Dexter customer service -- anyone home?

[GoKidd]

Has anyone gotten a response from Dexter shoes customer service this past month? Is the company still in business?

[billf]

They are still in business. Our center just received an order from them this past Thursday.

[MICHAEL]

Many of the high performance shoes are on back order! It took 3 weeks for me to get my 12's! Sad part is that it took soooooo long, that my feet grew another inch and now I need 13's!

[MICHAEL]

Only thing that grows on an Old Burt Out X Iron Work, is his Ears, Feet, and ability to tell tales!!

[Faithacabra]

Dexter is most definitely still in business. I can tell you that this is definitely a busy time for them, and many other bowling companies, with their planning and manufacturing of the new models for the next bowling season. They tend to run low on sizes and models of their current shoes, because they get so busy with the process of creating new models. That may have something to do with their customer service lines, though I doubt it. I would try giving them a call or sending another e-mail that politely tells them this is the second e-mail in a month and you would appreciate a quick response.

[GoKidd]

Wow ... I just got off the phone with Dexter Customer Service and was told I have to purchase their Powerstep to correct this problem in the design of their shoe.
No ifs, ands or buts.
It is MY problem said the customer service representative.
So ... Dexter's solution is that I bowl in a style that doesn't suit them.
Be warned, folks.

[Gunz1911]

What was the initial problem?

[GoKidd]

Having a Velcro removable sole on the non-sliding foot ... bad design.
When I drag my foot behind me on the approach, the Velcro lets go and the sole flops around.
Sadly, I liked Dexter shoes, but this non-caring customer support for what is obviously a bad design leaves me cold.
So did Bowlingball.com who sold me the shoes and then said the same thing as Dexter ... I could BUY the fix.
Wow. That's service.
Lessons learned.
Support the local pro shop. They have more reason to help you.
Avoid Dexter SST8 if you drag your drive foot even the least amount.

[vdubtx]

That's a bummer GoKidd.
Was not even aware that any style of Dexters had both sides replaceable.
I always thought the push off foot was always a stationary sole.
Shows how long it has been since I shopped for bowling shoes.

[Leadbelly]

Having a Velcro removable sole on the non-sliding foot ... bad design.
When I drag my foot behind me on the approach, the Velcro lets go and the sole flops around.
Sadly, I liked Dexter shoes, but this non-caring customer support for what is obviously a bad design leaves me cold.
So did Bowlingball.com who sold me the shoes and then said the same thing as Dexter ... I could BUY the fix.
Wow. That's service.
Lessons learned.
Support the local pro shop. They have more reason to help you.
Avoid Dexter SST8 if you drag your drive foot even the least amount.

Sorry to hear about your situation. Dexter should be ashamed for the way they treated you and just pushed aside your issues like they weren't important.

However, if Dexter is intent on selling the fix for this issue, there's nothing that any retailer can do other than try to work with you as much as possible to solve the problem. Any item that YOU would have to buy, THEY would have to buy as well. If Dexter wants to sell this then I doubt any retailer would have them laying around that they can send out for free to people that have the issue that is the exact reason they designed the product.

I personally have placed lots of orders with bowlingball.com and I only had one slight issue with an order and they were more than happy to help me get it straightened out. I think you've got more of a Dexter issue along with a retailer with their hands tied.

[GoKidd]

That's a bummer GoKidd.
Was not even aware that any style of Dexters had both sides replaceable.
I always thought the push off foot was always a stationary sole.
Shows how long it has been since I shopped for bowling shoes.

Weird, huh? Same goes for the higher end Storm shoes made by Dexter -- both soles are Velcro-in-place.
I'll be looking at 3G shoes or Etonic, but NOT a model will Velcro on both soles.

[JPbowl]

I bought the sst6 ... or 5, cant remember. The push off soles are not removable.
As i understood it this was the major difference between sst6 and sst8.

I couldn't justify spending the extra $50+ on a feature i wasn't even sure the purpose of.
Some guys bowl lefty and righty consistently? Let their lefty friend whose the same size wear them? I duno

That being said, after i placed the first set of sole and heel on my slide shoe i haven't touched them in 2 years.

[GoKidd]

I bought the sst6 ... or 5, cant remember. The push off soles are not removable.
As i understood it this was the major difference between sst6 and sst8.

I couldn't justify spending the extra $50+ on a feature i wasn't even sure the purpose of.
Some guys bowl lefty and righty consistently? Let their lefty friend whose the same size wear them? I duno

That being said, after i placed the first set of sole and heel on my slide shoe i haven't touched them in 2 years.

Hi, JP:
My slide soles don't have a problem either.
I had great experience with an earlier SST that had a fixed sole on the drive foot, too. Lasted at least three years.
So when they finally wore out, I decided to treat myself to the SST8 Dexter ... and the rest is history.
Eeek.

[Faithacabra]

Yes the SST 5 and 6's do not have the removable sole and heel on the non slide foot. I have actually read a number of reviews that have the same issue on the drag foot for the SST8's. Personally, when I am spending that much money I do as much research as possible. I was looking at purchasing the sst 8's for myself, but I have the same issue and had read a few different reviews that warned of this issue and went with the 5's instead. I tend to drag my toe a bit too. It's definitely annoying that Dexter was not willing to work with you, but I have to agree with Leadbelly that this sounds to be a Dexter issue and not a bowlingball.com issue. I haven't ordered much from them, and I've never had a problem, so I can't say much. I have worked for an online website before though. The problem is usually that if the warranty is through the manufacturer, there is not much that the company selling the product can do. In fact, the researcher in me is coming out again, if you look at the policy page on most websites. When you look at the warranty issue spot, they list that the warranty is through the manufacturer, not the website. At that point the store is only playing the middle man.

[josheaton16]

When you put the traction sole on if you move it about 1/8" away from the end this should not happen. I know that doesn't solve the crappy customer service but at least you can use the shoes still.

[GoKidd]

When you put the traction sole on if you move it about 1/8" away from the end this should not happen. I know that doesn't solve the crappy customer service but at least you can use the shoes still.

I appreciate your help, Josh. I've tried that and it didn't help. Just a really daft design change on Dexter's part to make very expensive universal bowling shoes.
I'll get the ugly Powerstep strap fix (from my pro shop) and see how long that lasts. If I can get a year out of the shoes, that's better than a complete loss.
After that, I'm looking at 3G or Etonic.

I don't always shop.
But when I shop ... I shop where I get good service.
Stay thirsty, my friends.

[CeKnauss]

Having a Velcro removable sole on the non-sliding foot ... bad design.
When I drag my foot behind me on the approach, the Velcro lets go and the sole flops around.
...
Avoid Dexter SST8 if you drag your drive foot even the least amount.

I drag my foot and the Velcro hoops have melted away. It hasn't bothered me enough to really do anything about it. I have considered super glue. I ended up having a super glue the leather back on my H7 heel when it started peeling.

I know where they are coming from. If every company were to cater to everything beyond their control, they'd go bankrupt. It's a fragile balance between keeping your customers happy and staying in business.

[Bunny]

When I was looking at dexters I believe I read in the description that sst8's were not good for toe draggers. I think it was on bowlingball.com. I guess that was their attempt at a disclaimer.

Saw some niiiiice shoes at the local pro shop. I think they were 3g's made with kangaroo leather. Talk about soft and supple, but not sure how they would hold up.

Good luck!

[vdubtx]

My Dexter SST6 LX's in black kangaroo have held up great in the 5-6 years i have had them. Think it probably way past time to replace slide sole and heel as they have never been replaced.

[GoKidd]

When I was looking at dexters I believe I read in the description that sst8's were not good for toe draggers. I think it was on bowlingball.com. I guess that was their attempt at a disclaimer.

Saw some niiiiice shoes at the local pro shop. I think they were 3g's made with kangaroo leather. Talk about soft and supple, but not sure how they would hold up.

Good luck!

I saw those same shoes, Bunny. 3G Ultra Tour ... YEAH! Nice (replaceable) toe bumper on the drive sole, lots and lots of options on the slide sole and my local pro has had a pair for quite a while ... they look great.
Thanks.

[GoKidd]

When I was looking at dexters I believe I read in the description that sst8's were not good for toe draggers. I think it was on bowlingball.com. I guess that was their attempt at a disclaimer.

Good luck!

Just to close out my part of this discussion, here is a direct cut and paste from BowlingBall.com on the SST8: "Both the slide soles and traction soles are interchangeable, making them universal high end bowling shoes. They offer a unique interchangeable sole that can be either a slide or traction sole. And the leather toe drag protector stops slide sole peel back."

Uhhhh ... no.

My vote says Dexter tried to save a few bucks with a really poor manufacturing decision, offered a half-hearted "fix" that costs the customer another $40 (and looks wretched) and has phone support that makes Fascism sound downright liberal by comparison.
Peace out.

[Gunz1911]

Just to close out my part of this discussion, here is a direct cut and paste from BowlingBall.com on the SST8: "Both the slide soles and traction soles are interchangeable, making them universal high end bowling shoes. They offer a unique interchangeable sole that can be either a slide or traction sole. And the leather toe drag protector stops slide sole peel back."

Uhhhh ... no.

My vote says Dexter tried to save a few bucks with a really poor manufacturing decision, offered a half-hearted "fix" that costs the customer another $40 (and looks wretched) and has phone support that makes Fascism sound downright liberal by comparison.
Peace out.


If your going to copy and paste from the site, Might as well get it all.


Medium (D) Width Shoe

Goodyear Replaceable Rubber Traction Soles

Right or Left Convertible

Leather Toe Drag Protector stops slide sole peel back (This model may not be the best option for bowlers with serious toe drag) Soft Full-Grain Leather Upper

Stitch-Down Construction

[Gunz1911]

Just wanted to put it our there that they atleast did warn you. If you toe drag, might want to go with a different pair.

[GoKidd]

Just wanted to put it our there that they atleast did warn you. If you toe drag, might want to go with a different pair.

BRAVO!! BowlingBall.com JUST added that! Well done.