Jim they are closing them out. I had a problem w/ a pair that I got from another distributor. Last pair of that size w/ that distrubutor. Called GD, they told me I could send them back w/ the extra $$$ and wait for the patent leather since they disco'd the regular and didn't have my size.
When I questioned then, they said their patent leather were wildly popular and decided to carry the entire line that way. Supposedly they are great because they save you the cost of LL. Now did you read their recommendation for repairing the patent leather shoes should the get need it?....LOL yup, Leather Luster. I'll wait and see how they hold up. I took my new shoes to the cobbler and had them repaired.
Bob