June 8, 2020

The $50 Dubarrys

I have wanted a pair of Dubarrys forever. Who hasn't? But this is where I admit my relationship with money is probably disordered in some way, because despite being able to afford them, I just could not part with $450 for a completely non-essential nice-to-have item. So I rocked my free pair of Fatbaby cowboy boots for years.

Or, you know, just went totally barefoot in the Rolex water complex

One of the Chicago-area tack stores closed permanently in April, and they had Dubarrys for $224 each on clearance! I jumped on it, ordering my mom and myself a pair. To make it even sweeter, I got a surprise spot bonus at work the same day whose after-tax value was basically that exact amount. Meant to be, right?


My mom's pair showed up within a couple of weeks. And I continued to wait.

A pair of breeches I also ordered from them arrived. No boots.

A month after ordering, I got a "your order has shipped!" notice with no tracking info.

Two weeks after that, I emailed them to say I had not yet received tracking info, and could they please update me? Shortly after, I received another "your order has shipped!" with no tracking info.



Finally, just about two months after I ordered the boots, I left a voicemail and sent an email both in the same week, asking for an update.

My prize for being persistent? A "Refund issued" email with no explanation.


I was SO disappointed, see aforementioned just-cannot-spend-$450-on-myself problem. My husband said he was sure I'd find another good deal, and I lamented that there both rarely are sales on them (too popular) and they're almost never found secondhand in good condition (everyone loves them).

And then I hopped on Facebook Marketplace that night after dinner and found a pair brand new in the box in my size for $50:

Starting to think my husband is right that I have a magical superpower for making Craigslist/FB Marketplace display whatever I'm looking for at a crazy good deal.


The seller bought them at Rolex a while back, and since then bought a house that needs work and isn't riding at all right now. They're also a size 35, and had therefore been difficult to sell. The non-horsey husband joked with me over text, "Yes, $50 cash, you know she's taking a bath on these don't you, not many people with feet this small" and I was like "I wouldn't be driving three hours roundtrip to get them if it wasn't a great price!"

I ended up hitting it off with the seller and her husband, standing in their driveway talking to them for over an hour when I picked them up!

To top it all off, after getting this pair of 35's, I realized the ones from the tack shop probably wouldn't have fit anyway.

First time riding in them

So that is the long, winding, crazy tale of how I got my first pair of Dubarrys. Now tell me your secrets for taking good care of your Dubarrys, because I sure as hell am never going to find a pair for $50 again so these better last forever!

28 comments:

  1. WOW. I bought a pair a few years ago from Belgium (?) on Black Friday. With an amazing discount code and the exchange rate, I think I ended up spending $290. So, that was an amazing deal, but yours is so much better! I feel bad because I love some of the Dubarry stuff (I bought my husband a hat he loves for xmas one year and the accidentally gave me 2 and let me keep the second that I didn't discover for months...). The shop is 15 minutes from my house and now they have a pop up right in town. But, I just can't afford another pair of boots as much as I'd love one...unless I find a deal like your or another amazing steal via Europe.

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    1. They are SO nice but just so expensive, I would feel so guilty forever paying full price for them.

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  2. What an awesome find. It was totally meant to be!

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  3. I am so jealous of you right now. Not that they would have fit anyway. Nice deal!

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    1. Haha, sorry, this made me giggle though :)

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  4. and I thought getting my black pair of Dubarry Longfords at half price was a deal, lol. I bow to the master! But I am also curious about how people keep their Dubarrys fancy -- I think I need to buy one of their leather care kits next year at LR!

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    1. Um yeah I feel like I've set myself up for at least a small purchase at the proper Dubarry tent next year. Just gotta limp em through another 10 months on my non-Dubarry care items.

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  5. Nice score!! Getting deals like that is a superpower!

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    1. Things like this happen to me more than I think they should, and I'm not sure why.

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  6. That is amazing but also I hate you a little bit right now.

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    1. I laughed out loud at this. Love you :D

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  7. HOW do you even find these things? What a steal!

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    1. I don't have a clue. Patience I guess? Willing to wait ten years for these stupid boots while I wait to find a deal good enough?

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  8. haha that is awesome!! Fate!

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    1. Yes! I can match you guys in the next head of the lake photo!

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  9. What are Dubarrys and aren't they kind of...um...homely?

    (haha for real tho, why are these trendy)

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    1. Why on earth would you take the time to write something rude on a post like this? You're definitely entitled to your opinion and you don't have to like them, but maybe read the room before commenting next time.

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  10. I should give you my wishlist next time you are hoping on FB Marketplace lol I can never find anything on it

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    1. That's what my husband has started doing and honestly I don't know why this happens to me, but over the years I've gotten a crazy good deal on an Audi, found Hank, found a roommate that became a subsequent best friend, and a whole pile of tack/household stuff/etc.

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  11. I'm the one who benefited from her sale at the tack shop. Love them and am so grateful to Jen for the Mother's Day, birthday, Christmas, etc. present! I am sooo happy to own a pair of Dubarrys. (And I'm more than happy you got a pair for $50, Jen. Your patience always pays off....) And don't forget you got the BEST deal on my parrot, Tequila, off of Craig's List! $500 for the bird and cage was a steal!!!

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    1. HI MOM!!! So happy to see you commenting <3

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    2. Hi back!! I did it...LOL!!

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    3. I love this wholesome content. Yay Sue!

      (This is Leah from Rolex. I still owe you lots of hugs)

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  12. Don’t leave them within reach of a puppy 😢

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  13. I tried to jump on the Barrington sale as well, and most of the stuff that I put in my shopping cart sold out before I could buy them!

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