Author Topic: Linds shoe company... (Read 10641 times)

Shoutout33 · « **on:** November 30, 2004, 02:55:08 AM »

Hey people, just wanted to know who has any of the "newer" Linds shoes that are made in Mexico and how are they holding up? This may sound mean, but I'm suprised to see they are still in business. Most people don't like them because the quality is not what it used to be or they just plan to keep the old ones they have now and if they wear out, buy some other brand of shoe. Have they done better with their products as of late?
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When you've moved up, moved back, adjusted left and right, cupped, flattened out, have thrown everyting in your arsenal, and the pins still don't cooperate, just say, "Aw to HELL with it!", and throw the ball!

Smash49 · « **Reply #1 on:** November 30, 2004, 01:45:23 PM »

There is a lot of competition in bowling shoes at this time. This has caused shoes to be made overseas and quality to go up and down. Some people see this as a good and bad thing. Lind's would last on average about 10 years. For some pro shops selling shoes that last that long does not make sense. Other shops want to sell quality in everything they do. When I was at BowlExpo I remember going to 6 or 8 maybe 10 different shoe companies booths. With Asian shoe makers making the same quality shoes or better the market gets really tough. What do you do build them to last and make them so expensive no one can buy them? Build them to fall apart after a year? One company is getting hit hard because the quality of their product is poor and people are switching. It's not Lind's. It's Darwinism in the bowling shoe business. The company that can satisfy the customers, shops, distributors will win. FOR NOW!. I have size 6 1/2 Linds Classics and just switched to Etonic ESL Classic Blacks. It's hard to find men's shoes that size. At one time I had to trace my foot and send it to Linds.

Smash49
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Smash49
robert@bowlersslidesock.com
Bowler's Slide Sock: Simply the finest slide product on the planet! This sock will make you want to throw everything else away!
www.bowlersslidesock.com

T Brockette · « **Reply #2 on:** November 30, 2004, 02:11:10 PM »

Until recently, I wore a pair of Linds that I have had since about 1984. I just
purchased a pair of Dexter sst5 lx's. The only reason I switched is because
the Dexters in my opinion are much more comfortable. I like the width and
the cushion on my new shoes, but I doubt that they will ever last as long or
hold up as good as my old Linds.
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Tracy
GO COWBOYS / NEXT YEAR

Leftyhi-trak · « **Reply #3 on:** November 30, 2004, 03:56:31 PM »

Smash hit the nail on the head. Linds wore like iron (still have a pair of classics from 1987)but in todays disposable market why produce something that will last that long as your market share is diminished. At that time when Linds was the forefront they only had 1-2 manufacturers as competition at that level of shoe. Also with all the foreign competition, its hard to replicate that and have it work from a cost effective standpoint.

charlest · « **Reply #4 on:** November 30, 2004, 05:29:54 PM »

I still a have a pair of Linds from 1985, still comfortable, still whole.

I am using a pair of Linds Exxxtras. Whne I learned that Linds was moving their production facility to Mexico, I IMMEDIATELY purchased a 2nd pair made in Illinois (or was it Michigan, wherever; it was in the USA), and put them away. I expect to start wearing them around 2020.

A teammate recently corroborated my apparentr extravangance, buying shoes that were not needed right now. His recently purchased Linds Exxxtras had the sole separate from the body due to poor glue/poor gluing/poor preparation, whatever. Since they were guaranteed, he got a new pair for free, BUT none of the 5 or 6 pair of Linds I have owned since about 1969 ever separated or ever lost their stitching or had their stitching come undone.

HOWEVER, the very first pair of Dexter's I tried in 1997 had the sole separate and had stitches tear/come apart. I'll never buy another Dexter's product again.

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"When we choose an action,
we also choose the consequences of that action.

Shoutout33 · « **Reply #5 on:** December 01, 2004, 08:49:23 AM »

I have the top of the line ABS' right now, but I really, really, really wanted to get some Linds...it was all I knew when it came to bowling shoes. Even when Dexter started to take over with the SST 4's I LOVED my Linds! I mean I wanted to have some custom (not this semi-custom stuff...) Linds made man! Aaarrrggghhh!

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When you've moved up, moved back, adjusted left and right, cupped, flattened out, have thrown everyting in your arsenal, and the pins still don't cooperate, just say, "Aw to HELL with it!", and throw the ball!

scotts33 · « **Reply #6 on:** December 01, 2004, 10:32:49 AM »

quote:
I IMMEDIATELY purchased a 2nd pair made in Illinois (or was it Michigan, wherever

Somerset, WI.....us Cheeseheads can make quality shoes.

I used Classics for years then Exxtra's. Went to ABS glad I did.

Scott

Smash49 · « **Reply #7 on:** December 01, 2004, 11:13:23 AM »

Americans made fine shoes and other types of clothing. My grandfather was a New England shoemaker. Long gone are most of the factories in the northeast and most quality craftsmanship. There are a few products still around but getting fewer by the day.

Smash49
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Smash49
robert@bowlersslidesock.com
Bowler's Slide Sock: What's the Difference? Quality!, Construction! and Performance! This sock will make you want to throw everything else away!
www.bowlersslidesock.com

charlest · « **Reply #8 on:** December 01, 2004, 11:34:15 AM »

quote:
quote:
I IMMEDIATELY purchased a 2nd pair made in Illinois (or was it Michigan, wherever

Somerset, WI.....us Cheeseheads can make quality shoes.

I used Classics for years then Exxtra's. Went to ABS glad I did.

Scott

AH, yes, I ordered a pair with the magic cheddar soles,

, for those slippery synthetic approaches.

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"When we choose an action,
we also choose the consequences of that action.

DON DRAPER · « **Reply #9 on:** December 03, 2004, 12:41:48 PM »

i know bowlers who have had their linds shoes for years and they say they wear like iron. by and large these are the classic . my problem with that was there was no real padding of any type. and their shoes aren't very wide---even the wide widths weren't that wide. i tried on a pair of linds exxtras and their quality seemed high but still too narrow and not as comfortable as dexter. i'm sold on dexter sst 6 lx's. the shoes are wide and roomy. the construction and quality of mine are as high if not higher than the dexters that were made in this country. the amount of cushioning and padding make for a very comfortable shoe. as far as the abs/dynaroos go i'm not willing to spend that much money just yet. i'm seeing too many of their shoes fall apart---especially the kevlar toe cap.

smash9 · « **Reply #10 on:** December 04, 2004, 07:54:04 AM »

Thanks for the input, guys. I have a pair of Linds from early 80's I was using when I was bowling in four leagues/week, etc. They're semi-retired now but my son is using them now -- he's a casual, occasionsl bowler. HOPPE, I'm surprised to hear you had trouble w/the width--- I had a pair of wides that worked great. As a matter of fact I bought Linds because of the quality and fit---yeah, my replacement pair was another pair of Linds, but I do have a pair of SST's I'm "experimenting" with right now.
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So you like this guy?

Yeah, he treats me sweet -- I met him at a bowling alley. (Matchstick Men)

Shoutout33 · « **Reply #11 on:** December 06, 2004, 09:05:32 AM »

Ok people, thanks so much for the replies, but I still haven't received a response to my original question. Does anyone own any of the NEW Linds products that are made in Mexico and how have they been holding up for you? Do they wear like iron or soft aluminum?

It's really important that I get a reply to this or do you know of anyone who has then new Linds and how do they feel about them? Thanks again all.

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When you've moved up, moved back, adjusted left and right, cupped, flattened out, have thrown everyting in your arsenal, and the pins still don't cooperate, just say, "Aw to HELL with it!", and throw the ball!

Smash49 · « **Reply #12 on:** December 06, 2004, 09:20:23 AM »

We have had reports in the shop as to poor quality construction on the new Lind's shoes. Tongues falling out, poor stitching and other defects. Really no more problems than any other shoe company but this is totally different from Lind's past. Lind's has been known for their quality of construction and now may be the same as everyone else. Are they the Lind's of old and wear like iron? Most likely the answer would be no. Since we rarely have a pair in stock and have to special order we see very few of them. I would imagine most pro shops or companies do the same thing and stock a very limited amount so feedback would be real small.

Smash49
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Smash49
robert@bowlersslidesock.com
Bowler's Slide Sock: What's the Difference? Quality!, Construction! and Performance! This sock will make you want to throw everything else away!
www.bowlersslidesock.com

MI 2 AZ · « **Reply #13 on:** December 06, 2004, 10:27:31 AM »

When did they move their factory to Mexico?
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I just want 2C was'zzub.
____________________________________

I am the SGT Schultz of bowling.
"I know nothing! I see nothing! NOTHING!"

scotts33 · « **Reply #14 on:** December 06, 2004, 10:39:25 AM »

quote:
When did they move their factory to Mexico?

Gary--heck out these links to Linds reorganization and move.

http://www.bowlingfans.com/kegler/kc05282000.shtml <--scroll down all the way.
http://www.linds.com/restruct.html

So, it's been awhile.

Main reason I went to ABS last year.

Scott

Author Topic: Linds shoe company... (Read 10641 times)

Shoutout33

Linds shoe company...

Smash49

Re: Linds shoe company...

T Brockette

Re: Linds shoe company...

Leftyhi-trak

Re: Linds shoe company...

charlest

Re: Linds shoe company...

Shoutout33

Re: Linds shoe company...

scotts33

Re: Linds shoe company...

Smash49

Re: Linds shoe company...

charlest

Re: Linds shoe company...

DON DRAPER

Re: Linds shoe company...

smash9

Re: Linds shoe company...

Shoutout33

Re: Linds shoe company...

Smash49

Re: Linds shoe company...

MI 2 AZ

Re: Linds shoe company...

scotts33

Re: Linds shoe company...