Claiming RM Williams Boots On Tax
Man Bilong Balus long PNG
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Looking forward to returning to Japan soon but in the meantime continuing the never ending search for a bad bottle of Red!
Age: 69
Posts: 2,967
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Prefer the Mongrel brand boot M'Self. Now on the second pair, the first lasted about 6 years.
At the prices they are charging for RM Williams, I'd be saving them for special occasions rather than wearing them to work. If you want to try claiming your footwear I'd suggest you buy it from a specialist work wear shop. A receipt from King Gee or Hard Yakka, claimed as a work expense is much less likely to attract attention,
Plus the more you wear them the more comfortable they become.
I didn’t know that people’s choice in footwear was something that could be criticised by others (for the RM critics). They fit the criteria for black leather shoes don’t they?
Man Bilong Balus long PNG
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Looking forward to returning to Japan soon but in the meantime continuing the never ending search for a bad bottle of Red!
Age: 69
Posts: 2,967
Received 93 Likes
on
54 Posts
All the RM boots I have ever seen were a dark tan in colour. I concede there may be others though.
They have black as well Pinky. I’ve owned two pairs of them.
Virgin used to offer them as a purchasable uniform option I believe.
Virgin used to offer them as a purchasable uniform option I believe.
The larger RM Williams shops offer a custom boot service, where they will measure your feet and send the order to the factory as per your specifications. You can choose the style, colour, type of leather and sole as you wish. Specifying a security scanner friendly fibre glass shank and non slip oil resistant soles might get you across the line with the ATO. Note that you will likely be well north of $1000 if you go this way.
Having the boots resoled and the elastics redone at the official shop is an eye watering expense. IIRC it was $120 for the elastic alone, even an independent repairer wanted $90 for the job. I bought a roll of the exact same elastic from Adelaide boot supplies for $8 per meter and had it sewn in whilst I was on holiday in the Philippines for $5.
I used to wear RMWs all the time but feel that the price is now excessive for what they are, if I can get them at a factory outlet for around $250 I’ll buy, but I’m not paying full retail.
My current work footwear is a pair of Hugo Boss lace ups, bought for $80 from the op shop. Almost new condition aside from a couple of scuff marks on the soles. Apart from that they would pass for brand new.
Having the boots resoled and the elastics redone at the official shop is an eye watering expense. IIRC it was $120 for the elastic alone, even an independent repairer wanted $90 for the job. I bought a roll of the exact same elastic from Adelaide boot supplies for $8 per meter and had it sewn in whilst I was on holiday in the Philippines for $5.
I used to wear RMWs all the time but feel that the price is now excessive for what they are, if I can get them at a factory outlet for around $250 I’ll buy, but I’m not paying full retail.
My current work footwear is a pair of Hugo Boss lace ups, bought for $80 from the op shop. Almost new condition aside from a couple of scuff marks on the soles. Apart from that they would pass for brand new.
Agreed! Good price point and they last forever. I'm still wearing them at the at the wank fest that is airline flying and no one has ever questioned them, so they must look the part.
I have owned a pair of RM Stockyard boots for at least 30 years. Haven't flown for 10 years but took them out for a walk recently Soles still looked brand new but soon suffered flap flap of heel. The inside of both boots soles and heels were rotten I tried gluing them back together but was gluing one good bit to a rotten one. Couldn't bear to throw them away so went looking for a proper cobbler. (Rare as rocking horse dung). 75 quid for new Vibram soles and heels and the boots look almost new. I suspect they will outlast me. The cobbler is in a garrison town and does a roaring trade. Not only competent but reasonably priced.
