My Secret Mission
During my lunch break today, I embarked on a mission: To find a pair of size 39 Marcelles in cordovan cabrio. I resolved to uncover every stone and follow any path that might lead to success. I began my mission at Dansko.com’s E-tailer list. Sequentially, I visited the 50 E-Tailers. From Tip Top Shoes to Takken Shoes, from Earth Walk Shoes to Clog Comfort. Although I met disappointment with each query, I trudged on.
Yes Marcelle, no Cordovan Cabrio! Yes cordovan cabrio, No size 39! No no no! At the 45 minute mark, I developed a pounding headache and nearly surrendered to the prospect of a failed mission.
Then I clicked on Shoe-Store.net. Whoa! Available?!? For real? Available in 39! I added 1 to the cart and proceeded to checkout. Free shipping, too … oh my god…. it sounded too good to be true. Ecstatic, I called Shoe-Store.net’s 800 number to verify the startling good news.
What do you think happened? Pick a scenario:
Scenario A: Mission was successful. Positively verified stock item and ordered a pair of the Cordovan Cabrio-colored Marcelle in 39 and I am now giddy, grinning from ear to ear, gleefully awaiting their arrival.
Scenario B: Mission was impossible. Verified that the item was really not in stock and upon resuming the search, the headache exploded into a migraine and I then deemed the mission impossible and consequently aborted.
Okay, okay... neither Scenario A nor B in their entirety came to pass. Rather, the mission became hopeful. I spoke with Korey at Shoe-Store.net, who then confirmed that shipping was free, but that the website (Shoe-store.net) was actually mistaken and that the Cordovan Cabrio was indeed out of stock. I then hypothetically asked, “Why would Dansko stop making such a great shoe?” Surprisingly, Korey had a good answer.
I learned that a company by the name of Sanita Clogs manufactures shoes for Dansko. As a matter of fact, Dansko clogs are Sanita Clogs with the Dansko label. Apparently, Dansko’s exclusive rights on the patent expired recently and Sanita Clogs has chosen to manufacture and sell the clogs exclusively under the Sanita brand name, which explains why Dansko has discontinued so many styles, including the Marcelle.
I visited SanitaClogs.com, still on the search for the elusive Marcelle. Sanita Clogs’ version of Marcelle is called Malina and their comparable name for cordovan cabrio is bordo. Though the general shape of the shoes were similar, the lines were different and I must say that Malina can be best described as Marcelle’s odd-looking twin – almost pretty. Would I buy it? Since the picture on the website was of a black Malina, I asked Korey to send me a photo of a Bordo-colored Malina if at all possible. Until I see a picture that resembles the cordovan cabrio, I feel hesitant about Malina.
Sigh. At the end of this very long story, my hopes are high. And why? Well, I will disclose this next week, but until then, it's my little secret.
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