica86]

Three weeks really isn't bad. I've heard stories about shoes ordered within the States taking much longer than that. And you got a nice bargain with the deal. Cool. :D

That happened to me this summer. I ordered a pair of Freed Tinas from dancesportshoes.com on June 29th. I left for college on August 18th, and they still hadn't come. I cancelled the order, and I will NEVER order from them again. Not only did it take 6 weeks and still no shoes, but I had to practically harass them to get any information about my order.

[pygmalion]

Six weeks isn't as long as some of the horror stories I've heard. But you're the customer. You get to decide what good service means. 8)

[Joe]

Only four weeks. :roll: :wink:
Bah, a mere mote in time.