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Materials
We Use
Vegan Wares shoes
are made from the best vegan materials we are able to source.
The uppers are
a high-tech synthetic microfibre material which is breathable and very
durable. The material is also water-resistant, lightweight, supple
and easy to maintain. In most circumstances its performance is superior
to leather. Microfibre material is made from a blend of polyamide
fibres & polyurethane.
For most of our
shoe styles we line the inside of the shoe with hard wearing woven fabrics
which are designed to draw moisture away from the skin.
Out-soles (ie the
part that touches the ground) are generally rubber or rubber resin.
Many of our mens shoes & unisex boots have Vibram brand soles, probably
the worlds most well know high quality out-soles.
In-soles (the part
that your feet rest on) are made from high grade cellulose shoe board,
bonded to soft, shock absorbent, non-compressible army-grade foot beds.
Shoe
Construction
We use two basic construction
methods.
For most flat soled
shoes & boots the uppers are glued to the shoe board & then stitched
to a micro-cell mid-board. The out-sole is then glued to the mid-board.
This method produces a more sturdy & longer lasting shoe. It
also makes re-soling easy (because the shoe will not fall apart when the
old sole is pulled off).
For higher heeled
shoes, which are not intended for heavy use, the uppers & out-soles
are simply glued directly to the shoe board.
Shoe Care
All shoes, irrespective
of what they are made from, will absorb moisture from the feet. Depending
on the individual person varying degrees of odour may occur as with any
garment worn. For this reason, and notwithstanding the fact that
Vegan Wares shoes breath as well as other good quality footwear, it is
recommended that as a general rule shoes not be worn on consecutive days.
Rather, they should be allowed to air & dry for a day.
Vegan Wares shoes
generally do not require polishing to enhance their life. However,
polishing with a silicon based gel will enhance their appearance and may help minimize scuffing.
To clean simply wipe with a damp sponge / cloth. Apply polish if
desired.
To dry out wet
shoes, allow them to stand in an airy position away from direct heat.
Never fast dry shoes close to a heater. Heat will activate the glues
holding the shoes together & they may then start to come apart.
Treating Scuffs
Scuffs are
best treated using a water-based shoe paint. We use the Waproo
brand and it goes under the trade name of 'Waproo Colour Change'.
Black shoe paint is normally stocked by shoe repair shops - but
make sure you get the water-based variety - don't use spirit-based shoe
care products. We are able to supply small bottles of shoe paint
in most of the colours of vegan leather that we stock.
The procedure for treating scuff is:
Step 1.
Remove surface dirt & dust with a damp cloth. For remaining marks
dip cloth in warm soapy water & gently rub. If marks still do
not come off then EITHER apply a spot cleaner OR simply proceed to Step
2. Use spot cleaner sparingly as it contains a stripping agent &
will remove the top colour layer.
Step 2.
Apply shoe paint to scuffed areas and other marks which cannot
be removed. Two coats are normally required, more if shoes are badly
scuffed. If shoe paint does not quite match the colour of your boots
you may consider either applying a coat to the whole boot / shoe (changing
its colour slightly) or mixing in another colour to create a better match.
Step 3.
Apply a coat of renovating polish to the whole boot / shoe. Use matching
coloured polish or clear polish. Renovating polish helps prevent
marks & scuffs.
WARNING: Shoe
paint is for occasional use only, primarily for the treatment of
scuffs. Do not use it as an alternative to polish - it contains
chemicals which may damage the outer layer of the shoe at crease points
if applied regularly over a long period of time.
Ordering:
Our Terms & Normal Procedures (including Returns)
When you place an
order via this web site you are bound by the terms set out at at the first
paragraph of our order page - ie: Goods are supplied on the understanding
that they may be dispatched back to Vegan Wares, unworn, by registered
& insured mail within 7 days of receipt for a refund (if goods are
stock-standard in style, colour & size) or credit or exchange (if the
goods are a special / non-standard style, colour or fitting). The purchaser
will bear all postage costs.
These terms are
fairly normal, simple & straight forward. However, it is worth
noting the following:
(i) Different
treatment of stock standard items & special orders.
Stock standard items
are all goods shown at this web site except those shown at the Make-to-order
pages.
We are happy to
refund the purchase price in the event that stock standard items are immediately
returned to us (for example, if they don't fit, or you just don't like
them). However, refunds are not available for special orders.
Special orders include colour options and special styles or special fittings.
The reason for this difference is simply that we cannot afford to go to
lots of trouble & expense making up personalised boots & shoes
only to have them sent back because clients decide they don't really want
them after all. If a special order does not fit we will accept the
goods back for exchange or credit towards a future purchase, provided all
our standard requirements for make-to-order shoes have been met.
This includes foot measurements & a shoe sent for size referencing.
Whether a particular item is actually exchanged or a credit is recorded
in our books is determined after discussion. We are very reasonable people
& aim to satisfy all our customers. However, we do reserve the
right to refuse to re-make an item, or make up a different item, on the
rare occassions where we conclude that there is little prospect of achieving
customer satisfaction.
(ii) Timing
& Payment of Refunds
Refunds are only made
to credit card accounts, after goods have been returned to us &
are assessed to be unworn and in perfect condition.
(iii) Timing
of Exchanges
Where goods are returned
for exchange, a fresh pair / item will only be dispatched after
the goods being returned are actually received by us. Alternatively,
if requested in writing, you can pay for a new pair / item to be sent immediately
(as if it is an new order) & we will refund the purchase price of the
goods being returned when we receive them (as per point ii, above).
(iv) No Refund
of Postage & Shipping Charges
We do not refund postage
& shipping costs.
(v) Acceptance
of Orders
Acceptance of any
& each order is at the sole discretion of Vegan Wares.
Shoe
Sizing
There are many different
shoe sizing systems used around the world, including the US, UK, European,
& Japanese systems. Within systems there can also be variation;
for example there are French & Italian versions of the European system.
Furthermore, shoe manufacturers may depart from standard size systems,
and different shoe styles and toe shapes will also affect fitting.
So ....... WHEN ORDERING SHOES THROUGH THE MAIL IT IS RISKY TO SIMPLY (ONLY)
QUOTE A SIZE.
When ordering at
this web site please tell us the types / brands & sizes of shoes you
presently wear AND ALSO provide us with a number of foot measurements,
as shown at the table below. Further details of what is required
are set out at our secure order page. From
all this information we work out what size to send. We compare the
quoted sizes with the quoted measurements, and if there appear to be inconsistencies
then we email you for clarification. If we do not receive a response to
our query within 7 days we ship the size we consider will most probably
fit, given the available information and our experience in interpreting
such information.
Please note:
as a general rule we do not make shoes to the exact measurements
provided (a very expensive procedure) but select the most suitable size
from our collection of shoe lasts. The only exception to this rule
is for special orders where non-standard fittings are specifically requested.
If
you are ordering a non-standard colour, a special fitting ( eg extra width),
or want a special style made to order, then you must also
send us a shoe that fits you well, so we can be absolutely sure about the
size to make up. The shoe you provide should have a soft toe (ie
not steel caps) & should have a generally similar heel height &
toe shape to the style of shoe ordered (eg, if ordering a square toe high
heeled shoe then send an old high heeled shoe with broadish toe, not a
pointy toe flat soled shoe). Also, it is preferable that the shoe
sent be of firm construction - fabric shoes & some sneakers with uppers
of expandable or stretchy materials are not suitable for sizing purposes.
Sending an old
shoe can also be done for stock standard orders (that is, for all items
shown at the 'Shoes' and 'Boots' pages of this web site) if you're concerned
that you may not receive the correct size.
PLEASE NOTE:
ONLY SEND ONE SHOE (not a pair); also, please let us know whether or not
you want the shoe to be returned to you.
When ordering
please quote the styles / brands & sizes you presently wear, and also
send us these measurements:
Length
of foot from heel to toe.
Trace your foot holding pen
vertical & then measure off the length. (Do not simply
place a ruler under your foot & scale off the length - this will give
an incorrect reading). |
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| Width
of foot, at the ball of the foot, measured off your tracing. |
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Circumference
of foot at widest point (ie,
around the foot at the
ball). |
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Circumference
of foot at the arch (ie,
around the foot at the
arch). |
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Shipping
We will ship to anywhere,
at the rates shown below. Delivery by insured air mail usually takes
up to 2 weeks. Where insured airmail is not available (for example
Canada & Israel have opted out of the insured international mail arrangement),
or when clients seek quicker delivery, we use EMS courier. EMS delivery
takes up to one week. The client bears all postage charges.
$Aus, International Post,
Single Items
| Region |
Wallets
& Belts |
Shoes
& Boots |
| Australia |
$Aus 10 |
$Aus 18 |
| USA,
UK, NZ & elsewhere - Air Mail |
$Aus 20 |
$Aus 50 |
Postage is not
charged for single wallets or belts sent with shoes. For multiple orders,
add 60% of the single item postage for each extra item ordered.
EXCEPT:
for countries which do not offer insured air mail for packages over 2kg
(especially Canada & Israel) add 100% of the single item postage
for each extra pair of shoes / boots.
Prices
& Currency Conversion
Vegan Wares prices
are expressed in Australian dollars.
The relative value
of national currencies varies from day to day & is published in the
financial pages of most major daily news papers. You may care to
check the prevailing rates of exchange at the time you place your order. Recent conversion rates are shown at our ordering page.
AUSTRALIAN CLIENTS
PLEASE NOTE: Prices shown do not include the 10% General Sales
Tax (applicable only to Australian customers).
After
Sales Service
Vegan Wares offer
a full after-sales service. Feel free to contact us if you need to
know anything about the care & repair of your Vegan Wares shoes.
Should anything go wrong with your Vegan Wares shoes at any time please
contact us for advice. We are committed to giving our customers satisfaction.
In the event that problems arise within an unreasonably short time after
purchase please contact us immediately and we will endeavour to find a
solution at little or no cost to you.
Allergy-Free
Our shoes are ideal
for allergy sufferers who react to leather footwear. We are able
to avoid many chemicals which cause allergic reactions. Email
us for further details.
Cruelty-Free
At Vegan Wares we
believe in the sanctity of life & do not support or condone the exploitation
of sentient (conscious) creatures (or any creatures for that matter).
We seek out materials which are free of animal products, and because most
of our products are made in our own workshop we can be quite confident
that no leather componentry sneaks its way into our merchandise.
However, because
we don't personally make every component used in our shoes, & do not
manufacture each ingredient which is used in the production of glues, soles,
heel & toe stifferners, labels, etc, we still do have to rely on the
assurances of other people who are not always in tune with our principles
& who may not be fully aware of the origins of all the materials they
work with. For these reasons it is always possible that some animal
derived ingredients may slip under our guard. While such ingredients
could only represent a tiny tiny fraction of any particular product we
are keen to find out about them. If you have information which you
think could help us in this regard please email us.
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