I have a crooked heel

Lindsay · 18th September 2005, 19:13

I've just bought a gorgeous pair of Ellie shoes. They have a 6" stiletto and the left one is crooked. When the shoe is upright, the tip of the heel points outward and the heel is slanting by about 5 degrees (ish). This makes the shoe a little hard to balance in, although not impossible.

I imported these from the US, so before I send them back, is there a way to fix them. It's just I absolutely love these shoes and I'd sooner take them to the cobblers, rather than send them back and wait for a new pair (they originally took 5 weeks to arrive).

hoverfly · 18th September 2005, 19:57

Platform or court stile shoe? With the courts take them to a shoe repair shop and see what they say. If they are platforms send them back I don't think there is any thing that can be done about it.

Shafted · 18th September 2005, 20:57

The heel may be rotated a small bit outward. It would require removing the nails in the heel and rotating it slightly back on center and renailing. If the sole continues down the heel to the heel tip, the shoe may require a full resoling to correct. Most cobblers won't do this as it will require exposing the shank of the shoe and may sacrifice the shoe integrity. I would definity send it back.

BTW: I love Ellie shoes too.

Bubba136 · 18th September 2005, 21:10

Ellie shoes are great. I've a couple pairs, myself...

(There once was a crooked man
that had a crooked smile,
as he wore his crooked heels
and walked a crooked mile.....)

Lindsay · 18th September 2005, 22:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bubba136

(There once was a crooked man
that had a crooked smile,
as he wore his crooked heels
and walked a crooked mile.....)

He he! I wondered if someone would be reminded of that rhyme. And your version is better.

They are some of the best looking stilettoes I've seen for a while at such a low price. I love 'em. I'm considering collecting all the 6" variations. It's those damned import fees though!

hart88 · 19th September 2005, 21:09

First question,

if you hold both shoes up side down in your hands parralel, can you see if the heels are installed differently? ( compare them both to a clock, and see if all points match, if not and one end is more twisted then you will see)This means the heel was not set right and nailed correctly. You could try to have the shoe man take it off, and renail it, but it is a difficult job to keep from damaging a new shoe. (If you brought in an older shoe I would say there could be some marks from prying the heel off but with an older shoe you wouldn't notice as much)
If so, then I would think about returning them, because that is always going to effect the way you walk if one is different than the other.

Second Question
If you Put them both on a book shelf when you can set them both at eye level, with the heels directly in front of your vision, see if you can tell if one shoe leans to the left or right more noticably?

you could feel adventerous - hold the shoe tight with one hand , and with other hand you could try to twist the heel either to the left or right, to see if it makes the shoe set better. If it leans outside, you can try to twist it to the inside, visa versa. (always try in small increments.) This could be a indication of a weak shank, That might be repaired by having the heel and shank braced by using shoe tacks to tighten the length of the shank area.

Lindsay · 19th September 2005, 21:56

Despite having a background of mechanical engineering, both heels look like they have been fitted correctly. But then I'm not an expert on shoes. To be honest, the heel looks BENT.From the point the heel stops tapering (continuing to the heel tip) it actually looks bent. I guess if the heel is plastic with a metal rod inside, it could be possible. But like I said, I'm no expert on shoes.

As for trying to adjust them by hand: if the weight of me stood in the shoes won't budge 'em, there's not much chance of me doing so. And they do seem to be nailed on very tightly.

If the heel IS bent, can it be straightened?

Dawn HH · 19th September 2005, 22:20

Lindsay:-)

I would say that if the shoes are new to send them back for replacements. I know that there is a time element and a cost factor, but if the shoes don't sit right, you will not be wearing them and they will only languish in the bottom of your shoe closet and not be worn comfortably. Despite all of the above, I would send them back for replacements or a refund.
Cheers---

Dawn HH

Lindsay · 20th September 2005, 09:49

I think you are right. But I'm looking at this from a financial point of view. It may be just easier to buy another pair. Never mind.

Bubba136 · 20th September 2005, 17:34

I have a pair of Jante white patent sandals with 5½" heels that are almost worn out. I ordered them from a eBay seller and when I put them on for the first time, discovered that the heel on the right shoe was bent inward - making my foot rock to the right. I placed them on a table top and, after looking at them very carefully, found that the heel was indeed bent inward. However, the place that was out of line was the place where the heel was attached to the bottom of the shoe. I picked the shoe up and managed to twist the entire sole/shank/heel back into the same line as was projected by the left shoe. Shoes have been perfect every since. And, as I said, I've literally worn them thread bear over the past three years. :)