Mephistos and archive search -- two questions.

Regarding your second question, here is what was posted previously and what I do: 1. Go to Google Advanced Search at http://www.google.com/advanced_search?hl=en 2. In the search within a site or domain box (this is new) enter exactly http://www.ricksteves.com/graffiti/helpline/ (copy & paste this) 3. In the all these words box, enter appropriate search words (hint: the more words you enter in this box, the more likely you are to find what you're looking for). 4. Click the Advanced Search button.
For some reason, the search the archives link on this website is not working. Good luck!

All you have to do is look to the top of the page, upper right hand corner of every page, the big white box with the word, "Search" in it, type the thing you want to search for, then click the "Go!" button. Simples!

As Nigel said, the search box has been fixed and actually does a decent job now. If you just want posts for, say, 2011 and not before, you can specify that in your search, too.

I don't know if Rick still says this about Mephistos. I bought Mephistos years ago when the euro was much cheaper. The prices seemed incredibly reasonable. Now that the euro costs more, the price of Mephistos (and everything else in Europe) has gone up.

I bought a new pair of Mephistos at Nordstrom's in November for $300. I tried multiple places before buying, but no one had them on sale. Two weeks later, I saw the exact same pair of shoes at the Mephisto store in central Florence for 149 euro (and they weren't on sale). That's a savings of over $100 even without the VAT refund. If you're headed to Europe and plan to buy Mephistos, check U.S. prices on the internet before you leave so you'll know when you see a good deal.

I think Memphistos are cheaper in France. However, I just don't find them as "comfortable" as others so I would try them on in the US first just so you know if they are workable for you.

I purchased a pair of Mephistos at one of their Paris stores about 10 years ago. I paid about $150 US for them and found the same shoe here in Seattle for about $225 back then. Today the same shoe cost almost $300 US in Paris and not much more in Seattle. As someone else has suggested, find the shoe model(s) you are interested in here in the US and price them here. Then compare the price when you get to France.

I buy Mephistos on SierraTradingPost.com and have never paid more than $100. The selection is limited as they are closeout, but if they have what you are looking for it is a good option. The last time we were in France (2005) they were much more expensive.

Thanks for all your answers - both for access and for Mephistos. There is a place on Rue Cler that is a Mephisto store and I am hoping that I will be there for there January sale, if they have one. Did you know that the January and June sales are state controlled? Sierra is a great idea too. I wouldn't have even thought about those overpriced shoes but the store description was on the Rue Cler walk description in the 2012 Paris book and it made me wonder. If I get there, I will repost what I learned. (Was supposed to go today but got sick.)

A number of years ago I traveled to the Porte d'Orleans part of Paris, the Alesia Metro stop. There was a large store there selling only Mephistos. I remember seeing ads in the newspaper--it must have been the International Herald Tribune. That store had many styles of Mephistos.

Last 2 trips to Paris I purchased Mephistos shoes which cost around 136 euros each time. When I arrived home I priced them at Nordstrom's and the price was over 300 dollars. My favorite Mephisto store in Paris is near Bon Marche and Hotel Lutetia. A 3rd pair of Mephisto's bought in 2006 was lost in Milan-Paris flight as my checked in luggage disappeared. Now I wear my Mephisto's home on the plane.