Driving by the local New Balance store, I see signs saying “50% off all apparel.” Cool. So I stop in, grab some socks labeled $12.99 (two pair). Take 'em to the register, where the price is said to be…$12.99. “Are socks not apparel?” “No, they are accessories.”
Who knew?
I guess when Zoot came out with their shoes that are made to be worn sockless, socks became an accessory, even at a New Balance store :^)
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New Balance shoes are made in the town I grew up in!
Hello Tigerchick and All,
Were you grow up in Fujian, China? Just kidding 
http://routingbyrumor.wordpress.com/2007/12/27/new-balance-shoes-made-in-usa-yeah-right/
I’ve been wearing New Balance shoes since back when they really were making them in the USA. But today, it seems, most of their shoes say “Made In China”. The New Balance shoes that do say “Made In USA” say so on stickers affixed to the tags inside the shoes, but not on the shoes per se, and not on the box the shoes come in. I’m highly suspicious that their shoes labeled “Made In USA” are being made “lock, stock and barrel” in China, and that little manufacturing, other than perhaps inspecting them and placing a “Made in USA” sticker on them is actually being done in an American factory, by American workers.
http://www.usstuff.com/shoes.htm
Currently, domestic production accounts for 25-30% of overall production. The ongoing NB goal is to increase percentage of domestic production.
http://www.ecvv.com/product/vp1646896/new-balance-shoes-for-wholesale-made-in-China.html
new balance shoes for wholesale made in Fujian, China
Skowhegan, Maine
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lol, having worked at a specialty run store and working with a lot of others, for some reason socks are never considered apparel, no idea why though and it always confused the hell out of me as well!
Hello Tigerchick and All,
Were you grow up in Fujian, China? Just kidding
http://routingbyrumor.wordpress.com/...e-in-usa-yeah-right/
I’ve been wearing New Balance shoes since back when they really were making them in the USA. But today, it seems, most of their shoes say “Made In China”. The New Balance shoes that do say “Made In USA” say so on stickers affixed to the tags inside the shoes, but not on the shoes per se, and not on the box the shoes come in. I’m highly suspicious that their shoes labeled “Made In USA” are being made “lock, stock and barrel” in China, and that little manufacturing, other than perhaps inspecting them and placing a “Made in USA” sticker on them is actually being done in an American factory, by American workers.
http://www.usstuff.com/shoes.htm
Currently, domestic production accounts for 25-30% of overall production. The ongoing NB goal is to increase percentage of domestic production.
http://www.ecvv.com/...e-made-in-China.html
new balance shoes for wholesale made in Fujian, China
By simply contacting a New Balance rep you may save yourself from looking like an idiot with that article. Heck, I work for a store that sells NB product and I can answer the questions that you state in your article.
Check out the NB 811, and try to peel of the “made in usa” stitched on the tongue.
Another point, New Balance may be made in the USA, but it’s sold in other countries where French is required to be on labels ( Canada ).
I thought that was funny, so i asked a friend that’s an athletic apparel buyer for ‘MajorCoonglomo Department Store’ and she said there’s all sorts of stuff that doesn’t normally fit into apparel. Socks were at the top of that list. Socks, Underwear, Hats, Coats, Outerwear, Anything with a sports team on it. This is due to the fact those items tend to be produced by separate subcontractors/at different factories and will carry different price points. They also have different buying staff, this chain has a small group of people who specifically focus on socks. Hopefully that makes sense, b/c i would have totally expected to get the discount on the socks myself.
I thought that was funny, so i asked a friend that’s an athletic apparel buyer for ‘MajorCoonglomo Department Store’ and she said there’s all sorts of stuff that doesn’t normally fit into apparel. Socks were at the top of that list. Socks, Underwear, Hats, Coats, Outerwear, Anything with a sports team on it. This is due to the fact those items tend to be produced by separate subcontractors/at different factories and will carry different price points. They also have different buying staff, this chain has a small group of people who specifically focus on socks. Hopefully that makes sense, b/c i would have totally expected to get the discount on the socks myself.
I, the dumb consumer, don’t give a rat’s ass if the socks come from a separate sub-contractor, or from Aunt Matilda in Kansas, for that matter. I’m buying from the store, not the sub-contractor. If the socks have “NB” on them, then New Balance should treat them like the rest of their clothes.
It’s like that scene from The Jerk, in which Steve Martin’s character works at the circus. If you win his weight-guessing game, you get any prize on the rack. Except that “any prize” really meant in a 4"x6" area that contained a pack of gum and an eraser, more or less.
Now I feel guilty.
I am sorry to hear that the signs at the New Balance Store in New Jersey were misleading to you and I completely understand how socks could be considered apparel but New Balance does classify socks as an “accessory” for shoes. That by no means makes this situation any less disheartening so I would be happy to send you out some complimentary socks if you could please provide your shoe size and address. I also have contacted the New Balance store and let them know that you were confused by this so hopefully in the future the advertisements can make it more clear that socks and accessories are not included, or maybe they will have an accessory sale soon!
Now that is customer service!
You should tell them you thought shoes were apparel too, I mean you wear them and all.