[Passiton]

I'm not sure that these boots are worth repairing or selling. On the other hand, *IF* they can be easily repaired, they've obviously been well-cared-for and are good quality boots. They're tall dress boots.

They were donated so that they could be sold with the money going to horse rescue, but, given their condition, I'm not sure that they *can* be sold, much less what to ask for them.

On the inside of the ankle on one boot, there's a tiny hole about the size of a COTH smilie (like this: ). On the other boot, again inside the ankle, there's a thin tear about an inch long where the general wear of the leather seems to have worn through. Could they be repaired sufficiently that they could be used? Would it be worth the cost of repairing them?

I would offer them *as-is* for the next owner to have the boots repaired themselves, so any idea what they're worth as-is? *Not* selling them here!! I just need to know if people might be interested in them or if they'd be likely to want to ship them back to me once they saw them in person (i.e., not through emailed photos). And I have no idea whether to ask $10 or $100 for them.

[vbunny]

You could take them to a local cobbler and see what he would charge and if he can even fix them. That way if you did advertise you could include that information with it.

[DeeThbd]

I have seen boots patched on the inside of the ankle (exercise riders on the track) - they can definitely remain serviceable@!
Dee

[La Gringa]

If you contact Dehner directly they can tell you as well. Dehner takes boots back for repairs or adjustments, and they do a terrific job.

[JSwan]

I agree with La Gringa.

Dehner will fix them good as new.

Since these are for a charity - maybe you could work out somethng like... they give you a coupon, or discount, or whoever buys the boots gets 10% off repairs by Dehner.... something like that. That way you leverage the donation as well as give an incentive to Dehner to repair the boots free or low cost. Works great for you/the rescue, Dehner and the new owner of the boots.

It's a great company. Really. Good luck!

[mvp]

I like the suggestion that includes info or a coupon for a repair from Dehner.

Since you are a RAISING money, I would not have the boots repaired before offering them for sale. Custom boots can sit around for awhile until you find the person who fits them.

But, Dehner will do a much better job than will most Cobbler's.

Riding boots are an investment. I were considering these boots for myself, I'd rather know where I could get them fixed right than tolerate or redo a shoddy repair job.

You might start by calling Dehner's and getting a quote.

Nice of you to go to these lengths for your charity!

[Giddy-up]

Call Dehner. They are extremely helpful & nice. Might even help you out if it's for a charity.

[rhymeswithfizz]

I wore a hole on the saddle-side of the calves of my Ariats - a local non-horsey shoe repair place patched them nicely for about $30. Absolutely fix-able!

I'd say get a quote for the fix and include that quote with the boots when you sell them - that way the buyer knows that they CAN be repaired and how much that repair will cost, and you aren't out any $$ yourself.

[Passiton]

First off, as I mentioned in my original post, yes, I *do* intend to leave it up to the buyer to get them repaired, and sell them *as-is*.

Great idea about asking Dehner for a discount if the buyer sends them in for repair. But...

Then I looked at Dehner's website and found the price list for repairs. Ulp! I'm guessing the *ankle patch* repair is what would be needed -- and it runs $70!! I'm not sure if that's PER BOOT or not, but I suspect it is. $140 for repairs? Plus postage too, so maybe $170 at a guess for mailing out to Dehner and getting them fixed???

Yes, these were obviously expensive boots initially (somewhere around $800 based on their current price list), but, what are they worth now? Second-hand, I don't know how much someone would be willing to pay. I need to figure out what they might be *worth* to a potential, then subtract the repair costs from that worth to gauge what to ask a buyer to pay.

I'm not sure that they're worth the estimated $170 for repairs, much less adding on a few bucks for the rescue ...that's a lot to ask for second-hand boots, isn't it??? Dunno, but someone who's going to put that much into a pair of boots is probably more likely to buy a cheaper brand NEW rather than a used pair of a better brand, aren't they? Yes, these boots have been well-cared-for and are in pretty decent shape, but, they're clearly well-worn.

What do you guys think? Would a well-used pair of Dehners be worth the possible $170 cost of fixing them? Would they be worth any more than that?

I'm thinking no.... Looks like they may end up sitting here for a while until I figure out what I can do with them. Sigh.

[tangledweb]

What do you guys think? Would a well-used pair of Dehners be worth the possible $170 cost of fixing them? Would they be worth any more than that?

I'm thinking no

Agree. Put them in the trash, save yourself from somebody else's clutter that is not going to be sellable.

[JSwan]

A new pair of Dehners cost around 1000$.

So to me - repairing them is worth the money. Those boots last decades and the quality simply cannot be matched with the crap that is sold nowadays.

I would at least make the attempt to contact Dehner or a good cobbler and ask if something can be worked out. Those boots are not junk and they were not dumped on you - those boots do have value.

If your rescue does not want them - at least contact the donor and offer to return them.

[mp]

I bought my Dehner boots used on Ebay 2 years ago. And I'm always shopping for another pair.

I've found the price varies a lot by the size. If the boots are not too small (e.g., ladies' size 7 or bigger) and the calves are not tiny (e.g., ~15" is better than 13"), they go for more money. If the boots you have fit that description, put a price tag of $75 on them and I bet they will sell. The buyer doesn't have to send them to Dehner to get them fixed. Just take them to a good shoe repair person, and they'll have a great pair of boots for ~$150 -- a bargain. As JSwan said, those boots last forever.

[Passiton]

Those boots are not junk and they were not dumped on you - those boots do have value.

If your rescue does not want them - at least contact the donor and offer to return them.

Just to be clear, the donor was not intending to donate them to a rescue at all. I responded to an ad she posted on a *free/giveaway items* board and arranged to pick them up. When I went to pick them up, I told her that I would sell them and give the money to rescue. But as far as she knew until I said that, I was picking them up for my own use only.

[Puddin Pie]

Then try selling them on ebay with a link to whatever horse rescue you are planning to give the money to. LInk to Denher's for repair, heck for $20.00 and you spend $150 for a repair, you might get some nice boots. My friend's konigs have a similar patch, you can't tell from on the horse.

[SmokenMirrors]

I just posted a question about Dehner boots as the Horse County in Warrenton VA is going to have the president come and measure for their boots for those who want some.

If anyone could go to the hunt forum and answer my questions so I don't hijack this one I would appreciate it.