Well this is it! The pre-order period for the new Georgiana 18th c. shoes is now open. It will run for 3 weeks: April 1st – April 22nd. We’re looking at a late May delivery date, so you should all be receiving your shoes in June, barring any funky delays with shipping or customs.
I want to thank each and every one of you who blogged, tweeted, and shared the news. The blogroll looked amazing! I will keep you guys appraised of the progress in our quest to get to 100 orders.
If you’re new to this blog and the whole 18th c. shoes story, check out the shoes on the new, official American Duchess Boutique website, and read past posts of how this all came to be.
23 Comments
ZipZip
April 1, 2011 at 5:59 PMDear Lauren,
I ordered, I ordered! Went like a breeze.
Very best, and here's hoping the pre-order goes swimmingly.
Very best,
Natalie
Anonymous
April 1, 2011 at 6:32 PMGood Luck! I hope you reach your goal!
Olympe de la Tour D'Auvergne
April 1, 2011 at 6:44 PMI already ordered mine, now must cultivate patience.
Lauren
April 1, 2011 at 7:13 PMOrdered mine! Yay!!
Anonymous
April 1, 2011 at 10:02 PMI have posted, dear Duchess! I sorely want to pre-order some, but I don't get money until later this month (after the pre-order closes – CRY!)… I might have to see if I can do some creative accounting to make it possible!
They really are beautiful shoes, Lauren – thank you for all your hard work!
Dana
April 1, 2011 at 10:49 PMGo Duchess Go!
Anonymous
April 2, 2011 at 12:29 AMOh yes, I forgot to ask – do you have an idea of what postage would be to the UK? (This affects my "creative accounting" 😉 )
Lauren R
April 2, 2011 at 12:38 AMHi Gentles – yes, UK shipping for one pair is $34, for two pairs it's $36, three pair is $38. Keepin' it real with the shipping 🙂
Anonymous
April 2, 2011 at 12:52 AMCheers, Lauren! Sorry with all the Qs – but just to check, do you have to pay it all at once (including the postage)? I'm guessing yes, but need to check! Thank you!
Lauren R
April 2, 2011 at 12:57 AMYes, the payment is upfront, including shipping. I couldn't figure any other way to do it :-
Olympe de la Tour D'Auvergne
April 2, 2011 at 1:02 AM82 orders! That's awesome!!! We're going to make it with time to spare!
Ahem, I'm just a tiny bit excited.
Lauren R
April 2, 2011 at 1:05 AM"Time to spare" is an understatement! It hasn't even been 24 hours yet. I am overwhelmed with the response, and it's all thanks to you guys ordering and sharing. Thank you SO much!!
Jenny
April 2, 2011 at 2:01 AMI wish wish wish I had the money to get a pair, but I just couldn't find it. We're not really making it as it is and I can't buy the shoes and feed 4 kids at the same time. I'm with Gentle- CRY! I want these soooo bad! But I'm behind you all the way otherwise and your site is a big part of my A-Z blog challenge post for "C" (Costuming!). You are AWESOME, lady! 🙂
Lauren R
April 2, 2011 at 2:42 AMOh no worries, honey, I know it's hard times, but your support means so much to me!
Minerve
April 2, 2011 at 4:18 AMFirst of all, Lauren, let's me just say congratulations for that awesome project! I've been a silent reader, but I followed the ''18th century shoes saga'' with much interest.
I have 2 questions for you.
1) I would like to order a custom dye, but I'm not sure if the shoes will fit. Would it be better for me to pre-order white shoes, try them as soon as I get them, and then send them back to you? I could then order a custom dye pair of shoes, being sure of the proper size for me…
I just don't want to ''waste'' a pair of shoes that you would get dyed, tried them on, and then have to send them back, and then order the shoes dyed in the same color, but in the now-correct size… I don't know if you get what I mean lol.
Is it of any matter to you since I read you'll refund shoes dyed by you (as long as they're in pristine condition, of course)?
2) Just to be sure I get you, we have to hit 100 pre-orders for us to get the shoes, but you'll have more in stock?
Btw, just saw there are now 94 pre-orders. Awesome! I shall add mine soon. 🙂
Lauren Stowell
April 2, 2011 at 5:21 AMHi Minerve,
I think the best thing to do is the foot-trace method to measure your foot and compare it to the size chart, but also, you can send me the tracing of your bare foot and I can make doubly sure to have the proper size. If you buy the shoes, try them, send them back, we dye them and send them back, the shipping starts getting up there.
You got it right, I do take returns on shoes that I've dyed for you. I hope to be able to decorate them and sell them as one-offs on Etsy. Don't worry about the returns if I've dyed them for you – that's part of the service, is I guarantee color and fit :-).
Question 2 – yes, I have to have 100 orders to be able to fund the manufacture of the style, but I will need to have some in stock to be able to handle exchanges on sizes, so yes, there will be some shoes in stock, but not many. They'll be $105, and there is no guarantee of sizes.
I am happy to say that with the now-95 pre-orders, we've been able to raise enough money with the other items for sale on the site (the buckles and t-shirts) to put the order through. The Shoes Are Coming!
Anonymous
April 2, 2011 at 12:04 PM95?!!??!!!!111!!one!1!! WOW – that's amazing!! Congratulations!!!
(Thanks a lot for answering all my Qs!)
Anonymous
April 2, 2011 at 5:41 PMWill the presale continue for three weeks even though you're so near your goal? I need to finish a commission and get paid before I can buy these!
Lauren Stowell
April 2, 2011 at 6:47 PMWe're at 100! actually a couple more, wow!
Catherine, yes, I'll keep the pre-order open the whole time. I really didn't expect to get the 100 orders in 24 hours! I would hate for anybody who didn't see it on Friday, or is waiting a little while to miss out, so don't worry, you can still get your shoes 😀
Sandra Brake
April 5, 2011 at 8:56 AMI think you should run a book on how many pairs you will sell in the pre-order period! hahaha
Guessing game time. I think you have orders for somewhere between 165 and 195 pairs now!
So how did I do???
Sandra Brake
April 5, 2011 at 8:58 AMPS I'd be happier if it was more!
Lauren Stowell
April 5, 2011 at 9:00 AMHahaha, don't I wish, Traveller! It's 123 today (April 4) and we're still getting one or two each day. But 165 or 195 would be out-of-this-world! Who knows, by April 22nd….
Sandra Brake
April 14, 2011 at 11:02 AMThere's a package in the mail to me???? OMG is it just the buckles etc or is it the shoes?????????
Cheered my day up no end. Even the buckles alone will make my day when they arrive!