FastFreddy2

Could there be a more 'girlie' shoe? From Lipsey. [Found >> here << at ASOS the mail order company.]

Continued ...... (had to do a second post to correctly place the piccies). Maybe the reason the Attack wasn't available in black patent without a bow, is the longstanding KG Eden, at £150. I've seen this style around for about 3 years that I can remember. I saw it first as a £140 leather shoe. Too rich for me, and it's a court shoe, which I can't see me wearing out anywhere [as yet]. Anyway, that's the shoe show done.

Suede. Very 'on trend', but not very good for me. I think suede is okay for hiding heels at night, but very dark for daytime use? Meaning not very many men wear black suede shoes. Some might, but not very many. I had a couple of minutes, so I've done some screen shots of the KG's. The ones that took my eye are the Carvela Attack, at £120. I'm sure I saw some in red patent too, but the black patent came with a bow, and had a different name. The screen shots show the 'Assault' style (again in black suede).

Always a pleasure. I'm sometimes tempted not to. Ventures into London are seldom uneventful, and even the smallest event can be made important, if enough detail is provided to convey a picture of the situation. London is a capital city, and one that's been around for over 2000 years. Most of the open media [uncontrolled by government] uses the English language, so VIP visitors and camera crews from all over the English speaking world visit the city. We have the Olympics here this year, and the Queens Diamond Jubilee, so no surprises the usual city buzz is getting buzzier! What is [sadly] a constant source of disappointment to me, is either the lack of ventures from like minded men wearing heels, or the lack of a write up about them when they do happen. I'm not getting 'down' on anyone. Thing is, most of us think their adventures are of little or no interest. That just isn't true! Any of us doing anything is interesting, and further write ups have the potential to help those, who are still struggling to come to terms with their - perhaps unusual - interest. We all feel better/more enthusiastic about an interest, if we know we are part of a group. I know I was very pleasantly surprised to find I was one of many, rather than one of [a very] few. Over on the other site, where traffic is fairly frequent, few people there arrange meetings in the UK. And the same handful of people tend to write about their adventures out in heels. VERY few of those if any, reporting bad responses. Sure, some people don't like men in heels, a few find it amusing. For the most part, the majority I suspect, don't have an interest/opinion one way or the other. Well, as long as the shoes aren't 6" stripper heels worn with a mini skirt that is. Neither of which could be worn by me...... So as trivial as my days out might seem to me and Mrs Freddy, I'll keep reporting them, while I'm still fit enough to have them. ....

Got another pair sold, as one of the two late payers, paid up midday Saturday. Only one defaulter now, and he has a history of being a problem, so he's possibly done me a favour by defaulting. I just need to find out how to ban him from further listings. Although I didn't make time to photograph any more of my own shoes that are leaving the collection [nor any of Mrs Freddy's either], I did relist a number of pairs that hadn't sold before. That's about 10 pairs...... They are all new, and would ALL sell if I let them go for silly-low money. The ones I can't wear because they are too small, I might have to let them go for silly money. But the ones I can wear, will not go for silly money as they're probably worth more to me, even if it means I have to wait until I can get around to wearing them, or wait for the season to become more wintry before getting reasonable money. Might need a bit of patience? Prices range from £4.99, to £49.99, so quite a spread..... Something for every pocket? ....

Going to give the listings a miss this time. Getting a signature for a receipt has gone up 26% from 75p to 95p. First Class letters, from 41p to 60p [almost a 50% increase]. Small parcels are more expensive to post now too, and will make inexpensive sales on internet auction sites, much less productive for sellers and buyers. I've no idea how that will directly affect the sort of things I sell, but I know already from experience [mentioned before], carriage costs DIRECTLY affect the attractiveness of a listing. I need to pack and accurately weigh anything I want to sell, before offering the shoes/boots for sale. I suspect it also means I need to find an alternate carrier too. Sending a pair of long boots, or even boxed ankle boots comes in at weighing over 1kg. That means shipping using RM 1st Class, and I only dispatch goods that are signed for on receipt. [Don't want to have to do refunds on goods that are lost, or worse, delivered that are subsequently claimed 'lost'.] Signature proves delivery, or absence of it. Waiting a week or two, will give me more time for photo's, and working out carriage accurately. I will PM the fellas here I think who might be interested, when the listings are done. I know not to expect sales, but it won't hurt to let fellow HH enthusiasts watch some gear get sold on. I mentioned before, I'd gotten a couple of non-payers? One gentlemen settled today. [so 2 of 3 have paid.] The 3rd fella already has some history of upsetting sellers, so I'm hoping he won't pay. I'll get a credit for non-payment, and he can go on my 'banned from bidding' list of one. I have the slight worry that if he pays Sunday or Monday, I'll be caught for the carriage costs at the increased prices, which will be less than I'd charged [two weeks ago] for the carriage. My expectation the items -if they sold- would be paid for fairly promptly. Not a week+ later. More as it happens. .....

Well, despite my pessimistic expectations ....... Mr and Mrs Freddy went to the West End after all. I'd managed to get enough done to allow myself some time off, and the weather wasn't as bad as forecast. We left late [me posting stuff sold on the auction site] getting into the shopping street for 6.45pm. Excellent timing given the free parking starts at 6.30pm. It was raining a little, and everyone that had one with them, was using a brolly. It wasn't so bad, though Mrs Freddy kept saying she was feeling cold. [she has a number of expensive coats that Eskimo's would be glad of, so why go out wearing a thin/light coat?] We managed to go to two large stores. To John Lewis to look for a Radley bag. [Currently 30% off.] And herself suggested a quick look into House of Fraser to browse around the shoes, allegedly as a treat for me ..... but I'm selling not buying ....... Mrs Freddy and I had a look around, and apart from some Carvela courts[aka pumps - and no link as the Carvela/KG web site doesn't like them], I saw nothing to arouse an itch in my wallet. Mrs Freddy, spied some shoes she was quite smitten with: Steve Madden Viktoree, black velvet Mary Jane style, with 2" platform and 6 inch heel: See samples: Viktoree in purple. Same style different brand. Another view of the Viktoree. So Mrs Freddy likes the shoes so much, she gets the assistant to get a second shoe while I visit the boys room. I get back [too late for the catwalk show] to find her putting on her own boots. Some conversation takes place based on her buying the shoes, "to treat me" [Freddy]. Now, I'm immediately suspicious about this, because (i) it isn't Christmas, and (ii) it's not my birthday. Plus, I haven't done anything terrifically great recently either. I'd even go so far as to say I'd prefer the money spent on a decent (car) battery charger ..... So I'm now having a shoe buying conversation with a women who hours earlier, gave me the better part of £400's worth of shoes she's worn once - to sell on, in the hope they might make £40. Here we are 10 hours later, talking about buying shoes with 6 inch heels for someone who regularly falls over wearing flat shoes? And offering them as a purchase to treat me? I didn't have the heart to tell her, I was more interested in some shoes I tried on when I got back from the boys room. A pair of shoes from >> Dune <<. They came with a pencil thin 4½" heel, and pointed toe. Had I been wearing hose, I might have tried on both shoes, but time was short, and there were no free 'footsies' left out for prospective buyers. We left empty handed. With the store closed at 8pm we found ourself on the street under the store canopy, getting ready to venture forth into worsening weather. As we stood looking into the deepening puddles and listening to the strengthening wind, I noticed a girl wearing some nice heels a couple of yards away. I also noticed her companion had a decent camera system with him. Ever the nosey person, I suggested we wait to see what they got up to. [i was in no hurry to go out into the rain.] As we were debating the weather and casting an eye back and both, a third person, a rather attractive girl - approached us. "Hi, would you mind if we interviewed you on camera?" Us thinking we were about to become media celebrities ..... almost took a step backward, but she kept smiling so we listened. Apparently, the girl who approached us was after a job in the US. She had to send them a 'show reel' of her interviewing on camera, and would we mind helping? So we did. After a brief discussion on what we would talk about [ugly women presenters from a male perspective, 'sugar-daddies' from a mature womans point-of-view, both recent news stories] we did a three minute interview. I replied true to type, as did Mrs Freddy, but all three of us had a giggle doing the interview. We were thanked for the help, and we started to walk away. Looking back, we saw the the girl presenter cry "Oh no!" We presumed this meant the interview didn't record maybe. [Camera man pushed the wrong button, or didn't push the right one hard enough?] We didn't go back for seconds though. While it had been entertaining, a second take would have had us marked as 'wannabes'. Shame. I quite fancied a spot on You Tube. I don't think the camera got pointed at my footwear. If it had, maybe the 'oh no' cry was because they didn't get a good shot of them? The rain carried on, and so did we to the restaurant. 2 hours later, we left having eaten a hearty 3 course meal that left us with change from £30. The car was parked around the corner [not a coincidence] and we were home for 11.20pm. I finally got an [entertaining] evening out in heels. ......

Nope. I think the site owner feels he has better things to do than waste his time [and it maybe it is a waste], allowing new folk in, that never contribute? Or never return? I don't think it's unreasonable, though I had hoped it's something shyguy could be doing? Shyguy?

Plan 'D' for this week then ...... Saturday afternoon at Brent Cross. Saturday evening, West End and food out. Weather Forecast: Showers during the afternoon moving to steady rain in the evening. Ambient temperature around 11'C during the day falling to 9'C in the evening. Wind working up from 21kph during the afternoon to 27kph for the evening. [Causing windchill, so temp will feel more like 6'C.] If I were a betting man, I'd wager on me cancelling. Weather report reads more like a late Autumn/mild Winters day, than an early/mid Spring day? Just how desperate am I getting to wear heels ..... Fairly, but not so much I want to go out in stormy weather. .....

Got another free listing weekend, for Auction style listings at £1 an over. Had a chat with Mrs Freddie about some of her excess footwear. 20 minutes later, I have another 10 pairs to sell on. Nearly all with 4"+ heels, and mostly worn once. Shame they're a size UK6/EU39. They won't all be there until late Sunday, so anyone interested, look on Monday or later? Saturday and Sunday am doing photo's, Sunday evening doing listings. [London Saturday pm, family dinner, Sunday pm.] ....

The sabotage crew were out again today ...... Mrs Freddy left the car lights on last night, having nearly been washed off the road by a downpour of 'drought' [monsoon grade] rain. Tried to start her car this morning ----- nothing. Yours truly, having been up until 4.30am preparing for the meeting mentioned earlier, had to rise at 6am to take his wife to work for 7am. Took some time to release the car battery. [Weird - install only method used by Volkswagen, meant uninstalling was a test of patience I may have passed, despite my tiredness.] Was just cleaning the battery, when two interviewers arrived. It went well. With battery out, I back to old home and obliging neighbour with a battery charger. Battery now charging. I'd like to catch up on some sleep, but I've some boots to post. then collect herself from work. I'll need to re-install the charged battery in daylight, so no playtime today. No rest for the wicked? .....

I can't believe, there have still been no new site applicants.

While looking through the Freddie Archives earlier for something I need for a meeting tomorrow [i'm on my 4th computer this year], I came across a spreadsheet I must have started about 2 years ago. Probably when my shoe collection was small enough for me to go from one end to the other, from memory. Okay, with clipboard and hand-scanner. I was in a rush [left everything until the last minute as usual], so didn't spend any time counting the pairs as a total. BUT, around 2/3rds of them were accurately priced. For example, I actually bought 4 pairs of the Nine West boots at £42, a fifth pair came in at £32...... The sub-total for priced up shoes/boots, was a smidgeon over £1400. Some of the prices I paid, were a shock. A pair of boots I imported from the US, and didn't manage to sell on the auction site for £50, cost me £100. And I got them in a sale. No wonder it took me 2 years to buy them! The cost of my 'wear everywhere' Harley's, [also imported] came at a bit of a shock. Two pairs at £60 and £75 each. [From different US sources.] Though the first pair have lasted 3 years. ALDO Shoes seem to have done well from my custom too, though I've only pair I would consider losing...... Two pairs, each at £40 in the sales, are simply the most attractive shoes I own. Both unworn, of course. .....

Looks like I have a couple of winning bidders, who won't be paying. I had contacted 3, and one will be paying in the morning. [Good man.] The other two fellas, have not responded to 2 attempts at contact. Why do people bid if they're not going pay for what they've bought? They're pretty stupid people. I have their names, addresses, and phone numbers. While I don't plan to do anything about their non-payment, there's little to stop me 'outing' them on a Facebook page [for example], and what could they do then? Good job I don't have a mean streak, eh? ....

The venture last Saturday didn't happen. I was late (as usual) and my companion decided she would rather watch television than go out late. [Her video needs replacing, so recording the programme she wanted to watch, wasn't an option.] The journey planned might happen tomorrow night, Thursday. Brent Cross, and then onto London's West End. Not a late night, but shopping and some food. Will certainly do me some good, leaving the building site for a couple of hours. ....

Now 25 pairs sold with another 5 recently 'disposed' of, so 30 less pairs at Maison de Freddy, than at the start of the year. Some would think it might make a difference? Doesn't seem to have. Perhaps when the next 20 pairs have gone? As a reminder ....... I have 5 pairs of IDENTICAL Nine West shoes, I gave £42 for each pair. (I had the cash, and I loved them.) If I'm lucky, I'll sell them. If I'm lucky, each pair will make something between £10 and £15. They were £84 originally.... I bought during the sale period. When I bought, I never thought they would be sold on as they were the first shoe I worn out in daylight, in public, I fully expected I'd need these for the rest of my daytime high heeling life. Not sure if it's a good thing or not, but I've moved on. I still like them, but I now own even nicer [higher/more attractive] styles, that I would prefer to wear..... ...

I wouldn't want someone wearing one - that trod on my toe! They're certainly eye catching. I have a thing for slim steel/shiny heels. Though a comment like that, is hardly going to surprise anyone.

Thank you. If ever I get a better phone, it would be nice to show some video's via You Tube maybe? That would be my expectation. I don't overdo anything, just enough to 'highlight' the interesting bits of the images. This one had someone standing next to her. Completely edited/coloured out. http://www.heels4men.net/gallery/image/194-image0502cjpg/ This one had the LOUD [distracting] branding removed from the bag. http://www.heels4men.net/gallery/image/191-image0486cjpg/ This one had a furry heel, redrawn to make it visible again. http://www.heels4men.net/gallery/image/181-image0480jpg/ .....

Summer is on its way (apparently) so few boots in the shops, but many more casual styles, courts or sandals. A couple that caught me eye are shown in the links below. If the links don't work, I'll do some screen shots later. River Island sandal. River Island boot in same style. [i'm luvin' these. ] Odeon court shoe. [New brand I've never heard of. Available at Debenhams and Barratts.] Enjoy! .... Reason for edit: Typo.

Not made time for phone shopping yet..... So no progress on a replacement camera/phone. Thought I might mention the continuing use of the 'old' Nokia, used again on Saturday. Not only the phone, but some of the work that goes into providing a picture for the gallery? For example: http://www.heels4men...-image0504djpg/ Each of these three images had work done, that probably no one noticed? Starting from the right ..... View of back, legs crossed: Compared to the other two images, the original made her legs look short. The image has been cropped and stretched. Centre..... The girl and her companion (Mum?) Where shopping for flowers. What has been edited out, is a great big orange warning sign that coloured up the area between her legs [warning of water on the floor]. The area was painstakingly recoloured. Left ....... In the original, there were two laden shopping trolley's surrounding the subject. Both were a distraction. [Check the cardboard boxes on the right.] Either trolley has been disguised or over-painted.. The three edited images were merged to provide a single identity. I didn't see it myself, but apparently the girl couldn't walk in her heels without holding onto her escort. Always a good sign I feel. ....

Forgot to mention ..... While I understand there might only be one buyer per family, [a Mr buyer, or a Mrs buyer], about 75% of my auction site sales are going to male names. And quite a lot toward the northern reaches of Manchester and Liverpool.

More sold. Seems there are a number of influences to selling? Season, which may have very little effect if the buyer (of womens shoes) is a man. Carriage costs seem to have an enormous effect, despite the charges I offer being either 'at cost' or below cost. [Meaning: I often lose out on postal costs because I under-charge.] An example of this would be boots "A" which I know is going to cost a little over £6 to post using RM. I advertise these [new] boots 3 times, moving from £20 + £6 carriage costs, to £15 + £6 carriage costs to £18 + £3 carriage costs - where they finally sell. It's bad enough these boots usually sell at retailers for £46+ so I'm effectively offering them at half to a third their usual selling price. But shifting around the carriage costs [slight of hand salesmanship] means I have to pay seller fees on some of the carriage component of the sale. My conclusion is, based on limited sales experience, shoppers begrudge shipping fees. If I needed any confirmation of this, check the US shopping sites. "Free shipping" everywhere. Getting to be a bit like it over here. Either free shipping, or very low delivery costs. [Circa £2, for example.] It's not really free, because it'll be lost in the cost of the item(s) bought. Though I expect this cost will be minimised as the seller will get the benefit of a bulk deal from the carrier.... I suppose style and size will affect buyers choice. The styles I choose are fairly classic, offensive to no-one. Have higher heels, obviously, though we all know girls like the higher heel. I try to provide as accurate sizing information as possible, though that doesn't always work out. [More on that further down.] I've had trouble with this myself. Buying a shoe or boot advertised as an 8, that when it arrives is clearly a 9, or clearly a 7. If you've spent any time reading reviews on the Barratts/Priceless websites, you'll know this is quite common. Shoes are imported and marked with sizes that have no relationship to the 'standard' UK size. Better [more expensive] sellers don't suffer with this so often, and I guess its because the brand have their own sized last made? I have Kurt Geiger/Carvela in mind when I make this remark. Marks and Spencer seem to be uniformly sized too. Next are similar, though there seems to have been a change with them at some stage. For example, I used to be a Next 8. Now, I can pretty much wear a Next 7? Faith [a UK High Street shoe chain no longer with us] sold shoes in size 7, 8, and 9 I could wear. I begin to realise, sloppy sizing may have contributed to their downfall. [And that of Barratts/Priceless.] Without doubt, if you don't have a successful mail-order wing of your retail business, you have no business! And how successful are you going to be, if every time someone thinks about ordering, they're going to be unsure about fit? Free carriage and returns make it an easier choice, but far from optimal, and someone pays for those shoe trips. If you're shipping lots and selling little, how long will your business survive? Not long maybe, as with Payless. So I tend to provide as much sizing information as I can. I relate to shoe retailers, so buyers can buy with confidence. Been good response with a single exception. A fella bought some boots for his girlfriend. They were an 8 that I could get into, I just didn't like how wide the boots were around the upper calf. Anything over 13 inches are going to look like wellies on me, and these were about 15" so they had to go. Lovely boots, and quite popular over here, unsurprisingly they sold well. The buyer, wanted to return them, which given the carriage costs and damage liability, I couldn't agree to. Seems his girlfriend thought they were too small? The brand usually sells an 8, that fits me like a 7. I made mention to this, because anyone used to buying an 8 in that brand would find the boots I was selling very loose. Hence my comments. You'll understand my surprise then, when the fella asks if he can return them, despite me stating there are no returns. [The 'returns' feature isn't always allowed with commercial retail sellers on auction style listings, so I'm not likely to offer it.] It's a shame, but being a popular style, selling him the boots on should not have been a problem. What I'm not understanding, is why one or two styles do not seem to get any attention at all. I know that the auction site search engine doesn't always perform. For example: I had two pairs listed under almost identical headings, both in the same category, similar price etc etc. One pair came up on a "Size 8" search, the other didn't? And, one pair sold, the other didn't even get 'watchers' .... From my usual business, I know a buyer for something [anything], will turn up eventually. It's easy to imagine there's a steady stream of people looking to buy something you're selling. If you are selling used pairs of Levi jeans originally made in the 1960's, that might be true. But new shoes and boots, with no returns opportunity, are going to be harder to sell. And certainly won't make anything close to the original purchase price. I recently sold a pair of Next boots for around £20, with £5 carriage contribution. [Carriage was actually £6.] The price sticker still on the boots, and what was the original retail price? £84-99. That's a 75% price reduction. And when I say they were sold in new condition, it's exactly what I mean. The auction site is a great place to buy. Lots of bargains to be had. Great for the auction site. They get money from listings fees, whether you sell or not. Even better for them if you sell, as they get a good percentage of the selling fee. So, any good for the seller? I'd say yes. With no auction site, the tip would be getting a lot of stuff that is perfectly serviceable. That said, without the auction site I might not have bought so many pairs to start with! It's a double edged sword at worst. Given the usefulness of the auction site, I'm surprised there isn't an alternative? .....

Top man! Exciting, isn't it?

Looks like I'm out somewhere tomorrow afternoon/evening. Weather was very wet again today, and it promises to be much the same tomorrow, so it'll have to be somewhere inside. Brent Cross, Westfield [White City]? Somewhere less exotic, Watford? I maybe need to find some new walking venues. .... ....