My Irish setter boot experience

[LondonDave]

I sent Irish Setter a message the other day and got a response back the same day. Here is the message I sent them and the response...

Sent: Thursday, October 18, 2012 7:12 AM
To: Customer Service, Red Wing Shoe Co.
Subject: Problem with Irish Setter Rutmaster boots

Hello,

I have a pair of non-insulated Rutmaster boots that are less than a year old. Approximately 1 month ago I stepped into water that was just over ankle deep. I noticed that the left boot was leaking at the lower part of the ribbed area on the back of the boot in the ankle area. The other day I was out walking after it rained. I was walking through tall wet grass and again could feel that the boot was leaking in the same area.

I currently own 6 pairs of Irish Setter boots and have owned Irish Setter boots for many years. I love the fit and finish and recommend them whenever possible. This is the first pair that I've had any sort of issue with. I'm wondering if there is any sort of warranty on these boots or if perhaps there was a production defect? I belong to an internet hunting forum where several other members have reported having the same problem with the same boots in the same area.

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance



Dave,
Thank you for writing to us. We are sorry to hear that your Irish Setter Rutmaster boots have not performed as expected. At Irish Setter we guarantee our products to be free from defects in material and construction. Warranty adjustments are best addressed at your local retailer where the boots were purchased.

There is a one year waterproof warranty on the boots and the rest of the material and workmanship warranty is all based on normal wear. Credit may be pro-rated based on the general condition and length of wear.

Irish Setter footwear is designed for hunting and hiking. If the footwear has been abused, cut, punctured, severely scraped or used for unintended purposes, the guarantee is not in force.

If you can't get back to the store where your boots were purchased at and see what they can do, you'll need to send them back to us yourself for us to look at and inspect.

Please send them to this address:
Red Wing Shoe Company
135 Cannon River Avenue
Red Wing, MN 55066
Attention: Irish Setter Returns

Put a note or card in with your boots explaining the problem, along with your name, your return address, and telephone number.

Sincerely,
Irish Setter Consumer Relations

314 Main StIIRed Wing, MN 55066
Follow us onFacebook&Twitter

[MountainM]

Such a crappy response. I run a distribution company and we would never get away with that! Most of the time we don't even ask for the defective item back just sent out a replacement. If it is a case we have not seen before I will email UPS labels to the customer at our expense to get the item back, and send them out a new item.

You should not have to send a defective item back at your expense!

[bellerivercrossbowhunter]

I sent Irish Setter a message the other day and got a response back the same day. Here is the message I sent them and the response...

Sent: Thursday, October 18, 2012 7:12 AM
To: Customer Service, Red Wing Shoe Co.
Subject: Problem with Irish Setter Rutmaster boots

Hello,

I have a pair of non-insulated Rutmaster boots that are less than a year old. Approximately 1 month ago I stepped into water that was just over ankle deep. I noticed that the left boot was leaking at the lower part of the ribbed area on the back of the boot in the ankle area. The other day I was out walking after it rained. I was walking through tall wet grass and again could feel that the boot was leaking in the same area.

I currently own 6 pairs of Irish Setter boots and have owned Irish Setter boots for many years. I love the fit and finish and recommend them whenever possible. This is the first pair that I've had any sort of issue with. I'm wondering if there is any sort of warranty on these boots or if perhaps there was a production defect? I belong to an internet hunting forum where several other members have reported having the same problem with the same boots in the same area.

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance



Dave,
Thank you for writing to us. We are sorry to hear that your Irish Setter Rutmaster boots have not performed as expected. At Irish Setter we guarantee our products to be free from defects in material and construction. Warranty adjustments are best addressed at your local retailer where the boots were purchased.

There is a one year waterproof warranty on the boots and the rest of the material and workmanship warranty is all based on normal wear. Credit may be pro-rated based on the general condition and length of wear.

Irish Setter footwear is designed for hunting and hiking. If the footwear has been abused, cut, punctured, severely scraped or used for unintended purposes, the guarantee is not in force.

If you can't get back to the store where your boots were purchased at and see what they can do, you'll need to send them back to us yourself for us to look at and inspect.

Please send them to this address:
Red Wing Shoe Company
135 Cannon River Avenue
Red Wing, MN 55066
Attention: Irish Setter Returns

Put a note or card in with your boots explaining the problem, along with your name, your return address, and telephone number.

Sincerely,
Irish Setter Consumer Relations

314 Main StIIRed Wing, MN 55066
Follow us onFacebook&Twitter

Exactly the same response they sent to me. Cost me 30 bucks to send mine back to the US. We need to spread the word about this kind of Customer Service. I will look elsewhere in the future even if it costs me more $$>>>

[troutperch]

You convinced me not to buy them. Will check BPS maybe Red Head boots?

[Fenelon]

Irish Setter's Exoflex heel system may make walking comfortable, but it's the weak point in the boot. Bought my first pair of Rutmasters two years ago. They lasted about 10 hours, then started leaking at the Exoflex on the heel. The rubber rim separates from the ribbed section. Jeremy at LeBaron's was great. No questions asked - they gave me a new pair. These ones lasted two weeks, then the identical leak started. They also delaminated at the side by the toe. It's a shame, as they are a really nice boot to walk in, but the heel flex area is NFG. I'll Shoo-Goo the pis out of the flex pad, and I'm sure it will fix the leak. My fav. boot was always the green Nokia Retki, with a Bama sock. Almost cried when they sold the company to Wildmark, then it went to China. Boot is junk now. Rubber oxidizes and cracks within months. Have had terrible luck with Acton and LaCrosse boots also - lousy rubber that cracks within months.

Dave

[Rugger]

Jeremy is great! He's my go to guy at markham le B's.

I was looking into a pair of bush boots and I was told the only IS ones recommended were the uninsulated elk trackers.

[bulleye]

I stick to the $39.00 kamiks and If I get two years out of them I am happy........

[Leb_CRX]

I am looking for boots and really happy I've found this thread

the search continues, thanks everyone for posting their experience, good or bad

[XPY]

Irish Setter boots suck! So does their customer service.
You can see the nibs still on the soles, they fell apart in a matter of months & Irish Setters customer service gave me the run around & basically did nothing.

THEY SUCK! DON"T EVER BUY A PAIR OF: Irish Setter Boots

[ATTACH]Attachment 12779[/ATTACH]

[Q10]

I had the same problem some others had with the Rutmasters. First the strap ripped off...a little Shoe Goo fixed it. Then the left boot split at the back of the ankle. I emailed I S but got no response after 3 business days. So I replied to my original email but also got
No response. I called them and was told 1 year warranty need to take them back to the store cause they don't deal direct with Canadian customers. Called Lebarons and they say I need a receipt...wtf keeps every receipt?

The boots are over a year old...but have only been put on less than 30 times. I was hoping I S would stand behind their product but they did nothing for me.

I really love the boots but the durability sucks.

On a positive note....I was able to fix them (again) by using more Shoe Goo. Just squeeze the goo right into the split seam and rub the boot to spread it. I am going over all seams at the back of the boots to help prevent any further damages.

Thumbs down for Irish Setter customer service and lack of standing behind their product.